The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (middle right), perched on the rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera,
overlooks Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, where an active lava lake occupies a vent that opened in 2008 and continues
to emit a volcanic gas plume today. HVO is located next to the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park museum named
for the observatory's founder, Thomas A. Jaggar. See story below. USGS photos

PROTECTING THE NATION FROM FOREIGN TERRORIST ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES, the recent Pres. Donald Trump Executive Order, is target of a lawsuit filed today by Hawai`i's Attorney General Doug Chin. The Hawai`i AG is one of a growing number of state Attorney Generals filing suit to protect refugees and other legal travelers and foreign residents who come to the U.S. for sanctuary, business, family, work, school and recreation.

Georgetown University law professor Neal Kumar Katyal
will help the state of Hawai`i with its lawsuit against
President Donald Trump.

A federal judge, responding to the Washington state Attorney General's similar suit, today issued a restraining order halting the Trump order nationwide, forcing federal immigration officials to let the targeted people into the country, provided they have legal documents to come here.

The Hawai`i suit notes that Hawai`i is the nation's most ethnically diverse state, home to more than 250,000 foreign-born residents, with more than 100,000 of them being non-citizens. The Hawai`i V. Trump suit says that thousands of people living in Hawai`i obtain lawful permanent resident status each year, including individuals from the seven designated countries from which the Trump order is denying access: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen. It says that Hawai`i is home to 12,000 foreign students, including individuals from the designated countries, among them 27 graduate students at University of Hawai`i. It states that in 2016, foreign students contributed $400 million to Hawai`i's economy in tuition, fees, living expenses and other activities, supporting 7,590 jobs here. There are also numerous faculty members in Hawai`i's educational system who come from the targeted countries.

The Hawai`i AG filed Hawai`i V. Trump - the State of Hawai`i against President Donald Trump - in Hawai`i federal court opposing Trump's Executive Order that restricts immigration from the seven Muslim-majority countries. Trump’s order also

Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin
files lawsuit against Donald Trump.

suspends all refugee admission for 120 days and bars all Syrian refugees indefinitely. It grants entry preferences to minority religions. Chin said the order is the beginning of the fulfillment of President Trump’s campaign pledge to implement a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”

The Hawai`i AG said, “What makes our country special and a beacon across the world is its inclusive democracy and the rule of law. Everyone in the United States, including the President, must follow the law and follow the Constitution.”
Hawai`i today asked for a hearing on its motion for a temporary restraining order in no more than 14 days. Chin noted that “Hawai`i is an island state. This illegal order affects our state in a unique way. Under this order, an Iraqi permanent resident on the mainland U.S. cannot leave the country without the risk of never being allowed to return, but he still can travel throughout the continental United States. That same person here cannot so much as visit another island within our state for fear of being detained by federal agents at the airport. In the past, the people of this state experienced discrimination by the federal government based on national origin. We must speak up and not let this happen again.”
The complaint alleges several causes of action:

"The Executive Order is unconstitutional because it favors one religion over another in violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment;
"The Executive Order is unconstitutional because it denies equal protection of the law on the basis of national origin;
"The Executive Order is unconstitutional because it curtails the right to travel without any legal justification;
"The Executive Order is unconstitutional because it deprives individuals of their liberty interests without due process of law; and
"The Executive Order is illegal because it violates the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Administrative Procedures Act."

Assisting the state of Hawai`i is Neal Kumar Katyal, a law professor at Georgetown University and former Acting Solicitor General of the United States. Like the Washington state AG, the Hawai`i AG is asking the court to block Trump's order across the entire country.

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Thomas Jaggar (second from left) prepares to measure the temperature of

Halema`uma`u lava lake in 1917. Pictured, left to right, Norton Twigg-Smith,

Jaggar, Lorrin Thurston, Joe Monez, and Alex Lancaster. Photo from USGS

VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH IN JANUARY celebrated the partnerships between Hawai`i Volcano Observatory and the other four observatories operated by the U.S. Geological Service. The series of Volcano Watch stories from Hawai`i Volcano Observatory reminded everyone that Kīlauea is home to America's first volcano observatory. Its establishment was followed by Cascades (CVO), Alaska (AVO), California (CalVO), and Yellowstone (YVO).
HVO scientists write that "The story of HVO goes back to 1909, when a geologist named Thomas A. Jaggar visited Kīlauea for the first time. Noting the volcano's frequent and relatively benign eruptions, fairly easy access, and frequent earthquakes, Jaggar concluded that Kīlauea was the ideal site to study volcanic and seismic activity. He soon began raising funds to build a volcano observatory at the summit of Kīlauea on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
"Jaggar, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was unable to move to Hawai'i right away. But by late 1910, he had secured MIT funds to purchase specialized equipment and shipped it to Hawaiʻi in anticipation of his work on Kīlauea. He also arranged for an American volcanologist, Frank Perret, to travel to the island and begin observing and recording Kīlauea's volcanic activity. Perret was in Hawai'i from July to October 1911.

Volcano Observatory started up with one geologist, Thomas Jaggar, but now can
host a team of as many as 26 with various specialtiies, from geophysics
to seismology, volcanic gases and electronics. USGS photo

"Several prominent Hawai`i businessmen had pledged money in 1909 to build an observatory at Kīlauea, but Jaggar's delay in getting it started had cooled their enthusiasm. Perret, however, demonstrated the value of scientific observation and documentation at Kīlauea, and these businessmen, who had formed the Hawaiian Volcano Research Association (HVRA), again pledged funding to cover the daily operating expenses not covered by MIT funds. Continued HVRA support kept HVO going for many years.
"Jaggar finally arrived at Kīlauea and took over the continuous study of Hawai'i Island's active volcanoes in January 1912. Although Perret began monitoring Kīlauea the year before, 1912 is generally noted as the year HVO was founded and the beginning of the first century of volcano watching in Hawai'i.
"Jaggar was the Director of HVO until he retired in 1940. Since then, 19 other scientists have served as HVO's Director or "Scientist-in-Charge."
"From 1912 to 1947, HVO was located near the present-day Volcano House Hotel in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. In 1948, HVO was moved into a building that is now the National Park's Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, where it remained for almost 40 years.
"In 1986, HVO moved to its current location—a building constructed next to Jaggar Museum—perched on the rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera.
"In the years since HVO was funded by the Hawaiian Volcano Research Association (1912–1919), other agencies have funded the observatory. These agencies include the U.S. Weather Bureau (1919–1924), the U.S. Geological Survey (1924–1935), and the National Park Service (1935–1947). In 1947, the U.S. Geological Survey became the permanent administrator of HVO.
"Today, HVO is part of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program. Its mission is to monitor active and potentially active Hawaiian volcanoes and associated seismicity, assess volcanic and earthquake hazards, respond to volcanic crises, and conduct research on Hawaiian eruptions and earthquakes. HVO also provides volcanic and seismic hazards information to the emergency managers and affected populace who must make decisions about public safety. HVO differs from other USGS volcano observatories in that it is also the authoritative source of earthquake information in Hawaii.
"HVO's staff has grown from one geologist in 1912 (Jaggar) to a team of as many as 26 people in recent years, including specialists in geology, geophysics, seismology, volcanic gases, computer technology, electronics, library/photo archives, administration, and public information. Hundreds of volunteers and academic collaborators from around the world have also provided valuable assistance to HVO through the years.
"HVO's work today is as exciting and relevant as it was in the days of Thomas Jaggar, who felt a profound responsibility to use scientific inquiry to serve communities. We are proud to carry on his legacy—serving the people of Hawai'i and beyond—into HVO's second century."
For more, see The Story of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory—A Remarkable First 100 Years of Tracking Eruptions and Earthquakes. This USGS booklet, published to commemorate HVO's centennial in 2012, is available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/135/. For more on HVO, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov

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Ethnobotany of Hawaiian feather artifacts involves native Hawaiian, endangered birds
during an After Dark in the Park talk on Tuesday. Photo form NPS

HAM RADIO OPERATORS Potluck Picnic, Sunday, Feb. 5, Manuka Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028

PU`U O LOKUANA, Sunday, Feb. 5, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Kahuku unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū on this free, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.

ETHNOBIOLOGY OF HAWAIIAN FEATHER ARTIFACTS is the subject of After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. "Feather artifacts made by a variety of Pacific Island cultures are among the most beautiful of human creations, and it is often said that feather objects made by the Hawaiian people are the most stunning in existence," says a release from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Sheila Conant, Professor Emerita of the Department of Biology at the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa, will discuss various types of feather artifacts, the animals and plants from which they were made and how different types of artifacts were constructed. She will also consider the possible impact of feather collection on native birds. Free at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
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Senators Hirono and Murkowski led women Senators in the U.C. Capitol in Washington, D.C. to observe National Wear Red Day,
which brings attention to the importance of women’s heart health. See story below. Photo from the Office of Sen. Mazie Hirono

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S NOMINEE TO HEAD THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, BETSY DEVOS, is getting a "No" vote from Sen. Mazie Hirono. "As an immigrant, I know how important education is," said Hirono. "Education is foundational and it is a great equalizer." She said she came to Hawai`i as an immigrant at eight years of age and learned English at public schools and received much mentoring and the encouragement to study hard.

"We need an Education Secretary who actually believes in the public schools and who will want to do everything she can for all of our students in our public schools. That is not Betsy DeVos," said Hirono. "When she went through her confirmation hearings we couldn't even get her to commit to the public schools. She has spent most of her adult life pushing vouchers so that public school kids could go to private schools. That is not the kind of commitment to public schools and improving public schools that we need from an Education Secretary, so I will not be voting for Betsy DeVoss. I will not be voting to confirm her as Education Secretary. I have heard from thousands of people in my community in the state of Hawai`i who are really concerned that public schools will not get the kind of support we need with a Betsy DeVoss." The U.S. Senate vote on the confirmation of DeVos is expected on Monday.
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Sen. Mazie Hirono spoke from her office about her "No" vote for
Donald Trump's Education Secretary nominee, Betsy Voss.

"MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HAVE FOUGHT BACK, but Trump’s right-wing supporters at Breitbart News (which Trump's senior White House advisor Steve Bannon founded) have tried to silence our opposition," Sen. Mazie Hirono stated in a release sent out yesterday. "They singled me out, calling my advocacy efforts 'unhinged in the extreme.' I will not stop because of Breitbart’s attacks -- not now, not ever," stated Hirono.
Ka`u's Senator called "Trump’s Muslim ban inexcusable. It feeds the fear, hate, and bigotry that continues to divide our nation. It exploits refugees and immigrants, and ultimately puts the future of all Americans at risk.
"When my mother brought me to America for a better future, she taught me not only the importance of working hard to raise your family, but the importance of raising up your whole community. I have seen how strong our nation can be when we stand united. Which is why now, more than ever, I know we must do everything to resist divisions based on hatred and fear. Now is not the time to become discouraged or dissuaded. It’s time for action. The fight for the future we want to see has only begun," declared Hirono.
Hawai`i state Attorney General Doug Ing has filed a suit in federal court to overturn Trump's Executive order banning travelers from seven majority-muslim countries.
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Kukui is the current Hawai`i State Tree, with its classic leaf shape and candlenut
that Hawaiians have used for lighting and oil. However, some legislators want
to switch to Ohia. Photo from Philadelphia Flower Show

SHOULD THE STATE TREE REMAIN KUKUI OR BECOME OHIA? That is the discussion in the Hawai`i Senate, with Sen. Lorriaie Inouye, of Hilo, wanting to keep Kukui and several other Senators supporting the changing of the state tree to Ohia. The switch to Ohia was proposed by O`ahu Sen. Gil Riviere, according to a story in today's Hawai`i Tribune Herald by Avy Ashe. Ashe reports that Riverie wants to bring attendion to the plight of the Ohia, which is dying from Rapid Ohia Death fungus. Ohia, which covers many thousands of acres on the Big Island, is considered necessary to maintain the native forests and watershed. The Ohia is native and the Kukui (candlenut) is originally from Malaysia, carried here by Polynesians in their voyaging canoes.

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AMERICAN HEART MONTH IS FEBRUARY, with Hawai`i Sem. Mazie Hirono and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski having led the passing of a bipartisan resolution and bringing together women U.S. Senators yesterday for National Wear Red Day.
“Heart disease kills three out of every ten people in Hawai`i and one in three nationwide, including a significant number of women and minorities,” said Hirono. “The bipartisan support of this resolution is a testament to the commitment by our nation’s lawmakers to raise awareness about the prevalence and severity of cardiovascular disease and the importance of research, prevention, and treatment.”

The Alaska Senator stated, “Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of woman in the United States. I passionately believe that we must do all we can to enable our women, families, and healthcare providers with the tools and know how to confront heart disease head on. “There is still so much we have to learn about this disease, and how it affects women. I will continue to work hard to support the efforts by the American Heart Association and others to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women. ”
American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown said, “We are pleased that so many members of Congress joined together to co-sponsor this important resolution. Our tremendous thanks to Senators Hirono and Murkowski, who were integral in its reintroduction. Cardiovascular disease is the number one and most costly killer of Americans. It causes on in three deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. This resolution brings much-needed awareness to these perils of CVD and helps us remind all Americans to focus on their heart health not only during February, but every day of their lives.”

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American Heart Association-Hawaii Division Executive Director Lori Suan, MPH, said, “Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading risk of death and major disability in Hawai`i, and more women in Hawai`i die of stroke than men. Fortunately, we have an opportunity to change that because 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases are preventable through lifestyle improvements. National Wear Red Day is designed to raise awareness that we all can make improvements to our health.”
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
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PAHALA-KA`U HIGH SCHOOL REUNION this year in Las Vegas is set for the weekend of June 23 and 24 at the California Hotel. Those attending can book directly with the California Hotel which is holding accommodates at discounted rates for Wednesday, June 21 through Monday, June 26 for Pahla Ka`u 2017 Reunion. The annual gathering is open to everyone who attended Pahala and Ka`u high Schools. There will be a reception on Friday and a banquet on Saturday, according to coordinator and 1966 graduate Neal Kanda who can be contacted at 808-284-1066.
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KA`U HIGH IS IN THE PLAYOFFS for Big Island Interscholastic Federation Boy Basketball. One playoff game for #4 seed will be this Monday, Feb. 6 with Ka`u taking on St. Joseph at the HIlo Civic at 6 p.m. On Thursday, Feb. 9, Honoka`a will play either Ka`u or St. Joseph for the Division II Championship.

Cattle can sometimes be seen along the Pu`u o Lokuana Trail.
NPS photo

The park was once the Kahuku Ranch, one of the first ranches in the Hawaiian Islands. Free.

ETHNOBIOLOGY OF HAWAIIAN FEATHER ARTIFACTS is the subject of After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. Free at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
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Bioenergy Hawai`i plans to process waste collected by the County of Hawai`i from as far away as Ka`u at the concrete quarry
near Waikoloa. Its resource recovery plant would make transportation fuel, soil improvement products for agriculture and sell
recyclables. Above is BioEnergy Hawai`i's image and logo from www.bioenergyhawaii.com

WASTE FROM KA`U COULD BE PROCESSED AS FAR AWAY as Waikoloa with the development of BioEnergy Hawai`i's resource recovery plant. The cost of hauling the waste from Ka`u and other south side districts to the other side of the island would be reduced by creating transportation fuel from the organics in the waste stream.
The company's website says the "Conventional landfill disposal operations contribute to ecological problems that affect our existing communities and future generations. Waste diversion practices will recover our 'wasted' resources and generate value products to support local sustainable agriculture and alternative energy initiatives." It points out that 500 tons of material are sent to landfill disposal on Hawai`i Island every day. A "seventy-percent waste diversion rate can be reached through resource recovery initiatives. Eighty-five percent of Hawai`i Island's agricultural products are imported each year and 90 percent of the energy consumed in Hawai`i each year is from imported fossil fuel."
The facility is planned for the West Hawai`i Concrete Quarry site near Waikoloa, which is considered by the developers of the resource recovery plant as ideal, with the little rain and little agriculture to disturb there. The County recently signed off on an environmental permit for this location where recyclables will be delivered, recovered and collected for offsite sales. Organic materials will be used for agricultural products and to produce energy. Natural gas will be made for transporation fuel and stationary power through processing organics in an anaerobic digester. The organic waste put through a thermal conversion process will make electricity and other fuels, according to BioEnergy Hawai`i.

Waste recovery cycle image provided to the state and county by
BioEnergy Hawai`i, which has applied for permits.

According to BioEnergy Hawai`i, LLC's proposal to the state and county, the renewable nautral gas will be used to power waste collection vehicles and also sold to offsite consumers to displace fossil fules. "Approximately 70 percent of waste enering the facility can be diverted from the island's landfill."
The facility is to be built and operated at no cost to the County of Hawai`i. "Positive impacts include a reduction in greenhouse gas emmission over the existing solid waste disposal system, conservation of landfill space, reduced cost to users which may be passed along to the public, and displacement of substantial amounts of imported fossil fuels. The proposed action can coexist with the County's proposed efforts to recover organic materials, but may also relieve the County from having to incur the expenses of organics diversion," sates BioEnergy Hawai`i's proposal.
Negative impacts include "a slight increase in traffic along Waikoloa Road." The facility requires a state Special Use Permit, Solid Waste Management Permis and Clean Air Permit as well as building and grading permits.
Bioenergy Hawai`i is based in Kailua-Kona and Newport Beach, CA. It partners with the Ulupono Initiative to finance the project. See more at www.bioenergyhawaii.com.

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A SEPARATE PROCESSING PLANT FOR MULCH near Hilo that would be contracted by the county to handle organic waste may be put on hold. The proposed site is at Pana`ewa but residents are objecting. Big Island Video News interviewed Panna`ewa residents who were sign waving along Hwy 11 in Hilo, as they objected to the possibility of odor and traffic. Hawai`i Tribune Herald reported today that Mayor Harry Kim might consider canceling the contract.

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REINSTATING THE GLASS-STEAGALL 'RETURN TO PRUDENT BANKING ACT' is a mission for Ka`u's U.S. House of Representatives member. Tulsi Gabbard joined 26 members of Congress last week to introduce the bipartisan legislation, endorsed by Public Citizen and the AFL-CIO. She said it would reinstate important consumer protections put in place after the Great Depression and require separation between commercial and investment banking.

Gabbard said she believes Pres. Donald Trump supports the bill but she also responded to his signing of an order to begin rolling back Wall Street regulations such as the one called Dodd-Frank. Gabbard tweeted today, "Further deregulating Wall Street will make it easier for big banks to make risky bets on the back of families."

