The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Pahala Community Center holds its annual Rubberband Turkey Shoot Wednesday. See more below.

A TRAVEL ALERT FOR THE THE UNITED STATES was issued today by the State Department, saying, “U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings, and avoid large crowds or crowded places. Exercise particular caution during the holiday season and at holiday festivals or events.” The alert comes after 130 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Paris on Nov. 13. The U.S. alert follows the city of Brussells announcing today another week of highest level of alert, as terrorists believed to be responsible for the Paris attacks are sought in Belgium. The U.S. has received numerous threats of terrorism coming here in the near future.

Susan Condie Jennings'Ka`u Landing won first
in Sculpture at Ka`u Chamber of Commerce's
annual art show. Photos by Peter Anderson

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FOUR MORE CASES OF DENGUE FEVER have been confirmed on Hawai`i Island, Hawai`i state Department of Health reported. The count today is 92, up four from Friday. Of the total, 79 are residents, and 13 are visitors. Onset of illness has ranged from Sept. 11 to Nov. 17.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH will deploy a web-based system that will provide 24/7 access to real-time data on medical marijuana inventory, sales and other tracking information required of dispensary licensees statewide, according to Keith Ridley, Chief of the Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance.
The Office of Health Care Assurance performs all state licensing activities on healthcare facilities, agencies and organizations in Hawai`i and is tasked with implementing Act 241, which was signed into law by Gov. David Ige in July and became section 329D, HRS. Under the new program, a dispensary licensee may begin dispensing medical marijuana and manufactured marijuana products to qualifying patients or primary caregivers no earlier than July 15, 2016, with the department’s approval.
A Request for Proposals was issued on Nov. 19. The notice of award of contract for the computer software tracking system is expected to be made by Dec. 23.
“This is another major step forward to implement the medical marijuana program to ensure access for Hawai`i patients and caregivers,” Ridley said. “After researching various options, the department determined a web-based software system would be the most effective and user-friendly way for licensees and state officials to collect and report seed-to-sale tracking information to ensure public safety and patient safety, and licensees will be required to utilize a tracking system. We are also exploring how other entities such as law enforcement officers or laboratories can also securely access the information.”

Jewels of the Beach, by Ann Snow, placed
first in the Jewelry Division.

The system will collect detailed inventory and sales information such as the total amount of marijuana at each dispensary, in the form of seeds or plants, including all plants that are derived from cuttings or cloning, until the marijuana, marijuana plants or manufactured marijuana products are sold or destroyed; the total amount of manufactured marijuana product inventory, including the equivalent physical weight of marijuana that is used to manufacture marijuana products or purchased by a qualifying patient and primary caregiver from all retail dispensing locations in any 15-day day period; the amount of unused plant material produced by each plant at harvest; and the transport of marijuana and manufactured marijuana products between production centers and retail dispensing locations, including tracking identification issued by the tracking system, identity of the person transporting the marijuana or manufactured marijuana products and how the products are transported.
Under the new law, a total of eight licenses may be awarded, including two dispensary licenses for Hawai`i County. Each dispensary licensee will be allowed to operate up to two production centers and two retail stations for a total of 16 production centers and 16 retail dispensaries statewide. Each production center may have up to 3,000 marijuana plants.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U ARTISTS DISPLAYED THEIR TALENTS at Ka`u Chamber of Commerce’s annual Art Show earlier this month. Along with Peter Anderson’s Red Caldera, which won People’s Choice and will grace the cover of The Directory 2016, the chamber’s community and business index, a panel of judges chose Best of Show and first- through third-place winners as well as honorable mentions. Anderson donated his $100 winnings to the chamber’s scholarship program. Other winners follow.

Best of Show: Suzanne Dix Kaliko, Aunty Shows Her Quilt.

Anela Angel, by Jeannette Howard, placed
first in Weaving.

Photography: First Place Peter Anderson, Red Caldera; Second Place Ed Bruneau, Throw Net Fishing; Third Place Lee McIntosh, Pink Petaled Path.
Sculpture: First Place Susan Condie Jennings, Ka`u Landing, Ni`ihau-technique gourd; Second Place Scott Manley, Navigational Fishhook, hand-engraved slate; Third Place Dave Golston, Honus and Manta, Koa wood.
Woodworking: First Place Thomas King, Milo Loveseat; Second Place Dave Golston, Whales on Koa.
Quilting: First Place Teri Jensen Phillips, The Reef; Second Place Nadine Ebert, Ron’s Seascape; Third Place Alice Hosticka, Proof of Concept.
Jewelry: First Place Ann Snow, Jewels of the Beach; Second Place Toni Santana, Nene and Shells; Third Place Kathie Griffeth, Beauty and the Beans.
Lei: First Place Elizabeth Kuluwaimaka, Liko Lehua.
Graphics: First Place Dave Golston, Honu with Honu, image on wood; Second Place Nancy Lake, untitled block print; Third Place Marla McCasland, untitled block print.
Painting: First Place Suzanne Dix Kaliko, Aunty Shows Her Quilt; Second Place Lynn Van Leeuwen, Punalu`u Palms; Third Place Tanya Ibarra, Girls of Kawa.
Weaving: Jeannette Howard, Anela Angel.
Youth: First Place Grace Smith, Ku Kae Kolea, lei: Second Place Lorilee Lorenzo, Ka`u Kountry Keiki, photograph.
Keiki: First Place Audrey Meyer, Fin the Gecko, drawing; Second Place Kamali Compehos, untitled drawing; Third Place Nalu Compehos, untitled drawing.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

`OLELO COMMUNITY TELEVISION PLANS to televise Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission’s evidentiary hearings on the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and NextEra Energy. The meetings are scheduled Monday through Friday from Nov. 30 to Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Proceedings begin with witnesses from the two companies. Intervenors and other parties begin their testimony on Dec. 10.
See olelo.org.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Grace Smith won first place in Youth Division with Ku Kae Kolea

BRIAN SCHATZ CO-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION to help prevent youth homelessness, improve support services and housing for youth and families, and help ensure children are raised in supportive, stable households. The Family Unification, Preservation and Modernization Act would improve supportive housing – programs that integrate housing with social services – and policies for children and families at risk of homelessness, keeping families together who might otherwise enter the child welfare system. It would also increase access to social services for youth aging out of the foster care system as they transition to adulthood.
“It is our moral obligation to make sure the most vulnerable in our communities, especially children, have the resources and services they need to lead productive lives,” Schatz said. “The sensible changes in this bill will make the Family Unification Program work better for families on the verge of homelessness, as well as young people in Hawai`i who are aging out of the foster care system and need some help to secure safe, affordable housing.”
Studies have shown that housing instability is linked to poor outcomes for children. Unsafe housing conditions and homelessness can threaten the safety of a child and can lead to an investigation by the local child welfare agency, out-of-home placement or a delay in family reunification. Homelessness may also lead families to voluntarily place their children in foster care while searching for housing, and families may be separated because of policies that exclude teenagers, especially boys, from shelters.
Children aging out of the foster care system are particularly vulnerable to homelessness because they must make the transition to adulthood without support, financial or otherwise, from parents or other trusted guardians.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Audrey Meyer placed first in Keiki division
with Fin the Gecko.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK EXAMINES amazing birds and megafauna in Botswana tomorrow. Park Ranger Jay Robinson and Biologist Jack Jeffrey offer a fun-filled photo safari through the national parks and World Heritage Site, ending at Victoria Falls in nearby Zimbabwe.
The vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert is punctured at its heart by the Okavango River, forming the largest inland delta in the world. These waterways and wetlands support one the most amazing collection of birds, bugs and brawling beasts on our planet.
The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.

LEARN TO PLAY `OHE HANO IHU Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about traditional uses of `ohe (bamboo), including its use in creating musical instruments like the Hawaiian nose flute.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

ANNUAL RUBBERBAND TURKEY SHOOT takes place Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. All ages can register by tomorrow. Call 928-3102.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2105.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Learn to play `ohe hano ihu tomorrow in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. See more below. Photo from NPS

IT’S STILL TO SOON TO TELL if Adventist Health is a good fit for Hawai`i Health System Corp.’s East Hawai`i Region, Robert Beehler, Adventist’s vice president for market development, mergers and acquisitions, told Colin M. Stewart, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.
Adventist operates Castle Medical Center on O'ahu and 40 rural medical centers in California. Ka`u Hospital is one of HHSC East Hawai`i Region’s facilities where Castle could assume management.

Robert Beehler

Regarding the status of East Hawai`i system’s union Civil Service employees under such an arrangement, Beehler told Stewart, “Adventist prefers to have a direct relationship with its employees.”
He said an independent review mandated by the state Legislature in 2009 identified HHSC’s employment costs as the primary factor causing financial losses. “It said that if you continue with this current model, with Civil Service driving an expense base, with pensions, benefits and these work rules, it creates a lack of flexibility that becomes an equation that’s difficult to balance if you’re in a market that isn’t that great with demographics,” Beehler said. “It’s going to be not sustainable.”
He said an arrangement like the one currently being pursued by Maui Region and Kaiser Permanente could also work in East Hawai`i, as long as legislators acknowledge that “some level of reduced subsidy will be necessary, because the demographics (in East Hawai`i) are not as good as Maui.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

UH Pres. David Lassner

THIRTY METER TELESCOPE will be the last telescope site on Mauna Kea. In a letter to Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case, University of Hawai`i President David Lassner confirmed that the Thirty Meter Telescope project site is the last new area on the mountain where a telescope project will be contemplated or sought.

Lassner’s letter stated that it “shall constitute a legally binding commitment and may be regarded as a condition of the University of Hawai`i’s current lease(s) and of any lease renewal or extension proposed by the University.”
The commitment fulfills the second point of Gov. David Ige’s 10-point “Way Forward” plan that addresses future management and stewardship of Mauna Kea. UH has also fulfilled the third point of the plan, officially identifying three telescopes that will be decommissioned and permanently removed before TMT begins operations.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH reported one more confirmed case of dengue fever on Hawai`i Island today. Of the 93 cases, 80 are residents, and 13 are visitors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, dengue is endemic in environments housing about one third of the world’s population, mostly tropical and subtropical places that spawn about 400 million cases annually. Unusual amounts of rain this year has made the Ka`u climate more tropical and more friendly to mosquitoes that can spread the disease.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Did you feel it? Map from USGS/HVO

AN EARTHQUAKE AWAKENED SOME KA`U residents in the middle of last night. The magnitude-2.8 quake struck at 3:26 a.m. in the mountains mauka of Pahala. According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, low levels of seismic activity continue on Kilauea.

Those who felt the quake can report it at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THE SEASON FOR `AMA`AMA (striped mullet) closes on Tuesday, Dec. 1 and re-opens on Friday, April 1 of next year. `Ama`ama are about to enter their peak spawning season, which increases their vulnerability to fishing pressure. The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing.
Criminal and civil penalties apply to seasonal violations. Criminal penalties are a petty misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $500 per violation and/or 30 days in jail. There is no per specimen fine. First offense civil penalties are up to $1,000 per specimen and $1,000 per violation.
“We ask the public’s compliance with the closed season,” DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources administrator Bruce Anderson said. “While it’s DLNR’s job to protect our marine resources, everyone shares in the responsibility to take care of important fish species like `ama`ama to ensure their survival into the future.”
Copies of statewide fishing regulations for ‘ama‘ama and all other marine species are available in Honolulu at DAR offices. Fishing regulations can also be found on the DAR website at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar. To report violations of fish catch size or net use, call DLNR’s enforcement hotline at (808) 643-DLNR (643-3567).

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Sen. Brian Schatz met with refugees in Germany and Jordan.
Photo from Office of Sen. Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ TRAVELED to Germany and Jordan on a fact-finding mission to meet with German and Jordanian government leaders and non-governmental officials over the weekend. He discussed regional and international efforts to combat the threat of terrorism and address the growing refugee crisis affecting Europe and the Middle East.

During his visit to the two counties, Schatz toured German relocation and Jordanian refugee facilities and met with German, Jordanian and UN officials to discuss daily operations of the centers and challenges they face in assisting the growing number of families seeking refuge and asylum. During his tours, Schatz also met with refugee families and listened to their experiences of coping with being displaced in Jordan and Germany.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD MET with Egypt President el-Sisi and other leaders in Cairo. After conducting meetings in Paris with senior level government leaders in the wake of recent terrorist attacks there, Gabbard, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, traveled to Cairo to discuss the threat of ISIS and Islamic extremist groups, how to strengthen the U.S.-Egypt relationship to ensure stability in Egypt and the importance of religious freedom.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard met with Egypt Pres. el-Sisi, at her left, and other
government leaders in Cairo. Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

Gabbard had a discussion with President el-Sisi about how important Egypt’s stability and success is for the region and for the world. President el-Sisi “would like to strengthen and restore U.S.-Egypt relations so that we may work together urgently to ‘decimate’ ISIS and other Islamic extremist groups who pose a threat to us and to the world,” Gabbard said. “The recent attacks in Paris and Mali are just two examples of the devastation these groups have caused. President el-Sisi has shown great courage and leadership in taking on this extreme Islamist ideology, while also fighting against ISIS militarily to keep them from gaining a foothold in Egypt. The U.S. must take action to recognize President el-Sisi and his leadership, support Egypt’s progress and stability, and stand with him in this fight against ISIS, al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other Islamic extremists who are our common enemy.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

LEARN TO PLAY `OHE HANO IHU tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about traditional uses of `ohe (bamboo), including its use in creating musical instruments like the Hawaiian nose flute.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

Rubberband Turkey Shoot is tomorrow.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN Pahala Community Center’s annual Rubberband Turkey Shoot tomorrow from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register today at 928-3102.

THANKSGIVING DINNER OPTIONS are bountiful in Ka`u.
In Na`alehu, Shaka’s Restaurant offers a special for lunch that starts at 11 a.m. with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, cranberries and pie for $16.95. Dinner for $19.95 starts at 5 p.m. and adds soup or tossed green salad. For more information or reservations, call 929-7404.
Hana Hou Restaurant is preparing its annual “all ya can stuff in” feast for $18 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet includes turkey, spiral ham and salad bar. Reservations are suggested. Call 929-9717.
Ocean View Community Center’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner takes place from 1 pm. to 5 p.m. Turkey and all the fixings are free; donations appreciated. For more, call 939-7033.
Thanksgiving Buffet is available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Menu items include roasted turkey, pineapple honey-glazed ham, sweet and mashed potatoes, steamed rice, green bean casserole, corn chowder, salad bar, desserts and a beverage. Cost is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children six to 11 years old. No reservations required. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf.

Volcano Village Artists Hui members welcome the public to their tour and sale this Friday through Sunday. See more below.

AS CONFIRMED CASES of dengue fever near 100, Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman is calling on the state to do more to control the outbreak.

“I urge the state Department of Health to urgently do even more to control the dengue fever outbreak. Among the things that can be done is to establish a testing lab on the Big Island, which would reduce the response time from over a week to just a few days, allowing faster reaction to new cases and new locations of concern. And much more could be done to control the relevant mosquito populations and to reach suspected cases for testing.

Click to enlarge and read letter sent to Hawai`i Island
residents and visitors.

“I applaud DOH Director Virginia Pressler for restoring Dr. Lorrin Pang’s involvement. He is one of the most knowledgeable officials in our state regarding mosquito-born illness, and his removal from the project this past week was deeply troubling. His involvement is reassuring, as he is clearly more concerned with public health than with efforts to save face, build reputations or minimize the publicity about the outbreak. This cannot be said about all those involved thus far.  Unfortunately, it is perceived in our community that this was not treated as urgently as the situation deserved. Every resource available should be used, including asking the Centers for Disease Control for local help, now.
“This outbreak is in imminent danger of becoming endemic on the Big Island. If it is entrenched here, Hawai`i will be on travel advisories worldwide. It is unlikely to remain only a Big Island problem, and it will affect the whole state financially as well as medically.”

An informational meeting about dengue fever takes place at Ocean View Community Center on Friday at 6 p.m. There will be handouts, fliers and pamphlets available, including in Marshallese.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I TOURISM AUTHORITY is monitoring confirmed cases of dengue fever on Hawai`i Island. “We are working with the State Department of Health and our marketing contractors to keep visitors to Hawaii Island informed of the situation,” the agency said.
“As a precaution, we recommend that visitors familiarize themselves with information on DOH’s website prior to arriving in the state and encourage our stakeholders on Hawai`i Island to share this information with their visitors and guests.
“We will continue to work with industry stakeholders and our global marketing contractors to ensure that visitors to Hawai`i know that it is safe to travel to the Hawaiian Islands and what precautions should be taken if they are planning to visit areas where cases have been found.”

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Deputy Police Chief Paul Ferreira, holding file, attended the CALEA conference
in Miami, Florida. Photo from HPD

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT has earned renewal of its accreditation status, keeping it part of a group of police departments accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. Accreditation renewal was announced Nov. 21 at the CALEA fall conference in Miami, where Hawai`i Police Department was one of 96 law enforcement agencies being evaluated for accreditation or re-accreditation.

