The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Care homes, rural clinics, shelters and many health services to the poor and elderly would shut down under
the proposed Trumpcare bill, according to Sen. Mazie Hirono who released a video on the subject.

PROPOSED TRUMPCARE WOULD BE DEVASTATING, according to Sen. Mazie Hirono, health care leaders from across the state, and people they serve. They illustrate the impact in a video released by the U.S. Senator. It contends that the latest health care bill before the U.S. Senate would cut back Medicaid severely and that clinics and shelters would shut down.
“Health care is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Hirono. “Hawai`i residents have a simple message: oppose this mean, ugly bill.” She said, "In Hawai`i and across the country, Trumpcare would affect the sickest, oldest and poorest in our communities."

Many of Hawai`i's citizens depend on Medicaid and other support
that would be slashed in the Trumpcare bill, says Hirono.

On Thursday, Senate Republicans introduced their latest version of Trumpcare – a bill that would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, a program that nearly one in four Hawai`i residents depend on every day, said Hirono. In the Hawai`i based video, Wes Lo, CEO of Hale Makua Health Services on Maui, where 80 percent of residents depend on Medicaid, said: “If you don’t have a health care system, what does that do to a community? You’ll stop seeing the tourism industry thrive here. You’ll stop seeing real estate thrive here. You’ll probably start seeing a recession and economic collapse here.”
Marie Osaki, Hale Makua resident, said, “I really don’t know what would happen. I really don’t want to imagine what would happen. It would be a rough thing.”
n Keith Moniz, brother of a Hale Makua Resident, said that cuts in Medicaid "would be devastating. We had a difficult time taking care of him when he was at home, and he’s gotten the care that he needs here. The staff has been so super. It would be a big loss…I don’t know what we would do, where we would be able to get him.”
Sheila Beckham, CEO of Waikiki Health, said, “We’ve cranked a few numbers, and we’ve really looked at the devastating effect of having Medicaid go away. What I’ve already decided to do if we lose both of those sources is to close down all the small clinics, shut down admin, shut down the shelter, and only run two clinics. I would lay off between 80 and 100 people.”
Alvin Keohohina, Hale Maua resident said, “I’m not a politician, I don’t know about these health care things. But I know that these programs really help those who are in need. I really hope that they would take a longer look at it and realize that are in need like the elderly and disabled.”
Christina Leee, Chief Medical Officer of Waimanalo Health Center, said, “Access is not just that there’s different health care plans that you choose and pay for. If people can’t afford them, then that’s not access.” See the video at https://www.facebook.com/senatorhirono/videos/1086060714859878/

Hurricane Fernanda is a Category Four hurricane and headed toward Hawaiian waters but is expected
to weaken and become a tropical storm before reaching the Big Island.

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HURRICANE FERNANDA is Major Hurricane, sporting a ten-mile-wide eye and good outflow, with an intensity of about 145 mph, according to the Friday night, 8 p.m. forecast from the National Hurricane Center. As she moves along at 12 mph, her intensity is expected to increase to 155 mph by Saturday morning as she turns northwest towards Hawai`i. The prediction is for Fernanda's windspeed to slowly decrease as she heads into cooler waters to 70 mph by the time she reaches the Hawaiian Islands next week.

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EXTENDED GI BENEFITS FOR VETERANS, surviving spouses and dependents are in a new bill announced on Friday by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard who co-chairs the Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus. Gabbard joined the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees in introducing the bipartisan Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has worked this year on improving the GI Bill and
services to women's veterans. Photo from Office of Tulsi Gabbard

The legislation would be applied to all new enlistees in the military, and would: Remove time restrictions to use the GI Bill, enabling future eligible recipients to use their GI bill benefits for their entire lives, as opposed to the current 15-year timeline; simplify the benefit for future service members by consolidating the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill into a single program over time, which would reduce the VA’s administrative costs; provide significant increases in GI Bill funding for Reservists and Guardsmen, dependents, surviving spouses and surviving dependents, provide 100 percent GI Bill eligibility to Post 9/11 Purple Heart recipients; restore eligibility for service members whose school closes in the middle of a semester and create a pilot program that would pay for veterans to take certain high technology courses.
Gabbard said: “The GI Bill is one of the most important earned benefits that help set our troops up for success while in the service, and after they lay down the uniform." The legislation "will eliminate barriers and increase accessibility to make it easier for our troops, veterans and their dependents to get the education they’ve earned by enhancing existing benefits, correcting gaps in eligibility, and ensuring GI Bill benefits keep up with the 21st century economy. Last year in Hawaiʻi, more than 7,000 veterans used their earned education benefit to open the door to new opportunities for them and their family, and we must continue to build on this progress.”