Concerning the new legislation, she stated, "From the Great Depression through the turn of the 21st Century, Glass-Steagall helped keep our economy safe. Repealing it allowed too-big-to-fail banks to gamble with the savings and livelihoods of the American people, with devastating, irrevocable consequences. Hawaiʻi, along with communities across the country, paid the price in 2008 with the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Today, the banks that were 'too big to fail' in 2008 are even bigger and more powerful now. We must reinstate Glass-Steagall and create a financial system that works for every American—not just Wall Street banks," said Gabbard.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard supports a bill that would once again separate commercial
and investment banking. The bill is called The Return of Prudent Banking and
she said it has Pres. Donald Trump's support.
Photo from Office of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

Gabbard explained that in 1933, the Banking Act - also known at the Glass-Steagall Act - passed amid an atmosphere of chaos and uncertainty to address banking failures of the Great Depression. "The goal of its lead cosponsors, Rep. Henry Steagall and Sen. Carter Glass, was to separate commercial and investment banking and restore confidence in the American banking system.
"In 1999, Congress repealed the Glass-Steagall Act and removed the barriers between investment banking and traditional depository banks. This action gave financial institutions and investment firms access to the deposits of the American consumer, which then were used to gamble on the Wall Street casino.
"This misguided deregulation allowed the creation of giant financial supermarkets—that could own investment banks, commercial banks, and insurance firms—and created companies too big and intertwined to fail. This lack of regulation also allowed Wall Street to leverage their debt past sustainable ratios using consumer mutual funds and the pension accounts of American workers as collateral," stated Gabbard.
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VETERANS CLAIMS PROCESSING could be speeded up, according to Ka`u's representative in congress, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. She has cosponsored the bipartisan WINGMAN Act (H.R.512), legislation that would streamline the veterans claims process between the Department of Veterans Administration and congressional offices that process claims on behalf of veterans and their families.
“It’s my honor to serve the hundreds of Hawaiʻi veterans that contact my office each year for help. However, slow turnaround and thick layers of bureaucracy at the VA too often leave certified congressional staff jumping through tedious hoops to access critical information on behalf of veterans and their families. At times, we have waited for months to get a simple answer from the VA on behalf of a Hawaiʻi veteran. This is unacceptable. The WINGMAN Act would cut through the red tape and allow congressional offices to provide quicker, more efficient service to our veterans,” said Gabbard.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been speaking with veterans about faster
processing of their claims. She hosts a meeting Tuesday in Hilo.
Photo from the office of Tulsi Gabbard

According to Gabbard, the WINGMAN Act would streamline the veterans claims process between congressional offices and their
constituents by eliminating the requirement to use the VA as a middle-man. Under WINGMAN, certified constituent advocates would be able to directly access the status of pending claims, medical records, rating decisions, statement of the case, supplementary statement of the case, notice of disagreement, and Form-9 files within a reasonable amount of time, without having to go through a middle-man at t Gabbar said her office helps hundreds of veterans get assistance from the VA and other federal agencies with constituent advocates located in every county, holding regular office hours. For a list of upcoming office hours, click here: http://bit.ly/2jLHHfG. For information on how Ka`u's Representative in Congress and staff can assist constituents, click here: http://bit.ly/2hq1jbS

The next Gabbard constituent meeting on Hawai`i Island will be this Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at Wailoa Arts & Cultural Center at 200 Piopio Street in Hilo.

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TRYOUTS FOR KA`U HIGH TROJANS BOYS VOLLEYBALL is Monday after school, with practice five days a week. Coach is Joshua Ortega, who also coaches Trojans Girls Volleyball. Also on tap for the Trojans is Girls Varsity Softball with coach Donald Garo, Track and Field with Assistant Coach Linda Le. According to Ka`u High Athletic Director Kalei Namohana, there will be no baseball or tennis this year.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING on Monday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

ADULT MOLD CERAMICS, Monday and Wednesday, Feb. 6 – March 15, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register at 928-3102.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Feb. 7 and 8 and Feb. 21 and 22 at 9 a.m. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live-streamed and archived meetings.

KA`U COFFEE GROWERS MEETING, Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

ETHNOBIOLOGY OF HAWAIIAN FEATHER ARTIFACTS is the subject of After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. Free at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Mayor Harry Kin, taking office for the third term, last December, will talk story in Ocean View on Wednesday.
Photo by Ann Bosted

MAYOR HARRY KIM TALKS STORY AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER this Wednesday, Feb., 8 at 6 p.m. and the public is invited to discuss community issues. Crime and the need for localized policing is a hot topic, with a petition having been circulated.

The mayor, serving his third term after sitting out for two terms, is 77 years of age. He was born in Hawai`i and was the long-time chief Civil Defense and the popular voice of emergency broadcasting on the island. His first term as mayor was from 2,000 to 2008. He attended Hilo High School and the University of Hawaii at Hilo and graduated from Southern Oregon State University. He served in the United States Army as a medic and was a teacher and coach. Kim served for 16 years as Hawai`i County's Director of Civil Defense. While Kim first ran for mayor as a Republican, he considers himself to be nonpartisan. During his time at the top county post, Kim advocated, among other initiatives, recycling projects and the creation of a new County office complex in the place of the defunct Kaikoʻo Mall in Hilo.

When Kim ran for mayor in 2016 it was on a campaign to restore trust in government. He was elected mayor once again in primary voting on Aug. 13 when he received more than 50 percent of the votes cast in a field of 13 candidates (thereby avoiding a runoff election in November).In keeping with a commitment he had made in every campaign, to accept no more than a $10 donation from any individual, Kim spent a total of $21,931 in 2016, with a per vote cost of $1.06. His nearest competitor spent $220,289, with a per vote cost of $22.11. For more on campaign spending in 2016, please read the Ka`u News Briefs of Jan. 26, and the February edition of The Ka’u Calendar.

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A Public Utilities Commission case in 2011 drew a packed house at Pahala Community Center when a refinery was planned in
Wood Valley for making fuel for HELCO. Intervenors, who spend many hundreds of hours researching and employing
attorneys and experts for such cases without pay, may for future cases, be compensated, should the
legislature pass a new law and the intervenors prove value to consumers.
Photo by Michael Martin Neal

INTERVENORS IN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CASES could be compensated for there services, provided they make substantial contributions with positive results for consumers. This is the aim of a bill introduced into the Hawai`i Legislature by Rep. Chris Lee as House Bill 805. If it becomes law, it would establish an “intervenor compensation program” to reimburse attorney fees, expert witness fees and other expenses to organizations or individuals. Lee is chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.
The Hawai`i program would be modeled after a similar program in California where that state awarded $25.5 million from 2008 to 2012 for 370 claims submitted by intervenors. Seven states allow intervenors to receive reimbursement for their costs when they make a substantial contribution to a PUC proceeding, producing a clear benefit for consumers, according to the bill.
The purpose section of the bill explains that the Hawai’i PUC is tasked with “balancing the interests of consumers against the interests of regulated companies. Regulated companies and utilities tend to have significant resources to advocate for their interests before the public utilities commission, but few organizations or individuals have a similar capacity to advocate for the interests of the people.”
The bill states that “While Hawai`i's consumer advocate has a broad mission and is directed to act on behalf of individual consumers, the consumer advocate must also represent the interests of large industrial consumers and commercial entities. This can potentially limit advocacy on behalf of individual consumers when their interests conflict with that of larger entities the consumer advocate must also represent."

A proposed industrial scale solar farm in Ocean View drew a packed house at
Ocean View Community Center in 2015 and is drawing intervenors
to the PUC process. Photo by Julia Neal

The bill provides examples of success stories with other PUC's: “The California Intervenor Compensation Program, enacted into law in 1981, has successfully encouraged advocacy on behalf of consumers that scaled back large rate hike proposals by utilities, which saved California consumers billions of dollars. A 2013 audit found that the commission program was well-managed, and that it had awarded $25,500,000 from 2008 through 2012 for 377 claims. Some of those intervenors include the Utility Reform Network, Utility Consumers' Action Network, Disability Rights Advocates, Aglet Consumer Alliance, The Greenlining Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, Consumer Federation of California, Green Power Institute, and Rancho Peñasquitos Concerned Citizens.”
Energy guru and blogger, Henry Curtis of Life of the Land, wrote that he strongly supports this measure. Life of the Land, a non-profit organization, has intervened in many cases before the PUC, and has applied for intervenor status in the Ocean View solar installation project. The PUC has put the project on hold while a 72-page complaint against the 6.5 megawatt project is investigated. Mats Fogelvik, President of the Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corp., has also applied for intervenor status. Both applications are opposed by HELCO.
Curtis described how California’s intervenor compensation program works, writing “a California State Auditor audit of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) intervenor compensation pr were well below a half of one percent of the savings to ratepayers. What a bargain!
“By contrast, in Hawai`i, few motions to intervene in rate cases have ever been filed. For electric utility rate cases, for the first time ever, four entities have filed motions to intervene in the current HELCO rate case, where the utility is seeking more than a 6 percent rise in rates.”
Dean Nishina, Hawai’i’s Consumer Advocate offered testimony regarding the bill. He wrote: “The Consumer Advocate acknowledges that intervenors, other participants, and members of the public who take time to comment on ongoing matters before the Commission can possibly make valuable contributions to Commission decisions by providing perspectives that might otherwise not be offered for Commission consideration. The perspective the Consumer Advocate brings to any given docket is focused by design, laid out in statute, and so everyone who offers information and expertise can bring a different perspective to the Commission’s attention.
“The Consumer Advocate has concerns about how this proposed program would be implemented and administered. If such a program is to be implemented, the Consumer Advocate supports the intent to require that there needs to be a showing of substantial contribution resulting in a decision favorable to the interest of consumers.

Henry Curtis of Life of the Land has intervened in numerous
cases involving the utility companies.
Photo from Big Island Video News

“The Consumer Advocate also supports the provision that requires that the program, if approved, should not result in unproductive or unnecessary participation that duplicates the participation of similar interests.
“In addition, the Consumer Advocate contends that a party should not be rewarded for results that may be attributable to another party, such as the Consumer Advocate.”
The Chairman of the PUC, Randy Iwase, testified. He wrote: “The Commission raises concern regarding the appropriateness of placing the Commission, a quasi-judicial regulatory body, in the position to make subjective determinations regarding whether certain intervenors should receive financial compensation for their contributions to a docket. The Commission also notes that undertaking a detailed review of the reasonableness of intervenor compensation claims, as is proposed by this measure, would likely place a significant administrative burden on the Commission’s limited staff resources.”

Testifying on behalf of HECO, MECO and HELCO, Kevin Katsura wrote that he is in opposition to the bill. He is concerned that this bill would provide funding to “intervenors who have interests that may or may not be consistent with the interests of all consumers of electric service.”
He added that the utility companies he represents “do not believe it is appropriate for taxpayers or customers of the utility to pay for the involvement of groups whose positions would be outside the scope of the functions of the Consumer Advocate to reflect their position at public expense, subject to the priorities and limited resources of that office. As an alternative, they may advocate their own position at their own expense.”
Katsura’s letter was the only testimony that was opposed to the bill.

THE EMAIL PRIVACY ACT PASSED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY, cosponsored by Ka`u's Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a founding member of the Fourth Amendment Caucus. She released this statement:

“The Electronic Communications Privacy Act was written over 30 years ago, when most Americans didn’t have an email account, let alone a smartphone, cloud storage, social media, or other forms of modern-day technology. The fact that this outdated law still governs our personal data and communication online puts all of us at risk. The Email Privacy Act makes common sense and long overdue updates to the ECPA to protect the constitutional right to privacy of millions of Americans.”

The ECPA, passed in 1986, allows the government to search any email older than 180 days stored on a third-party server, such as Google or Yahoo, without a warrant. The legislation has not been updated since, despite rapid changes in technology over the past three decades.The Email Privacy Act would update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act to state that all government agencies must get a warrant to search Americans’ online communications, regardless of when the email was crafted.
The Fourth Amendment Caucus is a bipartisan group of lawmakers dedicated to protecting against warrantless searches and seizures, close privacy violating surveillance loopholes, and champion reform efforts to protect and restore Fourth Amendment rights. Gabbard, as a founder of the caucus, has introduced legislation in the 113th and 114th Congresses to expand the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) and give the Board greater authorities to carry out its function of balancing the government’s national security and counterterrorism activities with the need to protect the privacy rights of law-abiding Americans.

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OPPOSITION TO THE NOMINEE FOR U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION is what Ka`u's Sen. Mazie Hirono testified on the floor of the U.S. Senate today. "It shouldn’t be asking too much to have an Education Secretary who will stand up for public schools and the millions of our children who attend public schools. That person is not Betsy DeVos.
"Constituents from every state who care about our public schools and our students in public schools have broken records calling their Senators in opposition to Betsy DeVos. In the past few weeks, I’ve heard from thousands of Hawai`i residents concerned about voting for an Education Secretary who clearly does not believe in our nation’s public schools."

Sen Mazie Hirono testified today on the U.S. Senate Floor,
against the nomination of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education

Hirono read letters from two Hawai`i educators. From one named Sandy: "As a proud Hawai`i educator for 30 plus years, I'm deeply troubled by the possible appointment of Betsy DeVos to the position of US Secretary of Education. Although I would personally never consider applying for a job I am not qualified to serve in, it's baffling to me that our new Commander in Chief thinks someone who has NO experience as a teacher or administrator could be remotely prepared to lead our nation in this role.I don't have to explain to you what a selfless calling being a teacher is, nor do I believe our Hawai`i Delegation takes educating Hawai`i's keiki lightly, so I implore you to work with other leaders in DC to make sure we have a suitable nominee for this essential position."

Hirono said, "Sandy, and teachers like her, devote far more time and effort than is mandated to ensure that our public school students have a solid foundation in education and for life. They deserve a better qualified, better experienced, better prepared, and more committed Secretary of Education than Betsy DeVos."

Hirono also shared a letter from Lorelei, a middle school principal on O`ahu: "As a strong supporter of public education, I ask that you oppose the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Educators and students deserve a Secretary who can commit to supporting every student in all public schools, and a leader that will work tirelessly to promote a public education

system that provides each child with the optimum conditions for teaching and learning. Betsy DeVos' past work in education and her performance at the recent confirmation hearing demonstrated neither a depth of experience nor knowledge base in education policy and on critical issues facing the community As a principal, I have spoken with teachers, parents, students, and community members across the political spectrum and there is widespread agreement that Betsy DeVos is not the right person for the job.

Concluded Hirono, "It shouldn’t be asking too much to have an education secretary who will stand up for public schools and the millions of our children who attend our public schools. That person is not Betsy DeVos."

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Feb. 7 and 8 and Feb. 21 and 22 at 9 a.m. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live-streamed and archived meetings.

ETHNOBIOLOGY OF HAWAIIAN FEATHER ARTIFACTS is the subject of After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. Free at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

KA`U FARM BUREAU has set its first meeting of 2017 for Feb. 15 at the auxiliary room at the new gymnasium in Pahala at 6 p.m. Election of new officers is planned for the meeting, said Ka`u Farm Bureau President Brenda Iokepa-Moses. She recently attended the National Association of Conservation Districts meeting in Denver.

Tutu and Me is asking for community support for funding its programs in Ka`u and beyond. The funding
is now before the Hawai`i Legislature. Photo from Tutu and Me

TUTU AND ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL is looking for community support for Wednesday's hearing at the state House of Representatives, which involves funding for the child development services organization. It provides early childhood education for infants and toddlers and their family members in Ka`u and beyond. Betty Clark, the Tutu and Me site manager for Ka`u, said this morning that parent organization Partners in Development received many letters of support for Tutu and Me and other early childhood programs and presented them during a public hearing at the capitol last week. The legislation for which supportive testimony is requested to present at a hearing on Wednesday is House Bill No. 937. Clark is asking for support letters by 1 p.m. Wednesday.

A keiki enjoys a Tutu and Me program at Pahala Community Center.
Photo by Julia Neal

Bill 937 states that family-child interaction learning programs, like Tutu and Me, are part of a mixed-delivery early learning system to ensure school readiness for Hawai`i's children prior to enetering kindergarten. The bill asks for funding which wold be managed through the Executive Office on Early Learning.
A sample support letter states that such programs "provide families with tremendous support and prepare our keiki to make the transition into the formal learning process. Research has shown that there is a tremendous long-term savings to society when a child receives proper educational preparation.

Family child interaction learning programs work closely with parents to teach them how to be their child’s first and foremost educator. It is a mixed delivery system that also equips parents to be well informed and how to be an advocate for their child.

Funding for these programs will provide a needed service to many of our keiki who today must enter a system without the proper preparation." Support letters can be addressed to Rep. Roy Takumi, Chair and Rep. Sharon Har, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Educaiton. Those letters submitted to Clark by Wednesday morning will be presented in a package to the committee.

Clark can be emailed at eclark@pidfoundation.org.

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PUTTING HEALTH FOOD WITHIN REACH is the goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is partnering with Tutu and Me. Everyone can learn about this S.N.A.P program and how to apply. The free information will be given this Thursday, Feb. 9 at Pahala Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with Tutu and Me staff helping out. Call 933-6030 for more information.

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GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE Ross Rammelmeyer, of Volcano, sent out a memo after the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education by the U.S. Senate today. For the first time in history, the vote of the Vice President was required to break the tie to confirm a cabinet member. VP Mike Pence voted for DeVos. Both of Hawai`i's U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz cast votes against the DeVos confirmation.

Betsy DeVos, the 11th U.S.
Secretary of Education

Rammelmeyer noted that guns in schools were an issue in the DeVos confirmation. When asked whether guns should be allowed in schools, DeVos said during her confirmation hearing, "That is best left to locales and states to decide. I will refer back to Sen, Enzi and the school he was talking about in Wyoming. I think probably there, I would imagine that there is probably a gun in the schools to protect from potential grizzles." She was also asked "If President Trump moves forward with this plan to ban gun-free school zones, will you support that?" She said she will support what the president does.

Rammelmeyer also pointed to Americans for Responsible Solutions founded by Mark Kelly and Gabby Gifford, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives who was shot during an assassination attempt. Kelly said today that one of the organization's top priorities "is resisting efforts to end gun free school zones. The safety of our children is at stake, and we are going to fight both tooth and nail to protect them."

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MORE SCAM ALERTS ON ARE THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU RADAR. An old scam with a new twist is doing the rounds. It involves getting the victim to say “yes”. That “yes” is then edited to be an agreement for a major purchase.
The “Can You Hear Me?” scam has long been used to coerce businesses into purchasing office supplies and directory ads they never actually ordered, but now it’s targeting individual consumers, as well.
Here’s how it works: The victim gets a call from someone who almost immediately asks “Can you hear me?”. The goal is to get the victim to answer “Yes,” which most people would do instinctively in that situation. There may be some fumbling around; the person may even say something like “I’m having trouble with my headset.” But in fact, the “person” may just be a robocall recording a conversation… and that “Yes” answer can be edited to make it sound like a major purchase was authorized.

Complaints to the Better Business Bureau say the calls are about vacation packages, cruises, warranties, and other big ticket items. So far, none have reported money loss, but it’s unclear how the scams will play out over time, or if the victims will be targeted at a later date.
The BBB advises: Use Caller ID to screen calls, and consider not even answering unfamiliar numbers. If it’s important, they will leave a message. If someone calls and asks “Can you hear me?,” do NOT answer “yes.” Just hang up. Scammers change their tactics as the public catches on, so be alert for other questions designed to solicit a simple “yes” answer. Make a note of the number and report it to https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/hawaii to help warn others. BBB also shares Scam Tracker information with government and law enforcement agencies, so every piece of information is helpful in tracking down scammers. Consider joining the Do Not Call Registry (DoNotCall.gov) to cut down on telemarketing and sales calls. This may help with scammers since they don’t bother to pay attention to the law, but you’ll get fewer calls overall. That makes the fraudulent calls more obvious.
Check bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges. It’s also a good idea to check telephone and cell phone bills, as well. Scammers may be using the “Yes” voice recording to authorize charges. This is called “cramming” and it’s illegal.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS continue on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. Na`alehu State Office Building is open to the public for videoconferencing for the meeting.