“The CALEA staff has worked tirelessly these past three years to ensure that this department would maintain its honored status of CALEA accreditation,” Chief Harry Kubojiri said. “Because of their commitment, the community can be assured that their police department meets the highest of professional law enforcement standards. I also commend all the department’s sworn officers and civilian employees for participating in the accreditation process and for embracing the CALEA standards.”
Of the roughly 23,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, only about 1,200 have been awarded CALEA accreditation. A team of out-of-state certified CALEA assessors conducted an on-site assessment in July. The team visited district police stations and facilities and examined all aspects of the department’s policies, procedures, management, operations and support services. The team interacted with department personnel by riding along with patrol officers and conducting interviews with sworn and civilian personnel. Various community leaders were also interviewed.
During the on-site assessment, the team took comments from residents in a public session and by telephone to give members of the community an opportunity to comment on the department’s ability to maintain CALEA standards. The CALEA Standards Manual was made available for public review.
From this point forward, the department must undergo a CALEA reassessment every four years to demonstrate that it remains in compliance with more than 400 applicable CALEA standards.
Goals of CALEA are to improve the delivery of public safety services by developing and maintaining a body of standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process for law enforcement agencies and recognizing professional excellence in public safety.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Keli`i Akina Photo from Grassroot Institute

FOLLOWING A FEDERAL JUDGE’S ruling last month that a Native Hawaiian election for convention delegates may take place this month as scheduled, plaintiffs in the case of Akina v. Hawai`i have filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. They ask for an injunction that would halt the Na`i Aupuni election while the case is being determined.   In an Emergency Application for Injunction Pending Appellate Review, the plaintiffs stressed the timing of the Native Hawaiian election and the fact that in one week, on Nov. 30, the election for delegates will be completed and the votes would be counted, forever closing off the plaintiffs’ rights to participate in the process.  

“We are glad to bring this issue to the Supreme Court,” Grassroot Institute President Keli`i Akina said. “As more and more people hear about this case, we have seen tremendous public support for our effort to stop this divisive and unconstitutional election.
“Native Hawaiians have been vocal in denying that they have ever been – or should be – a tribe. They would, however, prefer to see the money being wasted on this election spent instead on education, health care, job training and other efforts to make a real and tangible difference in their community. The election process has been a farce and has only served to alienate and divide Native Hawaiians. It is time for the state to get out of the nation-building process and focus on the issues that really matter.”
According to Akina, the emergency filing reiterated the point that the impetus and funding for the election came from the State of Hawai`i, disputing the defendant’s contention that this is a private election.
“This ruling is literally unprecedented,” the appeal states in reference to the District Court’s initial denial of an injunction. “It is the first decision in American history (not subsequently vacated) to find a compelling justification for a State to prohibit individuals of a certain race from voting in an election.”
To see filings and documents associated with the case, go to http://new.grassrootinstitute.org/2015/10/akina-v-hawaii-the-documents/.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

TOMORROW IS THANKSGIVING.
Shaka’s Restaurant in Na`alehu offers lunch beginning at 11 a.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. For more information or reservations, call 929-7404.
Hana Hou Restaurant, also in Na`alehu, is open with a lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are suggested. Call 929-9717.

Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus hosts a preview exhibit
and is on Volcano Village Artists Hui's Tour & Sale.
Photo from VAC

Ocean View Community Center’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 939-7033.
Thanksgiving Buffet is available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. No reservations required. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale starts Friday and continues through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

VOLCANO ART CENTER IN VOLCANO VILLAGE holds its 2016 program preview exhibit Friday and Saturday, featuring displays of workshops, events and classes with some new and some returning favorites. The exhibit features work by artists who will be offering classes and workshops at VAC in the upcoming year. Browse through program proposals from painting and block printing classes to stained glass, pottery, horticulture, Zentangle, Hawaiian language, music and more.
The exhibit also features work by artists who are scheduled to show at VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in 2016.
In addition, VAC’s Hale Ho`omana will be on the Volcano Village Artists Hui Tour with works by Tim Freeman, Elizabeth Miller and Cynee Gillette-Wenner.
Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be selling poinsettias, and VAC logo-wear and holiday treats will be on sale too.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

CeAndra K., Diane L., Shania Lee S., Kalia G. and Cileyna K. won the coloring contest held yesterday during Pahala Community Center's annual Rubber Band Turkey Shoot. Photos by Nona Makuakane

RESIDENTS CAN BE THANKFUL that Hawai`i Department of Health has downgraded Ka`u’s risk level of dengue fever from high to moderate. A map released yesterday also shows Ka`u’s area at risk as smaller than previously.

Na`alehu's risk for dengue fever has been downgraded and decreased in area.
Map from Hawai`i DOH

As of yesterday, 101 cases had been confirmed on Hawai`i Island, with 78 cases being adults and 23 under 18 years of age. Onset of illness ranged from Sept. 15 to Nov. 17. A total of 190 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria.
A Mauna Loa Estates resident reported that a state Department of Health official notified her family that a case was confirmed near Ninth and Ruby Streets. Area residents should take extra precautions, including wearing long sleeves and long pants and using insect repellent on exposed skin.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THE 2015 HIKI NO BEST NEWS Writing Award went to Kua o ka La Public Charter School’s Miloli`i Hipu`u Virtual Academy. Hiki No is aired on PBS Hawai'i and is the first statewide news program in the country that is produced and edited by students in public and private schools.

Hoku Subiono interview several project stakeholders, including Sandra Dawson,
TMT's Hawai`i Community Affairs Manager. Image from Hiki No

The winning feature story, Mauna Kea TMT, dealt with student Hoku Subiono’s struggle with his love of science and respect for Hawaiian culture as opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope project held vigil on Mauna Kea. Students created the story with guidance from instructors. Subiono wrote and edited the segment, and his fellow students Dazza Kuahuia, David Watai-Simeona and Quinton Kuahuia assisted.
Hiki No Executive Producer Robert Pennybacker presented the award in Miloli`i on Nov. 9.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN VOTE FOR HAWAI`I Wildlife Fund through Dec. 31 during Subaru`s Share the Love event. A $5,000 donation will be given to the nonprofit with the most votes at the end of the promotional period.

Subaru's Share the Love event ends Dec. 31.

HWF sponsors several Ka`u Coast Cleanups each year, with the next one coming up on Saturday, Dec. 5. Sign up at kahakai.cleaups@gmail.com.

The organization is coordinating the event with attendees of the 2015 Hilo Symposium on Marine Debris & Tsunami Driftage taking place on Friday, Dec. 4.
It is also currently accepting donations to help with costs involved in hosting this event, including some travel stipends for off-island participants from the Pacific Northwest (Canada, Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California), other Hawaiian Islands and Japan.
See subaruhawaii.com/share-the-love.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Shania Lee Silva with her
winning prize.

SHANIA LEE SILVA WON the annual Rubberband Turkey Shoot at Pahala Community Center yesterday. Participants shot rubberbands at targets in hopes of taking home a turkey to cook today.
The event also featured a Turkey Coloring Contest. Winners were CeAndra K., Diane L., ShaniaLee S., Kalia G., Cileyna K.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

VOLCANO SCIENTISTS FROM HAWAI`I, Chile, Indonesia, Italy and Japan participated in a workshop at the Mount Fuji Research Institute in Japan in early November. Talks and discussions focused on the best ways to protect tourists in active volcanic areas. Hawai`i Volcano Observatory scientists discuss the workshop in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“Japanese volcanologists have been quite concerned about the possible effects of a Mount Fuji eruption on the thousands of visitors who hike up the sacred mountain every day, the article states.” Rightfully so. “In Sept. 2014, an unexpected phreatic eruption of Mount Ontake, the second highest volcano in Japan (after Fuji), killed 57 hikers. Then, in late June 2015, a small ash eruption occurred at Mount Hakone, but potentially active areas were already closed, and there were no injuries or deaths.

Aidan Ahnes tries to shoot the turkey target at Pahala Community Center.

“Japan has 110 active volcanoes (including submarine volcanoes), 47 of which are continuously monitored for signs of unrest. During the workshop, Japanese speakers representing volcano science and monitoring, the tourist industry, media and police described measures currently in place and those planned to protect tourists on Japan’s volcanoes, specifically, Fuji, Hakone and Unzen.
“At Mount Fuji, in addition to tourists, approximately 560,000 residents live within its evacuation zones. During the summer, about 300,000 mountaineers visit Fuji, with up to 10,000 people climbing the volcano each day. Possible eruptive products for this volcano include lava flows, snowmelt mudflows and ashfall—a ‘kaleidoscope of eruption’ per Japanese scientists.

“Methods to communicate hazards to and evacuate residents are similar to those in other countries. The challenge, however, is communicating with and evacuating hikers on Fuji, potentially in a short period of time.

“Four main trails reach Fuji’s summit – Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya. “On Yoshida and Subashiri, the trail for ascent is completely different from the trail for descent. Mountain huts are numerous on ascending trails, but sparse on descending trails.

“To reach and warn hikers on Mount Fuji, communication must be established to the network of mountain huts, but this does not help on trails with few huts. Therefore, alternate means of communicating with hikers are being considered. “Japanese scientists have evaluated the specific effects of several different eruption scenarios and have devised hiker evacuation routes for each scenario. The evacuation zones are meant to minimize exposure to ashfall at varying distances from the most recent and likely future volcanic vents. Scientists have also compiled the 17 most prominent steepest-descent paths for lava flows on Fuji, and each path has its own evacuation route.

Mount Fuji is 12,389 feet tall, towering above surrounding communities.
Photo from USGS

“Other workshop presenters also talked about recent volcanic activity in their respective countries and how hazards were communicated to visitors and residents. ...
“A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist at the workshop summarized the recent lava flow threat to Pahoa. Impacts there were mainly to private property and not within a park, so tourist opportunities were not the top priority. However, Hawai`i County did eventually open a viewing area at the Pahoa Solid Waste Transfer Station for several months after the lava flow threat had diminished.
“Kilauea Volcano’s ongoing eruptions attract nearly two million visitors to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park each year. If and when Mauna Loa erupts, that number is sure to increase. Workshops, like the one at Mount Fuji, are invaluable opportunities to gain and share information on how to safely manage tourism on Hawai`i’s active volcanoes.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Shaka’s Restaurant in Na`alehu offers lunch beginning at 11 a.m. and dinner at 5 p.m. For more information or reservations, call 929-7404.
Hana Hou Restaurant, also in Na`alehu, is open with a lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are suggested. Call 929-9717.
Ocean View Community Center’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 939-7033.
Thanksgiving Buffet is available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. No reservations required. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information.

Crafters at Cooper Center offer shopping alternatives tomorrow and Saturday.
Photo from Cooper Center

COOPER CENTER HOLDS a craft sale tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with about 25 crafters selling their wares.

In conjunction with Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu’s wreath sale, there will be a special drawing for a Takefuton comforter sewn by halau member Tom Kaua Hoots.
Donation is $2 per drawing ticket for the item valued at $350. Drawing takes place at 4 p.m. Saturday; winner need not be present. The halau offers free USPS mailing for a non-Volcano resident winner.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale starts tomorrow and continues through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

VOLCANO ART CENTER IN VOLCANO VILLAGE holds its 2016 program preview exhibit tomorrow and Saturday, featuring displays of workshops, events and classes with some new and some returning favorites.
The exhibit also features work by artists who are scheduled to show at VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in 2016.
VAC’s Hale Ho`omana is on Volcano Village Artists Hui Tour.

Dietrich Varez is VAC's signature artist. Photo from Varez

Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park sell poinsettias, and VAC logo-wear and holiday treats will also be on sale.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Today and tomorrow from11 a.m. to 1 p.m., VAC features various artists who are featured in the new publication Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawai`i Artists, highlighting 50 of Hawai`i’s award-winning artists.

Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dietrich Varez, VAC’s signature artist, returns for the final day of Christmas in the Country for a meet-and-greet. He will be on hand to personalize books and prints he has written and/or illustrated, including his most recent Eva, as well as his 250-plus Hawaiiana prints.

The Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.

KRHCAI's Floating Lantern Celebration is Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

Events are free; park entrance fees apply.

FLOATING LANTERN CELEBRATION is Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Punalu`u Beach Park. Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. sponsors the fifth annual event with taiko drummers, a qigong demonstration, hula halau, local musicians and a powerpoint presentation dedicated to loved ones, friends, family and caregivers.

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE take place Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Mark Twain with fun, easy-to-learn movements and songs from around the world, evoking peace. Last Saturday of each month. Call 430-1356 or 939-9461.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf.

A June 27th lava flow breakout near Pu`u O`o began on Thanksgiving eve. Image from video by Nick Calber posted
at Big Island Video News

AFTER MONTHS OF DILIGENT PLANNING, deliberating and strategizing, Blue Zones Project East Hawai`i committee members are now in full engagement mode, armed with a plan that will help guide the community toward its very own, custom-made Blue Zones Project vision of transforming the environment to make the healthy choice, the easy choice where residents live, work and play. East Hawai`i’s Blue Zone stretches from Hamakua through Ka`u.

Blue Zones Project committees are comprised of members of East Hawai`i’s community who are volunteering their time, energy, expertise and efforts into implementing Blue Zones Project over the next two to three years, with the goal of becoming a Blue Zones Community.
To achieve Blue Zones Project Certification status, East Hawai`i will put into action well-being improvement strategies in thirteen community pillar areas focusing on people, places, and policy: Built Environment and Active Living, Food Policy, Tobacco Policy, Schools, Walking School Bus/Safe Routes to Schools, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Worksites, Faith-Based Organizations, Individual Pledges, Moai Participation, Purpose, Volunteering and Public Awareness/Media.
Learn more at bluezonesproject.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A BREAKOUT WITHIN FOUR MILES of Pu`u `O`o began Wednesday. It is associated with the June 27th lava flow that had previously threatened Pahoa before stalling. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the breakout was prominently visible on a nearby webcam beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing through the night. The lava flow is not currently threatening any communities.

Matson is raising shipping rates. Wikipedia Photo
by Brett Neilson

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

MATSON IS RAISING SHIPPING PRICES in January. Kathleen Gallagher reported in Pacific Business News that new prices increase by $225 per westbound container and $110 per eastbound container on Jan. 3.

Matson is building two new “Aloha Class” ships to travel between Hawai`i and the mainland. “Matson remains committed to investing in our service to ensure that Hawai`i continues to have a modern, reliable and efficient ocean transportation infrastructure,” the company’s senior vice president of Ocean Services told Gallagher.
See bizjournals.com/pacific.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I’S CONSUMER ADVOCATE CONTINUES to oppose the proposed merger between Hawaiian Electric Co. and Florida-based NextEra Energy.
“The Consumer Advocate does not support Commission approval of this merger in the form proposed by Applicants because it does not provide tangible and substantial net benefits to Hawai`i’s consumers,” the agency wrote in its pre-hearing brief to the Public Utilities Commission. “The Consumer Advocate proposed a detailed rate plan and a series of other conditions that, if adopted in total by the Commission, could support a finding that NextEra is fit, willing and able and the merger is in the public interest.

Hawai`i Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Ono

“Applicants have represented that the merger offers vast public interest benefits in many forms, including potentially large cost savings for ratepayers, expanded access to capital on better terms, deeper management expertise and relevant technical experience. When carefully analyzed, it is obvious that the applicants failed to provide sufficient support and enforceable commitments that truly guarantee customer benefits while mitigating the many costs and risks arising from the Merger. …
“The Consumer Advocate proposed a reasonable and balanced rate plan to provide the Applicants an opportunity to firm up claimed cost savings through guaranteed rate savings for customers, while mitigating the identified costs and risks that are created by the merger. Applicants, however, rejected or ignored the Consumer Advocate’s proposed conditions and rate plan and have held steadfast to speculative promises of potential customer benefits while offering only temporary and limited rate relief to ratepayers and numerous but largely inadequate new merger commitments.

“Throughout the record, applicants forego many opportunities to address or remedy concerns with the Proposed Transaction. The Commission should not approve the proposed merger because Applicants fail to satisfy their burden of proof pursuant to the standards of review set forth.”
Evidentiary hearings on the proposed merger begin Monday. They are to be televised on `Olelo channels and olelo.org.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

MARK KARAN, FROM RATDOG and The Other Ones, performs Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Players joining Karan are Tedd Heilmann, Wolfgang Rehmert and Will Divine.

A party beginning at 12 p.m. is a toy and food drive featuring food, raffles, music, Santa Claus and more.
More musicians on the schedule include JPGS, Full Tilt with Tom Martin, and Foggy.
The party is free; suggested donation for the concert is $15.

COOPER CENTER HOLDS a craft sale today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with about 25 crafters selling their wares.
In conjunction with Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu’s wreath sale, there will be a special drawing for a Takefuton comforter sewn by halau member Tom Kaua Hoots.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale starts today and continues through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

VOLCANO ART CENTER PREVIEWS upcoming workshops, events and classes today and tomorrow in Volcano Village.
The exhibit also features work by artists who are scheduled to show at VAC Gallery next year.
VAC’s Hale Ho`omana is on the Volcano Village Artists Hui Tour.
Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park sell poinsettias, and VAC logo-wear and holiday treats will also be on sale.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

The author signs her book Sunday.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dietrich Varez returns for a meet-and-greet. He will personalize his books and prints.
On Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gretchen Grove helps participants make holiday cards and gift-wrap to accompany gifts purchased at VAC Gallery. Supplies are provided; no purchase necessary.
Also on Sunday, Christine Taylor Sprowl Tetak signs copies of her children’s book, Legend of The Hula Moose. This fictional book contains many true facts, along with illustrations by Diane Lucas. Parents and grandparents will enjoy sharing this story with their keiki.
The gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
Events are free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY Association’s fifth annual Floating Lantern Celebration is tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Punalu`u Beach Park.

KMC's Holiday Challenge continues through Dec. 31. Photo by Dave Berry

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE take place tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Mark Twain with fun, easy-to-learn movements and songs from around the world, evoking peace. Last Saturday of each month. Call 430-1356 or 939-9461.

A STONE COTTAGE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE draws visitors to Kilauea Military Camp as staff decorates for the season. The lights and Christmas displays are along the walkway fronting the historic stone cottages at KMC near the restaurant, bowling alley and Lava Lounge. The public is asked to take a wintery evening stroll and to vote for their favorite decorated cottage through Dec 31.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

In honor of the late Drake Fujimoto, who sponsored numerous community events and programs, Hana Hou and `O Ka`u Kakou will continue his Keiki Christmas event on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in Na`alehu. Fujimoto enjoyed last year's keiki gift giving and feasting. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RANGERS are seeking witnesses to a fatal single-vehicle accident that occurred on Hwy 11 near mile marker 30 and the Pi`i Mauna Drive intersection in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Thursday night.