Gabbard has also sponsored legislation this year to ensure services for women veterans.

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www.kaucalendar.com

Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, July 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230

Hula Performance, Sat, July 15, 10:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kumu hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Halauolaokalani. Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ‘ohana, 11a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mongolian BBQ, Sat, July 15, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356 for more details.

Celebration of Health, Mon, July 17, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Mission. A gathering of oneness of groups practicing Good Health activities. Meditation with Velvet Replogle, Yoga with Stephanie Pepper, Tai Chi with Phillip Hema & Qi Gong with Shary Crocker. Nutritious snacks and dishes. Everyone welcome. 929-7647

Drawing in the Park, Tue, July 18, 11a.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Ken Charon Free. 967-8222

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Internationally renowned violinist and co-founder of the Hawai`i International Music Festival will return to Ka`u
witha team of master singers and musicians for a performance on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Pahala Plantation House.
Photo by Carlin Ma

HAWAI`I INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL has announced its return to Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16, for a 7 p.m. performance. The concert will raise awareness of the Pahala Historic Properties Alliance and efforts to to restore buildings to host a living heritage and education center and to curate and honor the history of Pahala. This concert will feature Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount Obra, who is the daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee, a famous Ka`u Coffee brand.

Also performing will be Virtuoso Violinist Eric Silberger, Esteemed Pianist Carlin Ma, Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra Cellist Sun Chang Yang, Mexican Tenor Manuel Castillo, Young Artist Mexican Soprano Sandra Aldaz Meraz, and World Renowned Argentinean Bandoneon Player JP Jofre.

Jofre, a native of San Juan, Argentina, is an award winning bandoneon player and composer. His music has been recorded by 16 Grammy winner Paquito D’ Rivera, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and choreographed and performed by ballet-star Herman Cornejo (Principal Dancer of the American Ballet Theatre) among others. A recipient of the National Prize of the Arts grant in Argentina, Jofre has taken his form of contemporary tango to some of the most important venues in Asia, Europe, America and the Caribbean as soloist and composer.

The bandoneon will one featured instrument at the Hawai`i International
Music Festival performance on Wednesday, Aug. 16 in Pahala. The master
is Argentinian JP Jofre who creates a contemporary tango.
Photo from Hawai`i International Music Festival

Jofre has been part of many festivals including the Celebrity Series of Boston, Google Talks, TEDtalks, Umbria Jazz Festival, Great Performers at Lincoln Center, Seattle Town, Belgorod Music Festival in Russia, Sudtirol Jazz Festival, and Bachanalia Taiwan, Lorin Maazel's Castleton Festival among others. For the world premiere of his Bandoneon Concerto, the Mercury News wrote: “…he is an electrifying composer-bandoneon player.”

Shoremount-Obra made her much anticipated Metropolitan Opera Debut in October 2014 as “First Lady” in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, singing all nine performances of the opera, three of which were Sirius XM Satellite Broadcasts. Recent operatic engagements have included Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Opera Las Vegas, The Savannah Voice Festival, and NYC's new Venture Opera, Machessa in Verdi’s Un Giorno di Regno with Odyssey Opera of Boston, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte with Annapolis Opera, and most recently, Leonore in Beethoven’s Fidelio with Grand Harmonie.

Amy Shoremount Obra brings internationally acclaimed
musicians, including her own Metropolitan Opera
voice to perform in Pahala.
Photo from Hawai`i International Music Festival

Shoremount-Obra has appeared at Carnegie Hall as the Soprano soloist in Fauré ‘s Requiem, Brahms’ Requiem, and Schubert’s Mass in G and at David Geffen Hall as the Soprano Soloist in Verdi’s Requiem. She was a National Semi-Finalist and New York Regional Winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and holds degrees from Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School.

Hawai`i International Music Festival will also offer performances in Hilo and Honolulu.
This marks the third Pahala performance of internationally renowned musicians and singers organized by Shoremount-Obra.
See https://www.himusicfestival.com/concerts.
See more biographies of performers in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs and the August edition of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper.