TALK STORY WITH MAYOR HARRY KIM on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Ocean View Community Center at 6 p.m.

TROPICAL FLOWER ARRANGING will be taught by Kaipo Ah Chong on Feb. 10 at Volcano Art Center.

See volcanoartcenter.org.

JOIN LYDIA MENESES FOR A Zentangle® demonstration at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. – 11a.m.

Pu`u Pu`ai Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is temporarily closed to protect nēnē, the endangered Hawaiian geese
during their breeding season in the area. Photo from USGS

OPPOSITION TO NEW U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFFERSON BEAUREGARD SESSIONS III was the testimony given last night and early this morning by Hawai`i's Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz in advance of the Sessons' confirmation vote of 52 to 47 today in the U.S. Senate. The vote, which makes Sessons the new AG, mostly followed party lines after Democrats testified against Sessions all through the night. They claimed that the Alabama Senator would be unfair on voting rights and to immigrants, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and those supporting legalization of marijuana.

Jeff Sessons, new U.S. Attorney
General. Photo form Wikipedia

Hirono testified, “I will vote against the nomination of Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General because I’m deeply concerned about how he would use his prosecutorial discretion to uphold voting rights, protect civil rights, and safeguard a woman's right to choose. And I am seriously concerned about Jeff Session's willingness to say no to the President when he needs to.”
Schatz said Sessions has a poor record on access to health care, opposing funding for contraception, cancer screening and programs that help women victims of violence. He said Sessions is also unsupportive of fair pay and voting rights.
Schatz said he is concerned that Muslim families are terrified in the U.S. and anti-Semetic attacks are on the rise, yet during the Sessons hearings, Sen. Elizabeth Warren was stopped from quoting Martin Luther King Jr.'s widow, from her letter expressing concerns about Sessons and his attitudes toward civil rights.

Brian Schatz testifying against new
U.S. Attorney General Sessons.

Concerning civil rights and also immigrants, Schatz quoted Republican President Gerald Ford, who repealed the executive order interning Japanese Americans. Ford asked for an American promise from what "we have learned from the tragedy of that long ago experience," to promise forever "liberty and justice for each individual American and resolve that this kind of action shall not ever again be repeated."
Said Schatz, "That promise is being broken" for immigrants, as he talked about President Trump's ban on travel from seven Muslim majority countries to the U.S, and other immigration restrictions separating families. Schatz also said, "The promise is broken for millions of Americans, the majority of us who want to always have moral high ground. The world is watching. History is watching and we have to ask ourselves what do they see? Do they see Lady Liberty or do they see something darker? The choice is ours. We can fix it."
Schatz urged "fighting chaos and paranoia as official government policy."

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CHECK TO SEE THAT TOUR BOATS ARE LICENSED, recommends the U.S. Coast Guard, which boarded and cited an unlicensed catamaran on Tuesday at Pohoiki for illegally carrying tourists to see the lava flowing into the ocean at Kamokuna. To operate, tour boat captains need an license for the boat, a captains license for a commercial operation and a Coast Guard inspection certificate for the vessel.

U.S Coast Guard is urging visitors seeing the lava by sea to make
sure the tour boats are licensed, as is this Lava Ocean Tours catamaran.
Photo from Lava Ocean Tours

The Coast Guard released a statement today saying it “has identified two tour boats operating illegally out of Pohoiki Boat Ramp and is ramping up enforcement in response to a perceived increase in illegal charters operating in the area to view lava streaming into the ocean from Hawai`i’s Kilauea volcano.

“Safety is always our top priority,” said Capt. David McClellan, chief of prevention, Coast Guard 14th District. “For boat operators, it is important to maintain situational awareness and not unnecessarily put yourself, your passengers or your boat in danger. For visitors, it’s important they check that their hired boat operators are licensed ensuring they possess the experience and training required to get them to the viewing area and back safely.
“Commercial tour boat and charter operators must possess the appropriate merchant mariner credential to operate. Masters of commercial charters operating in state waters are also required by the State of Hawai`i to have a permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources," stated the Coast Guard. Vessels carrying six or fewer paying passengers are required to have a captain who is a Coast Guard-issued operator of "uninspected passenger vessel," which is allowed to operate not more than 100 miles offshore.
Vessels carrying seven or more paying passengers and weighing less than 100 tons must be operated by a captain with a Coast Guard-issued master of self-propelled vessel license to operate on near coastal waters. The vessel must also have a Coast Guard-issued certificate of inspection posted in a visible location, the statement from the Coast Guard said.
Licensed operators are: Hawaiian Lava Boat Tours, Kalapana Cultural Tours, Lava Ocean Tours and Moku Nui Lava Tours.
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It's breeding season for Nene, the

state bird. Photo by Julia Neal

PU`U PUA`I OVERLOOK in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is temporarily closed to protect breeding nēnē, the endangered Hawaiian geese. The gate is secured at the entrance to the Pu‘u Pua‘i parking lot, near the intersection of Chain of Craters Road and Crater Rim Drive. Visitors are able to hike about 0.4 miles of Devastation Trail from the Devastation Trail parking lot to a trail sign marking the closure.

In 1952, only 30 nēnē remained statewide. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park began efforts to recover the species in the 1970s. The Nēnē Recovery Program continues today, and more than 250 birds thrive in the park from sea level to around 8,000 feet. More than 2,500 nēnē exist statewide.

Pu‘u Pua‘i is a massive reddish-brown cindercone that formed during an eruption at Kīlauea Iki crater in 1959. It is visible from many areas along Crater Rim and Kīlauea Iki trails.

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SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is partnering with Tutu and Me, will be presented Thursday, Feb. 9 at Pahala Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. Call 933-6030 for more information.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TROPICAL FLOWER ARRANGING will be taught by Kaipo Ah Chong on Feb. 10 at Volcano Art Center. See volcanoartcenter.org.

LYDIA MENESES presents a Zentangle® demonstration at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. – 11a.m.

www.kaucalendar.com

Mayor Harry Kim walks into the middle of the Ocean View Community Center crowd to get closer to the
people who came to talk story with him last night. Photo by Ann Bosted

NO NEW POLICE STATION NOR MORE POLICE OFFICERS could be promised to Ocean View residents when they met with Mayor Harry Kim last night. He told the citizens who came to his Talk Story at Ocean View Community Center that there are limited funds. Unmet needs demand attention throughout Hawai`i County, the mayor said.  
Kim did promise to return to the community with Police Chief Paul Ferreira and possibly the elected County Prosecutor Mitch Roth to address solutions to the crime problem. Kim also promised to evaluate alternative solutions to extend the County drinking water system, which is dependent on catchment plus one county well of potable water with spigots for residents and businesses to fill tanks and haul it. Kim said that he, too, grew up with water catchment.
Wearing his trademark blue jeans, the Mayor eschewed the chair and table that had been set up for him in front of the audience. He stood close to the residents and walked among his audience of about 90. He listened to vocal members of the community express anger, frustration, possible solutions and hope.  

Mayor Harry Kim told Ocean View residents that
he too grew up in a rural neighborhood with
catchment water. Photo from Hawai`i County

Kim said that he was “in awe” of the self-reliance and the achievements of the fast-growing community, such as coming up with its own community center and mandatory road maintenance associations.  “You were the first subdivision to get mandatory fees for roads. The subdivisions in Puna copied you,” he said.  

Kim, who was born to Korean-American immigrants in 1939, was the youngest of eight children. He was raised in rural ‘Ola‘a (now Kea`au), and his father worked for the ‘Ola‘a Sugar Company. They resided in a one-bedroom house with no electricity or running water. He and his siblings would often work for the family farm, tending to the chickens and vegetables.  
“I don’t want to waste taxes,” Kim said, explaining that Kona residents had asked for more services since they generate 70 percent of the tax revenues. Kim assured the Ocean View residents: “It is my responsibility to distribute funds based on needs.” Kim said that raising taxes is not an option; families already struggle. Kim noted that over 90 percent of the school children in Ka’u qualify for free lunches.  
“Seventy percent of the county’s funds come from property taxes. Here on the Big Island, we have 4,028 square miles and only 200,000 people. Compare that with Maui where they have 170,000 people and less than 700 square miles. If they have a fire in ‘O`ahu, more units respond to one fire than we have for the whole island,” bemoaned Kim. “I need more money”.  
An Ocean View resident asked Kim about the fate of the Ka`u Community Development Plan, developed over seven years at an estimated cost of about $500,000. The plan, still in its final series of community, legislative and administrative reviews, has not yet become law. The plan is designed to offer hope for positive change, reflecting input from residents and planners.  
Residents were most vocal about the high level of vandalism, crime and lawlessness in their town where every business has been broken into.
St. Jude’s church, which offers free showers to those without plumbing, has had its water heater destroyed twice. The identity of the suspects is known, but the police refuse to arrest or charge the perpetrators, said a resident. 
One resident contended that police provide poor service when asked to investigate a crime, such as a vehicle theft. “They don’t ask for information about the vehicle – not the color, registration number or anything. They argue that there is no proof that the vehicle has been stolen, and argue that maybe the thieves plan on returning the car. The police must be willing to do their job. We get no support from the law.”  

Kim said he would bring out the police chief and prosecutor to talk more
about preventing and facing crime in Ocean View. Photo by Ann Bosted

Although the County rents a storefront in Pahoe Plaza, and calls it “The Ocean View Mini Station,” police officers use it infrequently, as it has no secure internet connection, which they need to connect to headquarters. When responding to a crime, if not on their Ocean View round, police travel from the main Ka`u station at Na’alehu, taking about 30 minutes, depending on the location in Ocean view.
A resident said that he knew of six homes in his area that had been broken into. Another insisted, “If the police make an arrest, the Prosecuting Attorney and courts let them go.”  Another suggested that meth houses and drug users were the primary cause of thefts and vandalism. A resident who identified herself as a schoolteacher said that the problem was the lack of consequences for thieves and drug dealers. She opined that if laws were enforced, the behavior would stop.  
Residents offered solutions to the crime problem. “We need a task force to deal with this very bad situation,” one resident told Kim. Another resident suggested deputizing more people. He told Kim that the Governor is able to deputize former police officers and former military personnel, and that the Mayor should also be able to deputize in order to increase policing in Ocean View and deter criminals.  
A resident said that the community will submit a petition for a permanent HOVE police station. A retired architect, who lives in Ocean View, where his home was burglarized repeatedly, said he would be willing to design a new police station for free.

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THE TWO PERCENT LAND FUND COULD BE REDUCED under a plan by Mayor Harry Kim, according his recent interview with Big Island Video News. The news service reported this morning that Kim said that 2 percent of the annual property tax revenues for Hawai`i County is too much to set aside for conservation land purchases and that adding another percentage for stewardship costs is going too far.

The mayor said he will push to reduce the fund to 1 percent of property tax income according to Big Island Video News.

The Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources fund was established in 2006. It also exists on other Neighbor Islands. The top acquisition on the list from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Committe for the next Hawai`i County budget is the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. Pohue Bay and its surrounding 16,000 acres below Ocean View is rated number five and is the largest property on the list.

Hawai`i Farmers Union United's Ka`u President Greg Smith, who
owns Earth Matters Farm in Ka`u, asks for community support
for agricultural legislation. Photo from Earth Matters

Kim said he does not object to identifying special properties and finding money to purchase them.
He also pointed to county money needed to help the homeless and for other social services, establishing potable water sources, and the bus service. He said he doesn't want to raise taxes because it would hurt people who are already struggling. See more at www.bigislandvideonews.com

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HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED and its Ka`u Chapter President Greg Smith are calling for community support of bills before the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature. They include the following with links for reading them and to submit testimony. Some of the bills have deadlines of tonight and tomorrow:
SB 830: Introduced by Ka`u Senators Russell Ruderman and Josh Green and others, it creates an income tax credit based on real property taxes paid for landowners to incentivize leasing land for community food forests. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2017.
HB 1015: In the package from Gov. David Ige, it establishes a grant program within chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes (grants to agriculturalists).
HB 1015: In the package from Gov. David Ige, it establishes a grant program within chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes (grants to agriculturalists).
HB 1544: Introduced by Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan and others, it adds increasing production of food that is produced for human consumption and sold in the State to the list of acts that DOA shall undertake when administering its program of agricultural planning and development.
HB 95: Introduced by Creagan and others, it amends the licensing procedures of the industrial hemp pilot program by allowing applicants to apply for a license at any time during the year in which the applicant plans to grow industrial hemp.
HB774: Introduced by Creagan, it requires the Board of Agriculture, when negotiating and executing leases for agricultural and non-agricultural park lands, to establish a preference for farmers who produce food to be consumed locally and Hawaiian plants.
HB 1004: Introduced by Creagan and others, it appropriates moneys for implementation of the Rapid Ohia Death Strategic Response Plan.
HB 1005: Introduced by Creagan and others, it appropriates moneys to DOA to enhance the biosecurity program by funding invasive incipient species management programs.

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PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON IMMIGRATION, to keep out people from seven Muslim-majority countries, was rejected by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court and Sen. Mazie Hirono released this statement: “Tonight's ruling is a first step victory for the core values of our democracy and demonstrates why an independent judiciary is so important. For all the chaos created by this executive order, the wiser course would be for President Trump to rescind this unconstitutional order immediately.”

Sen. Brian Schatz was interviewed on national television and said that one of the three judges who ruled on the case is from Hawai`i, was appointed by a Republican administration, and is a conservative thinker. Schatz said the issue involving the rights of people traveling to the U.S. is a matter of the Constitution and rule of law, not a matter of political party.

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Kawiki Singson swims to shore where the lava enters the ocean.
Photo from Kawika Kingson You Tube Channel

AS THE COAST GUARD CRACKS DOWN on illegal tour boats just offshore of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park where lava is pouring into the ocean, another concern has become at least one swimmer risking it all to get close to Madame Pele.

Kawika Singson posted on his You Tube Channel a video showing him swimming up to the flow and lighting up a stick with lava. The video has been reported and posted internationally by television, newspapers and other media, including such outlets as The San Francisco Chronicle. The Chronicle reports Janet Babb of the USGS saying that steam from the lava going into the ocean is "super-heated steam laced with hydrochloric acid from the interaction with the seawater and has shards of volcanic glass."

Singson is known for getting up close to Pu`u O`o Vent and for a video in a lava flow where his tripod is engulfed and catches on fire.

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TROPICAL FLOWER ARRANGING, Friday, Feb. 10 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Kaipo Ah Chong instructs. $45 plus $20 supply fee. 967-8222

PANCAKE BREAKFAST, Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

ATLAS RECYCLING AT SOUTH POINT U-CART, Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

REALMS & DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Pu‘u Kahuku Trail explores realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku. Free. nps.gov/havo

HULA KAHIKO, Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kumu hula Manaiakalani Kalua and Akaunu perform. Nā Mea Hula with Kumu Ab Valencia and Hālau Hula Kalehuaki‘eki‘eika‘iu, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., gallery porch.

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Hawai`i's Navy Shipyard hosts tens of millions of dollars in jobs for local people, such as the $18 million restoration and maintenance
of the battleship USS Missouri years ago. Senators Hirono and Schatz are calling for an end to Pres. Trump's freeze on Navy
shipyard hiring. See story below. Photo from U.S. Navy

JAPAN'S PRIME MINISTER Shinzo Abe met with President Donald Trump today and following their joint press conference, Sen. Mazie Hirono, herself an immigrant from Japan, joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to discuss the U.S. alliance with Japan and U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
She said that she was very pleased that "President Trump made very clear how important our friendship and alliance is with Japan and to acknowledge that peace and stability in the Pacific area is critical to our national security. Of course, Hawai`i has a big role to play with our bases, etc. in the Indo-Asia-Pacific arena. So that was really good news."

She said she and other Senators met with the Japanese Prime Minister this morning and that she mentioned that General James Mattis chose Japan and South Korea to make his first diplomatic trip as Secretary of Defense. She said the Prime Minister said that it was very important to the Japanese people "that someone with that kind of support that General Mattis had in his confirmation would come to Japan and reaffirm the importance of this part of the world and our alliance with them."

Hirono said she "pays attention to what President Trump does as opposed to what he says. It is what he does that will get implemented."

Hirono said that Trump "says a lot of things. He tweets a lot." She noted "he had earlier criticized Japan for not doing enough for our mutual defense, but today he made it very plain that we will go forward and work very closely and there was no criticism of Japan.” She said that was "really reassuring to me."

Hirono said that it is very important for Trump to listen to people "like General Mattis who brings a lot of foreign policy experience and maturity to the table so that he doesn't have to walk back earlier comments" that "lead to consternation."
She said it was also very important that Trump, after creating uncertainty in talking with the leader of Taiwan, talked to the President of China to reaffirm the one China policy.

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FAMILY AND MEDICAL INSURANCE LEAVE legislation has been reintroduced by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Rep. Rosa DeLauro and fellow lawmakers to help protect working families and provide paid family and medical leave. Gabbard is an original cosponsor of the bill.

“While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has empowered millions over the past two decades, we must do more. Only 39 percent of working parents and 35 percent of working mothers are eligible for and can afford to take unpaid family and medical leave through the FMLA,” said Gabbard. “Our current family leave policies fall behind every other industrialized nation, and leave millions of people choosing between their family’s health and financial stability. Congress must take the next step forward by passing the FAMILY Act to better protect and empower working parents and families in Hawaiʻi and across the country.”
The Family and Medical Leave Act, which passed in 1993 provides unpaid, job-protected leave for serious health related events. However, only about half of the workforce qualifies for this unpaid leave, and many more simply cannot afford to take it because it is unpaid. The FAMILY Act (H.R.947) would establish a medical leave insurance program in the U.S. and allow workers to make 60 percent of their pay for up to 12 weeks to care for a serious personal health condition; a family member with a serious health condition; a newborn, newly-adopted child, or a newly-placed foster child; and an injured servicemember arising from deployment.

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NAVY SHIPYARD WORKERS IN HAWAI`I are receiving lobbying support from Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.). Today, they called on the Acting Secretary of Navy to clarify the exemption from President Trump’s federal hiring freeze for shipyard workers. Recently, the Defense Department announced that employees of Navy shipyards and other employees that directly support the shipyards would be exempt. But the process for requesting exemptions at the shipyards would still leave positions open for weeks, if not longer.