At approximately 9:38 p.m., a female driver traveling south on Hwy 11 crashed into a cluster of large `ohi`a trees and was ejected from the vehicle, a 1992 Honda sedan. Park rangers and County of Hawai`i rescue personnel determined the victim did not survive, and her body was transported to Hilo Medical Center.
The identification of the victim is unknown, and an investigation is underway.
Anyone with information regarding the accident is asked to call Park Dispatch at 985-6170.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

U.S. Supreme Court has halted announcement of Native
Hawaiian convention delegates.

U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE Anthony Kennedy issued an order enjoining the counting of ballots cast and certifying the winners in the Native Hawaiian election for convention delegates. Though the injunction is indefinite pending further action from Justice Kennedy or the full Court, it will prevent the Na`i Apuni election from proceeding with the scheduled ballot count on Nov. 30.

Filed in August, the lawsuit argued that it’s unconstitutional for the state to be involved in a race-based election. Last month, U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that the election may take place as scheduled, saying the election is a private poll not run by the state.
“This is a significant victory for us,” said Keli`i Akina, Ph.D., President of the Grassroot Institute and one of the plaintiffs in the case brought by Judicial Watch. “After a full briefing, Justice Kennedy decided that the issue was worthy of further examination and issued the injunction we requested. We are confident in our position and excited at the possibility that it could go before the full Court.
“We are very grateful for the wisdom of the Court in upholding the Constitution. Today’s ruling from Justice Kennedy is not just a victory for us, but a victory for the many Native Hawaiians who have been misrepresented and overridden by government and special interests determined to create a government-recognized tribe. It’s a victory for all Hawaiians – and all Americans – in its affirmation of racial equality. Finally, it is a victory for the Aloha Spirit which enables people of all backgrounds to live and work together in harmony.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Joe Elm, of the State Department of Health, explains steps taken
in a dengue fever investigation. Image from DOH

THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED cases of dengue fever continues to rise. As of yesterday, Hawai`i Department of Health reported a total of 107 cases, of which 93 are residents and 14 are visitors. The latest date of onset of illness so far is Nov. 18. According to DOH, symptoms usually start five to seven days after being bitten by infected mosquitoes, but the onset can range from three to 14 days.

State epidemiology specialist and field investigator Joe Elm gives an overview of the steps taken in a dengue fever investigation. When DOH is notified of a suspected case, an investigator is assigned to interview the person regarding expose, signs, and onset of symptoms. Information is then passed to a lab for testing and to Vector Control, which sprays to reduce mosquito populations.

The lab then educates the infected person about how to help control the outbreak and reinforce mosquito control measures.

See health.hawaii.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Ahi will be available through the holidays under an agreement reached
with fishermen and National Marine Fisheries Service.

HAWAI`I’S LONGLINE FISHERMAN can continue to catch ahi. Audrey McAvoy, of Associated Press, reported that the National Marine Fisheries Service is allowing fishermen to attribute 1,000 metric tons of their bigeye tuna catch to Guam. Fishermen in turn agreed to support development of the fishing industry in Guam with $200,000.

“We want to inform the public that fish will continue to be available through the holidays,” Mike Tosatto, National Marine Fisheries Service regional administrator for the Pacific Islands, told McAvoy.
In August, Hawai`i fishermen met their annual quota but resumed catching tuna in October when NMFS instituted a rule allowing fishermen to report some of their catch as from the Northern Mariana Islands.
David Henkin, an attorney for Earthjustice, told McAvoy, “There’s just absolutely no way to reconcile that behavior with what the science says, which is that all fishing nations – including the United States — need to show some restraint and need to reduce catch, not increase catch, which is what the fisheries service is allowing to happen here.”
Earthjustice represents several environmental groups that are suing NMFS to stop attributing catches to U.S. territories.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Chefs Dave Anderson and Rod Ducosin swirl through the kitchen
as they prepare Thankgiving dinner for more than 450 people.
Photo from OVCA

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION served over 450 people at its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. More than 50 of those were take-out trays for other folks that couldn’t make it to the center.

“Captain Dave Anderson and Chef Rod Ducosin did a wonderful job,” OVCA President Sandi Alexander said, “with very moist turkey (even the white parts), along with stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, fruit salad, green salad, cornbread and especially Chef Rod’s made-from-scratch turkey gravy that went on everything!” Dessert included pumpkin pies, cookies, cakes, apple pies, pumpkin souffle and “tons of Cool Whip,” Alexander reported.
Volunteer decorators made the place look beautiful with yellow, orange and red table cloths, with matching napkins and lots of donated flowers.
“We cannot thank enough all the volunteers that helped out,” Alexander said. This event would not be such a success for the whole community without all these helpers.”
Volunteer pianist Kirk serenaded diners softly in the background. Donations poured into OVCA’s ‘need a new roof fund for the CC’ at over $400.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KEIKI CHRISTMAS at Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu will be held this year on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in honor of its founder Drake Fujimoto. The Christmas gathering, with gifts for keiki, music, food and fellowship, is co-sponsored by Patty Fujimoto and the Hana Hou staff, as well as the community group `O Ka`u Kakou and its president Wayne Kawachi. Music led by Uncle Ernie Kalani and Santa will greet the crowd. Santa will pose for photos with the keiki, who will also receive gifts. Police will offer families photo IDs for keiki. Everyone can enjoy a free meal. It begins at 5 p.m.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard supports Small Business Saturday.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD ENCOURAGES Hawai`i residents to buy local. “In Hawai`i, small businesses are the heart of our economy and our community,” Gabbard said. “Overall, they represent over 90 percent of employers and provide jobs for over 50 percent of our private sector workforce. #ShopSmall today to show support for them on Small Business Saturday – and the rest of the year too!”

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

SEN. MAZIE K. HIRONO JOINED other U.S. lawmakers in introducing the Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act in the Senate and House of Representatives, legislation that would make Minority-Serving Institutions eligible to compete for and receive multiple federal grants for the purpose of serving a wider range of minority students.
Currently, there are seven grants available to MSIs, each targeted towardsa specific ethnic minority student population. However, under current law, while an MSI may have a diverse student body made up of different ethnicities, most are limited to receiving grants that serve one population at a time. For example, institutions with both a high Hispanic and Asian population currently have to choose which population to serve with MSI funding. The Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act would allow MSIs to compete for funding for both types of grants for which they qualify, improving educational opportunities for a wider range of students on their campuses.

“Hawai`i’s colleges and universities serve diverse populations of students, and they shouldn’t be limited to supporting just one student population with MSI funding,” Hirono said.

“Targeted outreach to minority students is proven to work. The University of Hawai`i system and other Minority-Serving Institutions are currently forced to make the difficult decision of choosing which student population to serve. Our bipartisan legislation will allow these colleges and universities to improve student success by better serving the needs of multiple, diverse student populations.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale continues through tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Tomorrow, Christine Taylor Sprowl Tetak signs copies of her children’s book, Legend of The Hula Moose. This fictional book contains many true facts, along with illustrations by Diane Lucas. Parents and grandparents will enjoy sharing this story with their keiki.
Also tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gretchen Grove helps participants make holiday cards and gift-wrap to accompany gifts purchased at VAC Gallery. Supplies are provided; no purchase necessary.
The gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
Events are free; park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Hurricanes and tropical storms swirled all around Hawai`i this season, the composite created by Kevin Kodama from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Santa and sleigh are added by The Ka`u Calendar art director Tanya Ibarra.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS two meetings on Wednesday.
Dengue fever is the topic of a special meeting. State Department of Health and County Civil Defense officials are expected to present briefings. Also, Sen. Josh Green and Rep. Richard Creagan have been invited to present their ideas.

Aaron Chung

In his request for the special meeting, South Hilo Council member Aaron Chung said, “Although I am fully aware that the state and county have been working jointly on a community outreach program consisting of, among other things, public informational meetings and websites, I also believe that redundancy in terms of disseminating information is a good thing in this particular situation.”
Chung said he wants to understand the operational aspects of their efforts and whether they would be able to offer a prognosis regarding the outbreak.
A county tax on medical marijuana is on the council’s regular meeting agenda. Kohala Council member Margaret Wille introduces a resolution urging the state Legislature to amend state law and allow a county sales tax of up to five percent of dispensaries’ gross sales.
“Based on the experience of municipalities that currently permit medical marijuana dispensaries, the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries and production centers will create a significant new burden on the social and emergency services that are provided by the counties,” Resolution 339-15 states.
Held in Hilo, the regular meeting begins at 9 a.m., and the special meeting begins at 1 p.m.
Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.
Meetings are streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Ignacio and Jimena menaced Ka`u late August and early September.
Map from NOAA

HURRICANE SEASON ENDS TOMORROW, and the holiday season begins on the back of a rainy summer and fall. Kevin Kodama, of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration in Honolulu, created the composite at the top of today’s Ka`u Calendar News Briefs showing the record number of hurricanes that swirled around Hawai‘i this year, and The Ka`u Calendar added expectations of another visitor soon to arrive.

Climate conditions pointed to an above-normal hurricane season in the Central Pacific Basin this year, according to NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Hurricane season began on June 1. The outlook called for a 70 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season and a five percent chance of a below-normal season. NOAA expected five to eight tropical cyclones to affect the central Pacific this season. An average season has four to five tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions with winds of up to 38 miles per hour, tropical storms with maximum winds up to 73 mph and hurricanes of higher wind speeds.
The outlook was based on El Nino continuing and possibly strengthening as the hurricane season progressed. El Nino decreases vertical wind shear over the tropical central Pacific, favoring development of more and stronger tropical cyclones. It also favors more westward-tracking storms from the eastern Pacific. This combination typically leads to an above-normal Central Pacific hurricane season, according to NOAA.
Category-three Olaf was the most recent hurricane to head toward Ka`u. Olaf turned northeast and bypassed Hawai‘i several hundred miles to the east in late October. Once Olaf gained enough northern latitude, a drier environment with an increase in southerly or south-southwesterly shear resulted in weakening.

Ka`u was in Ignacio's cone of uncertainty in late August, but the storm
passed to the north. Map from NOAA

Olaf followed thunderstorms from remnants of Tropical Depression Nora that battered Ka`u on Oct. 16. Nora zigzagged her way toward South Point before tracking south of Hawai‘i Island. Many residents reported lightning and thunder that appeared to be directly overhead. Lightning struck a transformer in Pahala, causing power outages to several residents.
Oho was the first of three tropical storms spawned in the Central Pacific that threatened Ka`u. Hurricane Oho packed maximum sustained winds near 85 miles per hour with higher gusts in early October. Rain moved into the area as the storm passed offshore, parallel to the Ka‘ū Coast.
Tropical Storm Niala, also born in the Central Pacific, tracked south of Ka`u in late September, bringing heavy rain with it.
Although Tropical Storm Jimena passed far north of Hawai‘i, it brought hot and humid conditions to Ka`u in early September.
Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Ignacio. Ignacio was a category-four hurricane as it approached Hawai`i in late August and early September. The proclamation activated the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the Legislature for disaster relief for the entire state. It also allowed easier access to emergency resources at state and federal levels, along with the ability to suspend certain laws as needed for emergency purposes. The storm skirted the state to the north.
The Central Pacific Tropical Storm Kilo passed south of Ka`u in late August. Warm sea surface temperatures and relatively weak shear contributed to its strengthening into a hurricane as it tracked toward Kaua`i. In advance of Kilo’s possible landfall in the state, Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation making Major Disaster Funds available for disaster relief.

Hilda drenched Namakanipaio Campground in mid-August. Photo from NPS

In mid-August, Hilda was downgraded to a tropical depression and passed far enough to the south of Hawai‘i to avoid any wind impacts. However, the associated moisture plume north of the system triggered heavy rainfall over portions of the state, especially over the Big Island. On the morning of Aug. 11, its forecast track showed landfall at Pahala, but Central Pacific Hurricane Center moved the forecast path further south later that day.
Guillermo passed to the north of Hawai‘i Island in early August. The hurricane was the seventh named Pacific tropical storm that developed in the Eastern Pacific. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park closed all backcountry areas. In addition, Mauna Loa Road from Kipukapuaulu to the Mauna Loa Lookout and Namakanipaio Campgrounds and A-frame cabins closed. Visitor centers, restrooms, Thurston Lava Tube, front-country trails, steam vents and other popular features remained open.
Although hurricane season ended Nov. 30, forecasters said that because El Nino conditions continue, tropical storms could develop during the winter months.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

“MY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO THE PEOPLE of Hawai`i and the American people to stand up and fight for what is right and what is in the best interest of our country,” U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard told Emmarie Huetteman, of The New York Times, as reported on MSN. “That has nothing to do with party politics.”

Gabbard’s comments relate to her defiant remarks regarding fellow Democrat Pres. Obama’s strategy in Syria. Gabbard wants to defund America’s efforts to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, saying that keeping him in power would keep ISIS from becoming more powerful.
See msn.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale continues until 4 p.m. today. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY events continue at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park today.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Christine Taylor Sprowl Tetak signs copies of her children’s book, Legend of The Hula Moose. This fictional book contains many true facts, along with illustrations by Diane Lucas. Parents and grandparents will enjoy sharing this story with their keiki.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gretchen Grove helps participants make holiday cards and gift-wrap to accompany gifts purchased at VAC Gallery. Supplies are provided; no purchase necessary.
The gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Events are free; park entrance fees apply.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND HOLDS its final Ka`u Coast Cleanup of the year this Saturday. Volunteers gather at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to Kamilo Beach. Register at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u High Trojans' soccer team begins at home Wednesday. At a game last season, the team shut out HAAS 9-0. Photo by Dave Berry

THE FEMALE VICTIM OF A FATAL single-vehicle accident that occurred in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Thursday night has been identified as 23-year-old Destanie Renon, of Waikoloa.
National Park Service rangers are seeking witnesses to the crash that happened on Hwy 11 between mile marker 30 and the Pi`i Mauna Drive intersection in the park around 9:38 p.m.
Renon was traveling south on Hwy 11 in a 1992 Honda sedan and was ejected from the vehicle after she crashed into a cluster of large `ohi`a trees. Park rangers and County of Hawai`i rescue personnel determined Renon did not survive, and her body was transported to Hilo Medical Center.

A magnitude-3.2 struck near the summit of Mauna Loa
last night. Image from USGS/HVO

The cause of the accident is unknown, and an investigation is underway. Anyone with information is asked to call Park Dispatch at 985-6170.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A 3.2-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE struck near the summit of Mauna Loa last night at 8:15 p.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the minor quake was centered 3.6 miles south of the summit and 17.4 miles north-northwest of Pahala. It occurred 1.6 miles under the surface.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FOUND ON HAWAI`I ISLAND, Aedes aegypti is a major transmitter of virsuses that cause dengue fever. Information from Hawai`i Department of Health reinforces the role that eliminating standing water plays in controlling the current outbreak of the disease.

Aedes aegypti is a small, dark mosquito with white lyre-shaped markings and banded legs. It prefers to bite indoors and primarily bites humans.
According to DOH, these mosquitoes can use natural locations or habitats (for example, tree holes and plant axils) and artificial containers with water to lay their eggs. They lay eggs during the day in water containing organic material (e.g., decaying leaves, algae, etc.), in containers with wide openings and prefer dark-colored containers located in the shade. About three days after feeding on blood, the mosquito lays her eggs inside a container just above the water line. Eggs are laid over a period of several days, are resistant to desiccation and can survive for periods of six or more months.

Aedes aegypti is a major tramitter of dengue fever.
Photo from Hawai`i DOH

When rain floods the eggs with water, the larvae hatch. Generally, larvae feed upon small aquatic organisms, algae and particles of plant and animal material in water-filled containers. The entire immature or aquatic cycle (i.e., from egg to adult) can occur in as little as seven to eight days. The lifespan for adult mosquitoes is around three weeks. Egg production sites are within or in close proximity to households.
Most frequently found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, Aedes aegypti historically is considered to be a primary vector of viral diseases such as the dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Aedes aegypti is extremely common in areas lacking piped water systems and depend greatly on water storage containers to lay their eggs. Male and female adults feed on nectar of plants; however, female mosquitoes need blood in order to produce eggs and are active in the daytime.
Eggs have the ability to survive drying for long periods of time, allowing eggs to be easily spread to new locations. Artificial or natural water containers (water storage containers, flower pots, discarded tires, plates under potted plants, cemetery vases, flower pots, buckets, tin cans, clogged rain gutters, ornamental fountains, drums, water bowls for pets, birdbaths, etc.) that are within or close to places where humans live are ideal larval habitats for this mosquito. This species has also been found in underground collections of water such as open or unsealed septic tanks, storm drains, wells and water meters.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

PUC Chair Randy Iwase opened evidentiary hearings on the proposed
HECO/NextEra merger this morning. Image from `Olelo

DEC. 27 IS THE DEADLINE for intervenors to respond to evidentiary hearing testimony, Public Utilities Committee Chair Randy Iwase said when opening the hearing today. The commission is holding 12 days of hearings about the proposed $4.3 billion merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and Florida-based NextEra Energy.

`Olelo 49 cablecasts the hearing live and in its entirety at olelo.org/olelo49. It will also be cablecast Hawai`i Island via Na Leo O Hawai`i.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FORMER PUBLIC UTILITIES CHAIR Mina Morita sees the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and NextEra Energy as a positive move. “It appears that the benefits could outweigh negatives with appropriate conditions,” Morita wrote at minamoritaenergydynamics.com. “I believe NextEra’s culture of continuous improvement can accelerate and enhance the transformation needed at the Hawaiian Electric Companies to improve its analytical capacity, performance and overall organizational culture as it evolves into the utility of the future.