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A FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT on Friday, July 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. welcomes volunteers for invasive Faya tree removal in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the park's native forest restoration program the important role volunteers play in protecting important and threatened native ecosystems.

Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is sending
out a call for volunteers to help with restoration.
Photo from FHVNP

Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over rough, uneven ground. Sturdy walking shoes and long pants are required, along with gear for variable weather conditions (be prepared for sun or rain with a hat, raincoat, sunscreen, etc.) plus drinking water and lunch.
Also imperative is scrubbing the soles of one's shoes prior to arrival on site, in order to ensure outside dirt/soil and invasive species aren't tracked in. Clothing, tools, and gloves, etc. should be clean before entering the park to protect against seeds, Rapid Ohia Death fungus and other invasives.
The goal of sponsoring organization Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is a crew of 17 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.

To reserve a spot, contact Patty Kupchak at 352-1402, or email forest@fhvnp.org.

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Fernanda is expected to weaken as she swirls northwest to Hawai`i.
Map from Island MAX Weather

HURRICANE FERNANDA IS EXPECTED to weaken before reaching Hawaiian waters next weekend. On Saturday Fernanda was showing in inner eye about 20 nautical miles across and an outer eye about 60 nautical miles across.

The long-term weakening is expected as Fernanda enters cooler water and in into a drier and more stable air mass near Hawai`i.

Finian's Rainbow continues its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater this and next Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and next Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

Celebration of Health, Mon, July 17, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Mission. A gathering of oneness of groups practicing Good Health activities. Meditation with Velvet Replogle, Yoga with Stephanie Pepper, Tai Chi with Phillip Hema & Qi Gong with Shary Crocker. Nutritious snacks and dishes. Everyone welcome. 929-7647

Drawing in the Park, Tue, July 18, 11a.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Ken Charon Free. 967-8222

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Geologic Map of the Northeast Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi,” shows distribution of lava flows and other deposits covering an area from Pu‘u‘ula‘ula (Red Hill) on the southwest to Hilo on the northeast. Ages of geologic units are indicated by color: reds and oranges are younger, blues and purples are older. The largest salmon-colored lava flow on the map is the Pana‘ewa flow, which erupted from Mauna Loa about 1,470 years ago.

This USGS map is freely available at https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2932A. See more detailed map below.

FEDERAL JUDGE DERRICK KAHALA WATSON on Thursday ordered the U.S. government to allow entry into the country of those refugees from the six Muslim majority countries, previously denied by the Trump Travel Ban, who work with a U.S. resettlement agency. He also ordered permitting U.S. entry to grandparents and grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of those already approved for entry into the U.S.

Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin won another round in court against
the Trump travel ban and the Trump administration is appealing to
the U.S. Supreme Court. Photo from Honolulu Museum

Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin, who asked Watson's federal District Court for the decision, said that it “makes clear that the U.S. government may not ignore the scope of the partial travel ban as it sees fit. Family members have been separated and real people have suffered enough,” Chin said.

However, the Trump administration filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday night and asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for a hold on Watson's ruling on Saturday. The Trump appeal states that Watson's ruling “empties the court’s decision of meaning, as it encompasses not just ‘close’ family members, but virtually all family members. Treating all of these relationships as ‘close familial relationship(s)’ reads the term ‘close’ out of the Court’s decision.”

Trump administration attorneys also contended that neither Watson nor other federal district judges can rule on the travel ban, arguing that only Supreme Court has the means to rule in this case. “Only this Court can definitively settle whether the government’s reasonable implementation is consistent with this Court’s stay,” says the appeal.

Judge Derrick Kahala Watson

Travel Wire News reports Becca Heller, director of the International Refugee Assistance Project, a resettlement agency, saying, "Watson’s ruling could help more than 24,000 refugees already vetted and approved by the United States but barred by the 120-day freeze on refugee admissions. Many of them had already sold all of their belongings to start their new lives in safety. This decision gives back hope to so many who would otherwise be stranded indefinitely.”

According to Travel Wire News, "Citing a need to review its vetting process to ensure national security, the administration capped refugee admissions at 50,000 for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, a ceiling it hit this week. "The federal budget can accommodate up to 75,000 refugees, but admissions have slowed under Trump, and the government could hold them to a trickle, resettlement agencies say."