The Navy Shipyard works on submarines to battleships and Hawai`i Senators
are urging the Trump administration to lift a hiring freeze. Photo from U.S. Navy

According to Hirono, the hiring freeze is impacting Navy shipyards despite the Department of Defense providing an exemption for certain workers. "The freeze continues to prevent shipyards across the country from hiring personnel who directly impact the readiness of the fleet such as engineers, acquisition workforce personnel, trade mechanics, radiological and emergency personnel, regulatory compliance and other support personnel that are necessary to maintaining the Navy’s surface and submarine fleets," said a statement from Hirono's office.
Last month, Hirono and a bipartisan group of seven Senators wrote to Secretary of Defense James Mattis to call for exempting Department of Navy shipyard civilian employees from the recent executive order signed by President Trump that freezes federal hiring.
While the President’s executive order states that it does not apply to military personnel or positions considered essential to meet national security responsibilities, the uncertainty had caused shipyards across the country to suspend hiring.
The letter sent today urges the Navy to allow workers to be hired and promoted as soon as openings become available, as would have happened before the freeze:
“In our opinion, it would be easier, less expensive, and further in-line with the intent of the Department of Defense’s exemption authority to establish an automatic exemption process that clearing a class of positions based on occupation code and command. Furthermore, pushing the decision down one or more levels would be more responsive to the needs of Combatant Commanders while providing the due diligence required to ensure that all hiring and promotion actions are executed appropriately. Given these concerns, we urge you to retract the policy and issue guidance that offers immediate exemption authority for those federal civilians working at the public shipyards and depots that keep our ships and submarines ready.”

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NASA ER-2 aircraft is flying over Hawai`i Islands volcanoes this month. ER-2's have played an important role in Earth science research
with an ability to fly into the lower stratosphere at subsonic speeds, enabling virtual satellite simulation missions. In Hawa`ii, the
NASA ER-2 is being used to collect high altitude scientific data that will help scientists calibrate, validate, and
simulate remote sensing data from future satellites. Photo from NASA

HIGH-FLYING NASA AIRCRAFT are used to study the volcanoes on this Island. They take off from Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base on O`aha and are the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, written by scientists at Hawai`i Volcano Observatory:
NASA's ER-2 aircraft is a modified U-2 reconnaissance plane designed to collect scientific data at high altitudes. These data will help scientists calibrate, validate, and simulate remote sensing data from future satellites that will eventually orbit the Earth at even higher altitudes. "Remote sensing" refers to the use of imaging technology that allows us to see the world in a new light, from a remote and unique vantage point.
From late January through February, NASA is conducting this high-altitude airborne remote sensing data collection campaign over the State of Hawaii. Several NASA-funded, multi-year projects will use these data to study coral reefs and volcanic processes.
The data will also be used to help develop a future Earth observing satellite instrument called the Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI). If funded, HyspIRI will be a global mission that will provide crucial information for studying the world's ecosystems, as well as natural hazard events, such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and drought.

NASA Dryden life support technician Jim Sokolik assists pressure-

suited pilot Dee Poerter into the cockpit of NASA's ER-2 Earth resources aircraft.
NASA Photo by Jim Ross

To replicate the characteristics of data collected by Earth observing sensors aboard orbiting satellites, the ER-2 will cruise at an altitude of about 65,000 feet (above 95 percent of Earth's atmosphere) with a diverse suite of instruments. In its wing pods and under the fuselage, it carries the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), the MODIS-ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER), and the Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES).
These instruments are designed to measure reflected and emitted radiation (light) in hundreds of distinct wavelengths, from the visible through the thermal infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such data give us quantitative information about surface composition, texture, and temperature of the ground. This information, combined with field-based measurements, enables scientists to study a variety of atmospheric, geologic, and ecological processes to better understand our natural environment and how our environment responds to human activities.
On the Island of Hawaiʻi, with the support of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and the National Park Service, research scientists from universities, NASA, and the U.S. Geological Survey are conducting field work and collecting data. They are using these data to investigate links between vegetation health and volcanic gas and thermal emissions; volcanic thermal anomalies; the composition and chemical evolution of volcanic gas plumes from Kīlauea Volcano; and active volcanic processes and hazards, such as surface lava flow activity.
The overarching goals of this mission and the related scientific research projects are to characterize key volcanic processes, such as the rate of magma ascent to the surface, the amount of lava being erupted per day at Kīlauea, and interpretation of possible eruption precursors. Lessons learned should help scientists inform emergency response agencies and the public before, during, and after future eruptions.
Specific questions that this mission will address include: How do volcanoes signal impending eruptions through changes in surface temperature, gas and aerosol emission rates, or health and extent of vegetation cover? How can we improve forecasts of volcanic activity? How can we mitigate the impacts of eruptions by remotely measuring surface temperature and volcanic gas emission rates?
This research, conducted in one of the best natural volcanic laboratories on Earth, will help us answer these questions, and ultimately extend this knowledge to the monitoring of other active volcanoes around the world.

The lava entry at Kamakuna is still entering the ocean, visible from a new
viewing area established by Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from USGS

VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES: Kīlauea continues to erupt at its summit and East Rift Zone. This past week, the summit lava lake level varied between about 15 and 34 m (49–112 ft) below the vent rim. The 61g flow was still active, with lava entering the ocean near Kamokuna and surface breakouts near Pu'u 'Ō'ō. The 61g flows do not pose an immediate threat to nearby communities.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. During the past week, small-magnitude (up to magnitude 3.0) earthquakes continued, primarily beneath the upper Southwest Rift Zone and the Northeast Rift zone at depths less than 5 km (3 miles). A small number of earthquakes also occurred on the west flank of the volcano at depths above 13 km (8 miles). Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements continue to show deformation related to inflation of a magma reservoir beneath
the summit and upper Southwest Rift Zone.
Three earthquakes were reported felt in Hawa`ii this past week. On February 3, 2017, at 10:07 a.m., HST, a magnitude-2.8 earthquake occurred 4.8 km (3.0 mi) north of Mauna Loa's summit at a depth of 10 km (6 mi), and at 12:41 a.m., a magnitude-3.4 earthquake occurred 13.8 km (8.6 mi) southeast of Kīlauea's summit at a depth of 9 km (5 mi). On February 6, at 12:08 a.m., a magnitude-3.0 earthquake occurred 69.1 km (42.9 mi) southwest of Mākena, Maui, at a depth of 44 km (27 mi).

Visit the HVO website (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates, Mauna Loa weekly updates, volcano photos, recent earthquakes info, and more; call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa); email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST, Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

ATLAS RECYCLING AT SOUTH POINT U-CART, Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Big Island Video News and John Tarson of Epic Lava Tours are not only documenting this monster "lava fire hose" near a boat in
the shadows, they report a new lava breakout upslope from the base of Pu`u O`o.
See www.bigislandvideonews.com and epiclava.com

CONSULT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, HOMELAND SECURITY: Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the U.S Senate Judiciary Committee, recommended this to Pres. Donald Trump yesterday during an interview on MSNBC. Hirono, herself an attorney, called Trump's attempted ban on visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries an "unconstitutional executive order" and said, "so far President Trump has lost in the courts and I think the wise thing for him to do is to rescind the order because the order created chaos."
When asked about the administration rewriting the ban to make it more in line with the U.S. Constitution, Hirono suggested that if "President Donald Trump wants to go down that path again, he really should involve the State Department, the Justice Department, the Homeland Security - these are all people who have something to say and something to bring to the table."

The reporter asked her, "Would you support basically any version of this immigration travel ban if the administration would go back and revise it?" Hirono replied, "I look at any further steps by this administration really, really carefully because we know where they're coming from. It's basically a ban on Muslims and that is unconstitutional in my view - that is not what our country stands for.... if it singles out certain groups for discriminatory treatment, it will be challenged."

Judge Neil Gorsuch will be interviewed
by Sen. Mazie Hirono next week for the position of
U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Photo from Wikipedia

Hirono also talked about Trump's national security official Michael Flynn's alleged discussions with Russian officials, including the Russian ambassador, before Trump took office. Hirono said, "I'm not comfortable with the relationship of this administration and some of the individuals in this administration - their relationship with Russia because we know that Russians tried to interfere with our presidential elections. There are a lot of concerns of what President Trump's relationship is with Russia. These are valid concerns. So frankly, I would hope that the President would listen to people like General (James) Mattis, who is now the Secretary of Defense, who brings a lot of mature experience on national security issues."
Concerning the Trump administrations' connections with Russia, Hawai`i Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted yesterday, "It's weird that no one has been fired yet.," then quickly followed up, tweeting. "I stand corrected. There was Sally Yates," the Acting Attorney General whom Trump fired when she warned him on the unconstitutionality of the travel ban.
Concerning the pending appointment of Trump's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Neil Gorsuch, Hirono said she "will be very focused on such issues as the woman's right to choose, civil rights, voting rights, the balance of how he views corporate interests versus individual rights." She said "Judge Gorsuch has written hundreds if not thousands of decisions. I'm reviewing some of the more important decisions to see where he comes from."
About Gorsuch, whom she will meet next week, Hirono also said, "I have some pretty serious concerns - because I think President Trump said he wanted a Justice who would overturn Rowe v. Wade. This is not a President who likes to have people who have different opinions because he did fire the Acting Attorney General, for example, when she stood up to him on his executive order (travel ban)...."
Hirono said she plans to question Gorsuch. "I am really concerned that Judge Gorsuch is really going to have the kind of perspectives that do not support individual rights, voting rights, civil rights - the issues that should concern the American people."

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KA`U'S REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS TULSI GABBARD, Bernie Sanders and Nina Turner are the only ones who could defeat Pres. Donald Trump in the 2020 election, according to H.A. Goodman of CounterPropa.com. The political writer, whose assessment was carried in the Huffington Post and other publications this week, writes that "President Trump's latest legal defeat prevents him from banning immigrants from seven Muslim majority nations. However, this is a political win for Trump. Many conservatives are already blaming the next attack on Democrats.

Goodman's widely published opinion piece calls Gabbard the "antithesis of Trump"
and said she went to Syria and met with Assad "to find a solution to the bloodshed,
not to promote Assad or Putin's view of the world." He contended that she "put her
value system ahead of the Democratic Party." Photo by Abraham Williams

"Media, and America's political establishment, can't seem to accept the fact that Trump will not be defeated by indignation and outrage. For every angry liberal, there's a happy conservative who likes Trump's executive orders or policy objectives. Whether or not they work is another story; loyalty is what Trump voters crave."
"Trump's base of voters love him more than ever, because unlike Democratic politicians (who vote against affordable medicine like Senator Cory Booker), President Trump abides by the Republican Party's purest ideology. Trump wants a border wall, immigrant ban, and many other policies that might never become reality, but millions of people don't care; they voted for someone who isn't compromising 'pragmatism' for ideological purity.'"
Goodman writes that Democrats "need the antithesis of Trump." He names Sanders, Turner and Gabbard as "the antithesis."
Regarding Gabbard, Goodman writes, "Congresswoman Gabbard, for example, has already been attacked by The Daily Beast and Washington Post, so we know she’s a threat to the Democratic establishment. In terms of the world’s greatest threat, American regime change is linked to the estimated deaths of 500,000 people in Iraq. As for Obama sending soldiers to Syria and repeating Bush’s failed policies, Congresswoman Gabbard took matters into her own hands," writes Goodman, pointing out that she went to Syria, met with its president and released the following statement:
“My visit to Syria has made it abundantly clear: Our counterproductive regime change war does not serve America’s interest, and it certainly isn’t in the interest of the Syrian people.
“As I visited with people from across the country, and heard heartbreaking stories of how this war has devastated their lives, I was asked, ‘Why is the United States and its allies helping al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups try to take over Syria? Syria did not attack the United States. Al-Qaeda did.’ I had no answer.

Gabbard claims that America's involvement in regime change has led to such
situations as the war in Syria. Photo by Abraham Williams

“I return to Washington, DC with even greater resolve to end our illegal war to overthrow the Syrian government. I call upon Congress and the new Administration to answer the pleas of the Syrian people immediately and support the Stop Arming Terrorists Act. We must stop directly and indirectly supporting terrorists—directly by providing weapons, training and logistical support to rebel groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS; and indirectly through Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, and Turkey, who, in turn, support these terrorist groups. We must end our war to overthrow the Syrian government and focus our attention on defeating al-Qaeda and ISIS.
“From Iraq to Libya and now in Syria, the U.S. has waged wars of regime change, each resulting in unimaginable suffering, devastating loss of life, and the strengthening of groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS.
“Originally, I had no intention of meeting with Assad, but when given the opportunity, I felt it was important to take it. I think we should be ready to meet with anyone if there’s a chance it can help bring about an end to this war, which is causing the Syrian people so much suffering.
“The U.S. must stop supporting terrorists who are destroying Syria and her people. The U.S. and other countries fueling this war must stop immediately. We must allow the Syrian people to try to recover from this terrible war.”
Goodman writes that "Tulsi Gabbard met with Assad to find a solution to the bloodshed, not to promote Assad or Putin’s view of the world. For centrist Democrats, they simply can’t understand why anyone would break with protocol, for the greater goal of peace. Tulsi Gabbard put her value system ahead of the Democratic Party, and for this reason, will be able to defeat Trump in 2020."

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‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sunday, Feb. 12, 9:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

Medicine for the Mind, Sunday, Feb. 12, from 4 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Buddhist healing meditation for beginners through advanced. Free. Patty, 985-7470

Senior IDs, Monday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. For residents 60 and older. 928-3100

Valentine’s Day Cards, Monday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Ages 5 – 10, 939-2510

Valentine’s Day Cards, Tuesday, Feb 14, 2 – 3 p.m., Kahuku Park. Ages 6 – 12. 929-9113

Valentine’s Day Buffet, Tue, Feb 14, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Prime rib, lemon-buttered fish, vegetable stir-fry with tofu and more. $27.95 adult; $14.50 child (6-11 yrs old). Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

The Hylaeus Project and the Newly Endangered Bees of Hawai‘i, Tue, Feb 14, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Natural historian Lisa Schonberg discusses seven species of the yellow-faced bees of Hawai‘i that became the first bees to ever be listed as endangered. Free; park entrance fees apply.

www.kaucalendar.com

"New legislation in support of tiny houses is in motion," according to One Island, which held a Tiny House Community
Conversation on the Big Island in late January and plans another for late February. See story below. Photo from One Island

THREE BILLS ON MAKING IT EASIER TO PLACE TINY HOUSES on land in Hawai`i are making their way through the Hawai`i legislature with support from both Ka`u state Senators Russell Ruderman and Josh Green and west Ka`u's House of Representatives member Richard Creagan. In one bill, tiny houses, under 500 square feet, are seen as a way to provide housing for farm workers, farmers and ranchers.

House Bill 2 is specifically written for Hawai`i Island. It "Authorizes tiny homes of less than 500 square feet for farm workers in agricultural districts in a county with a population of more than 180,000 but less than 250,000, notwithstanding any county ordinance or regulation to the contrary." It was introduced by Rep. Cindy Evans of Kona.

House Bill 229 would prohibit "the State and counties from adopting building codes that require minimum floor space or room sizes unless necessary for safety or environmental standards."

The Hawai`i Legislature is considering allowing smaller homes with alternative
materials and designs. See One Island.

House Bill 1375 could allow larger dwellings and could open up the mobile home market in Hawai`i, as it takes up the problem of affordable housing. It states, "The legislature finds the supply of affordable housing in Hawai'i does not sufficiently meet demand. Many financially vulnerable residents are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless......The purpose of this Act is to allow counties to grant zoning exemptions for alternative dwellings and alternative dwelling parks that can be built by private parties."

The bill would give the counties the authority to oversee sanitation, inspections, safety and other requirements but would provide exemptions to allow alternative dwellings to include: "mobile homes, recreational vehicles, converted shipping container units, micro housing units, pre-fabricated sheds, indigenous Hawaiian dwellings using traditional Hawaiian architectural practices and materials, tents, yurts and lean to shelters that are leased by a willing lessor to a willing lessee per rental agreement between parties."

The alternative dwelling parks are defined in the bill as "more than one alternative dwelling that may have common shared elements including but not be limited to bathrooms, showers, dining facilities, swmimng pools, playgrounds, sewage, water, trash collection, or, electricity."

The House Committee on Housing noted concerns raised by the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness that the bill "may result in the formal establishment of homeless encampments. Both the Hawai`i Interagency Council on Homelessness and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness have recommended against the formal establishment of homeless encampments."

See testimony on the bill and submit testimony at House Bill 1375.

An nonprofit-organization called One Island has taken up the tiny houses and sustainability cause and is organizing Tiny House Community Conversation meetings around the island as well as encouraging testimony to the legislature. See One Island.

The next Tiny House Community Conversation meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m at the Hawaii`i Cultural Center of Hamakua.

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DEATH WITH DIGNITY IS A TOPIC DR. RICHARD CREAGAN is talking about at the Hawai`i Legislature this session. He said today that he supports a proposed law, House Bill 201, entitled Related to Medical Aid in Dying. The bill was introduced by House Speaker Rep. Joseph Souki and is described by Creagan as "designed by and for the people of Hawai`i, taking into account our unique geographical needs, and is based on best practices from more than 30 combined years of safe practice in six states. The law works as intended, with none of the dire results that opponents predicted."

Physician and Representative
Richard Creagan
Photo by Ann Bosted

Creagan noted that former Hawai`i Governors George Ariyoshi, John Waihee, Benjamin Cayetano and Neil Abercrombie agree on the measure. They and an organization called Compassion & Choices Hawai`i "and a supermajority of our electorate are asking for your support for this important, timely and merciful measure. It is time for Hawai`i citizens who want this relief to be able to get it without the disruption and stress of moving to another state," said Creagan.

Compassion & Choices launched a legislative campaign earlier this year and supports a lawsuit on behalf of Hawai`i resident John Radcliffe and a physician, asserting that the Hawai`i constitution and state law allow the practice of medical aid in dying. The organization also sent a letter to Congress last week urging it to allow the District of Columbia's recently approved Death With Dignity Act to remain in place.

Creagan, the Ka`u physician who serves west Ka`u in the state House of Representatives, wrote a position paper on the legislation proposed for Hawai`i: "The people of Hawai`i have been asking for a medical aid in dying option (also known as “death with dignity”) for almost 20 years. Today, 80 percent of Hawai`i residents believe medical aid in dying should be an option in our state," Creagan reports.
He defines it: "Medical aid in dying is an end-of-life medical practice in which a terminally ill, mentally capable individual who has a prognosis of six months or less to live requests, obtains and — if his or her suffering becomes unbearable — self-administers medication that brings about a peaceful death."

The physician contends that "If you ask terminally ill people how they would like to die, most will say, 'I would like to die peacefully, at home, in my sleep.' As a former emergency room doctor, I can tell you that all too often, this is not the case. In their final stages, terminally ill people can be rushed to the ER repeatedly, admitted to an ICU and hooked up to ventilators, feeding tubes and IVs. Of course, if this is the individual’s wish, then every measure to sustain life should be taken. However, if this becomes a case of prolonging the dying process well beyond what the individual wants, to a stage some would call torture, we must agree it is not right," Creagan reasons.

"Even terminal sedation (increasing pain meds until the patient stops breathing) might not be the ideal choice for some, who wish not to be sedated into unconsciousness and death at another’s direction and hand, but to make that final and most important choice on their own."
Creagan writes, "We can offer that choice. A physician who practiced in Oregon, where medical aid in dying has been legal for nearly 20 years, told a story about the first person she prescribed life-ending medication to. The woman, who was dying a prolonged and agonizing death from ovarian cancer, wanted to die at home, in her own bed, with her husband holding her hand and her two dogs on the bed with her. She wanted a peaceful and meaningful end to her meaningless agony while she was still mentally intact and she achieved that goal.