Former PUC Chair Mina Morita

“There are obvious issues like ring fencing to protect the Hawai`i ratepayer. With the HECO Companies’ important role to implement clean energy policies, I find the B-Corp model an interesting tool to benchmark the performance of the HECO Companies not only as a regulated entity but also to evaluate its social, environmental and economic performance given its formidable role as a corporate leader and responsible corporate citizen in Hawai`i.” (A benefit corporation is a type of for-profit corporate entity that includes positive impact on society and the environment in addition to profit as its legally defined goals.)
“I believe the B-Corp model or a similar effort is needed to clearly define and articulate Hawai`i’s expectations, or what some have called our local values, and to help guide NextEra actions and reinvestment in their most valuable asset and the implementers of this transformation, the employees of the HECO Companies, to shape Hawai`i’s energy and economic future.”
Morita compares the workings of Hawai`i’s utilities with Hawai`i’s rainforests.
“As an island environment, our indigenous rainforest may be the best example to conceptualize how multiple competitive and cooperative transactions resulting from new technologies and services should interplay within Hawai`i’s electric systems to seamlessly optimize both individual and utility investments for mutual benefit.
“Our rainforests are an example of a diverse, complex system where each native forest organism is distinct but, while unique, must rely on other native forest organisms for sustenance and optimum growing conditions. Therefore, each organism must work both interdependently and cooperatively to produce a productive and efficient ecosystem that is the primary source of our water supply. It is difficult to put a value on the required synergy and the role of each native forest organism’s contribution to capture rainfall, but the result, our reliable water supply, is priceless.

Sen. Russell Ruderman

“In a rainforest environment, not all roles are equal, neither should we expect the same of our electric system.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

INCREASING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION by 10 percent is worth $300 million to Hawai`i, state Sen. Russell Ruderman told attendees at Hawai`i Farmers Union United’s convention this month. The amount includes savings based on improved health of residents and soil that natural farming and Korean Natural Farming could bring. He said we would look back on these advancements like we now look at Newton and Einstein.
Ruderman said one of the contributors to the high cost of local food production is imported inputs, such as fertilizer. “They’re expensive for any farmer, but they’re much more expensive for farmers in Hawai`i,” Ruderman said. “So, the technologies that allow us to develop our own inputs will increase our capacity to grow our own food.”
Ruderman, who owns Island Naturals health food stores, said food that is healthy and local is the biggest trend in the food business over the decades. “Our state completely ignores that trend,” he said.
Ruderman said that while he was chair of the Senate Ag Committee, he was able to get legislation passed to help the local ag community. One bill allows more cottage industry, where residents can sell more locally made food products. Another begins a farm-to-school program in which local farmers can sell their products to the Department of Education, which he said is the largest customer in the state.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Committees meet tomorrow. Finance Committee meets tomorrow at 9 a.m.; Planning, 10 a.m.; and Public Safety & Mass Transit, 11:30 a.m.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. and holds a special meeting about dengue fever at 1 p.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.

TROJANS’ SOCCER SEASON begins Wednesday. Ka`u High hosts Pahoa at 3 p.m.
With one exception, December’s matches are all at home. On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Trojans play Kealakehe; Tuesday, Dec. 8, Waiakea; Saturday, Dec. 12, Makua Lani; and Saturday, Dec. 19, Kohala. Trojans travel to Kamehameha on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
All matches begin at 3 p.m. except for Makua Lani at 12 p.m.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Residents, visitors and tourists joined KRHCAI's fifth annual Floating Lantern Ceremony at Punalu`u on Saturday. Photo from KRHCAI

MORE THAN A HUNDRED RESIDENTS, tourists, visitors, children and kupuna participated in Ka`u Rural Health Community Association’s fifth annual Floating Lantern Celebration at Punalu`u Beach Park’s Medicine Pond on Saturday. This was KRHCAI’s annual membership and scholarship campaign sponsored in part by Hawai`I County Council member Maile David’s contingency funds and the board of directors fundraising committee.
The celebration opened with blessing by Pastor Bob Tominaga of Thy Word Ministries Ka`u, followed bt Hui Okinawa Kubodo Taiko drummers, Qigong, Makua Lani Ho`onui Hula Ministry dancers, Uluwehi Makuakane’s Hulawrek Exercise group, a Memory Photo powerpoint presentation by Insight Hawai`i, music by Southside Serenaders, community potluck, lantern making and a sunset launching by family and friends.
Donna Kekoa, President of KRHCAI, thanked everyone for attending and making the event a success. The next Floating Lantern Celebration will be on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

George Szigeti

FOR EIGHT CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, visitor arrivals to the state have exceeded the previous monthly record, reaching 7.2 million visitors from January through October, an increase of 4.2 percent over the same period last year, reported George D. Szigeti, President and CEO of Hawai`i Tourism Authority.

Hawai`i Island saw an increase of 8.1 percent in visitor spending of $156.4 million, compared to a dropped on O`ahu of 9.3 percent to $554.9 million.
Year-to-date, visitor spending on Hawai`i Island is up 0.9 percent to $1.6 billion.
“As we look ahead, we are monitoring issues that could impact our industry, including the U.S. State Department's worldwide travel alert and global economic conditions,” Szigeti said. “We are also working with our international marketing partners to monitor issues in their respective regions.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A RECENT POLL FOUND HAWAI`I residents are two-to-one in opposition to the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric and NextEra, according to Robert Harris, of The Alliance for Solar Choice. A majority, 51 percent, opposed the takeover, and 22 percent expressed support. Support for NextEra has not changed since an identical question was asked in May, despite millions of dollars spent on advertisements and community outreach by NextEra.

Robert Harris

When asked about the importance of local control and support for rooftop solar installations, opposition to the merger grew. Sixty-four percent of Hawai`i residents would oppose the merger if the new company was not locally controlled, and 84 percent would oppose the merger if the new company discouraged installation of rooftop solar systems.
“An overwhelming majority of Hawai`i residents believe the takeover of Hawaiian Electric is not in their interests,” said Robert Harris, Director of Public Policy for Sunrun. “Hawai`i wants a locally controlled utility that is responsive to customer needs and encourages the installation of rooftop solar systems.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

BETWEEN JANUARY 2008 AND SEPTEMBER 2015, a total of 139,998 homes were sold in Hawai`i, representing an average of 18,064 homes sold per year, or 1,505 per month, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s first report on Hawai`i home buyers. The report is based on data compiled by Title Guaranty, which is based on records from Hawai`i Bureau of Conveyances. The data includes both resales of existing homes and new developments, and both single-family homes and condominium homes, sales through real estate agent as well as sales by owners.
Of homes sold statewide, 72.5 percent were sold to Hawai`i residents, 23.5 percent sold to U.S. mainlanders, and four percent sold to foreigners.
About 47 percent of the neighbor island homes were sold to out-of-state residents, while only 15 percent of O`ahu homes were sold to out-of-state residents.
The department’s Research and Economic Analysis Division created the report. The full report is available at dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/reports_studies/residential-home-sales-in-hawaii-trends-and-characteristics/.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Removal of an insecticide from the market may help bee populations recover.

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY has ordered all pesticide products containing the active ingredient sulfoxaflor to be prohibited from sale. Sulfoxaflor is a systemic insecticide that acts as an insect neurotoxin and is a member a class of chemicals called sulfoximines, which act on the central nervous system of insects. According to wikipedia, pplication was only recommended when pollinators are not likely to be present in an area as sulfoxaflor is highly toxic to bees if they come into contact with spray droplets shortly after application; toxicity is reduced after the spray has dried.

On May 6, 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved the first two commercial pesticide products that contain sulfoxaflor, marketed under brand names Transform and Closer, to Dow Chemical Corporation.
In September, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling overturning the EPA’s approval of sulfoxaflor, citing insufficient evidence from studies regarding bee health to justify how sulfoxaflor was approved. Beekeepers and environmental groups hailed the decision, say that it makes clear that the EPA must assess the health of entire hives, not just individual bees.
Some of these pesticides are sold and used in Hawai`i. Pesticides licenses for sulfoxaflor-containing products have been cancelled in the state of Hawai`i include Closer SC, Sequoia, Transform WG, Xxpire WG and Seeker.
Dealers, distributors and retailers with existing stocks of these products may not legally sell or give away product. Sulfoxaflor products may only be distributed to facilitate return to the manufacturer or for proper disposal or lawful export.
Growers with sulfoxaflor-containing product may continue to use products according label directions until stocks are exhausted.
The full EPA order may be viewed at http://www2.epa.gov/pe…/sulfoxaflor-final-cancellation-order.
For more information, contact Hawai`i Department of Agriculture Pesticides Branch Registration & Technical Review Unit at 808-973-9415 or hdoapestreg@hawaii.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Kolby Santiago, of UH-Hilo Financial Aid Office, offers
information today at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP and financial aid fair takes place today at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The event’s mission is to help Ka`u families and students learn more about available financial aid and college scholarships. Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u, `O Ka`u Kakou, The Harry McKee Foundation, Kamehameha Schools and more will be present with their applications and information needed to apply with them.

At 5:30 p.m., Kolby Santiago, of the University of Hawai`i at Hilo Financial Aid office and representative of the Pacific Financial Aid Association, presents information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A light dinner, refreshments and snacks will be provided.
“This special night is for all students of all grade levels, their parents, families and guardians,” said Leina`ala Enos, of Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center and one of the event coordinators. She urged students and families to take advantage of the information that will be presented at the fair.
For more information, call Laura Walker at 313-4121.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. The full council meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. and holds a special meeting about dengue fever at 1 p.m. Both meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.

Fred Koehnen discusses his memoir Thursday.

LOCAL AUTHOR FRED KOEHNEN discusses his new memoir, Been There Done That Back to Hilo: A Nine Decade Odyssey, Thursday at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Koehnen will be available to sign $20 books after the program.

Call 967-8222 for more information.

IN ADVANCE OF SATURDAY’S KA`U COAST Cleanup, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund joins World Ocean Collective in presenting the 2015 Hilo Symposium on Marine Debris & Tsunami Driftage. A free public event takes place at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Mokupapapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Participants learn more about local marine debris, the status of Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris and what they can do to prevent marine debris. The evening includes a keynote speech by Dr. Walter Dudley and various presentations by cleanup coordinators from around Hawai`i and afar. Light pupus and beverages will be available while supplies last (BYO-Bottle). See wildhawaii.org for more information.
For more information, call Megan Lamson at 217-5777, or email meg.HWF@gmail.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Volcano Art Center seeks funding to keep its Hula Arts Program alive. See more below. Photo from VAC

MAILE DAVID, KA`U’S HAWAI`I County Council member, has concerns about how a proposed agricultural tourism bill would be enforced. Yesterday, the council’s Planning Committee discussed Kohala Council member Margaret Wille’s bill creating a “minor” ag classification that would allow fewer than 5,000 visitors annually and not more than 100 weekly. Such operations would have to register with the county but would not need plan approval unless building structures other than farm stands.

Maile David

David said she supports ag tourism and rules and regulations governing it but asked how the county would monitor programs. She said she is aware of minor ag tourism activities going on in her district without permits.
“How do we know who’s doing things legally and who is not?” David asked. “In rural districts, you’re out of sight, out of mind.”
The committee deferred the bill until its next meeting on Jan. 5.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

VOTE COUNTING IS ON HOLD until the Ninth U.S. District Court of Appeals rules on a lawsuit challenging the election of Native Hawaiian residents running to become delegates at a constitutional convention for self-governance. The U.S. Supreme Court announced the decision today, Timothy Hurley reported in Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
“The decision by the Supreme Court shows that a majority of the justices find our legal case compelling,” Grassroot Institute of Hawai`i President Keli`i Akina, of the, said in a statement. “This is a powerful step in holding the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Native Hawaiian Role Commission accountable for their unconstitutional and un-Hawaiian attempts to divide people based on race.”
Akina is one of six plaintiffs who claim that the state is running an illegal, race-based election.

See staradvertiser.com.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

SURVEYING AND SPRAYING IS BEING conducted at residences of all suspect and confirmed cases of dengue fever, Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported. Proactive spraying is also taking place at nearby public facilities.

Confirmed cases as of yesterday stand at 117, the state Department of Health reported.
Civil Defense encourages residents islandwide to Fight The Bite by reducing mosquito breeding grounds and protecting themselves from mosquito bites.
Aedes albopictus, also called the Asian tiger mosquito, is one of two mosquito species found on Hawai`i Island that can transmit viruses that cause dengue fever. The female mosquito lays eggs in water holding containers around or further away from homes, tree holes and bamboo internodes. It bites people, pets and wild animals. This species can survive year round in tropical and subtropical climates.
Aedes albopictus is a small, dark mosquito with a white dorsal stripe and banded legs. They are strongly attracted to bite humans but will feed on cats, dogs and other mammals, as well as birds. They will bite any exposed skin surface. They bite outdoors and indoors but are usually found outside.
About four or five days after feeding on blood, the female mosquito lays her eggs just above the surface of the water. When rain covers the eggs with water, the larvae hatch. Generally, larvae feed upon small aquatic organisms, algae and particles of plant and animal material in water-filled containers.
The entire immature or aquatic cycle (i.e., from egg to adult) can occur in as little as seven to nine days. The life span for adult mosquitoes is around three weeks.
They have a short flight range, so egg production sites are likely to be close to where this mosquito is found.
Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are active throughout the year in tropical and subtropical locations.

Aedes albopictus is most well known for transmitting dengue and chikungunya viruses, but it has also been found infected in nature with West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis. It can also transmit dog heartworm parasites.

The Asian tiger mosquito lays its eggs on the inner sides of water-holding receptacles in urban, suburban and rural areas as well as in nearby edges of forested areas. It is closely associated with vegetated areas in and around homes. The immature forms (larvae and pupae) are found in artificial containers with water such as tires, flower pots, plates under potted plants, cemetery urns/vases, buckets, tin cans, clogged rain gutters, ornamental ponds, drums, water bowls for pets, birdbaths, etc. In some instances, this species has been found in catch basins. Larvae can also be found in natural habitats such as tree holes, rock holes, hollow bamboo stumps and leaf axils.
Aedes albopictus is a very aggressive daytime biter. Its peak feeding times are during the early morning and late afternoon. This mosquito has a rapid bite that allows it to escape most attempts by people to swat it. It feeds mainly on mammals, including humans, dogs and cats in the domestic environment and on a variety of wild animals, including birds. Because these mosquitoes are produced in nearly any sort of water-filled container, they often become very common and bothersome, even in neighborhoods where there are normally few mosquitoes.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Wai`ohinu Transfer Station is one of 22 countywide that accepts tires
through Dec. 31. Photo from Hawai`i Zero-Waste

HAWAI`I COUNTY’S TEMPORARY Dengue Residential Tire Amnesty Collection Program ends on Dec. 31. The county Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division implemented the program to help the community reduce mosquito breeding sites by recycling old tires.

Households may bring in passenger vehicle, motorcycle or ATV tires with no rims to any of 22 Recycling & Transfer Stations during normal operating hours. Customers must locate the attendant on duty (wearing a fluorescent safety vests) and advise the attendant that they have acceptable tires for recycling. The attendant will instruct the customer where to properly place the tires. Tires dropped off before or after normal operating hours will be considered illegal dumping.
There is a 10 (acceptable) tire limit per day per vehicle so that the department can fairly serve the public and ensure that one customer doesn’t overload the site and unnecessarily prevent other customers from participating in the temporary collection.
Tires from businesses, commercial haulers, nonprofits or farms, as well as industrial tires (e.g. backhoe, tractor, forklift, etc.), are not accepted.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

West Hawai`i Civic Center is one of two sites with a Business Resource Center.
Photo from Hawai`i County

HAWAI`I COUNTY’S DEPARTMENT of Research and Development recently opened two Business Resource Centers in Hilo and in Kona in an effort to support local entrepreneurs forming small businesses.

Located in the department’s offices in the Hawai`i County Building in Hilo and West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona, the Business Resource Center serves as a one-stop-shop for small business information. Each location is equipped with a public-use computer, a collection of business registration forms and staff to help entrepreneurs get started.
The Business Resource Center partners with Hawai`i Small Business Development Center Network, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, the state Departments of Commerce & Consumer Affairs and Taxation and other county agencies on this initiative.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for state holidays. Anyone interested in this new resource is welcome to stop by or visit the department online at hawaiicounty.gov/research-and-development and download the Business Resource Center’s guide, How to Start a Business in Hawai`i County.
For more information, contact Beth Dykstra at 961-8035 or email elizabeth.dykstra@hawaiicounty.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

VOLCANO ART CENTER'S Hula Arts Program is seeking funds. The program has been funded by the state through grants, and available funds are nearly depleted.

For many years, the Hula Arts Program has brought authentic, quality hula to visitors and kama`aina alike at Kilauea's summit, home of Pele, in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It is an honor for hula practitioners to perform there, and it is a rich visual experience for locals and visitors alike. Donations will help keep this revered Hula Program thriving and afford viewers a better understanding of the importance of this ancient tradition.

To contribute, see gofundme.com/HulaArtsProgram.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HPR's Radio Flyer program helps patients and families
with transportation from Neighbor Islands to Kapi`olani.

A FUNDRAISER FOR KAPI`OLANI MEDICAL CENTER for Women & Children is a new campaign for KAHU radio in Pahala, a station of Hawai`i Public Radio. Kapi`olani, located on O`ahu, is often a medical service provider for Ka`u families, particularly for hospitalization for at-risk pregnancies, infants and children.