Speaking about the Hawai`i federal judge's ruling, Travel Wire News also quotes Melanie Nezer, spokeswoman for HIAS, another resettlement agency, saying, “Absolutely this is good news for refugees, but there’s a lot of uncertainty. It’s really going to depend on how the administration reacts to this.”

Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Photo by Gage Skidmore

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said, “Once again, we are faced with a situation in which a single federal district court has undertaken by a nationwide injunction to micromanage decisions of the co-equal executive branch related to our national security. By this decision, the district court has improperly substituted its policy preferences for the national security judgments of the executive branch in a time of grave threats.”

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NEW MAP REVEALS HISTORY OF MAUNA LOA VOLCANO'S NORTHEAST FLANK. The

new Geologic Map of the Northeast Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi is the culmination of many years of work by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists. It was recently published by the U.S. Geological Survey. The work was spearheaded by John P. Lockwood (affectionately known as "Mr. Mauna Loa"), who is now retired from USGS and HVO, and Frank Trusdell, HVO’s current Mauna Loa Project geologist.

Volcano Watch, written weekly by USGS scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Obeservator, writes:

For the northeast region of Mauna Loa, this updated map supersedes the “Geologic Map of the Island of Hawai‘i" (1996) and the “Geologic Map of the State of Hawai‘i" (2007).

Encompassing 440 square miles (1,140 sq km) of the northeast flank of Mauna Loa, the new map comprises an area equivalent to the islands of Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i combined. The mapped area extends from an elevation of 10,880 feet (3316 m) to sea level, from Pu‘u‘ula‘ula (“Red Hill”) on the southwest to Hilo on the northeast.

Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth, is known to have erupted 33 times since written descriptions became available in 1832. Some eruptions were preceded by only brief seismic unrest, while others followed several months to a year of increased seismicity. Since 1832, seven eruptions occurred within the area covered by the map: 1852, 1855–56, 1880–81, 1899, 1935–36, 1942, and 1984.

The Northeast Rift Zone (NERZ) of Mauna Loa is about 25 miles (40 km) long and 1.2–2.5 miles (2–4 km) wide. It narrows at Moku‘āweoweo, the volcano’s summit caldera, but becomes diffuse (3.4–4.3 miles, or 6–7 km, wide) down rift near Pu‘umaka‘ala Cone, about 7.4 miles (12 km) west of Mountain View. The rift zone is marked by low spatter ramparts and spatter cones as high as 197 ft (60 m).

Showing slightly closer view of geologic units thann the image above,this map published by the U.S. Geological
Survey shows lava flows over time on Mauna Loa. Reds and oranges are younger, blues and purples are older,
with the salmon being about 1,470 years old. See https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2932A.

Eruptive fissures and ground cracks cut volcanic deposits and flows in and near the crest of the rift zone. Lava typically flows from the NERZ to the north, east, or south, depending on vent location relative to the rift crest. For instance, during the 1880–1881 eruption of Mauna Loa, flows initially traveled south towards Kīlauea, but later, northeast towards Hilo.

Although most of the NERZ source vents are more than 19 miles (30 km) from Hilo, one branch of the 1880–1881 flow nearly reached Hilo Bay. In fact, Hilo is built entirely on lava flows erupted from the NERZ, most of them older than 1852.

The map shows the distribution of 105 eruptive units (flows)—separated into 15 age groups ranging from more than 30,000 years before present to 1984 CE—as well as the relations of volcanic and surficial sedimentary deposits. The color scheme adopted for the map is based on the age of the volcanic deposits. Warm colors (red, pink, and orange) represent deposits from recent epochs of time, while cool colors (blue and purple) represent older deposits.

From the geologic record, we can deduce several facts about the geologic history of the NERZ. For example, in the past 4,000 years, the middle to uppermost sections of the rift zone were more active than the lower section, perhaps due to buttressing (compression) of the lower northeast rift zone by the adjacent Mauna Kea and Kīlauea volcanoes.

Other interesting tidbits gleaned from the new map include: The Hāla‘i Hills near Hilo High School are 15,000- to 20,000-year-old eruptive cones from Mauna Loa, which are among the oldest geologic units found in Hilo. The lava flow at the top of Rainbow Falls is 10,000 years old! The largest flow in the map area is called the Pana‘ewa picrite, an olivine-rich lava flow that erupted from a vent near the Kūlani Correctional Facility, and which, at the coast, extends from Hā‘ena (Shipman Estate property) through Keaukaha to Mokuola (Coconut Island).