"Yes, palliative care and hospice are a great boon to many. But for some, they may not relieve all the physical suffering or mental agony. When people are dying, facing only agony and are ready to go, they should have the means to a peaceful passing, if that is what they wish.

Cancer victim John Radcliffe, left, has sued the state with help of

attorney Anderson Meyer, pollster Barbara Ankersmit, and

Compassion & Care Hawai`i campaign manager Mary Steiner.

Photo from Compassion & Choices

"How would I feel if I had a terminal illness and were in a constant unwavering pain that even the most powerful medications could not alleviate? If I had lost my bodily functions and all the skills and tools I had spent my life developing? I would be comforted just knowing a medical aid in dying option was available to me — and I certainly would not deny another the right to consider this option," states Creagan.

Creagan says that "opponents argue that people will be coerced. In fact, no doctor will be compelled to prescribe if they do not wish to, but there are many that will find it part of a difficult but profoundly meaningful part of their final duty as a physician to their patients. No person who has a religious objection — or any objection — would be pressured or forced to utilize this choice. Coercing an individual to use a medical aid in dying option would be a crime, as it is in all authorized states.
"The idea that the Hippocratic oath forbids physicians to do this is ludicrous. Over 40 years ago, when I graduated from medical school, we were told that that oath was a traditional part of the ceremony but was an antiquated relic and that we should not even repeat the words if we felt uncomfortable doing so. I certainly did not repeat those words from another time and place," writes Creagan.
Compassion & Choices has launched a petition that supporters can sign. More can be read on the legislation and pro and con testimony can be provided to the Hawai`i Legislature by clicking on HB201.

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Senior IDs, Monday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. For residents 60 and older. 928-3100

Valentine’s Day Cards, Monday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Ages 5 – 10, 939-2510

Valentine’s Day Cards, Tuesday, Feb 14, 2 – 3 p.m., Kahuku Park. Ages 6 – 12. 929-9113

Valentine’s Day Buffet, Tue, Feb 14, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Prime rib, lemon-buttered fish, vegetable stir-fry with tofu and more. $27.95 adult; $14.50 child (6-11 yrs old). Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

The Hylaeus Project and the Newly Endangered Bees of Hawai‘i, Tue, Feb 14, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Natural historian Lisa Schonberg discusses seven species of the yellow-faced bees of Hawai‘i that became the first bees to ever be listed as endangered. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Brenda Iokepa-Moses

Ka`u Farm Bureau has set its first meeting of 2017 for this Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the auxiliary room at the new gymnasium in Pahala at 6 p.m. Election of new officers is planned for the meeting, said Ka`u Farm Bureau President Brenda Iokepa-Moses. She recently returned from the National Association of Conservation Districts meeting in Denver, representing the state of Hawai`i.

There is no sign of a lava delta rebuilding as lava continues to spill into the ocean from the 61g lava flow near Kamokuna. Today,
a new bill was introduced to the U.S. Senate to improve early warning and monitoring capabilities at volcano observatories around the
country, including the first in the nation, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. See Story below. Photo from USGS

A CALL TO ACTION CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF DRUGS, DOMESTIC ABUSE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE is the headline of Ka`u Rural Health Community Association's 19th Annual Rural Health Conference set for Friday, March 17 at Pahala Community Center.

KRHCAI's founder Jessie Marques said today that the meeting has drawn sponsorships and presentations by the state Department of Health Maternal & Child Health Branch; the Sexual Prevention Program of the Family Health Services Division; the Office of Primary Care & Rural Health; Hawai`i Medical Services Association and Hawai`i Island Rural Health Association.
All Ka`u residents are invited. Preregister by calling 928-0101 by Monday March 6.

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VOLCANO VILLAGE GUN CONROL ADVOCATE Ross Rammelmeyer is asking people to weigh in on legislation before the U.S. Senate on Tuesday that would roll back a rule that keeps guns out of the hands of mentally ill people who have been deemed by the Social Security Administration as unable to take care of their own affairs.
Rammelmeyer points to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence which calls on people to email Senators "and tell them to vote No on Senate Joint Resolution 14 and keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others! Don't let the gun lobby's influence rollback life-saving measures of the Brady background checks that protect all Americans."

"Between 6,000 and 18,000 persons with mental illness kill themselves with guns every year. Approximately half of all mass murders are people with mental illness. And those are just the fatalities. Many more are injured. The Senate resolution takes 75,000 seriously mentally ill who would likely be put in the NICS gun background check system out of it by fiat," writes DJ Jaffee, Executive Director of Mental Ilness Policy Org., a non-partisan think tank.
He points out that Pres. Donald Trump's policy platform states, “Too many states are failing to put criminal and mental health records into the (gun background check) system — and it should go without saying that a system’s only going to be as effective as the records that are put into it. What we need to do is fix the system we have and make it work as intended.”

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EARLY WARNING AND VOLCANO MONITORING improvements are the goals of a new bill in congress, introduced today by Ka`u's Sen. Mazie Hirono, Washington state Sen. Maria Cantwell and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The three said in their announcement that the aim is to better develop "warning capabilities that help keep communities and travelers safe.

Lava hitting the ocean is causing fist-sized
spatter to be thrown back on land, creating
danger to viewers. Photo from USGS

Said Hirono, “For the past 34 years, we have experienced first-hand the threat of volcanic activity to our daily lives with the ongoing eruption at Kilauea. As recently as 2014, we had evacuations and damage to critical infrastructure and residences. This bipartisan bill is important as it updates and unifies the five volcano observatories across the nation and creates a grant program that will support critical monitoring research and technology development that will be used to save lives.”
The bill, S. 346, would strengthen existing volcano monitoring systems, which include the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Alaska Volcano Observatory, and the Cascades Volcano Observatory, and would unify them into a single connected system called the National Volcano Early Warning System. These observatories monitor, warn, and help protect citizens and travelers from volcanic activity, particularly from high-threat volcanoes. The bill would also create a Volcano Watch Office that would 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.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory located on the rim of Kilauea was the first volcano observatory in the United States and has been monitoring volcanoes, including the two most active, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, for more than a century. Additional and modern monitoring and science is needed to help protect communities living near these volcanoes, said Hirono.

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THE HIRE VETS ACT (H.R.244) passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 409 to 1. It was introduced by Ka`u's Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Rep. Paul Cook of California. The bipartisan legislation would incentivize employers to hire veterans, and recognize employers that provide a supportive work environment to retain veteran employees. The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate.
In a speech on the House floor Gabbard said today, “This is personal for us. This is about our brothers and sisters in uniform from different generations, who have been honored and thanked for their service in uniform, but unfortunately are often forgotten about when they lay that uniform down.
“Most people aren’t aware that every single day, roughly 500 veterans are transitioning from military life to civilian life, joining the more than 2.9 million veterans who have returned home since 9/11 alone. Through their service and training, these are men and women who are highly trained, have experience leading and making decisions under pressure, acting and working well as a member of a team, and accomplishing the mission.

“Data shows that veterans are civic assets in our communities. They have higher rates of voting, engaging with local governments and community organizations, participating actively in community service, and more.
“Together, these qualities make our veterans especially valuable to employers, whether in private sector, the public sector, or the non-profit sector.
“Unfortunately, returning to the civilian job market is not as easy as it should be. Veterans often face an unfriendly job market or an unfriendly culture that does not fully understand them and what they bring to the table. Many people don't understand that our veterans are not seeking pity or a handout—they are simply looking for an opportunity to continue to serve and to continue to contribute to our communities and our country.
“This legislation is focused on encouraging employers to hire more veterans. We’ve seen different programs and initiatives in my home state of Hawaiʻi and in states across the country that focus on recruiting and retaining veterans, but the fact is there are still more than 400,000 unemployed veterans across the country. We need to do more."

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TESTIMONY ON THE MAUNA KEA THIRTY-METER TELESCOPE will come from all quarters tomorrow and Wednesday at public hearings in Hilo. Many Native Hawaiians have testified, protested and plan to testify that the location on top of Mauna Kea is sacred and would be desecrated.
An organization claiming to be the only Native Hawaiian group that will testify in favor of the telescope released a statement today. The group called PUEO - Perpetuating Unique Educational Opportunities - wrote: "Because so much press has focused on Native Hawaiians who are against science and technology on Mauna Kea, the PUEO board felt it was important to intervene and dispel the myth that all Native Hawaiians oppose the project. PUEO hopes to bring a vision of clarity and unity to the process through the perpetuation of unique educational opportunities."

Thirty Meter Telescope artist rendition. Image from TMT

PUEO officers and directors expected to speak in favor of TMT include PUEO President Keahi Warfield, who is also executive director of the RISE Out of School Program and Keaukaha One Youth Development; PUEO Vice-President William H. Brown, President of the Panaewa-Hawaiian Homes Community Association; PUEO director Patrick Kahawaiola‘a, who is president of the Keaukaha-Hawaiian Homes Community Association; and Richard Ha, PUEO director and owner of Hamakua Springs Country Farms.

Richard Ha plans to testify in
suport of the Thirty Meter Telescope

The contested case hearing is being held at the Grand Naniloa Hotel’s Crown Room in Hilo. It will also stream live at naleo.org.
Accordomg tp PUEO's statement, the organization is "a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities of Hawai‘i’s youth and their communities. Its board is comprised of native Hawaiians from Hawaiian communities on Hawai‘i Island. PUEO seeks to provide and enhance opportunities for our children in terms of Hawaiian cultural traditions of exploration and learning. The group’s intent is based on a unifying vision of Hawaiian language, culture, science, technology and exploration."
For more information about PUEO, see http://alohapueo.org/.

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Valentine’s Day Cards, Tuesday, Feb 14, 2 – 3 p.m., Kahuku Park. Ages 6 – 12. 929-9113

Valentine’s Day Buffet, Tue, Feb 14, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Prime rib, lemon-buttered fish, vegetable stir-fry with tofu and more. $27.95 adult; $14.50 child (6-11 yrs old). Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

The Hylaeus Project and the Newly Endangered Bees of Hawai‘i, Tue, Feb 14, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Natural historian Lisa Schonberg discusses seven species of the yellow-faced bees of Hawai‘i that became the first bees to ever be listed as endangered. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u Farm Bureau meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the auxiliary room at the new gymnasium in Pahala at 6 p.m. Election of new officers is planned for the meeting, said Ka`u Farm Bureau President Brenda Iokepa-Moses.

Lito Arkangel will be in concert on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Kilaeua Visitor Center Auditorium i Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The entertainer and songwriter shares his original compositions and other Hawaiian favorites. He hails from the former sugar plantation town of ‘Ōla‘a, now known as Kea‘au. His love for Hawaiian music started as a young keiki, turning pages for his tūtū wahine (grandmother) while she played piano, and from decades of backyard jam sessions. Arkangel has since established himself as a popular entertainer throughout Hawai‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu Heavenly Voices presentations. Free.

Hawai`i Public Radio's new tower at Kulani helps reach farther into Ka`u, with more improvements promised as
HPR-1 and HPR-2 change their programming. Photo by Don Mussell

HAWAI`I PUBLIC RADIO, with two stations that can be heard in Ka`u at 89.1 FM and 91.3 FM, launched two separate and distinct formats on HPR-1 and HPR-2 today, as well as a new mobile app for IOS and Android devices and a new logo.

Gov. David Ige and Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui proclaimed Feb. 14-21 Hawai`i Public Radio Week. The proclamation asks the public to “join us in tuning in to the two locally grown HRP stations” and recognizes HPR for delivering “the highest standards of independent broadcast journalism, music and entertainment.” HPR has been operating for 35 years and Ka`u completes it coverage of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands with the recent activation of broadcasting from a tower at Kulani. HPR plans to expand its coverage in this district. See the proclamation at bit.ly/hprweek.
The new mobile application was developed by Public Media Apps and, besides live streaming, gives on-demand access to individual stories and programs, including some no longer carried on HPR. The app also includes a donation link which gives the user the option to immediately connect to the station via phone or online form.

The new format at HPR-1 focuses on news and information programming, augmented by local and national talk shows, as well as entertainment, jazz, blues, and world music. HPR-2 has been dubbed "your home for classical music" and provides an uninterrupted classical music environment 24 hours a day. Detailed program schedules may be found at hawaiipublicradio.org.

Flagship programs Morning Edition on HPR-1 and Morning Café/Morning Concert on HPR-2 are extended by half an hour. New programs include the widely syndicated midday news program from WBUR and NPR Here and Now on HPR-1, as well as a new HPR-produced music program Classical Pacific on HPR-2, which features the orchestras, opera companies, and classical artists of the Pacific region. The entire suite of local talk programs, from the public affairs/arts and culture show The Conversation to the showcase of Hawai'i's tech industry Bytemarks Café are scheduled with encore broadcasts to make them accessible to more radio listeners.

Hawai`i Public Radio's new
President and GM José Fajardo

HPR’s new President and General Manager José A. Fajardo explains, "The goal of this program realignment is, first and foremost, about our mission to enrich our community with the unique news and cultural programming we offer. There is another goal, however, and we'll be completely transparent about it: we want our audiences to listen longer, because that leads to station loyalty, and loyalty leads to financial support."

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IMMIGRANTS HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY IN HAWAI`I, reports a new study, according to Pacific Business News. Reporter Anna Hrushka writes that Hawai`i ranks third in the U.S. for jobs created by immigrant-owned businesses, sixth for median household income of foreign-born population, sixth for share of foreighn-born workforce and sixth for share of foreign-born population.

The story is familiar in Ka`u where a majority of the farmers of the famed Ka`u Coffee are immigrants.

Willie Tabios is one of the many immigrants to
Ka`u who contribute to the economy with his
famous Rising Sun Ka`u Coffee, Will & Grace
store, and his work in house and farm renovations.
Photo by Julia Neal

Overall, Hawai`i ranks tenth in the country when it comes to "immigrant workforce, socioeconomic contribution, brain gain and innovators and international students," as analyzed by WalletHub across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

While immigrants were shown to contribute mightily to the economy, Hawai`i ranked 20th in net difference between state and local revenues and expenditures per individual immigranat. It ranked 23rd in percentage of foreign-born Science, Technology and Engineering workers, and 23rd in economic contributions of international students per capita.

The Pacific Business News story noted that "Earlier this month, the state of Hawai`i sued President Donald Trump over his executive order temporarily banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim nations. The president’s order also included a suspension in admission of refugees to the U.S.
"At a news conference, Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin said the executive order “keeps Hawai`i families apart, it blocks Hawai`i residents from traveling, it harms Hawai`i’s tourism industry... it blocks Hawai`i businesses and universities from hiring as they see fit. Most importantly, it degrades the values that Hawai`i has worked so hard to protect.” See more at www.bizjournals.com/pacific

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HAWAI`I ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, the parent company of American Savings Bank, Hawaiian Electric Light Co. on the Big Island and the utility companies on O`ahu, Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i and O`ahu, today reported a 2016 profit of $248.3 million. The 2015 profit was reported as $159.9 million.
According to HEI Chair Connie Lau, the increase in profit involves the cancelled merger with the Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc, which paid HEI $60.3 million. It also involves a cancelled spin-off of American Savings Bank and a liquified natural gas contract that was also terminated.
Lau released a statement saying that “In 2016, Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries invested $318 million, over twice the utility’s earnings, in the modernization and improvement of Hawaii’s electric grids, and we achieved an energy portfolio powered by 25 percent renewable resources in 2016. American Savings Bank closed 2016 with a strong fourth quarter and achieved important strategic objectives. We plan to build upon the bank’s success in the coming years with the building of its new headquarters.”

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin
Photo from Wikepedia

NEW TREASURY SECRETARY STEVEN MNUCHIN worries Sen. Mazie Hirono who testified and voted against his confirmation in the U.S. Senate yesterday. Hirono contended that Mnuchin "helped to bring about the 2008 financial crisis and profited off the misery that followed. During his campaign, President Trump promised to crack down on Wall Street abuses. In one of his campaign ads, the President said that the CEO of Goldman Sachs was part of 'a global elite' that was 'robbing our working class.' He said that on Wall Street 'it's the powerful protecting only the powerful.' Given his campaign promises, it is astounding that President Trump nominated Steve Mnuchin, someone whose business record embodies the worst abuses from the financial crisis..."

Hirono recalled that "In the Fall of 2008, when I served in the U.S. House, then Treasury Secretary Hank Carlson came to Capitol Hill and painted a dire picture. He told us that without drastic intervention by Congress and the White House, the entire entire global financial system would collapse. The situation was so dire, he argued, that we could not even pause to provide additional, meaningful relief to the millions of families across the country facing home foreclosures...."

Hirono reminded the Senate that "many banks sold mortgages to people who couldn't afford them, packaged these mortgages into complex financial instruments, colluded with ratings agencies and sold these 'products' as solid investments. The American people stepped in with hundreds of billions of dollars to bail out Wall Street, but without effective broad laws in place before the financial crises to prevent predatory lending, millions of people lost their homes and trillions of dollars in household wealth. Many of these victims have yet to recover....

"In the years that followed, we learned more and more about the numerous abuses these banks perpetrated on the American people. After years of pushing subprime loans on minority homeowners who couldn't afford them, foreclosures devastated minority communities across the country.... Many banks also violated judicial foreclosure proceedings when they signed hundreds of thousands of foreclosure documents without reviewing them, also known as robo signing."

She said Mnuchin's questionable business practices earned him the title of "Foreclosure King." She said that as a senior executive at Goldman Sachs for 17 years he was "an evangelist for the types of financial transactions, credit default swaps and collateralized debt obligations that crashed the economy in 2008. He said these instruments were 'an extremely positive development in terms of being able to finance different parts of the economy and different businesses effectively.' So what was essentially just business to him, devastated the economy and the lives of millions of people." She also said that Mnuchin was deeply involved in subprime lending and was responsible for tens of thousands of foreclosures across the country. She said that his OneWest company "was among the worst offenders in robo-signing foreclosure documents." Hirono said a vice president of OneWest "admitted to signing 750 foreclosure documents per week while spending less than 30 seconds on each one.... A one West subsidiary Financial Freedom foreclosed on more than 16,000 seniors living on fixed income who had reverse mortgages....." She said a 90 year old woman's home was foreclosed over a 27 cent debt.

Hirono also gave the example of a retired Navy civilian woman with a OneWest mortgage in Hilo who lost her home and described Mnuchin as "one of the architects of our meltdown." Hirono said Mnuchin is responsible for tens of thousands of foreclosures.

Concerning Mnuchin as Treasury Secretary, Hirono testified, "Throughout his campaign, President Trump made it clear that he wants to dismantle Dodd-Frank, eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and roll back financial regulations that will prevent another financial crisis. As Treasury Secretary, Mr. Mnuchin would be charged with implementing this agenda. Credible economists have warned that we could end up in another financial crisis. My question is who would a Secretary Mnuchin try to saveWall Street or the millions of people who will be adversely impacted. His record shows which path Steve Mnuchin would choose."