The Radio Flyer program provides air travel for Neighbor Island families in need. Through this unique arrangement, donors to HPR may elect to transfer Hawaiian Airlines miles to the center. The miles are administered by Kapi`olani and used to fly patients and their families to and from its Honolulu facilities. HPR’s goal for this nine-day campaign is to provide another 500,000 miles to the fund.
HPR is accepting online donations from today through Dec. 10 to the Radio Flyers fund at hawaiipublicradio.org. Additionally, between Dec. 8 and 10, donors may call in their gifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. toll-free at 877-941-3689.
A minimum contribution to HPR of $100 is required to participate in the campaign. However, during its regular year-end fundraising event, HPR gratefully accepts tax-deductible gifts of any amount.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE CENTER tomorrow features local author Fred Koehnen discussing his new memoir, Been There Done That Back to Hilo: A Nine Decade Odyssey at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Koehnen will be available to sign $20 books after the program.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Volunteers join Hawai`i Wildlife Fund staff this Saturday for the nonprofit's last Ka`u Coast Cleanup of the year. Photo from HWF

HAWAI`I ISLAND’S DENGUE FEVER outbreak has made national news, with CNN reporting on an official from the Centers for Disease Control Prevention’s arrival on the island. Dr. Hal Margolis, director of CDC’s dengue branch, told CNN that Dr. Lyle Peterson, director of CDC’s division of vector-borne infectious diseases, and his team are here to “see where (the mosquitos) are located and review a situation where transmission is still going on and to get a pair of outside eyes and see if there might be something missing. It’s a guessing game, especially in these places that don’t routinely have dengue.”

As of yesterday, Hawai`i County's count of confirmed dengue fever cases
climbed to 122. Map from Hawai`i DOH

Ka`u’s state Sen. Josh Green and state Rep. Richard Creagan, both medical doctors, have been lobbying for the state Department of Health to involve CDC on the ground.
DOH reported yesterday that 122 confirmed cases of dengue now exist on Hawai`i Island. Sixteen are visitors, and 106 are residents.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A 63-YEAR OLD KA`U MAN DIED after an all-terrain vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon at in the Green Sands Beach area. Hawai`i County Police identified him as Keith J. Leonatti, of Na`alehu.
Leonatti had been operating his ATV on a private four-wheel-drive gravel road near Green Sands Beach sometime after 12 p.m. when he failed to return to meet with family members at the beach. At 12:41 p.m., family members found him unresponsive and trapped beneath the ATV.
Leonatti was officially pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 8:09 p.m.
Police have classified this case as a coroner’s inquest. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask anyone with any information about the crash to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, extension 229.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Hawai`i Supreme Court Justice Mark Recktenwald

HAWAI`I BOARD OF LAND & Natural Resources “put the cart before the horse” when it approved Thirty Meter Telescope’s permit before a contested case hearing was held, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald said in his decision revoking the permit for the project planned for the summit of Mauna Kea.

“Once the permit was granted, appellants were denied the most basic element of procedural due process – an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner. Our Constitution demands more,” Recktenwald said.
After the permit was issued, appellants called for a contested case hearing, an agency hearing that is required by law and determines the rights, duties or privileges of specific parties.
Recktenwald said, “The right to exercise Native Hawaiian customs and traditions is explicitly protected by Article XII, Section 7 of the Hawai`i Constitution: ‘The state reaffirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes and possessed by ahupua`a tenants who are descendants of native Hawaiians who inhabited the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778, subject to the right of the state to regulate such rights.’
“Given the substantial interests of Native Hawaiians in pursuing their cultural practices on Mauna Kea, the risk of an erroneous deprivation absent the protections provided by a contested case hearing, and the lack of undue burden on the government in affording appellants a contested case hearing, a contested case hearing was ‘required by law’ regardless of whether BLNR had voted to approve one on its own motion. …
“BLNR’s decision to vote on the permit prior to the contested case hearing denied appellants a meaningful opportunity to be heard in both reality and appearance.”
The Supreme Court ordered the lower Circuit Court that previously upheld the permit to remand to BLNR for proceedings consistent with the opinion, so that a contested case hearing can be conducted before the board or a new hearing officer.
“We thank the Hawai`i Supreme Court for the timely ruling, and we respect their decision. TMT will follow the process set forth by the state, as we always have,” said Henry Yang, Chair of TMT International Observatory Board of Directors. “We are assessing our next steps on the way forward. We appreciate and thank the people of Hawai`i and our supporters from these last eight-plus years.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

AT THE DIRECTION OF PRESIDENT Barack Obama, the United States flag and the Hawai`i state flag will be flown at half-staff until sunset at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai`i National Guard until sunset on Dec. 7. This action is a mark of respect for the victims of gun violence in San Bernardino, where yesterday, at last count, 14 people were killed and at least 21 were injured.
“Our hearts are heavy with grief for the victims of this senseless act of violence, and our thoughts are with their families, colleagues and friends. We mourn along with the San Bernardino community,” Gov. David Ige said.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

MASS KILLING IN SAN BERNADINO, CA: “‘Just Another Day in The United States of America,’ is the BBC reaction to yesterday’s mass shooting murder in California,” reported gun control activist Ross Rammelmeyer, of Volcano. “Mass gun violence murders in the U.S. are now almost daily,” he said.
Rammelmeyer wrote this morning: “If I hear another ‘Our thoughts and prayers’ platitude from a politician, I think I’ll throw up.
“It’s time the over 300 million of us in the U.S. who are the targets of the gun violence demanded the politicians do something about legally curtailing the unrestricted sale of deadly weapons in the U.S., which is brutalizing our society.
“The NRA has already done something! They are pushing more unrestricted deadly weapons sales in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. The gun industry collects the profits. We pay the price in corpses.”

Rammelmeyer can be reached at rossrammelmeyer@hawaiiantel.net.

Ka`u's state Sen. Josh Green

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FOLLOWING THE MASS SHOOTING in California, Sen. Josh Green is calling for his constituents to share their ideas on how to solve the problem.

“Those of you who know me well know I am not one to demonize people of any specific political ideology, and I won’t start now,” Green said on his Facebook page. “Having said that, I need to say something loud and clear: Gun violence in America must stop now!

“Liberal friends, conservative friends, those who I have agreed with over the years and those who have fought me tooth and nail, I am asking you tonight, please share your best ideas with me on how we can come together as a country and protect any more innocents from being slaughtered in this way. Every life lost is the beautiful son or daughter of some heartbroken parent out there.
“Please commit yourselves to protecting one another in your communities across the country. And please share with me what you believe can be done. I have some ideas of my own, but I think the time has come once and for all for a nationwide compromise on guns in America and an era where our children can be safe.
“No idea will be ignored.”
See facebook.com/SenatorJoshGreen.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

COUNTY OF HAWAI’I PRESENTS its annual holiday open house festivities in Hilo and Kona.

The fifth annual Magic Of The Season at Hawai`i County Building in Hilo runs weeknights Dec. 7 to 18. Festivities take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly with free entertainment, activities and refreshments hosted by county departments.
Henry Kapono, Mark Yamanaka, Darlene Ahuna, Lehua Kalima, John Cruz, Brother Noland and Kuana Torres Kahele will be among Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning performers. Hula dancers, student musicians and Hawai`i County Band will take turns entertaining audiences.
County volunteers have decorated dozens of trees and lit up Hawai`i County Building. Members of the public may view the decorations daily starting at 7:45 a.m.
At West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona, families are invited to A Holiday Family Affair on Friday, Dec. 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring entertainment by Darlene Ahuna. Activities include a bounce castle, a climbing wall, face painting, make-and-take crafts, keiki ID cards and photos with Santa. Refreshments will be served.
Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected at both events for the Hawai`i Island Food Basket. For more details, contact offices of Mayor Billy Kenoi in Hilo at 961-8211 or Kona at 323-4444.

Fred Koehnen discusses his memoir this evening.
Image from VAC

THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE CENTER features local author Fred Koehnen discussing his new memoir at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Koehnen will be available to sign $20 books after the program.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND’S FINAL Ka`u Coast Cleanup for this year is Saturday at Kamilo Beach. Participants meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool. Register at kahakai.cleaups@gmail.com.

A FUNDRAISER FOR KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY will be held this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gilligan’s in Discovery Harbour. It is sponsored by the Fournier Center for Empowerment, a fiscal partner and fundraising organization for the school, which holds classes at the same location. Dinner will feature Greek food, including lamb kabob, Greek salad, moussaka, hamburgers and red and white lasagna. Beer and wine will be served. Entertainment lineup is Lucky Lizards 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tiger 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Bottle of Blue 8 p.m. until closing.

Ka`u Learning Academy is in its first year of operating as a state-licensed public charter school. For more information, see www.kaulearning.com.

VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS PRESENTS its 21st annual Gift to the Community Saturday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
The 20-member chorus delights the audience with holiday favorites including Ring Christmas Bells, Tell it on the Mountain, I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu, featuring soloists Rachel Edwards and Angie Jara.
The chorus is directed by Roch Jones and accompanied by Walter Greenwood on piano. The audience will get to join in with a sing-along. The concert is sponsored annually by Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network to thank the community for its support. Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees apply.
For more information, contact Suzi Bond at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Ka`u Learning Academy holds a fundraiser tomorrow at the charter school's location in Discovery Harbour. See more below.
Photo from KLA

OCEAN VIEW SHOULD HAVE IMPROVED cell phone service before 2017. Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today that Hawai`i County’s Windward Planning Commission yesterday approved Kaneohe-based Ali`i Wireless Specialists application to erect a 150-foot tower on two acres at the southeast corner of Palm Parkway and Reef Circle Mauka. The tower will contain 12 panel antennas and microwave dish antennas that will allow high-speed 4G cell service to the area.
It will replace an old 100-foot tower that isn’t able to handle the new technology or the number of wireless carriers who want to serve the area.
The tower is the only one serving area residents and travelers along that section of Mamalahoa Highway and into the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, William Keoni Fox, of Ali`i Wireless Specialists, said.
Fox also said there would be not any disruption of service during the transition.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Dr. Virginia Pressler

AT 130 CASES AS OF YESTERDAY, Hawai`i County’s dengue fever outbreak is the largest ever in the state. One hundred of the cases are adults, and 30 are under 18 years of age.
Hawai`i Department of Health Director Virginia Pressler announced that the U.S. Navy is prepared to come to Hawai`i Island to help control mosquitoes.
To date, DOH has performed more than 100 property assessments and is taking precautionary action by spraying at case residences and other areas that have been specifically identified by the investigation as potential areas of concern. More than 200 mosquito abatement sprayings have been conducted since the beginning of the outbreak.
County Parks & Recreation and Public Works, as well as state highway crews, have supplemented DOH environmental staff. Additional state staff are being trained to further supplement those crews.
Hawai`i County Civil Defense is taking complaints of possible mosquito habitats on public property or on neighboring property where contact cannot be made with property owners. Teams consisting of county, Community Emergency Response Teams and DOH personnel will investigate complaints and identify appropriate corrective action. To date, more than 50 complaints have been received and are being addressed.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE SEARCHING for a 34-year-old Ocean View woman who was reported missing. Shanera Echols was last seen in Ocean View at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
She is described as Caucasian, five-foot-five, 192 pounds with dark brown hair. She was last seen wearing black pants, a hooded camouflage khaki jacket and blue slippers. She has a medical condition that requires medication.
Police ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective David Matsushima at 326-4646, extension 228, or david.matsushima@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Jobie Masagatani

DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS could receive at least $28 million in general funds this coming fiscal year, after a First Circuit Court decision found the state violated its constitutional duty by continually failing to provide adequate funding to DHHL.

“This is great news for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and especially the native Hawaiian beneficiaries we serve,” said Jobie Masagatani, Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair and DHHL Director. “With sufficient general funds paying for administrative and operating expenses, the Department can now direct its trust funds and other revenue generated on trust lands to programs and initiatives that directly impacts our beneficiaries.”
In Friday’s court ruling, First Circuit Court Judge Jeanette Castagnetti noted, “DHHL suffers from a lack of funding and staffing, which adversely affects beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust.” The 40-page decision concluded, “The Legislature has failed to appropriate sufficient sums to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for its administrative and operating budget in violation of its constitutional duty to do so. This failure includes every fiscal year since at least 1992.”
“This court ruling only validates what the DHHL has requested in recent years to cover department operating and administrative costs,” Masagatani said.
For the last three years, the Legislature has appropriated $9.6 million in general funds to the DHHL, nearly one-third the amount requested by the department to “sufficiently sum” operations. Prior to that, the Legislature provided no general funds to the department, prompting six native Hawaiian beneficiaries to file suit against the state in 2007. The Hawai`i Supreme Court ruled in favor of plaintiffs in 2012, citing the state’s failure to sufficiently fund DHHL.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

An unattended citronella candle cause a house fire last night.

CITRONELLA CANDLES being used to keep away mosquitos to avoid dengue fever can lead to house fires when unattended. Last night, residents of a three-bedroom home escaped a fire that burned the bedroom section of a house on Ainako Street in Hilo. Everyone escaped, but the cause, according to the fire department, was an unattended citronella candle.
Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters found flames exiting the northeasts corner of back bedroom windows of a single-family dwelling. All occupants made their way out of the residence and to a neighbor’s house. Firefighters made entry into the house and contained the flames.
Mosquito repellent and netting are alternative to candles and coils while sleeping.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO VOTED to support H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, legislation that will fund our nation’s highways and transportation infrastructure for the next five years. The FAST Act passed the Senate 83-16 and is headed to the President’s desk for his signature.
From 2015 through 2020, Hawai`i will receive over $1.3 billion in federal transportation funds, with $261 million going toward public transit and nearly $1.1 billion allocated to improve infrastructure. The legislation also reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, which has been in limbo since its charter expired in June.
“The FAST Act is long overdue and will provide stability for transportation agencies as we continue to search for solutions to modernize and maintain our critical infrastructure needs,” Hirono said. “While not perfect, this bill supports bus and public transit programs that many Hawai`i commuters and visitors rely on every day. In addition, this legislation finally reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, which has helped Hawai`i businesses make more than $6 million in the past five years. This highway bill is a five-year commitment to good-paying jobs and keeping our highways, buses, bridges and other transportation projects moving forward.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is a member of Hawai`i
Air National Guard.

FOLLOWING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Ash Carter’s landmark decision that all combat position in the U.S. military will be open to female service members, without exception, starting in 2016, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, one of the first two female combat veterans ever to serve in Congress, issued the following statement:
“Over 280,000 women have deployed and served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Many of these women have not only served effectively in combat, they have earned some of our nation’s most prestigious awards for their leadership, skill and bravery.

“This change is long overdue and will increase opportunities for women who meet the required standard to serve our nation in any job in the military. It’s encouraging to see that the Department of Defense policy is finally catching up to the reality of the ways women have been contributing and serving our country.”

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A FUNDRAISER FOR KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY takes place tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gilligan’s Cafe in Discovery Harbour. Dinner features Greek food, hamburgers and red and white lasagna. Entertainment lineup is Lucky Lizards 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tiger 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Bottle of Blue 8 p.m. until closing.
For more information, see kaulearning.com.

VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS PRESENTS its 21st annual Gift to the Community tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees apply.
For more information, contact Suzi Bond at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

`OHI`A LEHUA IS A FREE PROGRAM Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. Participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower on this easy, one-mile walk.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

During next year's centennial celebration, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers companion After Dark in the Park programs and hikes. See more below. Photo from NPS

AS HAWAI`I COUNTY’S NUMBER of confirmed cases of dengue fever rose to 136 yesterday, a newly published map shows at least one case in the Pahala area. According the Hawai`i County Civil Defense, pinpoint markers relate to general locations of positive tests but do not relate to the number of cases. Other tests in the Pahala area came back as negative.

Pahala area has been added as a location of confirmed
dengue fever cases. Map from Hawai`i County

Na`alehu and Ocean View areas each continue to have confirmed and negative cases. More are still under investigation in Na`alehu area.

Although spraying and treatment of areas is ongoing, the most effective method to reduce the spread and eliminate dengue is to fight the bite, according to Civil Defense. Minimize or prevent the possibility of being bitten by an infected mosquito by wearing clothing that minimizes exposed skin, using mosquito repellent and avoiding activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is preparing to next year celebrate 100 years of connecting people to, and caring for, the extraordinary landscape, native plants and animals and Hawaiian culture linked with Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
Starting in January and running each month through December, the park offers a centennial-themed After Dark in the Park program that highlights the park’s natural and cultural resources. The series is offered on Tuesdays and followed by a complementary hike or excursion the following Saturday to directly connect people to the “resource of the month” and their national park.
“We want to share stories our visitors and local residents may not be aware of through the After Dark in the Park program, then take them out into the field to experience their park in person and on foot,” Superintendent Cindy Orlando said.
For example, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, Park Botanist Sierra McDaniel and Wildlife Biologist Jon Faford presents an After Dark in the Park program about the natural and native treasures of the Kahuku Unit. On Sat., Feb. 27, Faford and McDaniel lead a hike to a forested pit crater in Kahuku that provides important habitat for endangered native plant species including haha. Large `ohi`a trees, `ama`u and hapu`u pulu ferns also thrive in the pit crater.
Hawaiian culture will also be highlighted in the park’s centennial series. On Tuesday, July 26, Park Archaeologist Summer Roper talks about the necessity of salt drying for native Hawaiians. The following Saturday, Roper leads a hike to Ka`ena, a prized salt gathering area along the park’s remote and rugged coast, near the end of Chain of Craters Road.
In August, when Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park officially turns 100, Park Archeologist Dr. Jadelyn Moniz-Nakamura presents The Establishment of Hawai`i National Park, a look at the individuals of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who were key in creating the park that then included the summits of Kilauea and Haleakala on Maui. The following Saturday, park rangers lead a short walk to Volcano House and explain its significant role in shaping the park’s early history.
“Each of these 12 monthly programs will enlighten participants about the park’s fascinating history and evolution, but will also emphasize the role we all play in shaping our next 100 years,” Orlando said.
The series, co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, is free, and no advance registration is required. Park entrance fees apply.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Kure Atoll is a popular nesting area for seabirds.
Photo from DOFAW

HAWAI`I DIVISION OF FORESTRY and Wildlife is recruiting volunteer habitat restoration workers for Kure Atoll in 2016. Kure provides habitat for 18 seabird species and approximately 3,500 breeding pairs of ka`upu (black-footed albatrosses), in addition to many more wildlife treasures, including endangered `ilioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seals).