The geologic map provides fundamental information on the long-term eruptive behavior of Mauna Loa Volcano. In addition, it offers a valuable foundation from which collaborative studies in geology and biology can be launched.

The map can be viewed or freely downloaded from USGS Publications at https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2932A.

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CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE FERNANDA was moving west-northwest at 2 p.m. on Sunday, after a strengthening eyewall replacement, but is expected to weaken to 40 miles an hour or less before reaching Hawaiian waters on Friday or Saturday.

Category Four Hurricane Fernanda making her way toward Hawai`i is
expected to weaken before reaching here. Photo from NASA

The Major Hurricane, with winds of 125 mph, continues to move at 10 kt near the southwestern periphery of a mid-level high pressure system centered over the southwestern United States. The National Hurricane Center reports that its "track forecast philosophy remains unchanged from the past several advisories. A trough to the northeast of the Hawaiian Islands is expected to erode the

western portion of the ridge during the next few days. This pattern change should cause Fernanda to slow down and gain more latitude than it has in previous days. The trough is expected to lift out later in the week allowing the ridge to rebuild to the the north of the tropical cyclone in about 4 days. This should cause Fernanda to turn back toward the west in the four-to five-day period. The models are in good agreement on this overall scenario, and the NHC track forecast is near the middle of the guidance envelope."

See our month long calendar at www.kaucalendar.com

National Hurricane Center reports that "the hurricane is still over warm water and in a favorable atmospheric environment, and it is forecast to remain in those conditions for another day or so. Therefore, little change in strength is expected in the short term. After that time, however, cooler waters, drier air, and an increase in wind shear should cause Fernanda to steadily weaken" into a weak tropical storm or depression by the time it reaches the Big Island.

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Finian's Rainbow continues its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater next Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

The Nature Conservancy preserve in Ka`u. Photo by John Replogle

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PRESERVES IN KA`U and South Kona are receiving assistance this summer from high school students through its Leaders in Environmental Action Future. LEAF chose inner city youth from Los Angeles to give them the "opportunity to spend extensive time in nature learning about conservation, science, and green jobs," says a Conservancy statement. This is the second year the Conservancy has hosted LEAF interns in Hawai‘i.
In addition to their work adventure in Ka`u, interns will greet the wa‘a (canoes) of the organization Nā Pe‘a as they land at the Conservancy’s Kīholo fish pond and help with intertidal water quality sampling in collaboration with Hui Aloha Kīholo. Then they move mauka to plant native vegetation and restore aquaponics with the Kailapa Community Association in Kohala.

Hawai`i Island LEAF Interns Nicolas Bell-Andrade,

front left; Pedro Aguilera, back left; Chayne

Connor, back right; Bucgikas Muribm

front right. Photo from The Nature Conservancy

“Exposing youth from urban communities to nature and conservation careers helps them understand and value the environment,” said Ulalia Woodside, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in Hawai‘i. “Hosting LEAF interns augments our ongoing efforts to engage young people in experiences that connect them with our unique and irreplaceable natural and cultural resources.”
Over the last five years, the Conservancy has hosted or supported more than 2,500 youth across the state to train the next generation of conservation leaders. Some examples:
The Marine Fellowship Program has launched four cohorts of new conservation leaders. This program for recent college graduates is made possible through a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The two-year intensive training has graduated 10 students to date; 3 more are about halfway through their fellowship.

The Conservancy has hired more than 22 interns through KUPU, a local nonprofit that provides environmental programs and career opportunities for Hawai‘i’s young adults. KUPU interns have supported strategic communications and have worked in Conservancy preserves doing forest restoration and marine conservation.
Other internship and volunteer activities with youth in Hawaiʻi have included: High school and college students from Hilo and Kaʻu learning about nature and conservation and helping at Kaʻu and Kona Hema Preserves; high school students removing invasive algae using the Super Sucker; young adults and kids of all ages visiting Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi to learn about local agriculture, taro lo‘i, and fish pond restoration; high school students visiting Waikamoi Preserve to learn about native forests, birds,

Interns come from the inner city to Ka`u for a work adventure
with The Nature Conservancy.