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Lito Arkangel performs at Volcano on Wednesday evening.

Ka`u Farm Bureau meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the auxiliary room at the new gymnasium in Pahala at 6 p.m. Election of new officers is planned for the meeting, said Ka`u Farm Bureau President Brenda Iokepa-Moses.

Lito Arkangel is in concert Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Kilaeua Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The entertainer and songwriter shares his original compositions and other Hawaiian favorites. He hails from the former sugar plantation town of ‘Ōla‘a, now known as Kea‘au. His love for Hawaiian music started as a young keiki, turning pages for his tūtū wahine (grandmother) while she played piano, and from decades of backyard jam sessions. Arkangel has since established himself as a popular entertainer throughout Hawai‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu Heavenly Voices presentations. Free.

Phil Becker, at right, is the new President of the Ka`u Farm Bureau, shown at his and Merle Becker's
Aikane Plantation Coffee Co. farm between Pahala and Na`alehu.
Photo from Aikane Coffee

KA`U FARM BUREAU addressed the future of agriculture in Hawai`i during its annual meeting Wednesday at the new Ka`u High School Gym. Statewide President of the Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation Randy Cabral, who has a small ranch near Pahala and a home in Volcano, gave the outlook. He noted that farmers are a tiny percentage of the population nationwide, only 2 percent feeding almost all the people. He said he hopes that people will gain more respect for farmers and purchase food that is grown in Hawai`i for not only healthy living but to support the local economy. He talked about the meager funding of the state Department of Agriculture, less than 1 percent of the state budget, even though Gov. David Ige is pushing for more food self-sufficiency.
Cabral stated that new food safety regulations and proposed laws to further control pesticides, though possibly well-intentioned, could put farmers out of business quickly with added work and overwhelming expenses. He pointed to the federal Food Safety Modernization Act and said that 30 to 40 percent of small farms across the country could go under because they can’t afford to comply with the law.

Ka`u Farm Bureau held its annual meeting Wednesday. Left to right are
founding President Chris Manfredi, Vice President John Ah San,
Treasurer Kaohi Mokuhali`i, 2017 President Phil Becker, Secretary
and outgoing President Brenda-Iokepa Moses and statewide
President Randy Cabral. Photo by Julia Neal

He encouraged farmers to take advantage of the Enterprise Zone benefits in Ka`u, especially through tax relief, including a waiver of the 4 percent sales tax for qualifying operations. He said the Royal Hawaiian Orchards, the large macadamia farming and processing company from which he recently retired, was able to draw savings from registering as an Enterprise Zone entity, with relief from General Excise taxes when paying for construction of its new drying towers for macadamia nuts. He said that filling out the forms and complying with the requirements is well worth the effort.
Cabral said the Hawai`i Farm Bureau is coming out with a Farm to Plate program modeled after an effort in Vermont. He said it also supports the state leasing out agricultural land long-term for growing food and to give farmers security. He said that minimum wage increases, proposed at the legislature, would be tough on farmers, who would find it hard to raise their prices to cover the additional costs. He also said the Farm Bureau objects to the proposal in the legislature to allow tiny homes on farms and predicted that they would be used for tourism by gentleman farmers rather than farm labor, as intended.

Cabral said he hopes that farmers will communicate directly to legislatures by phone, email, and posting their opinions through the Farm Bureau and through the legislature’s website where people can state their support and objections, and track the various bills going through the process. He noted that Rep. Richard Creagan, a Ka`u resident who chairs the Committee on Agriculture in the state House of Representatives, and Sen. Mike Gabbard, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, are both hearing and passing most of the ag bills out of their ag committees. He said the volume of bills is hard to keep up with and that the Farm Bureau is notifying members when they need to weigh in.
The Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation has its own package of bills at the Legislature. Among those it supports are those for treatment plans for little fire ants, an extension of the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program, and three new pesticide inspector positions. It supports long term leases on state land to give farmers security. The Farm Bureau is also tracking bills it opposes, including 17 that would further regulate or ban pesticides. Among those it opposes are:
SB 19, which would require any person cultivating a crop to provide detailed monthly public disclosure of all pesticide use;
SB 29 and HB 790, which would require disclosure and public notification for outdoor applications of all pesticides in or near schools, healthcare facilities, childcare and eldercare facilities, and other environmentally sensitive areas. It would apply to farmers buying or using a certain amount of restricted use pesticides. The bill would allow counties to regulate pesticide use and set buffer zones, and would permit citizen lawsuits;

Funding to fight the coffee berry borer is one of the top
priorities of the Ka`u and statewide Hawai` Farm Bureau.

SB 844 and HB 253 would ban the use of pesticides containing the active ingredient chlorpyrifos
SB 346 would increase the pesticide licensing fee to $310 per year and require annual renewal.
SB 810 would require a permit to apply any neonicotinoid insecticide or use coated seeds. The permit would be issued for one-time use, only in the case of immediate threat to human health or the environment, and if no viable alternative. It would allow counties to regulate neonicotinoids more strictly than state or federal governments.
SB 809 would allow counties to adopt their own, more stringent pesticide laws, rules, and policies.
SB 779 and HB 254 would expand membership of the state Pesticide Advisory Committee and direct it to establish state standards for low-level chronicity exposure levels and create a comprehensive buffer zone policy.
Cabral noted that Feb. 23 will be Ag Day at the Legislature and that Ka`u farmers are invited to attend at the Capitol. Aikane Plantation coffee farm has attended for many years and plans to have a booth there.
He also showed off the Farm Bureau's new Hawai`i Farm & Food magazine, which features a photo of Ka`u rancher Michelle Galimba inviting people to the Hawai`i Agriculture Conference AG2017. See www.hiagconference.org and hfbf.org.

NEW OFFICERS FOR KA`U FARM BUREAU were elected Wednesday at the organization’s annual meeting. The new President is Phil Becker of Aikane Plantation Coffee Co., who grows coffee and protea and ranches cattle and horses between Pahala and Na`alehu. He and Merle Becker are the creators of Coffee & Cattle Day, which for years helped draw crowds to Ka`u Coffee Festival week.

Vice President is John Ah San, a Ka`u Coffee grower and President of the Pael Coffee Cooperative. Treasurer is Kaohi Mokuhali`I, with a background in dairy and ranching. Secretary is Brenda Iokepa Moses, former Ka`u Farm Bureau President a manager at Ka`u Mahi.
Becker said he plans to regularly attend statewide Farm Bureau meetings on O`ahu and will be diligent in reporting back to members in Ka`u and keeping them apprised of the activities at the legislature and Farm Bureau.

Ka`u High School is one of the rural schools with possible cutbacks
from budget reductions announced by the governor on Tuesday.
Photo by Julia Neal

STATE BUDGET CUTBACKS could hurt schools, farmers, ranchers and the management programs for natural areas in Ka`u. Gov. David Ige told the Hawai`i Legislature Tuesday that he is trimming the state budget based on a projected lowering of expected state revenues.
Among the cuts that could affect Ka`u are extra funding that goes to remote rural schools like Ka`u High and Elementary, Ka`u Learning Academy and Na`alehu School, some of the smallest in the state where the Hawai`i teachers union has asked for an additional $1,000 per year per student.
The governor proposed a cut in additional funding to fight the rapid `ohia death fungus that has damaged thousands of acres of native forest around the island, including protected forests in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and on state and private preserves in Ka`u. Forestry management programs would also be cut.
Concerning agriculture, the budget reductions could affect the hope for additional farm loans, planned irrigation infrastructure, invasive species control, and the subsidy for livestock feed. Agricultural surveys to plan for farming and ranching and preserving ag lands would be reduced from the original plan that was earlier submitted.
The proposed reductions in funding come after the state Council on Revenues lowered its expected growth-in-tax revenues predictions to 3 percent from 5.5 percent.

Wisdom, estimated to be at leat 66 years of age, has returned each year for more than six decades to Midway Atoll
and to the same nesting siteshe and her mate Akeakamai use each year. It takes the pair about seven months to
incubate and raise each chick, the most recent hatching in February. See story below.
Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

A DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS saw protests across the country Thursday, with businesses shutting down to show how empty they would be without an immigrant workforce. The action drew the backing of Mazie Hirono, who represents Ka`u in the U.S. Senate. "I stand with families across the country participating in A Day Without Immigrants, but I came to work today to fight against President Trump's fearmongering, anti-immigrant agenda," she said.
Hirono, and other Senators announced legislation to rescind Pres. Donald Trump's Executive Order on deportation. She stated that "Most of us are not far from our immigrant roots and for myself I am an immigrant. I am living the American dream. where my mother brought me to this country as a single parent and raised three children by herself. The continuing attacks by President Trump on immigrants in this country are particularly painful and troubling to me." She contended that Trump "has done more harm to America in just a few weeks than most presidents do in the entirety of their term. She contended that Trump has tried to ban Muslims from entering the United States solely because of their religion."

Sen. Mazie Hirono called for Congress to rescind Pres. Trump's order
to deport undocumented immigrants. Image from U.S. Senate

Hirono reported that "Instead of pursuing consensus on a comprehensive immigration bill, President Trump has launched a new assault on immigrants and their famlies. The stories we've all seen and heard over the past week have been heartbreaking. Families are being torn apart, lives are being destroyed. The vast majority of those arrested are not violent criminals. They are people that contributed to their community for decades."
The Senator said that "We can trace this new assault directly to President Trump's Executive Order on so-called interior safety. It fulfills one of his own campaign promises...those promises should never have been made because of the damage that it does to millions of people in our country." She reported that nearly than 700 people have been arrested in raids across the country. "This is only a taste of what's to come and American people should be infuriated."
Hirono pointed out that "waves of immigrants have played a major role in shaping my home state of Hawai`i. We need to band together to resist this executive order now. We need to stand up whenever our President, this President, tries to divide our country and targets minority groups for discriminatory treatment. And if we don't stand up, as we are doing on a regular basis these days, then we are complicit in what follows."
She called the order "so sweeping that it will encompasses some eight million of the 11 million undocumented people in our country and this order is spreading fear throughout our community." She called it unworkable and inhumane.

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WISDOM, THE OLDEST KNOWN WILD BREEDING BIRD IN THE WORLD, has a new offspring. The egg that she laid - see the Jan. 5 Ka`u News Briefs - has hatched in the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The chick hatched approximately two months after Wisdom, at least 66 years old, was first spotted incubating an egg at the same nesting site that she and her mate, Akeakamai, use each year.

Wisdom and her new chick. Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife

“Wisdom continues to inspire people around the world. She has returned home to Midway Atoll for over six decades and raised at least 30-35 chicks,” said Bob Peyton, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Leader for Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Memorial. “Because Laysan albatross don’t lay eggs every year and when they do, they raise only one chick at a time, the contribution of even one bird to the population makes a difference.”
It takes nearly seven months to incubate the egg and raise a chick to fledge. In that time, Wisdom and Akeakamai, like all albatross parents, take turn incubating the egg or caring for the chick while the other forages for food at sea.
Albatross and many other seabirds exhibit high nest site fidelity, returning to the same nesting site each year, and relying on protected nesting sites like the Refuge and Memorial to raise their young.
"Laysan albatross and other seabirds depend on the habitat protected by Midway Atoll and other Pacific remote wildlife refuges to raise their young,” said Peyton. “Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, we have been able restore the native habitat that the birds need for nesting sites, ensuring a future for these seabirds.”

USFWS Refuge biologist Meg DuhrSchultz and volunteer Aisha
Rickli-Rahman gave Wisdom's 2016 chick a permanent adult
band. Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Wisdom and Akeakamai are not alone in calling the Refuge and Memorial home. Midway Atoll is home to the world’s largest colony of albatross. Nearly 70 percent of the world’s Laysan albatross and almost 40 percent of Black-footed albatross, as well as endangered Short-tailed, all rely on the Refuge and Memorial. Albatross start to arrive to return from sea to breed in late October and by the end of November nearly every available nesting space on the atoll is claimed by a breeding pair.
Located at the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Midway Atoll Refuge and Memorial is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. One the oldest atoll formations in the world, the atoll provides nesting habitat for over three million seabirds, and was the site of the decisive Battle of Midway, one of the most significant naval battles of World War II, and in history. To learn more about Midway Atoll, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/midway_atoll/.

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FREE BAGS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD will be given away next Wednesday, Feb. 22 at noon in Na`alehu Commuinty Center. The giveaway is a partnership between Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool and the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Hawai`i Island Food Basekt. There are no income or financial eligibilty requirements or age limitations for the distribution of food. For more information call Betty Clark, Site Manager for Tutu & Me at 929-8571.

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THE ALOHA GROWN MALAMA HONUA FUND has announced the competition this year for five $500 awards to local non-profits, schools, organizations or initiatives on the Big Island that embody Aloha Grown's philosophy to "Support Local. Sustain the `Aina. Share the Aloha."
Interested groups must complete an application form and write a one-page essay explaining how their organization follows Aloha Grown's philosophy. Essays must include the organization's mission and vision, along with the specific project, program and/or effort that the $500 award would be used to fund.
"Aloha Grown is committed to supporting efforts to care for our island, our people and our culture. That is why 2% of every Aloha Grown sale goes to the Malama Honua Fund, which awards local nonprofits, schools, organizations and initiatives that embody our philosophy."
Previous award winners have included Na`alehu School, Kohala Elementary School, Punana Leo o Waimea, Hawa`ii Institute of Pacific Agriculture, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School, and many more. Their sustainability programs and efforts have included community gardens, aquaponics systems, keiki farm stands, culinary programs, and outdoor classrooms.
All submissions are due by March 31. For more on Aloha Grown or to see previous year's Malama Honua Fund award winners, visit www.alohagrown.com.

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GRANTS FOR HEALTH PROGRAMS are available through the statewide Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce. The organization’s president, Sherry Menor MacNamera, in a letter yesterday, stated: “As part of our initiative to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawai’i, the Chamber serves as trustee of the Public Health Fund.”

The history of the Chamber’s involvement with community health is long, she explained: “In 1899, a bubonic plague epidemic closed Honolulu Harbor and quarantined part of Honolulu. In an effort to exterminate rats from the wharves and prevent future epidemics, a committee of shipping company representatives and importers assessed themselves 10 cents per ton of imports for rat control.  Fifteen years later, the Public Health Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Honolulu accepted responsibility for collecting the voluntary assessments and disbursing funds for public health programs.

In 1923, the Equity Court formally appointed the Chamber as trustee of what is now known as the Public Health Fund and directed it to limit grants to public health organizations based on O`ahu. Assessments were discontinued in 1950. Since then, grant awards have been made from interest and dividends received from investment of principal. The Chamber president announced that grants are made for projects involving public health education and research for which funds are not available from other sources. Preference is given to projects that are collaborative.
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Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, Feb 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230

Life of the Lands, Sat, Feb 18 – Mar 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Acrylic paintings by David K. Hayes and Daniel VanZyle feature Hawaiian flora and fauna. Opening reception Sat, Feb 18, 5 p.m.

New exhibit of paintings opens at Volcano Art Center this Saturday.

Pele & Hi`iaka, Sat, Feb 18, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

Kahuku ‘Ohana Day, Sat, Feb 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Keiki 17 and younger and their families are invited to explore Upper Palm Trail and learn to weave a lei. Free. Register by Feb 2 at 985-6020.

Zentangle Inspired Art: Five Ferns, on Sat, Feb 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Dina Kageler helps tanglers get inspired by nature. 967-8222

Mongolian BBQ, Sat, Feb 18, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. $.85/ounce with complimentary rice and beverage. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

Rebecca Folsom Concert, Sat, Feb 18, 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. $25/$20 VAC members. 967-8222

www.kaucalendar.com

County of Hawai`i Civil Defense offers warnings and tips for viewing the lava flow into the ocean. This photo was taken Jan. 3.
See story below. NPS Photo/J. Wei

NEW CHIEF OF THE EPA is Scott Pruitt, confirmed Friday by the U.S. Senate with a 52 to 46 vote. One Republican voted against him. Two Democrats voted for him to become administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Ka`u's Sen. Mazie Hirono took to the Senate floor before she, along with Hawai`i Sen. Brian Schatz, voted "no." Putting into the record her view that Pruitt's own "record of fighting EPA's work disqualifies him from leading the agency charged with protecting the environment, Hirono stated: "Mr. Pruitt’s record paints a clear picture. His priorities directly conflict with the EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment. He is much more concerned about protecting corporate interests than keeping our communities healthy and safe from pollution."

Scott Pruitt became the EPA administrator Friday,
opposed by both Hawai`i Senators Mazie Hirono
and Brian Schatz. Photo from Wikipedia

Declared Hirono, “We’ve come too far over the past eight years to let someone like Scott Pruitt destroy the progress we’ve made.”
"Noone wants to live on a dirty planet," said Hirono. "Before we created the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, nearly 50 years ago, rivers actually caught fire from pollutants, the power plants spewed arsenic and mercury into the sky with impunity. In the years since, the EPA has been at the vanguard in the effort to protect the air we breath and the water we drink. This work is not easy and the person who leads the EPA has a tough job.
"It requires toughness and fortitude to fight back against polluters and special interests but in all the years the EPA has been around we would be hard pressed to find someone more hostile to the agency's fundamental mission or less suited to leading it than Scott Pruitt is. As Oklahoma's Attorney General, Mr Pruitt organized, led or participated in virtually every challenge to the EPA's work during his time in office. His lawsuits have, among other things, sought to prevent EPA rules that keep our water safe, protect our air from harmful pollutants, like mercury and arsenic, and limit the carbon pollution that causes climate change. These lawsuits beg the question: Does Scott Pruitt belevie that the EPA should even exist?"
She called his record "troubling" and claimed that Pruitt has been "very cozy with fossil fuel companies and affiliated interest groups. A 2014 investigation by the New York Times revealed that energy lobbyists drafted letters for Mr Pruitt to send on state stationary to the EPA against the Obama administration's environmental regulations." She also said that the CEO of Continental Energy and Oil and Gas Company based in Oklahoma served as the campaign chairman for his reelection bid."
Hirono reported that a judge in Oklahoma ordered the AG's office to turn over as many as 3,000 documents related to Pruitt's communication with oil, gas and coal groups during his time in office. She said she believes the documents will show his close ties to the fossil fuel interests.
She said Pruitt fought relentlessly against EPA efforts to establish basic limits on smog, arsenic, mercury and other dangerous air pollutants. She noted that he sued the EPA twice to overturn mercury and air toxic standards, "which would prevent 40,000 pounds of mercury emissions every year and would help keep our food supply safe from contamination." She said that Pruitt has repeatedly questiond whether climate change is real and "refused to accept, several times, that humans contribute to climate change. He said there is 'a wide range of viewpoints regarding the extent to which man contributes to climate change.' He also said scientists 'continue to disagree and the extent of global warming.'" Hirono said, "the fact is that 97 percent of scientists agree that climate change is real and that human beings contribute to it.