The volunteer positions are for seven months and involve a variety of tasks. Primary responsibilities include invasive plant removal, big-headed ant monitoring, Laysan duck monitoring, native plant propagation and out-planting, vegetation surveys, seabird surveys and assisting with banding events, Hawaiian monk seal monitoring, marine debris removal, data collection and entry and weekly meetings. Additionally, all staff will help with regular camp maintenance and chores outside of regular work hours.
Kure is a part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument and is 1,400 mile northwest of O`ahu. Transportation to/from the atoll is by ship and is infrequent. The ability to live and work in close quarters with a small group of people for an extended period of time is of utmost importance.
For inquiries, email Matt Saunter or Naomi Worcester at kureatoll@gmail.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists discuss a recent book by colleagues in the current issue of Volcano Watch. “Two Hundred Years of Magma Transport and Storage at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i, 1790–2008 (USGS Professional Paper 1806), by former HVO scientists Tom Wright and Fred Klein, won first place in the Technical or Statistical Report category in the Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Government Communicators,” the article states. “The book covers Kilauea history from 1790 through 2008, including the first known and ongoing episode of prolonged activity at both the summit and east rift zone of Kilauea.
“Using continuous records of daily earthquakes and ground tilt measurements dating back to the founding of HVO in 1912, Wright and Klein trace the evolution of Kilauea’s magmatic plumbing. They describe the effects of this evolving system upon the sequence of eruptions, intrusions and seaward movement of the volcano’s south flank over time.

HVO scientists Tom Wright and Fred Klein saw complementary natures
of Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Photo from USGS/HVO

“Among the many significant events covered in the book, in 1924, a great intrusion of magma occurred at Kilauea, followed by an immense explosion at the summit. According to the authors, the events of 1924 – including steam explosions from an enlarging Halema`uma`u Crater and the large intrusion into the lower east rift zone – stabilized the Kilauea magmatic system and subsequently enabled seaward movement of the south flank.
“Another significant event, the Kalapana earthquake of Nov. 29, 1975, changed the relationship between magma supply and spreading (or seaward motion) of Kilauea’s south flank. Before the earthquake, increases in magma supply drove increases in the spreading rate. Following the earthquake, the magma supply rate continued to increase while the spreading rate remained constant and intrusions were favored over eruptions. The change in pattern suggests that intruded magma was refilling subsurface space created by the earthquake and that flank spreading can at times be influenced by gravity alone.
“‘Slow-slip’ earthquakes – motion of the shallow crust at rates slower than during typical earthquakes but faster than normal flank spreading rates – have been recognized at Kilauea only recently, but Wright and Klein note possible examples from seismic signatures as early as the 1960s.
“Wright and Klein also present evidence of a complementary nature of Kilauea’s activity with that of its much larger neighbor, Mauna Loa. This relationship may explain the absence of eruptions at Mauna Loa since 1984 when Kilauea has been exceptionally active. Such a pattern is recognized going back at least 2,500 years, according to the work of HVO scientist Frank Trusdell.
“Finally, the authors propose cycles of ‘crisis and relief’ at Kilauea. Crises are marked by increased seismicity and uplift of the southwest sector of the volcano. Relief comes in a variety of forms: large south-flank earthquakes, the ending or beginning of eruptive activity, or intrusions correlated with changes in eruption style. Such varied outcomes render long-term forecasts of damaging earthquakes or eruptions especially difficult – all part of the hazard of living on a volcanically active island. ...
“For more information on current thinking about how our volcanoes work, check out these USGS publications online: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1806/, http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1801/, and http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1987/1350/.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Yellow `ohi`a lehua NPS Photo by Dave Boyle

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower on an easy, one-mile walk tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit.

A FUNDRAISER FOR KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY takes place today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gilligan’s Cafe in Discovery Harbour. Dinner features Greek food, hamburgers and red and white lasagna.
For more information, see kaulearning.com.

VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS PRESENTS its 21st annual Gift to the Community today at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free; donations are accepted. Park entrance fees apply.
For more information, contact Suzi Bond at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Santa Claus is coming to town a week from today to participate in the annual Pahala Christmas Parade. See more below.
Photo by Julia Neal

MARY WILSON, APRN IS THE NEWEST addition to Ocean View’s Mango Medical Clinic. Although she has been working as a nurse since 1974, Wilson is very enthusiastic about her chosen profession and shows pleasure in the prospects her new position will afford. A native of Virginia, Wilson has been living in Ocean View for over a year and looks forward to being more involved with the Ka`u community.
Wilson’s medical background covers many specialties. She has worked primarily in university or teaching hospitals, specializing in critical care. She also did a lot of work in developing a variety of drugs for several labs and drug companies. In 1990 she earned a master’s degree, which qualified her to be a nurse practitioner. Since then, her focus has been on neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology and hepitology, treating hepatitis C.

Mary Wilson, in light blue, joins Mango Medical Center personnel, from left,
Shanna Alcorn, MA, Cindy Cohen, APRN and Doede Donaugh-Rae, DO.
Photo from Peter and Ann Bosted

Most recently, she spent three years in a community hospital’s cancer center as a gastrointestinal oncology coordinator and a nurse navigator, which involved helping cancer patients who need prompt attention get through the system as efficiently and quickly as possible. She was also involved with testing and assessing patients’ cancer risk based on their genes and educating them based on the results.
As Wilson enters her fifth decade in the medical profession, she is looking forward to the change of pace that working for Mango Medical Clinic will afford. Here, new patient visits last one hour, instead of the usual half hour elsewhere, and follow-up visits are a minimum of half an hour, compared to a maximum of 10 minutes in most places.
“This means I have time to really know each patient and time for detailed education, which can make a very big difference in keeping patients healthy in the long term,” Wilson said.
Based in Waimea, Mango Medical Clinic also has branches in Hilo and Kona. Ocean View was chosen for its health care needs and growth potential – the town’s population doubles every 10 years. Founder Dr. Timothy Duerler expects more expansions soon. Wilson also sees many options for growth, not only in terms of new patients, but also much-needed services, such as home care, to benefit the community.

Mango Medical was listed as 13th of Hawai`i’s 50 fasting growing companies by Pacific Business News.

When not at the clinic, Wilson enjoys hiking, gardening and walking her three rescue dogs. She has been married to her husband, John, for 32 years, and they have a daughter, Laura. John Wilson is President of the Kula Kai Homeowners Association.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A study in Ka`u found no correlation between the amount of rainfall and
the number of mosquitoes. Graph from the Pan-Pacific Entomologist

A STUDY IN KA`U FOUND no correlation between the amount of rainfall and the number of mosquitoes, negating the assumption that wetter areas are more prone to have more mosquitoes than dry areas.

In 2009, Hawai`i Department of Health conducted a study in Ocean View and Hawaiian Ranchos. The subdivisions were chosen because they are only five miles away from Miloli`i, where Aedes aegypti, one of two species that transmit dengue fever, was found in surveys of 2002.
Researchers found that twice as many mosquitoes laid eggs in water infused with `ohi`a leaf litter than in plain tap water. Leaf litter in containers full of water is considered important nutritional resource for mosquito larvae. As a common tree in Ka`u, `ohi`a’s leaf litter may contribute to the life cycle of mosquitoes hatched from eggs laid in tree holes and some artificial containers.
“Due to the limited rainfall in the survey area, we believe that both species of mosquitoes (that transmit dengue) must be strongly dependent on water supplies created by humans,” the researchers concluded. “Otherwise, it would be difficult to find breeding sites. Our study clearly shows that Aedes albopictus (the second species that transmits mosquitoes) is a predominant species in Ocean View.”

DOH urges residents to remove sources of standing water on their property and to report standing water that is not accessible to them at 974-6001.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

SEN. MAZIE K. HIRONO LAST WEEK VOTED against H.R. 3762, a Republican bill to defund Planned Parenthood, undermine federal support for research on heart disease, diabetes and other diseases, and gut key Affordable Care Act provisions. The legislation passed the Republican-controlled Senate 52-47. President Obama has vowed to veto the bill.

“The budget reconciliation legislation is yet another Republican attempt to push a far-right agenda on our country,” Hirono said. “Instead of bringing up legislation that will help create opportunity and raise wages for middle class families, Republicans continue to waste time on harmful, ideological proposals that they know will fail to become law.
“The one good thing to come out of this pointless exercise is that the Senate voted 90-10 to repeal the tax on so-called ‘high-cost health plans’ before it is enacted in 2018. ‘High-cost health plan’ is a complete misnomer – in reality, this tax would hit workers whose employers provide decent health care benefits as a key part of their compensation. I am a proud cosponsor of Sen. Sherrod Brown’s bill that will repeal this tax in a responsible manner and look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to help working families by responsibly repealing this tax.
“I remain very concerned about continued attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. Preventative health care services comprise the vast majority of Planned Parenthood’s services, and under this legislation, thousands of women in Hawai`i might be left without access to another provider. This legislation also eliminates the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which funds a number of key public health research initiatives. This bill would also repeal the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, which would severely impact Hawai`i’s ability to provide access to health care to our most vulnerable residents.
“While we continue to consider these partisan measures that are guaranteed to fail, Congress is getting closer and closer to hitting next week’s deadline to fund the government. Instead of wasting time on the Republicans’ ideological wish lists, the Senate should be debating legislation that supports and strengthens the middle class.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U HIGH TROJAN BASKETBALL teams participated in preseason tournaments.

At the Wai`akea/Kea`au tourney on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 4, the boys lost to St. Joseph, 54-32 and 50-25. Yesterday, the Trojans led in the first quarter, but Wai`akea JV overcame them 48-35. The boys’ regular season begins on Monday, Dec. 28, hosting Kealakehe.
Girls participated in HPA’s tournament yesterday. In a back-and-forth scoring game, they led by seven points at the end, winning 37-30. Girls begin regular season play this Tuesday, Dec. 8, hosting Kohala.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

MARK KARAN PERFORMS TODAY at 3 p.m. for a fundraiser at Ocean View Community Center. Karan is best known for performing with the extended Grateful Dead family. For the last twelve years, he has anchored the lead guitar slot in Bob Weir & RatDog, playing hundreds of shows to thousands of fans year-round.

Mark Karan performs in Ocean View today.

A party beginning at 12 p.m. is a toy and food drive featuring food, raffles, music, Santa Claus and more.
The party is free; suggested donation for the concert is $15. Organizer Charlene Roco, of Handi Jams nonprofit, said proceeds benefit the children of Ocean View.

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life this and every other Tuesday. Programs begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THE 37TH ANNUAL PAHALA Christmas Parade winds through the hillside village a week from today on Sunday, Dec. 13 beginning at 1 p.m. The parade, which welcomes everyone from youth groups and teams to coffee farmers and classic vehicles and floats, is organized by Eddie Andrade and family and friends. It begins at the old Pahala Armory and stops in at Ka`u Hospital to see long-term care patients and staff. It passes Pahala Shopping Center. Many people watch from their homes. The parade ends at the Catholic Church on Pikake Street, where the community and paraders enjoy refreshments. For more information, call Andrade at 928-0808.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Volcano in Slo-Mo: What High-Speed Cameras Tell Us about Lava Lakes and Explosions is the topic at After Dark in the Park tomorrow. See more below. Photo from USGS

TODAY IS THE 74TH ANNIVERSARY of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Gov. David Y. Ige will honor survivors and those who lost their lives at a ceremony at Pearl Harbor. As national and state flags continue to fly at half-staff at all state offices, agencies and the Hawai`i National Guard by a standing declaration effective since Dec. 3, Ige expresses his gratitude while recalling the sacrifices of those who served during World War II with a special remembrance for those who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“We honor their dedication and the sacrifices they made for our country, and we pay tribute to the families they left behind. We stand together to pledge to uphold their legacy and honor their memory,” Ige said.
“The attack on Pearl Harbor forever changed Hawai`i, the country and the world,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said. “We will never forget the thousands of men and women who lost their lives that day and the countless others who bravely stepped forward to defend our home. We honor them and all of those who continue to protect our nation today.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

NextEra Energy President Eric Gleason

NEXTERA ENERGY IS NOT INTERESTED in selling Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to Hawai`i Island Energy Cooperative, Duane Shimogawa reported in Pacific Business News. On Thursday at the ongoing evidentiary hearing regarding the proposed merger of NextEra and Hawaiian Electric Co., the co-op’s lawyer David Minkin asked NextEra President Eric Gleason if the company would consider selling HELCO to the co-op after owning it for 10 years.

NextEra previously stated that it would not sell HECO or its subsidiaries for at least 10 years after the merger is completed, Shimogawa reported.
This morning at the hearing, Minkin asked Gleason if he would not willing to commit to such a sell “even it was in the best interest of the public.” Gleason said the company is not interested in making such a commitment.
See bizjournals.com/pacific.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Sen. Brian Schatz, near flag, participated in the United Nations Climate
Change Conference. Photo from Office of Sen. Schatz

“WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN, but I for one haven’t been this encouraged in a long time,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said upon returning from the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. “I think we really have a fighting chance. A year and half ago, if you had said we’d have this many nations participating, that China would be participating aggressively, that would have sounded wildly optimistic to anyone. But that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Schatz told Todd Simmons, of Civil Beat, that sharing Hawai`i’s recent progress in clean energy was one of his most rewarding experiences at the conference.
“I was able to tell the story of Hawai`i’s clean energy program in every meeting – how we started with a voluntary program and targets that weren’t enough,” Schatz said. “Then we increased targets and made them mandatory. My message was it’s important for the international community to start, and once you start down that road, you won’t turn back.
“To have such an aggressive clean energy program in the 50th state – even more aggressive than California’s cap-and-trade program — gives momentum and gives heart to some who are wondering what’s realistic and what’s not.”
Schatz also commended Marshallese and Palau delegations for their progress in bringing attention to their vulnerability to sea level rise.
“We in Hawai`i know all about the plight of our neighbors in the Marshalls and Palau, but that story has only recently been told to the rest of the world,” Schatz said. “They’ve been extraordinary, and I told them that. By force of will, they’ve inserted themselves into a critical conversation. … They’re a force to be reckoned with now on the international stage.”
See civilbeat.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

REP. TULSI GABBARD VOTED IN FAVOR of the conference report for S.1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act that passed last week. The legislation makes significant changes to the No Child Left Behind Act and includes language Gabbard introduced earlier this year to reauthorize funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Act, which provides grants for innovative Native Hawaiian educational programs across Hawai`i. It corrects measures Gabbard opposed in the earlier House version of the bill, including codifying low sequestration-levels of education funding and Title I portability, which would have reduced the amount of funding that schools with the most need receive.

“I have long called for updating No Child Left Behind, and this bill helps to address many of the current challenges in our education system, including overly stringent standardized testing requirements that have put unnecessary pressure on schools, teachers and students for years without effectively improving education for our keiki,” Gabbard said. The bill gives states more flexibility to determine the best way to measure success in their schools and provides support for innovation, teacher quality, STEM education and more. The inclusion of the reauthorization for the Native Hawaiian Education Act, based on the bill I introduced, will continue critical funding for thousands of Native Hawaiian children and families.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Filipino-American World War II veterans

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO URGED President Obama to quickly implement the Administration’s newly proposed parole program to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their family members. In July, after years of advocacy from Hirono and others, the Obama Administration recommended that the Department of Homeland Security create a parole program to allow certain family members of Filipino World War II veterans to come to the United States to provide support and care to their aging Filipino veteran family members who are U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents. However, the Administration has not yet announced important details about eligibility and the application process.

“President Obama’s initial announcement this summer was a relief to Filipino World War II veterans and their families who have waited decades to be reunited and to those of us who fought for years to end the visa backlog,” Hirono said. “The Administration is doing the right thing for these families. However, it is imperative that the Administration implement the parole program as quickly as possible so these veterans and their spouses, many of whom are in their 80s and 90s, can finally be together with their children.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

MATT GERHART PROFILED KA`U HIGH Trojans’ boys basketball team in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. Coach Daryl Shibuya told Gerhart that many of the players were also on the school’s eight-man football team and will also participate in spring sports. “For a small school, it’s always a challenge,” Shibuya said. “We’ve got a lot of young boys. We just want to have unity, bond and develop humans as players.”
With Evan Manoha the only senior playing this season, Shibuya gave younger teammates the opportunity to play more during last week’s Wai`akea/Kea`au tournament.
“The only way we are going to accomplish anything is as a team,” Shibuya said. “I stress that everyday. There are no superstars.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life tomorrow and every other Tuesday. Programs begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

VOLCANO IN SLO-MO: WHAT HIGH-SPEED Cameras Tell Us about Lava Lakes and Explosions is the topic at After Dark in the Park tomorrow. Around the world, volcanologists are finding new ways to use technology to better understand volcanic eruptions. Jacopo Taddeucci, of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Rome, shares his expertise in volcanology and geology that has made him a pioneer in the use of high-speed cameras to capture volcanic explosions. The talk features spectacular footage from Stromboli, Etna, Yasur (New Hebrides), Sakurajima (Japan), and Fuego (Guatemala) and Batu-Tara (Indonesia) as well as Kilauea.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

Participants learn stamping with plants Wednesday. Photo from NPS

STAMPING (KAPALA) WITH PLANTS is the topic Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Stamping a design on fabric using plants is a fun and easy way to express creativity and get in touch with Hawaiian culture.

Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT IN NA`ALEHU holds its annual Keiki Christmas Party Wednesday at 5 p.m. with food, gifts, music and a visit from Santa.
Held in honor of its founder Drake Fujimoto, the gathering is co-sponsored by Patty Fujimoto and the Hana Hou staff, as well as the community group `O Ka`u Kakou and its president Wayne Kawachi.
Music led by Uncle Ernie Kalani and Santa will greet the crowd. Santa will pose for photos with the keiki, who will also receive gifts. Police will offer families photo IDs for keiki. Everyone can enjoy a free meal.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

In honor of the late Drake Fujimoto, who sponsored numerous community events and programs, Hana Hou Restaurant and `O Ka`u Kakou continue his Keiki Christmas event tomorrow in Na`alehu. Fujimoto enjoyed last year's keiki gift giving and feasting. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

WHY SHOULD I TRUST YOU? Why should I trust NextEra?” Those were the first questions Hawai`i Public Utilities Chair Randy Iwase asked NextEra Energy Hawai`i President Eric Gleason yesterday. It was Gleason’s third day of answering questions during the ongoing evidentiary hearing regarding the proposed $4.3 billion merger of NextEra and Hawaiian Electric Co.

PUC Chair Randy Iwase

“From the kingdom to the territory to the state, we have heard many promises (from) big companies coming in, taking over companies in Hawai`i,” Iwase said. “And so I have to deal with that, judge it through that prism.”
Cory Lum, of Civil Beat, reported that Gleason replied, “We understand that if you come from outside, you have a hurdle to overcome. … We expect that we aren’t going to totally get over that hurdle before this merger closes. We hope it does close.”
Gleason also said, “We hope we’ll get far enough over the hurdle that you’ll say, ‘We trust these guys.’”
While NextEra and Florida Power & Light’s lack experience with rooftop solar, Gleason said that the company’s experience in installing and managing modern grids and widespread smart metering would be valuable to Hawai`i.
When Iwase asked what guarantee Gleason could offer that NextEra would fulfill its list 85 commitments to the state, Gleason said that “it is in your power to deliver consequences ” if that occurs.
See civilbeat.com.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FOOD POLICY ACTION CHOSE U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as a top advocate of improving the nation’s food system. The release of their Congressional Progress Report gave the congresswoman a perfect score on Food Policy Action’s 2015 National Food Policy Scorecard. The scorecard considers lawmakers votes on a variety of issues relevant to food policy in the U.S., including domestic and international hunger, food safety, food access, farm subsidies, animal welfare, food and farm labor, nutrition, food additives, food transparency, local and regional food production, organic farming and effects of food production on the environment.

Tom Colicchio Photo from FPA

“Securing sensible, transparent food policy and supporting local and domestic agriculture have been among my key priorities in Congress,” Gabbard said. “I’ve continued to push for legislation that would increase food and production transparency and fight for making basic labeling available to consumers across the country. In addition, I remain committed to fighting against harmful legislation like the Deny Americans the Right to Know (DARK) Act that rolls back years of progress in food labeling made in 30 states, including Hawai`i. Food security is a critical issue for the American people, and especially the people of Hawai`i, and I’m humbled to be recognized as an advocate for them and their families.”
“Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been a strong advocate in Congress for food safety, access, production, and transparency,” said Chef Tom Colicchio, Food Policy Action Co-Founder and good food advocate. “We are grateful for her leadership and continued support of sustainable food policy in both Hawai`i and across the United States.”
Food Policy Action was established in 2012 through a collaboration of national food policy leaders in order to hold legislators accountable on votes that have an effect on food and farming. The National Food Policy 2015 Scorecard reflects the consensus of top food policy experts who select key food policy votes each year.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED that, so far this year, there have been 1,007 DUI arrests compared with 1,078 during the same period last year, a decrease of 6.6 percent.
There have been 1,425 major accidents so far this year compared with 1,451 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.8 percent.
There were 17 traffic fatalities on Hawai`i Island compared with 11 during the same period last year, an increase of 54.5 percent. Eleven fatalities were related to drugs (six), alcohol (zero), or a combination of both (five).
DUI roadblocks and patrols continue islandwide as the holidays approach.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Leahi Kaupu is on her way to San Diego again.
Photo from Riena Kaupu

LEAHI KAUPU DID IT AGAIN! For the second year in a row, she advances to the next round in the NFL Punt Pass & Kick Competition at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, Dec. 20 during the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins game.

Kaupu’s supporters are raising funds for the trip with a pre-sale Steak Fry plate, which includes steak, rice, corn, bread and kimchee for $10 and Vierra’s Sweetbread, regular $8 and cinnamon $8.50. Pick-up is on Friday, Dec. 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. above the gas station in Pahala.
Call Riena at 217-5990 to place orders.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

VOLCANO IN SLO-MO: WHAT HIGH-SPEED Cameras Tell Us about Lava Lakes and Explosions is the topic at After Dark in the Park this evening. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
$2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT STAMPING (kapala) with plants tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT IN NA`ALEHU holds its annual Keiki Christmas Party tomorrow at 5 p.m. with food, gifts, music and a visit from Santa.
Music led by Uncle Ernie Kalani and Santa will greet the crowd. Santa will pose for photos with the keiki, who will also receive gifts. Police will offer families photo IDs for keiki. Everyone can enjoy a free meal.

A three-day stained glass workshop takes students'
skills to new levels. Image from VAC

CLAUDIA MCCALL TAKES STUDENTS’ stained glass skills to new levels in a three-day workshop beginning on Thursday. The workshop is for students with a minimum of one completed copper foil project. The emphasis is on pattern design and other practical aspects of making stained glass patterns. Along with pattern development, this workshop will also cover topics of interest to students.

Students need to bring one or more patterns, photos or rough sketches for class project. For novices, it is advised not to use portraits. There are many free patterns available online. Pattern making will be relatively low-tech, but students familiar with drawing programs may bring them. Glass Eye 2000 is an example. Any pattern should be no larger than 8.5×11 and no more than 20 pieces.
Classes are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Fees are $150/$135 VAC members.
Call 967-8222 to register.

VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES presents three one-act theatrical performances to celebrate the winter holiday season on Thursday at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Eighth-grade students perform the wacky Dave Brandl play, Too Wrapped Up for Christmas, which tells of an eighth-grade holiday fundraiser. In a desolate corner of Prince Kuhio Plaza, the class is trying to raise money for the county’s homeless shelter. They have set up a gift-wrapping service to generate donations, but their worthy efforts are not fruitful. It seems that everyone is too wrapped up in the holiday hustle and bustle to remember the true meaning of the holiday. Just when it seems that little will be collected this year, a kind and understanding Mr. Nicholas pays a visit to the booth.
Seventh-graders perform Tracy Krauss’ Ebenezer’s Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge finds himself on a journey of discovery and growth via three Spirits who have attitudes that spice things up with lots of humor. Even Ebenezer surprises us with his cryptic sense of humor, and Tiny Tim’s propensity to annoy could be a bigger problem than his crippled leg.
Sixth-grade students present When Christmas Left Rattler Canyon, by Dean Belanger. It’s a sad day in Rattler Canyon when the mayor gambles away the town to Big Bad Ben, the meanest guy in the west. What’s worse is that Big Bad Ben hates Christmas, so he cancels it. It looks like Diamond Dan could be the town’s only hope, but he’s lost his gumption ever since a run-in with the purely evil Ringo sisters – Isabella and Rexella. When Johnny, the owner of the saloon, asks for a sign from the good Lord to show that they should fight to get Christmas back, a young couple walks in.
Curtain is promptly at 6 p.m. Admission is free; park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Halema`uma`u's lava lake deposited lava, visible at bottom left, on a shelf near the top of the Overlook Crater before dropping last night.
Thermal image from USGS

THE SURFACE OF HALEMA`UMA`U’S lava lake rose high enough around 3 a.m. to place a small pad of lava on the shelf within the Overlook Crater before returning to a lower level, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported.

The lava remains active and circulating within the crater. Seismicity is at normal, background rates, with episodes of higher amplitude tremor associated with lava spattering within the Overlook vent. Tiltmeters recorded no changes.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Abandoned tires holding water create mosquito
breeding grounds.

TIRES CAN BE DROPPED OFF at Ocean View at the Kahuku Park mobile transfer station only on Saturdays, and the county is picking them up right away. John Medeiros, deputy director of the county Department of Environmental Management, said this morning that the program is designed to help prevent the spread of dengue fever, as mosquitoes lay eggs in wet tires. He also encouraged anyone disposing of tires to dump all water and dirt out of them before hauling them to the mobile transfer station.

Residents of Ocean View should drop them off only on Saturdays to prevent the pile of tires from becoming a mosquito attractant and dengue site. The tires have to be picked up right away, and Saturday is the day when the county can retrieve them, he emphasized. Tires collect water where mosquitoes lay eggs, and getting rid of mosquitoes is key to ending the dengue outbreak.
Islandwide, the county has so far collected 25 tons of tires. Leo’s Rubbish in Hilo cuts up the tires and ships them out of state for recycling, most likely to China, Medeiros said.
Tires are also being accepted at Wai`ohinu, Pahala and Volcano transfer stations during normal operating hours.
Regarding the planned permanent Ocean View Transfer station, Medeiros said he hopes construction will be underway next year.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

EXTENSION OF FREE TIRE DROP-OFF at county trash transfer stations was set to end on Dec. 31, but Mayor Billy Kenoi “is adamant that it continue until the dengue outbreak is over,” said John Medeiros, deputy director of the county Office of Environmental Management. Medeiros said this morning that residents can take tires to the transfer station throughout December and January.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

“THE BIG ISLAND AND THE REST of Hawai`i remain safe destinations for visitors and residents” during the current outbreak of dengue fever, Hawai`i Department of Health emphasizes at health.hawaii.gov/docd/dengue-outbreak-2015.
As of yesterday, DOH had confirmed 139 cases. Residents accounted for 122 cases, and visitors, 17.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Alan Dush

A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED with eight offenses in connection with an armed break-in at a home in Ocean View on Sunday, Dec, 6.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, Ka`u District officers responded to a report of a man with a knife at a home on the 92-1600 block of Aloha Boulevard.
Officers learned that a man had reportedly broken into the house, threatened a 73-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man with a knife and a rock, removed car keys, injured the male victim during a struggle for the keys and attempted to steal their car. He fled from the area on foot just as police were arriving. Officers followed him and arrested the man, identified as Alan J. Dush, who has no permanent address.
Dush was taken to the Kona police cellblock while detectives from Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.
At 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, Dush was charged with burglary, robbery, terroristic threatening, assault, criminal property damage, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, attempted theft and attempted unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. His bail was set at $25,500.
He remains at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for today.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Corey Rosenlee

HAWAI`I STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION wants an increase in general excise tax to fund school improvement and teachers’ salary increases, Nanea Kalani reported in Honolulu Star-Advertiser. HSTA President Corey Rosenlee proposes a one-percent increase for more competitive teacher salaries, caps on class sizes, an end to certain testing, more public preschool, improved facilities, increased time spent teaching the arts and increased supports for special-education teachers.

“These are basic things, things people in Hawai`i have been saying we need for a very long time,” Rosenlee told Kalani. “We always talk in Hawai`i about needing to improve education, and we don’t do anything about it. It’s time we say education must be a priority. So what HSTA is doing is we are providing a solution. We’re taking the best research from across the world and across the country and, after talking to our teachers, saying, ‘Listen, these are the things we know are good for children. These are good for education. Are we willing to invest in our children?’”
See staradvertiser.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD SAID on national TV on Tuesday that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who called for banning all Muslims from coming into the country, is trying to capitalize on people’s fears for his political gains. Trump’s remarks follow an act of terror in San Bernardino, CA where 14 people died.

Gabbard said it is important to differentiate between the Islamic religion and “radical, totalitarian Islamist ideology” bent on taking over territory to establish a totalitarian government that fuels terrorists.
She said that understanding how this works is needed to create a successful strategy to solve the problem. She said it is important to separate terrorists from the spiritual path of most followers of Islam.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO TODAY VOTED for the Every Student Succeeds Act, the first comprehensive legislation aimed at improving elementary and secondary education to pass Congress since the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. The act passed the Senate 85-12 and is headed to the President’s desk for his signature.

“Our schools should be places where students’ curiosity about the world can grow into a lifelong passion for learning,” Hirono said. “The Every Students Succeeds Act makes the one size fits all mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act a thing of the past, and Hawai`i students will benefit from this legislation that supports early education, services to military-connected children, improvements to the Native Hawaiian Education Act and many other commonsense reforms.
“However, I am disappointed that a provision I offered to provide more accurate data on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students was not included in the final legislation. I appreciate the work that Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Bobby Scott did to make progress to provide federal support for states who take initiative to help AANHPI students succeed, but there is still work that needs to be done to ensure that educators have insight on how to help all students.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH GIRLS basketball teams began regular season play yesterday. Both teams lost to Kohala, with JV score of 58-14 and varsity, 58-33. Analei Emmsley was varsity’s high scorer with 10 points. Alyssa Buvings and Zaylee Pascubillo each contributed four points to JV’s score.

Trojan boys soccer team hosted Wai`akea yesterday. Final score: Wai`akea 7, Ka`u 0.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

New venue is Pahala Plantation House.

SANTA ARRIVES AT 5 P.M. today for Hana Hou Restaurant’s annual Keiki Christmas Party. Santa will pose for photos with the keiki, who will also receive gifts. Police will offer families photo IDs for keiki. Everyone can enjoy a free meal.

VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES presents three one-act performances to celebrate the winter holiday season tomorrow at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Curtain is promptly at 6 p.m. Admission is free; park entrance fees apply.

BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE plan to attend I Ola Na `Aina Momona’s Holiday Open House on Friday, the venue has been moved to Pahala Plantation House. Hours are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The nonprofit works to help Ka`u Coffee growers achieve land security. For more information, call Malian at 503-575-9098.

THE KA`U CALENDAR’S ANNOUNCEMENT of this month’s Advocats Spay and Neuter Clinic is in error. The clinic is next scheduled to take place in February at Ocean View Community Center. See the February issue for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund staff and volunteers completed another year of Ka`u Coast Cleanups. Photos from HWF

ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE PARTICIPATED in Hawai`i Wildlife Fund’s first ever International Symposium on Marine Debris & Tsunami Driftage. Co-sponsored by World Ocean Collective, the event took place on Thursday, Dec. 3 and Friday, Dec. 4 at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo, followed by a beach cleanup event hosted by HWF at Kamilo Point on Saturday, Dec. 5.

HWF worked together with local marine debris partners (including Surfrider Foundation, Kokua Hawai`i Foundation, Sustainable Coastlines Hawai`i, NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources, County of Hawai`i Aquatics Department and local International Coastal Cleanup coordinators; groups from the Pacific Northwest (Washington CoastSavers, SOLVE Oregon, Lion’s Club International); and groups from Japan (Japan Environmental Action Network, Sea Beautification Society) to share effective recovery and removal techniques, spread the word about tsunami and disaster preparedness, share updates and new information about ongoing marine debris prevention work and make connections and work together to reduce the amount of marine debris in the world’s oceans and waterways.

Megan Lamson, holding child, joins other HWF staff members.

In total, 50 participants attended the entire two-day symposium and subsequent cleanup event where over 1,000 pounds of marine debris were collected for disposal, art projects and recycling. Well over 100 people attended the public symposium on Friday evening in downtown Hilo. Working with members of the international marine debris removal community, HWF showcased the work of nonprofit and agency partners around Pacific shorelines that has been accomplished in response to and since the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami tragedy in East Japan.
Experts from Hawai`i Island, O`ahu, Kaua`i, Washington State, British Columbia, Georgia and Japan also gave presentations.
“We are humbled by the turnout of this past week and have made new friends and allies in our mission to remove and prevent marine debris to protect native wildlife,” HWF’s Hawai`i Island Program Director Megan Lamson said. “The three days with our partners around the North Pacific were very productive. Marine debris is everyone’s problem and is a worldwide issue. We have to think globally and act locally to inspire the change we seek in this world. By coming together to share stories and to discuss effective cleanup strategies as a team, we can reduce the amount of marine debris in our world’s oceans hopefully even prevent it.”
For more information about the event, see wildhawaii.org or search for #hilosymp on social media platforms.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

DENGVAXIA IS NOW APPROVED in Mexico. The first vaccine accepted for use against the dengue virus has been tested on over 40,000 patients worldwide, according to Mexico’s medical safety agency.
According to a story in The Guardian, a 2014 World Health Organization report published in late 2014 found that about 60.8 percent of those vaccinated were protected. The vaccine was most effective at keeping people who had already been exposed to one of the strains from catching another one.
Experts believe the potentially life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever may hit people who have already had one strain and then contract another one. The disease can cause internal bleeding, shock, organ failure and death.
Mexico’s federal agency said the vaccine could help prevent 104 deaths and 8,000 hospital admissions as well as save about $65 million in health costs annually.

See theguardian.com.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

As of Wednesday, Hawai`i Island had 145 confirmed cases
of dengue fever. Map from DOH

WITH 145 CONFIRMED CASES of dengue fever on Hawai`i Island, donations are hoping to help end the breakout. The donations, which include over 220 total cases of repellent with over 2,400 cans of spray from Longs Drugs and 20 cases of 4,800 individually wrapped towelettes from Foodland, were distributed to at-risk populations on Hawai`i Island, including people with housing insecurity and others for whom purchasing repellent is a challenge.

“Ending the spread of dengue fever in Hawai`i is a team effort, and we are grateful to Longs Drugs and Foodland for joining us as we work to prioritize the health and safety of people in our state,” said Dr. Virginia Pressler, director of the state Department of Health. “A major component of fighting the spread of dengue fever is the prevention of mosquito bites, and this donation of repellents will directly aid us in protecting residents and visitors from bites on Hawai`i Island.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Leah Sussanna Burns

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE SEARCHING for a 35-year-old woman wanted for questioning in connection with an abuse investigation. Leah Sussanna Burns is described as 5-foot-9, 220 pounds with brown eyes and brown or blond hair. Her last known address was in Ocean View.

Police ask anyone with information about her whereabouts to call the Police department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

U.S. HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS Committee unanimous approved H.R.1654, legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard that would authorize and expedite providing necessary military equipment, weapons and ammunition directly to the Kurdish Peshmerga to defeat ISIS.