and restoration; students from fourth grade and up helping with beach cleanups, preserve and trail maintenance, weed removal, seed collection, and native plant growing; youth of all ages learning about nature and conservation at the annual Earth Day celebration; and young adults and high school students participating in Kīholo fish pond restoration.
“We value youth engagement in Hawaiʻi. With continued donor support, we hope to be able to continue, or even expand, these kinds of programs,” said Woodside.
Surveys of conservation interns indicate that many find work as park rangers, environmental engineers, environmental science teachers, and in careers helping to connect future generations to nature at some of the world’s largest environmental organizations. Over 30 percent of surveyed LEAF alumni go on to pursue environmental careers, and over 50 percent volunteer for environmental causes in their communities.
National conservation activities created by LEAF and The Nature Conservancy's Youth Engagement Programs are made possible through support from Lowe's. The company has supported the Conservancy’s work for more than a decade, contributing more than $11 million to protect freshwater and forest lands across North America, and to advance environmental youth programs and help build the next generation of conservationists.

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Huricane Fernanda is projected to deteriorate to a depression by
Saturday, before reaching Hawai`i. Image from Island MAX Weather.

HURRICANE FERNANDA IS LIKELY TO BE DOWNGRADED TO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION before she reaches Hawai`i, according to the National Hurricane Center. The National Weather Service reported mid day that Hurricane Fernanda was located more than 1,500 miles east southeast of Hilo moving west northwest at approximately 9 mph. The county issued a message, stating, "It is too early to know what effects, if any, Hurricane Fernanda will have on our island or state. Civil Defense will continue to monitor this system. Should any threat develop, you will be informed."

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PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER reported today a 7.4 magnitude earthquake at 1:34 p.m., off Kamchatka, in the Komandorskiye Ostrova Russia Region, between Siberia and Alaska. No tsunami reached Hawai`i, Alaska, nor the west coast of the U.S. Their was a brief tsunami alert for the Aleutian Islands.

SECURITY CLEARANCE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED for White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, announced Ka`u Senators Mazie Hirono, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Al Franken (D-Minn.) Today, they demanded that his security clearance of be immediately suspended, pending a review of newly revealed information about Kushner’s contacts with Russian lobbyists and government-linked agents.

Jared Kushner
Photo from Wikipedia

"Following the revelation of a meeting Kushner, along with Donald Trump Jr. and Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort, held with Russian government-linked agents, Kushner’s very presence in the White House – including his significant access to some of our nation’s most highly classified information – may pose a danger to this country," says a statement from the three Senators.
Their letter to Marcia Lee Kelly, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of White House Management and Office of Administration, says “Mr. Kushner attended a meeting which was held with the stated purpose to receive Russian government information intended to influence a U.S. election. Mr. Kushner omitted this fact on his security clearance reform. Most disturbingly, Mr. Kushner sought a secret channel to communicate with the Kremlin. Given the enormity of the outstanding national security concerns regarding his conduct, Mr. Kushner should not retain access to our nation’s most critical secrets.”
The letter follows a June request by Hirono, Blumenthal and Franken for a review of Kushner’s security clearance "after troubling allegations Kushner had concealed meetings with Russian officials – among them Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, and VEB Chairman Sergey Gorkov – on his security clearance application," the statement says. The full letter is available here.

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ALLOWING VISITORS FROM INDIA expedited customs clearance is supported by Sen. Mazie Hirono. She coordinated the writing of a bipartisan letter to encourage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to add India to the Global Entry Program. "India's inclusion in the Global Entry Program further deepens U.S. ties to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and allows Customs and Boarder Protection to direct security resources to where they are needed most," said Hirono. "I appreciate the action by CBP to finalize India's participation in the Global Entry Program, which will benefit Hawaii's visitor industry in time for Hawaii's busy summer travel season."