Mazie Hirono recorded her objections to Scott Pruitt before he was voted to
become the new EPA administrator on Friday.
Image from U.S. Senate

"From his perch at Oklahoma's Attorney General," said Hriono, " Mr. Pruitt sued to prevent President Obama's clean power plan to cut carbon emissions from taking effect. He argued that the federal government doesn't have the authority to regulate carbon emissions. This is wrong. The Supreme Court ruled twice, first in Massachusetts v EPA in 2007, then again in Utility Air Regulatory Group v EPA in 2014: Does the EPA Have the Authority to Regulate Carbon Emissions as Pollution Under the Clean Air Act? "
Hirono predicted that Pruitt will attempt to "kill the Clean Power Plan and undo much of the positive work Pres. Obama did to address climate change." She pointed to Pruitt's track record of undermining environmental laws and regulations.
She said as AG in Oklahoma, he eliminated the environmental protection unit within the Oklahoma AG's office, which for years investigated water contamination from refineries, lead paint waste and illegal dumping. In its place, he created the Federalism Unit, which handled all of Pruitt's legal challenges against the EPA, increasing the department's budget by over 700 percent, "and the taxpayers of Oklahoma get to foot that bill."
Hirono testified that Pruitt, "is much more concerned about protecting corporate interests than keeping our communities healthy and safe from pollution."
She quoted a constituent named Keiko, who wrote to Hirono that the issue is "as much an American issue as it is a Hawaiian issue, a human issue, and an issue of all inhabitants of Papa, mother earth. I ask that you continue to be vigilant and onipa`a in the face of climate change deniers. Mahalo for looking out for everyone living today and going to be born tomorrow."

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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

SPEAKING AT THE KEYSTONE PROGRESSIVE SUMMIT on Friday, Ka`u's U.S. House of Representative member Tulsi Gabbard addressed an annual meeting of liberal leaders from across Pennsylvania. She spoke in Harrisburg, PA on Rural Organizing as the Key to Winning a Progressive Mandate. She responded to the group's concern about interacting with President Donald Trump and his agenda: “We must stay focused and rooted, and grounded as we navigate to path forward,” she said, as reported in Politics PA. The publication quoted her as saying “Rather than burning bridges, we need to focus on building bridges. Focus on providing leadership, focus on providing vision and taking action in a positive direction.”
Editor Paul Engelkemier wrote: "Her speech echoed the tone of the event, with activists determined to move the Democratic party to the left. Last year’s featured guest was Vermont Senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders."
Regarding her willingness to interact wiith Trump, she said, “This in no way means giving up principles, this in no way means stepping away from our values. Actually it is the opposite, it is taking a stand strongly now for our principles.”
Politics PA reported that "Despite a reputation as a progressive hero, Gabbard has taken heat from the left in recent months for signaling a willingness to work with President Trump. She had a high-profile meeting with Trump in November. She pushed back on that criticism Friday." Gabbard said, “There are some who think that the best way to approach the next four years is through constant and consistent obstruction at every step and every turn. I disagree with that. We can best serve our communities, our state and our country by stepping up as leaders.” See www.politicspa.com.

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Layton Ka-ne Kala demonstrates keeping
a hackey in the air at the Friday morning
during a Kindness Campaign.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

ALOHA AND FRIENDSHIP WERE SCHOOL THEMES at Na`alehu on Friday morning. The elementary school day started off the with a Kindness Campaign mini-celebration. The entire school and staff took time out to enjoy each other's company, playing with hackey sacks. As part of the school's annual year-long campaign to encourage aloha and friendship on campus, each student was awarded their very own hackey sacks in January. Second-grader, Layton Ka-ne Kala, demonstrated how to keep the hackey in the air.

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A COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING FOR KA`U HOSPITAL is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. at the hospital. Kurt Corbin, Chair of the East Hawai`i Regional Board of the Hawai`i Hospital System Corp, which oversees the hospital and clinic operations, said that "Personal conversations and dialogue with our community stakeholders are absolutely essential in helping guide the decidions that the Regional Board must make."
Boardmembers and administrators will be on hand and a financial overview and future outlook will be presented. For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Secretary at 932-3103.

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THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY OF HAWAI`I COUNTY issued a reminder Friday covering precautions for viewing lava flowing from Puʻu ʻŌʻō in the East Rift Zone and entering the ocean at Kamokuna inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Civil Defense spokesperson Kanani Aton noted that additional surface flows are active near Puʻu ʻŌʻō and more recently moving beyond the National Park eastern boundary onto private property near the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision. "Bright incandescence is visible from the active lava flow field, and the lava flow does not pose a threat to any community at this time."
However, the public is urged to stay on the road and wondering off toward the light of the lava.

Civil Defense is urging volcano watchers to stay on the designated
roads and trails and to avoid dangerous places and private property.
Photo from USGS

"The road is unpaved and surrounded on all sides by rough lava flows on private property. Public access is restricted to the graded roadway and viewers are asked to respect private property and the rights of local residents," warns Civil Defense with the following reminders:
*Viewing area hours are from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with the last car allowed to park at 9 p.m.
*It is about 8.5 miles round-trip from end of the pavement on Highway 130 to the ocean entry at Kamokuna and back. The flow can be seen starting from just beyond the parking lot all along the viewing area route.
*Restroom facilities are limited and lack running water.
*Dress appropriately with boots or sturdy, covered shoes, long pants and a hat.
*Be prepared for rain, wind, sun, heat and dust exposure.
*Bring lots of water (1-2 liters per person), there is no potable water available.
*Bring a flashlight for walking at night.
"Our goal is to maintain public safety, protect the interests of Kalapana residents, and extend the use of the emergency road or Highway 130. We ask for your patience and kokua (help)," says the Civil Defense statement.

Aton reminds the public that to maintain public safety and to extend the use of the emergency road or Highway 130, the County of Hawai‘i opened the emergency road to lava viewing on June 30, 2016. Vehicular traffic on the emergency road is limited to local residents and emergency vehicles, and is being monitored by security guards posted along the viewing area. Visitors need to be aware of the following reminders:

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Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, Feb 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230

Life of the Lands, Sat, Feb 18 – Mar 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Acrylic paintings by David K. Hayes and Daniel VanZyle feature Hawaiian flora and fauna. Opening reception Sat, Feb 18, 5 p.m.

Pele & Hi`iaka, Sat, Feb 18, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

Kahuku ‘Ohana Day, Sat, Feb 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Keiki 17 and younger and their families are invited to explore Upper Palm Trail and learn to weave a lei. Free. Register by Feb 2 at 985-6020.

Zentangle Inspired Art: Five Ferns, on Sat, Feb 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Dina Kageler helps tanglers get inspired by nature. 967-8222

Mongolian BBQ, Sat, Feb 18, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. $.85/ounce with complimentary rice and beverage. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

Rebecca Folsom Concert, Sat, Feb 18, 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. $25/$20 VAC members. 967-8222

The late Sen. Gil Kahele, of Miloli`i, was succeeded by his son Kaiali`i Kahele in the state Senate. Kai Kahale lives in Hilo but
promises help for Miloli`i and Ka`u through his work at the Capitol. On Saturday, he released a list of bills he supports.
Photo by Kaiali`i Kahele

SEN. KAIALI`I KAHELE, whose family hails from Miloli`i and whose late father Gil Kahele served as Ka`u's state Senator, has forwarded a list of bills in the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature. He is asking the community to click on the following, read the billS, and if supportive send in testimony to support the following:
SB1162 SD1 - RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I PROMISE PROGRAM. Establishes the University of Hawai`i Promise Program to provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students enrolled at any campus of the University of Hawai`i System.

Sen. Kai Kahele

SB1161 SD1 - RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I. Prohibits the University of Hawai`i Board of Regents from increasing tuition fees until 2027.
SB848 SD1 - RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION. Establishes the Hawaiian Language University College as an autonomous entity within the University of Hawai`i System to be located at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo.
SB1081 SD1 - RELATING TO TAXATION. Provides a state income tax deduction of up to $5,000 per year for student loan interest paid on qualified education loans.
SB849 SD1 - RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT. Reduces the minimum Hawaiian blood quantum requirement of certain successors to lessees of Hawaiian Home Lands from one-quarter to one thirty-second.
SB272 SD1 - RELATING TO RAT LUNGWORM DISEASE. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, the Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture for programs, studies, and activities related to rat lungworm disease.
SB1290 SD1 - RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX. Adjusts allocation of transient accommodations tax revenues to the tourism special fund for inflation.
SB1293 SD1 - RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY. Appropriates money to the fund for deputy canines and full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent canine handler positions within the Department of Public Safety.

Slugs, like these seen on pavement in Ka`u, can carry
rat lung disease and spread it through vegetable gardens.
Photo by Julia Neal

Kahele asks that as each bill is scheduled for hearing, consider sending testimony to the appropriate committee(s). Email testimony to:
Ways and Means - WAMtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov; Judiciary and Labor - JDLtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov; Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health -CPHtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

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RAT LUNG DISEASE, a devastating afflication that is carried by slugs and can be consumed by people eating unwashed vegetables, has drawn the interest of the sate legislature. An informational hearing has been set for this coming Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. in the State Capitol, called by the House Committeee on Agriculture, led by Rep. Richard Creagan, of Ka`u, and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, led by Sen. Mike Gabbard. The bill is supported by Creagan and Ka`u Sen., Dr. Josh Green. See more and testify at SB272 SD1.
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Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., and Fred W. Haise, Jr., members of NASA's third team of moon
explorers, carried cameras, communications equipment, and an Apollo Lunar Hand Tools scoop
during a simulation of a lunar traverse at Kīlauea Volcano in December 1969. Right: Astronauts
from NASA's BASALT field team explore Kīlauea's Mauna Ulu lava flow field within Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes National Park in September 2016. Their custom-made backpacks hold necessary
electronics and communications systems, including portable GPS, handheld
spectrometers, video cameras, and communication equipment, as well as
the tool of every geologist: a rock hammer. Photos courtesy of NASA

NASA PRACTICED FOR MARS EXPLORATION AT KILAUEA VOLCANO last September. Unpublicized to residents and the thousands of visitors going to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, a simulated Mars landing mission unfolded for two weeks as part of NASA's Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains program.
This week's Volcano Watch, written by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, explains:

BASALT works in the Mars simulation program outdoors on Mauna Loa and
inside the dome where a team is isolated as if they were living in
Mars conditions. Photo from NASA

BASALT consists of an international group of scientists, engineers, mission operators, and astronauts dedicated to furthering the human-robotic exploration of our neighboring planet, Mars. One of the main objectives of the BASALT research program is to examine how humans can effectively explore the surface of Mars for life and to understand the geologic history of the Red Planet.
Kīlauea Volcano offers landscapes that are not perfect analogs for Mars, but that come quite close. Under special permit from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the BASALT team of 65 scientists, engineers, computer scientists, human-machine engineering experts, and astronauts targeted the Mauna Ulu region on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone as the Mars landing and exploration area. The BASALT team also set up a Science Mission Control at Kīlauea Military Camp, a facility located in the National Park. Two-way voice, video and data streaming was established between this command center and the field team, which consisted of two crew members who conducted field sampling under simulated Mars mission conditions around Mauna Ulu. These communications were delayed by up to 15 minutes to mimic transmission latencies due to the great distance between Earth and Mars.
In addition to simulating Mars mission conditions, the project also evaluated the use of various mobile science platforms, hand-held devices to determine temperature and composition of rocks, and cutting-edge video and data display technologies.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory supported the BASALT project by hosting communication relay antennae in our observation tower. Several HVO staff members observed the operation over the course of the project and marveled at the complicated chain of decision-making that guided the astronauts' exploration, sampling, and documentation efforts.

Hawaiian volcanoes have featured prominently in the training of American astronauts for decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, NASA used various locations on Kīlauea and the high slopes of Mauna Kea to teach Apollo astronauts volcanology and prepare them for what they might encounter on the surface of the Moon.

From 2008 to 2012, international campaigns carried out on Mauna Kea tested methods of extracting oxygen and water from volcanic cinder. Since 2012, the Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, or HI-SEAS, program has conducted long-duration isolation missions in which crews spend up to a year inside a geodesic dome located at an elevation of 2,500 m (8,200 ft) on the slope of Mauna Loa.
More than a century ago, HVO founder Thomas A. Jaggar enthusiastically promoted the active volcanoes of Hawai'i as a world-class scientific laboratory. While he may not have imagined Kīlauea as a training ground for future space explorers, he almost certainly would have approved. In fact, we expect he'd argue that the first astronaut to roam the surface of the Red Planet should be a volcanologist trained on the Island of Hawaiʻi!
Prior to the BASALT program at Kīlauea Volcano, the NASA team conducted another simulated Mars landing in 2015 at the Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho.
More recently, NASA, along with the University of Hawai'i and state-sponsored PISCES (Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems), has conducted experiments to advance the feasibility of long-term human habitation on Mars.
The BASALT team hopes to return to Hawai'i in 2017 to repeat the mission in another area of Kīlauea to further refine their planning for eventual exploration of Mars, according to Volcano Watch.
For more information on NASA's BASALT program, visit: https://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/basalt/.
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Royden Okinishi and Dexter Lee are two of Ka`u's bow hunters who
travel the island to hunt. Photo by Alan Moores

ARCHERY  HUNTERS FROM KA`U are expected to head over to the Pu`uanahulu Game Management in March. The hunting season opens Saturday, March 4 and continues on weekends and state holidays through Sunday, June 25.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced that the daily bag limit will be one pig of either sex, one male sheep (ram), and two goats (any sex) per hunter per day. These are also the season limits for each species.

Hunters will need to obtain 2017 ram and goat tags to legally hunt in this area. Tags may be obtained from any Hawai‘i island Division of Forestry and Wildlife office. Sheep and goat tag fees will be $10/ tag for residents and $25/tag for non-residents.
Hunters must be in possession of an unused 2017 ram or goat tag to continue hunting in the area. The harvest tags will not be transferable and must be placed through the hind leg of the animal immediately after each kill. ATVs will be allowed in the area and must remain on designated roads.

ATVs will be allowed in the area and must remain on designated roads.

Report game law violations or any suspicious activity to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at (808) 974-6208 in Hilo. After hours and on weekends and holidays, calls may be made toll-free to Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), enforcement at 643-DLNR (643-3567). The area may be closed to hunting and other public access at any time due to wildland fire or fire hazard.
To accommodate other hunts, annual closure of the archery season in this GMA will be from July through February. Season length, bag limits, and hunting areas are those established in Title 13, Chapter 123, Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices in Hilo at (808) 974-4232 or in Kamuela at (808) 887-6063.

www.kaucalendar.com

People & Land of Kahuku, Sun, Feb 19, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history. nps.gov/havo

The Art of Vocal Freedom, Sun, Feb 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Rebecca Folsom instructs. $50 plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222

Weave a Tī Leaf Lei, Wed, Feb 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association instruct and provide materials. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Dwight Eisenhower visited Kilauea
Military Camp during WWII.

THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE AMERICANS 75 years ago during World War II was recalled Sunday across the country on the Day of Remembrance.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, herself a Japanese immigrant, called the special poor treatment of Japanese Americans, which started with the President's Executive Order 9066 in 1946, “a dark period in our nation’s history. Whenever our country has targeted a particular ethnicity, race, national origin, or religion for discriminatory treatment, we have been very deeply wrong.
Hirono promised: “I will continue to fight these actions, and will reintroduce a resolution in the Senate recognizing the significance of Executive Order 9066, and affirming that we must stand up for the civil rights of all. #DayofRemembrance #EO9066,” said Hirono

The internment of the Japanese during WWII followed an Executive Order by President Franklin D. Rooselvelt on Feb. 19, 1942 when he authorized the relocation of Japanese Americans from their homes, farms and businesses to camps. One detention center was located at Kilauea Military Camp in Ka`u.
The rationale at the time was fear, and the thinking that Japanese Americans would support Japan during WWII. While America was also at war with Hitler of Germany and Musalini of Italy, Americans of German and Italian backgrounds were not rounded up in the manner that affected the Japanese American communities.
The ten mainland camps and Hawa`i camps were used mostly to house Japanese American extracted from their American communities. While WWII raged, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Executive Order by the President to round up Japanese Americans.
The last camp closed in March 1946 and with many Japanese Americans having fought for the U.S. during WWII in Europe as part of the famed “Go for Broke” 442nd Regiment, the U.S. government became confused about how to reconcile the tragedy of internment.
It wasn’t until more than 40 years after the War, in 1988, that the Civil Liberties Act was signed by Pres. Ronald Reagan, stating that the internment was “a grave injustice.” Succeeding presidents, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, sent apology letters to camp survivors and their descendents. In February of 2015, Barack Obama established a national monument at the internment camp on O`ahu.

Japanese American U.S. war heroes from Ka`u,
Iwao Yonemitsu and the late Toku Nagano.
Photo by Julia Neal

In contrast, said, Hirono, “today, we are seeing the same discriminatory treatment with President Trump’s targeting of refugees, immigrants, and the Muslim community."

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REP. CULSI GABBARD said, "The incarceration of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry during World War II and the in internment of tens of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II is a dark and shameful mark on our nation’s past. In remembrance of the men, women, and children held captive on our free soil, we must commit to standing up against intolerance, bigotry, divisiveness, and hatred. We must honor the brave Nisei, who in spite of these atrocities, volunteered to serve, forming the Nisei-only "Go For Broke" 442nd Infantry Regiment. We must embrace the diversity found at the heart of our American spirit, and promise to never return to the darkness of our past."
Gabbard is an original cosponsor of H.Res.143 recognizing the ideals of the Day of Remembrance, and to remember the restrictions, exclusion, and incarceration of Americans of Japanese, German, and Italian descent during World War II.

Weave a Tī Leaf Lei, Wed, Feb 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association instruct and provide materials. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Ocean View Community Development Corp. meeting, Fri, Feb 24, 5 p.m., Hawaiian Ranchos office.

Sanctuary Ocean Count, Sat, Feb 25, 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., various coastal locations, several in Ka`u. Participants count humpback whales and record their behaviors. Registration required. hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or 725-5923.

Count humpback whales at the Sanctuary Ocean Count on the Ka`u Coast this Saturday.

Ka`u Hospital Community Input Meeting, Sat, Feb 25, 1:30 p.m. at the hospital. Kurt Corbin, Chair of the East Hawai`i Regional Board of the Hawai`i Hospital System Corp, which oversees the hospital and clinic operations, said that "Personal conversations and dialogue with our community stakeholders are absolutely essential in helping guide the decisions that the Regional Board must make."
Board members and administrators will be on hand and a financial overview and future outlook will be presented. For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Secretary at 932-3103.

Love the Arts: Singin’ in the Rainforest, Sat, Feb 25, 5 – 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The annual fundraiser features one-of-a-kind umbrellas painted by Hawai‘i Island artists. Fine wine, a luxurious gourmet buffet, spirited Hawaiian music and live and silent auctions. 967-8222

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, Feb 28, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, Feb 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

www.kaucalendar.com

Most of the debris picked up off the Ka`u Coast by such volunteers as these from University of Hawai`i and Hilo Community
College, is made of plastic. Now Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is asking Ka`u residents to support a bill in the
County Council to reduce styrofoam on the island. Photo by Dr. Drew Kapp

FOR PRESIDENTS' DAY, Feb. 20, President Donald Trump released the following tweet: "Happy Presidents' Day - Make America Great Again!"
Hawai`i Gov. David Ige released the following statement:
"Today we celebrate the birth of some of our country's most influential leaders: Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both men stood tall during pivotal times in American history and helped shape this country into the land of opportunity it is today.