“The Kurds have proven time and again to be our most loyal and effective ground force in the fight against ISIS,” Gabbard said. “I have long advocated for the U.S. to provide Kurdish Peshmerga forces with the heavy weaponry and equipment they need to continue to be successful in this fight. When I met with Kurdish leaders in Erbil earlier this year, they reiterated the need for direct military assistance and more advanced weaponry like anti-tank missiles and armored vehicles to defeat ISIS. Our current requirement to send all U.S. military assistance to Kurdish ground forces through Baghdad is both inefficient and ineffective, and has allowed the Shiite-led Iraqi central government to withhold vital aid from our allied forces. Kurdish ground forces urgently need our direct assistance to continue to be successful in the fight against ISIS, and we can no longer wait to take action.

“This legislation would remove these roadblocks and allow the U.S. to provide direct assistance to Kurdish ground forces. I am encouraged by the bipartisan progress made to pass this legislation through committee and will continue to push for a vote to pass this bill on the House floor.”

Andrea Kawabata, in green, asks stakeholders to complete a questionnaire today.
Photo from UH-CTAHR

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

QUESTIONNAIRES ARE DUE TODAY for UH-CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service’s strategic planning process.
“We want to improve the quality of our services for our stakeholders and would like to better understand your needs for future programming,” Extension Agent Andrea Kawabata said. “You are being asked to respond because you have worked with, partnered with or communicated with one of our Specialists and/or Agents in relation to their outreach programming efforts in the past. We are very interested in obtaining your opinions as we move forward.   ”
No identifying information will be collected.  
See https://manoahawaiiss.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_09EWc6e4E4tROgl.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ONE-STOP-SHOP services are coming to Ka`u. Help is available in completing applications for admissions, financial aid, Ho`olulu Hawaiian Data Center, summer school, summer enrichment and distance learning.

In collaboration with Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool, services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 14 at Na`alehu Community Center and Tuesday, Jan. 12 at Pahala Community Center.

VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES presents three one-act performances to celebrate the winter holiday season this evening at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Curtain is promptly at 6 p.m. Admission is free; park entrance fees apply.

I OLA NA `AINA MOMONA’S Holiday Open House is tomorrow at Pahala Plantation House. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The nonprofit works to help Ka`u Coffee growers achieve land security.
For more information, call Malian at 503-575-9098.

PARTICIPANTS DISCOVER THE HAWAIIAN goddesses Hi`iaka & Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate one-mile walk Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THE ART EXPRESS PAINTING WORKSHOP takes place Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Participants learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Cost is two cans of food per person. Register at himeliha@yahoo.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

A guided hike on Sunday focuses on the People & Lands of Kahuku. NPS Photo by Julie Espaniola

“DON’T PRECLUDE UTILITY OPTIONS,” Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman urges in an opinion piece in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Ruderman is a board member of Hawai`i Island Energy Cooperative, which hopes to purchase Hawaiian Electric Light Co. and convert it into a cooperative owned by customers rather than investors.

Sen. Russell Ruderman

“The NextEra merger, if approved, would preclude better options such as publicly owned utilities and co-ops,” Ruderman said. “Rejection of the merger would allow these options, which deserve equal consideration.
“Hawaiian Electric Industries recently announced $55 million in quarterly profits. Compare this to NextEra’s promise of $60 million in savings over five years.
“Under a co-op or public option, this $55 million would go to ratepayers every quarter. That’s 20 times the savings. Our savings would actually be much more, because a co-op’s capital costs are much less due to the availability of cheap co-op financing.
“Currently, the private utility is rewarded for spending as much as can be justified. Under a public or co-op model, this perverse incentive is removed, and the utility is motivated to save money instead of maximizing spending.
“I urge the state Public Utilities Commission to reject the merger and allow a brighter future for our state’s businesses and residents.”
See staradvertiser.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

CDC entomologist Ryan Hemme and state DOH's Dr. Jeomhee Hasty look
for mosquitoes in water from abandoned tires. Image from DOH/BIVN

U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL & Prevention personnel continue their dengue fever investigation on Hawai`i Island. An entomology team is working with Hawai`i Department of Health to identify mosquito species and estimate their numbers in Captain Cook. South Kona is a high-risk area for dengue fever transmission.

The team is also conducting assessments of aquatic habitats such as containers that may be producing most of the mosquitoes in and around buildings in areas where confirmed dengue cases have been reported.
In a DOH video edited and posted by Big Island Video News, CDC entomologist Ryan Hemme said mosquitoes are attracted to black traps. Because mosquitoes are attracted to black, leaving abandoned tires outside where they collect water creates an ideal breeding ground.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Dr. Lyle Peterson

PACK YOUR MOSQUITO REPELLENT is advice HuffPost Hawai`i is giving travelers to Hawai`i this winter. According to Associate Editor Chris D’Angelo, the Big Island’s current outbreak of dengue fever is now the largest episode in the state since the 1940s.

D’Angelo quotes Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases: “We must be prepared for the long run.”
State epidemiologist Sarah Park told D’Angelo that she’s optimistic the outbreak can be stopped if everyone works together.

“I’m certainly hopeful that the trickle (of cases) will slow or stop sooner than later,” she said.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientist clarify common terms in the current issue of Volcano Watch, entitled, What is a Volcano?
“Many readers know that the Island of Hawai`i is made of five volcanoes – Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Mauna Kea and Kohala,” the article states. “Those same readers know that such obvious features as the cones that dot Mauna Kea, the Hala`i Hills and Kulani Cone on Mauna Loa, and Kapoho Cone, Pu`u `O`o, and Mauna Ulu on Kilauea are places where eruptions took place. If that’s the case, then why aren’t they called volcanoes? Isn’t a volcano a place where lava reaches the surface of the earth? Why doesn’t the island have hundreds of volcanoes instead of only five?
“In one dictionary definition, a volcano is a vent or opening in the earth’s crust through which rock or lava is ejected. In another, a volcano is a cone-shaped hill or mountain built around a vent. Most volcanologists disagree with both of these definitions.
“To a volcanologist, a volcano is a structure containing a vent or cluster of vents fed by magma rising directly from great depth within the Earth, generally more than 30 kilometers (18 miles) and in Hawai`i about 100 km (60 mi). Each of the five volcanoes on the Island of Hawai`i has such a deeply rooted feeder conduit.

“In contrast, all of the cones mentioned above, and most others on the island, are supplied by magma that branched off the main conduit at a shallow depth, probably less than 10 km (6 mi) deep and more likely, less than half that. These cones are analogous to limbs on a tree, and the deeply rooted volcano is equivalent to the trunk of the tree.

Fume from Pu`u `O'o and Halema`uma`u blow northward during kona wind, with
Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea towering on the horizon. Photo from USGS

“If we could plug the deep conduit to Kilauea, the entire volcano, including Pu`u `O`o, would die. In reality, however, Kilauea will remain active long after Pu`u `O`o stops erupting, because the main feeder conduit will still be intact.
“Several terms are used to describe the vents that lack deep roots and get their magma from the main feeder conduit – flank vents, parasitic vents and rift vents. Sometimes ‘cone’ is substituted for ‘vent.’ So, for example, on Mauna Loa, Kulani Cone could be termed a flank vent and the Hala`i Hills parasitic cones. Pu`u `O’o is an active flank or rift vent on Kilauea.
“Physical appearance cannot be used to make the distinction between a volcano and a subsidiary vent on that volcano. Lacking geophysical evidence, it would be nearly impossible to know, for example, that Pu`u `O`o is fed from shallow, not great, depth. With that evidence, though, a clear distinction can be made.
“The second dictionary definition of ‘volcano’ – a cone-shaped hill or mountain built around a vent – does not account for volcanoes such as Kilauea, whose shape is far from that of a cone. Another type of volcano lacking a cone shape is a large caldera, such as Long Valley in eastern California or Yellowstone in Wyoming. No one would guess, without doing some geologic sleuthing, that these wide shallow depressions are volcanoes.

“Visitors to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park often remark that Kilauea Crater (the official name of the summit caldera) ‘sure doesn’t look like a volcano.’ Even visitors trained in geology make that comment, because the image of Mount Fuji in Japan or Mayon in Indonesia is strongly entrenched as the stereotype of a ‘real’ volcano.
“Had these visitors come to the summit of Kilauea in 1400 CE, however, they would have seen a lava shield rather than a caldera. The caldera formed by collapse of the shield about 100 years later.
“This illustrates another point about volcanoes – the shape can change drastically and quickly, and one year’s cone or shield can be next year’s caldera. So, shape is an unimportant and even misleading basis for defining a volcano.
“Finally, the distinction between a caldera, such as Kilauea’s, and a crater, such as Halema`uma`u, is both arbitrary and meaningful. A caldera is a depression more than 1.6 km (one mi) in diameter, and a crater is smaller. Pretty arbitrary! A more important distinction is that a Hawaiian caldera forms by collapse of the volcano’s summit and has deep roots, whereas a crater, no matter where it forms, has shallow roots. In a perfect world, the term Kilauea Crater on maps would be replaced by Kilauea Caldera.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FEED THE NEED every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Rod Ducosin and Kealoha Martin share the love in the food they make for these hot meals. Bring a can, have a meal. Everyone is welcome.
Volunteers are needed, and donations are accepted c/o OVCC.

The Art Express arrives tomorrow

I OLA NA `AINA MOMONA’S Holiday Open House is this evening at Pahala Plantation House from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, call Malian at 503-575-9098.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN SOMETHING NEW or work on a forgotten project at the Art Express Painting Workshop tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Cost is two cans of food per person. Register at himeliha@yahoo.com.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.
Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka & Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate one-mile walk tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
On Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park explore Kipukapuaulu and have picnic lunch with Executive Director Elizabeth Fien Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 1.2-mile loop trail reveals a story of struggle and survival for some of Hawai`i’s rarest plants. Free for Friends members; non-members can join in order to attend.
Register at 985-7373 or fhvnp.org.

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE is Sunday at 1 p.m. with floats, walking groups, tractors and classic cars, choirs, public officials, schools and more. Participants wind their way through the village from the armory to the hospital and to Holy Rosary Church for refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, call 928-0808.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Kupuna and Keiki: `O Ka`u Kakou founding member Jeanette Howard offers a teddy bear to a grateful recipient during Hana Hou Restaurant's Keiki Christmas Party last Wednesday. Photos by Lee McIntosh

COFFEE STUMPS SHOULD DRAIN to cut down on water pooling where mosquitoes breed. On the public Hawai`i Dengue Fever Awareness Facebook page, Joachim Oster writes that “many older trees have developed holes where rain water accumulates. Like the one in this photo (from South Kona), even weeds find enough moisture to grow. There is no easy way to drain these trees of their water without damaging them permanently. But with the upcoming pruning sessions, farmers could cut/drill the wood carefully so these pockets can empty. Large enough to not get clogged with the next leaf dropping; small enough to not injure the tree too much.”

Pockets in coffee trees can hold water and become mosquito
breeding grounds. Photo from Hawai`i Dengue Fever
Awareness Facebook Page

Oster estimated that there are a couple hundred water-holding trees on the average three- to five-acre coffee farm. He described the situation as “a much, much bigger issue than … old car tires,” which Hawai`i Department of Health has been pointed to as a major contributor to high mosquito populations.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

I OLA NA `AINA MOMONA held an open house for the Ka`u community last night to present the organization’s missions and goals. President Malian Lahey listed food sustainability for Ka`u, land security for agriculture and free education for farmers. Presidents of Ka`u’s two coffee cooperatives attended. There was discussion on strategies for attempting to purchase Moa`ula and Pear Tree coffee lands through private, state legislative and county land preservation funds, as well as possibly with help from “compassionate investors.” An Iowa farmer, Grant Schultz, of Versa Land, shared that he faces a similar situation as a tenant farmer. He said that if purchased by the state, Ka`u coffee lands could be put into an ag easement to keep the land out of the real estate speculation cycle.
John Ah San, president of Palehua Cooperative for Ka`u Coffee farmers, said that Ka`u Coffee farmers are under a lot of stress with the purchase of their farms by a new company and that community support is needed to take some of the stress off their shoulders.

Rick Warshauer, a member of the state Legacy Land Commission, noted that an agricultural easement would preclude development on the property and help insure land security for the farmers.

Board members for I Ola Na `Aina Momona are Gail Kalani, Donna Masaniai, Michael Klungness and Malian Lahey. For more information, call Lahey at 808-280-2851.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Bicycles stand ready for keiki to them drive off the lot at Hana Hou.

KA`U COFFEE FARMER LEASES: The Colorado company, Resource Land Holdings, LLC, buying Moa`ula and Pear Tree coffee lands above Pahala, represented by Brenda Iokepa Moses, meets with coffee farmers tonight to discuss its new lease proposal for the farmers. The coffee farmers earlier this month sent a letter to state Rep. Richard Onishi asking for help in raising money through the Legislature to purchase the coffee lands, should RHL be a willing seller, in order to establish an ag park where farmers would have long-term leases.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

GOV. DAVID IGE APPROVES of Hawaiian Electric Co.’s changes to its rooftop solar programs but still disapproves of its proposed merger with NextEra Energy.

Ige told Kathryn Mykleseth, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, that he agreed with the decision to limit rooftop solar because too many systems can endanger the grid. “If rooftop solar is saturated and we don’t solve the storage challenge, then we will really start to get to instability in the grid,” Ige said.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus await keiki to join them for photos.

HECO also replaced its net energy metering program with two programs that lower caps on amounts returned to customers who export excess power to the grid. Ige told Mykleseth that caps could change when energy storage becomes cheaper. “The key to 100 percent renewable is storage,” he emphasized.
Regarding the proposed merger of HECO with Florida-based NextEra, Ige told Mykleseth, “What we would like is a partner that is truly committed, not only to the goal of 100 percent. You have to realize and recognize that a utility that is 100 percent renewable is unlike any utility in the country. You want management and leadership that truly embraces that challenge.”

“At least the leadership in HECO is here,” Ige said.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THE 2015 UNITED NATIONS Climate Change Conference closed yesterday. Sen. Brian Schatz was one of 10 U.S. Democratic senators who participated in negotiations over the international climate change accord that took place in Paris.

Like Hana Hou's says: "... m m m m ... GOOD!" Everyone enjoyed a free meal.

“It’s already a success,” Schatz said regarding the conference. “If you had told any knowledgeable observer that they were going to get 185 countries representing 97 percent of countries, 98 percent of emissions and 150 heads of state in the same place at the same time, if you had said that two years ago that would have sounded wildly optimistic. We are really making progress.”
According to Schatz, the agreement does not require Senate approval. “There have been more than 18,000 such agreements that our presidents in the past have entered into over time not requiring Senate approval,” he said.

Schatz also pointed out that the agreement is “not enough. If we want to hit the two-degree Celsius target, this only gets us about 40 percent there,” he said. “It is way more than expected and way more than ever before.”
Schatz anticipated being able to ratchet up the agreement every three to five years on an international basis. “Once you unleash the power of clean energy on the private sector, there’s no turning back,” he said.

Somebody can't wait to get on a new scooter.

Schatz is confident about accountability and transparency mechanisms in the agreement. Negotiators developed a matrix to help countries keep their data accurate.
Schatz said international climate action is popular in the United States, noting that two-thirds of Americans, a bare majority of Republicans, a decisive majority of young Republicans and decisive majorities of Democrats and independents support it.
“There is no turning back, either legislatively, politically or in terms of the momentum that we have in the private sector,” Schatz said.
See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IVccTygzvaI.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

IN LIGHT OF RECENT TRAGEDIES on the mainland, Hawai`i Island police are reminding the public that individuals may call the Kuleana Hotline to report warning signs that could lead to possible harm against the community.

The Kuleana Hotline is not a substitute for 9-1-1 calls. In an emergency, always call 9-1-1.

Uncle Ernie Kalani added to the festive
atmosphere at Hana Hou.

The Kuleana Hotline is designed to prevent tragic events in public places, including schools, restaurants and other locations where members of our community gather. Unlike Crime Stoppers, to which citizens may report information about a specific crime, the Kuleana Hotline is an avenue for reporting something that may not be criminal yet but has the potential to turn disastrous if not prevented.
According to Hawai`i Island police, warning signs have preceded many tragedies committed by individuals or organized groups. “We as a community are responsible for notifying the police if we see or hear anything that has the potential to turn into a malicious act,” police stated. “For example, if you read a post on a social networking site about a person interested in purchasing a firearm and the person signals intent to cause harm with that weapon, call the Kuleana Hotline.
“If you witness suspicious activity around public buildings, utility companies or bridges, call the Kuleana Hotline.
“If you see something or someone’s behavior that may seem innocuous but gives you a ‘funny feeling’ in your stomach that something is ‘just not right,’ call the Kuleana Hotline.

“Your tip could help authorities intervene before those warning signs develop into a crime or tragedy.”
The Kuleana Hotline is not manned around the clock but allows for callers to provide information by leaving voicemail messages. Callers who prefer not to leave callback information are asked to provide enough details to allow police to follow up on the lead. Calls are not recorded, and the line has no caller ID.
The number for the Kuleana Hotline is 961-2219.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park presents People and Lands of Kahuku tomorrow. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history.

Frosty the Snowman is expected to join Pahala Christmas Parade again tomorrow.
Photo by Julia Neal

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE is tomorrow at 1 p.m. with floats, walking groups, tractors and classic cars, choirs, public officials, schools and more. Participants wind their way through the village from the armory to the hospital and to Holy Rosary Church for refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, call 928-0808.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park explore Kipukapuaulu and have picnic lunch with Executive Director Elizabeth Fien tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 1.2-mile loop trail reveals a story of struggle and survival for some of Hawai`i’s rarest plants. Free for Friends members; non-members can join in order to attend.

Register at 985-7373 or fhvnp.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.