Both_Presidents_Washington_and_Lincoln_(3).png

Image courtesgy of Gov. David Ige

"Washington and Lincoln served their country with distinction during times of incredible strife and division. They chose to walk paths fraught with peril, but which were ultimately in the best interests of our great nation.
"It was Washington who commanded the Continental Army against the tyranny of the British and won the Revolutionary War. Lincoln freed the slaves with his signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, reinforcing the notion that all citizens deserve equal treatment under the law.

"Each of these acts took a man with strong moral character and the will to see the changes necessary to make this country great. These two pillars of American leadership are the standard to which all elected leaders should hold themselves, which is why we recognize these men today.

"Despite the incredible freedoms and rights that\ Washington and Lincoln worked to secure, we know that many citizens still struggle to find shelter and provide for their families here in our state.
"On President's Day, let's honor these great men in words, but also in action. As your governor, I vow to continue fighting for the citizens of Hawai'i so that we may all fulfill the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which these men considered to be self-evident."

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THE PRESIDENT'S DAY TWEET FROM REP. TULSI GABBARD is, "I hope you have a safe and restful Presidents' Day Today," followed by: "In Hawai`i veterans have gone a year with no permanent VA Director for health services," and "I introduced legislation - leaders need to be held accountable."

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A BILL TO BAN POLYSTYRENE FOAM will be heard by the County Council's Committee on Environmental Management on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is urging supportive testimony for Bill 13 to be provided before or during the meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the Kona Council Chambers at West Hawai`i Civic Center or by videoconference from Ka`u at the old courthouse in Na`alehu. Testimony can also be submitted electronically by emailing counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov.
The bill is the resurrection by Puna County Council member Eileen O'Hara of an old polystyrene foam measure, Bill 140,
"Do you cringe each time you see lunch being served on a foam clamshell? We do too!" says a statement from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, referring to what is commonly called styrofoam, the substance targeted in the legislation.
The organization also reports that other statewide initiatives in 2017 include Senate Bill 1109 and House Bill 1545 in the Hawai`i Legislature and Agenda Item 16-204 for Maui County Council.
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund suggests a template for testimony: "I support the initiative proposed by Councilwoman O'Hara to reduce the amount of polystyrene foam food containers and food service ware on Hawai'i Island starting on July 1st, 2018. It is important for us to make decisions that promote the health and wellness of our island communities and native wildlife. Bill 13 is one of such crucial steps in the right direction, and will lead us on a pathway towards a zero-waste and sustainability for our island home."
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund also recommends supporting foam free businesses and has compiled a list of 135 restaurants on Hawai`i Island, including Volcano House, Cafe Ono and Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck in Volcano and Coffee Grinds and Kalae Coffee in Ka`u. For the complete list, see goo.gl/tia7Rd

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A BOOK SIGNING AT NA`ALEU LIBRARY ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22 AT 2:30 p.m. will feature Emily Rodavich, author of Mystical Interludes: An Ordinary Person's Extraordinary Experiences. The event is free to the public.

Weave a Tī Leaf Lei, Wed, Feb 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association instruct and provide materials. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Ocean View Community Development Corp. meeting, Fri, Feb 24, 5 p.m., Hawaiian Ranchos office.

Sanctuary Ocean Count, Sat, Feb 25, 8 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., various coastal locations, several in Ka`u. Participants count humpback whales and record their behaviors. Registration required. hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or 725-5923.

SOIL AND COMPOSTING is the topic at the next Ka`u Farm School session to be held on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Earth Matters Farm on the corner of South Point Road and Kama`oa Road. Time is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Special guests will include Rep. Richard Creagan, Chair of the Agriculture Committee of the state House of Representatives and Melanie Willich, Director of the Young Farmers Program at Kohala Center. The class is free, sponsored by Kohala Center and Hawai`i Farmers Union United. Donations accepted. RSVP to kaufarmschool@gmail.com or call 808-721-6977.

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Ka`u Hospital Community Input Meeting, Sat, Feb 25, 1:30 p.m. at the hospital. Kurt Corbin, Chair of the East Hawai`i Regional Board of the Hawai`i Hospital System Corp, which oversees the hospital and clinic operations, said that "Personal conversations and dialogue with our community stakeholders are absolutely essential in helping guide the decisions that the Regional Board must make."
Board members and administrators will be on hand and a financial overview and future outlook will be presented. For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Secretary at 932-3103.

Love the Arts: Singin’ in the Rainforest, Sat, Feb 25, 5 – 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The annual fundraiser features one-of-a-kind umbrellas painted by Hawai‘i Island artists. Fine wine, a luxurious gourmet buffet, spirited Hawaiian music and live and silent auctions. 967-8222

Palm Trail Hike, Sun, Feb 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, Feb 28, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, Feb 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

www.kaucalendar.com

Ka'u Concert Band, with Ben Houghton conducting, meets for weekly rehearsals. See story below.
Photo by Ann Bosted

THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION winter meeting is the destination of Gov. David Ige, who took off for Washington, D.C. Tuesday with First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige. The governor will join other governors from across the country to discuss a wide range of topics that are important to the future of the State of Hawai‘i. Ige said those topics include energy, early childhood education, transportation, homeland security, cybersecurity, public safety, health care reform, conservation management and species preservation.

Ige and other governors plan to meet with members of President Trump's new administration to discuss energy, transportation, defense and homeland security. Hawai`i's First Lady is scheduled to participate in a National Governors Association discussion on the evolving role of governors' spouses in the 21st century.
The Hawai`i governor is also expected to attend a Governors' Lunch hosted by Vice President Mike Pence at his new offical home, operated by the U.S. Navy on Observatory Circle.
Sessions at the conference include: Critical Infrastructure and National Resource Conservation and Public Lands; Governor's: Leading the Laboratory of Democracy; Ending Childhood Hunger: Improving Lives and Investing in America's Future; Early Childhood Education: A Foundation for Economic Success; National Infrastructure Bank; and Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge. One of the keynote speakers will be new Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao during a presentation on Infrastructure Spurring Innovation.
Sunday night will be an Evening with the President and First Lady at the White House, hosted by Donald and Melania Trump.
Hawai`i governor's office announced that Ige and Hawai`i's First Lady will be traveling with two staff members. The total cost of the trip is approximately $13,300. The return trip is Feb. 28.
The National Governors Association is a bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors that promotes visionary state leadership, shares best practices and speaks with a collective voice on national policy.
See more at www.nga.org.

Gov. David and First Lady Dawn Ige head for Washington, D.C
for the National Governors Association meeting and
a gala at the Trump White House.

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HAWAI`I AND OTHER STATES WILL FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING, according to the National Governors Association, which meets in Washington, D.C. this week, with Hawai`i's Gov. David Ige attending. Its report released this month called, State and Local Fiscal Facts: 2017, outlines the fiscal condition of state and local governments.
According to the report, "In particular, as states and Congress look to strengthen America’s infrastructure under the new Administration, municipal bonds remain a critical tool to financing the construction or improvement of schools, streets, highways, hospitals, bridges, water and sewer systems, ports, airports and other public works.
"Between 2007 and 2016, states, counties and other localities invested $3.8 trillion in infrastructure through tax-exempt municipal bonds; the federal government provided nearly $1.5 trillion." National Governors Association Executive Director and CEO Scott Pattison said, “Now more than ever, it remains critically important that governors have as many tools available in the toolbox to maintain and repair America’s infrastructure. Governors look forward to working with the President to creating a 21st century infrastructure system that boosts the economy.”

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HAWAI`I WORKERS HAVE THE MOST MONEY TAKEN OUT OF PAYCHECKS, according to a study of all 50 states and the District of Columbia by GoBanking. Workers in Hawai`i earning $50,000 a year, have about $500 every two weeks taken out of their paychecks. Those earning $100,000 a year, see a biweekly deduction of $1340.95 The sates where is the most is deducted are Hawai`i, followed by Oregon, Idaho, South Carolina and Minnesota.

The states where the least is deducted are all the states with no state income tax. They are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Still they take out $402.93 every two weeks for those earning $50,000 a year. For those earning $100,000, the deduction is $1032.83. See more at gobankingrates.com

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THE KA`U CONCERT BAND meets for weekly practices or rehearsals on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6p.m. at St. Jude's Church in Ocean View. The band welcomes musicians, who can play woodwind, brass or percussion instruments, as members. The band performs several times a year at various venues in and around Ocean View.
The Band has a number of instruments which can be loaned to musicians who need one.

The Band was known as the Ka'u Ohana Band, but changed its name in January. Ben Houghton is among the conductors.

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Book Signing at Na`alehu Library, Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. will feature Emily Rodavich, author of Mystical Interludes: An Ordinary Person's Extraordinary Experiences. The event is free to the public.

Weave a Tī Leaf Lei, Wed, Feb 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association instruct and provide materials. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Ocean View Community Development Corp. meeting, Fri, Feb 24, 5 p.m., Hawaiian Ranchos office.

Japanese Internment on Hawai`i Island is the subject of the first Coffee Talk at Kahuku. It will be held this Friday, Feb. 24 at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Dr. Jade Moniz-Nakamua will talk about the experience of Japanese Issei and Nisei at Kilauea Military Camp during World War II. Free.

Sanctuary Ocean Count, Sat, Feb 25, 8 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., various coastal locations, several in Ka`u. Participants count humpback whales and record their behaviors. Registration required. hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or 725-5923.

Ka`u Hospital invites the public to give input to its board this Saturday.
Photo by Julia Neal

Ka`u Hospital Community Input Meeting, Sat, Feb 25, 1:30 p.m. at the hospital. Kurt Corbin, Chair of the East Hawai`i Regional Board of the Hawai`i Hospital System Corp, which oversees the hospital and clinic operations, said that "Personal conversations and dialogue with our community stakeholders are absolutely essential in helping guide the decisions that the Regional Board must make."
Board members and administrators will be on hand and a financial overview and future outlook will be presented. For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Secretary at 932-3103.

Soil and Composting class at Ka`u Farm School on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Earth Matters Farm on the corner of South Point Road and Kama`oa Road, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Special guests include Rep. Richard Creagan, Chair of the Agriculture Committee of the state House of Representatives and Melanie Willich, Director of the Young Farmers Program at Kohala Center. Free, sponsored by Kohala Center and Hawai`i Farmers Union United. Donations accepted. RSVP to kaufarmschool@gmail.com or call 808-721-6977.

Love the Arts: Singin’ in the Rainforest, Sat, Feb 25, 5 – 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The annual fundraiser features one-of-a-kind umbrellas painted by Hawai‘i Island artists. Fine wine, a luxurious gourmet buffet, spirited Hawaiian music and live and silent auctions. 967-8222

Palm Trail Hike, Sun, Feb 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, Feb 28, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, Feb 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

www.kaucalendar.com

Ka`u High School students are invited to compete int he Kaha Ki`i Congressional Art Contest. The deadline is March 6. See story below.

STANDING ROCK PROTESTERS in North Dakota were mostly gone when authorities moved in Wednesday afternoon and arrested about ten of those who stayed behind. After a seven-month protest that gained the support of Ka`u's congresswoman Tuslsi Gabbard, who visited there in early December with military veterans, the occupation appeared to be over. Gabbard tweeted on Feb. 5, "The Dakota Access Pipeline threatens precious water resources and the balance of life. I #StandwithStandingRock.

Thousands of people visited Standing Rock over the past year to support the Sioux Indian opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline being built to carry oil across federal land, near Sioux clean water sources.

As the remaining hundreds left, some of the Standing Rock supporters burned structures they had used for housing there since last summer. As the armed forces approached, about 150 supporters joined arms and marched out of the camp playing drums and singing. Authorities offered a bus ride to Bismarck, dry clothing, food, hotel rooms and free bus tickets to leave town. Some protesters moved onto private lands to set up new camps.

Army Corps of Engineers spokespersons said that heavy snows would likely cause flooding and would have endangered those staying.

Dallas Goldrich from the Indigenous Environmental Network, said that most of those protesting were "common people who have stood up in defense of the water and to protect sacred sites." He noted that the Standing Rock campers weathered three blizzards and were asking for more time to clean up the camp before leaving.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard joined the Sioux at Standing Rock last December.

The pipeline issue remains active in congress and in federal court. Earthjustice, which has worked on water rights cases for native Hawaiians, filed a motion on Feb. 14 in federal court to set aside President Donald "Trump's pipeline reversal." A statement from Earthjustice said the motion charges the Trump administration with circumventing law and ignoring treaty rights. The motion asks whether National Environmental Policy Act requirements have been met and whether the Army Corps of Engineers' actions violate the Sioux tribe's treaty rights.

The chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, David Archambault II, said, “President Trump claims he has not received ‘a single phone call’ opposing this widely criticized project. Millions of people have raised their voices against this dangerous project.” He also said: “The drinking water of millions of Americans is now at risk. We are a sovereign nation and we will fight to protect our water and sacred places from the brazen private interests trying to push this pipeline through to benefit a few wealthy Americans with financial ties to the Trump administration.”
On Feb. 8, the Trump Administration granted an easement allowing the pipeline to be constructed under the Missouri River, a half mile upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. It reverses an earlier decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to withhold the easement while the agency completed an environmental review of alternate pipeline routes and the Tribe’s treaty rights.

"The environmental review, referred to as an environmental impact statement, has been wrongfully terminated mid-process," stated Earthjustice. "The lawsuit challenges the Corps’ hasty and unexplained departure from its previous decision, and explains how the Corps ignored the Tribe’s treaty rights and seeks to destroy culturally significant and sacred sites. It also explains how the Corps violated federal statutes requiring close environmental analysis of significant and controversial agency action."
Jane Hasselman, Earthjustice attorney representing the tribe, said: “In this arbitrary and capricious reversal of course, the Trump Administration is circumventing the law: wholly disregarding the treaty rights of the Standing Rock Sioux and ignoring the legally required environmental review. It isn't the 1800s anymore—the U.S. government must keep its promises to the Standing Rock Sioux and reject rather than embrace dangerous projects that undercut Treaties.” The pipeline is expected to be completed in three months by Texas company Energy Transfer Partners.

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Megan Lamson of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund delivers
testimony supporting reduction of styrofoam food
containers. Image from Big Island Video News

REDUCTION OF STYROFOAM CONTAINERS in Hawai`i County received supportive testimony Tuesday from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, which has faced foam and plastics in the millions of pounds of trash it has cleaned up off the Ka`u Coast for many years. Megan Lamson, representing the Wildlife Fund, and also President of Ka Ohana O Honu`apo, testified in support of reducing polystyrene foam food containers because "science documents it endangers our health, environment and marine life; economic nearsightedness and strong community support coupled with common sense."

She said polystyrene has adverse health effects, does not biodegrade and "will last in our landfills indefinitely, despite their intended design to be used for less than an hour.

She contended that a "2 penny to 25 cent difference cost in a foam alternative product is just the bottom line for vendors. We really need to think about the end life of these products in our landfills, along our roads and eventually in our oceans. Foam food containers are costing taxpayers millions of dollars in cleanup costs."

The Hawai`i state Department of Transportation produced a trash reduction plan in 2016 and "showed styrofoam was one of the top contributors in the waste stream along our highways. They even suggested a styrofoam ban ordinance," said Lamson. She also noted that many restaurants and Suisan Fish Market have made the switch from styrofoam.

"We live on an island and should not be importing ore creating things that we cannot dispose of properly," said Lamson.

The Hawai`i County Council's Committee on Environmental Protection voted in favor of the bill which moves on to the full County Council. Ka`u's council member Maile David cast her vote of support, along with council members Karen Eoff, Eileen O`Hara, Valerie Poindexter and Jennifer Ruggles. If the five continue to support it, it will likely pass the full council. A related bill failed the council in 2016 before elections put new council members in office.

The bill focuses on food vendors prohibiting them from using polystryene containers to dispense prepared food, starting July 1, 2018 to give them time to use inventory. Exceptions would be made for emergencies approved by the Mayor. Not included would bereuable ice chests and coolers made of foam. See a film on the meeting at www.bigislandvideonews.com.

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2017 KAHA KI`I Congressional Art Competition is accepting submissions through Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. The contest is open to Hawaiʻi high school artists in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Ka`u. 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 deadline to submit an entry is March All entries most be two dimensional; no larger than 28 inches by 29 inches by 4 inches thick; weigh nor more than 15 lbs; and be original in concept, design and execution, not violating U.S. copyright laws. Winning artwork is also featured on the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Art Competition page. See http://bit.ly/2lCCWtt

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KA`U KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK, beating Pahoa 19 to 7 in Trojan girls softball on Wednesday. The pitching starter was Le Chun Galban Kin, followed by Sheri Freitas who took over in the second inning to finish the game. Analei Emmsely hit a triple with two runs batted in. Chaunalisa Velez hit a tripple with one run batted in and Mari Carlos hit a single.

OceanView Community Development Corp. meeting, Fri, Feb 24, 5 p.m., Hawaiian Ranchos office.

JapaneseInternment on Hawai`i Island is the subject of the first Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, Feb. 24 at Kahuku Unit Visitor Center at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Dr. Jade Moniz-Nakamua leads the talk on Japanese held at Kilauea Military Camp during World War II. Free.

SanctuaryOceanCount, Sat, Feb 25, 8 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., various coastal locations, several in Ka`u. Participants count humpback whales and record their behaviors. Registration required. See hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or 725-5923.

Ka`u Hospital invites the public to a community input meeting this Saturday.
PhotobyJuliaNeal

Ka`u HospitalCommunity Input Meeting, Sat, Feb 25, 1:30 p.m. at the hospital. Kurt Corbin, Chair of the East Hawai`i Regional Board of the Hawai`i Hospital System Corp, which oversees the hospital and clinic operations, said that "Personal conversations and dialogue with our community stakeholders are absolutely essential in helping guide the decisions that the Regional Board must make." Board members and administrators will be on hand and a financial overview and future outlook will be presented. For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Secretary at 932-3103.

Sanctuary Ocean Count, Sat, Feb 25, 8 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., various coastal locations, several in Ka`u. Participants count humpback whales and record their behaviors. Registration required.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or 725-5923.

SoilandComposting class at Ka`u Farm School on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Earth Matters Farm on the corner of South Point Road and Kama`oa Roa`oa Road, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Special guests include Rep. Richard Creagan, Chair of the Agriculture Committee of the state House of Representatives and Melanie Willich, Director of the Young Farmers Program at Kohala Center. Free, sponsored by Kohala Center and Hawai`i Farmers Union United. Donations accepted. RSVP to kaufarmschool@gmail.com or call 808-721-6977

Love the Arts: Singin’ in the Rainforest, Sat, Feb 25, 5 – 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The annual fundraiser features one-of-a-kind umbrellas painted by Hawai‘i Island artists. Fine wine, a luxurious gourmet buffet, spirited Hawaiian music and live and silent auctions. 967-8222

Palm Trail Hike, Sun, Feb 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, Feb 28, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, Feb 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

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