Dr. Mukesh Aghi, President of
the U.S,-India Business Council

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, approximately 1.2 million citizens of India visited the United States in 2016 and spent $13 billion, making India among the top ten markets for U.S. travel and tourism exports.
The letter was co-signed by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).
Hirono is a longtime advocate of expanding the Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs to grow Hawai`i's international visitor industry. She led similar efforts in support of Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore's inclusion in the Global Entry Program. Singapore's inclusion was finalized in June 2016.
India joins Canada, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Switzerland, and Argentina in CBP's Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs.
Sherry Menor-McNamara, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawai`i, said the organization "supports initiatives that encourage economic growth in our state, particularly with international markets like India that are projected to continue to grow in the immediate and long-term, with direct and indirect contributions to our GDP and employment."
Mufi Hannemann, one of the founders of Punalu`u Sweetbread line and Punalu`u Bake Shop, said,

Mufi Hannemann, President of
Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism
Association. Photo by Julia Neal

"India presents an exciting new opportunity for Hawai`i to benefit from travel and trade between our nations. Just as we've done with Japan and Korea, and more recently with Taiwan and Singapore, this proposed expansion of the federal government's Global Entry program would come as welcome news as we seek to find promising travel and trade markets. With its rapidly expanding economy, India has the potential to emerge as an important source of leisure and business travel, and entry into the Global Entry program will stimulate and support this growth as well as bolster the security cooperation between our two countries." Hannemann is President and CEO of the Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association.
Mukesh Aghi, President of the U.S.- India Business Council said his organization applauds Senator Hirono's leadership and efforts to urge the Department of Homeland Security to expedite India's participation in the Global Entry program. "India's entry into the Global Entry program is a meaningful opportunity to further elevate the U.S.-India relationship. "India is one of the world's fastest growing outbound travel and tourism markets, with over one million Indian tourists visiting the U.S. since 2015 and spending over $10 billion to support the U.S. travel and tourism export market. For a growing Indian diaspora in the U.S. -- currently over three million -- this is a welcome move to solidify people-to-people ties as well. Allowing an expedited clearance for pre-approved Indian travelers will provide a big boost to the U.S.-India 2017 Travel and Tourism Partnership."

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Drawing in the Park, Tue, July 18, 11a.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Ken Charon Free. 967-8222

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Community Policing Officer Aron Tomota has been transferred to Kona, with a warm sendoff by
Capt. Kenneth Quiocho and Capt. Dany Shibuya who returns to community policing in Ka`u.
Photo by Ann Bosted

"I WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE," SAID COMMUNITY POLICING OFFICER ARON TOMOTA, describing his seven-month assignment in Ka’u.
Tomota’s last shift in Ka’u began with a surprise party given to him by Captain Kenneth Quiocho, and fellow police officers at the Na’alehu Police Station. Quiocho was quick to praise Tomota’s dedication to the Ocean View community and his key role in at least three areas - making the Kahuku park once again safe for children, in dramatically reducing the burglary rate in Ocean View, and in boosting interest in Neighborhood Watch meetings.

Aron Tomota organized Coffee with a Cop in Na`alehu and at the Ka`u
Coffee Festival . Another will be held at Ocean View Community
Center on July 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Photo by Ann Bosted

Quiocho had one complaint, however. He noted that Tomota and his colleagues arrested so many criminals in Ocean View and then sent them, restrained, to Kona for investigation, that the Ka’u police ran out of leg irons and belly chains. “We had to ask the Kona station to send them back quickly, so we could make more arrests”, explained Quiocho with a poorly disguised look of satisfaction.
In an interview with The Ka’u Calendar, Tomota recounted the back story of the recent cleanup of the notorious Kahuku Park – a playground, picnic area and sports field originally intended for recreation, but recently “taken over” by alleged drug addicts and predators. Community leaders were very concerned for the safety of their keiki as the park is a stop for the school busses.

Tomota concentrated on community
policing in Ocean View during his
seven months here. Photo by Ann Boasted

As the community policing officer for Ocean View, Tomota’s kuleana is proactive policing. While all police officers respond to reports of crimes, the community policing officer also makes sure that problem areas are identified and deals with potentially serious problems before they become crimes.
In June, Tomota and his team focused on cleaning up Kahuku Park. In their first five days, they visited the park at random times, day and night. They arrested ten alleged offenders, five of who were arrested for drinking in public. They were transported to Kona, given a court date and released.
The campaign resumed from July 3 to July 14, and in seven days of random visits to the park, the police arrested 13 alleged offenders. Each time, they noticed that the number of adults loitering at the park was down. Of the 13 arrests, one was for drinking in public and the remaining 12 were for bench warrant offenses. “That was when we ran out of the leg irons and belly chains that the Captain complained about,” explained Tomota. “It is a complaint I can live with”.
“Every time we visit the park, we see more and more keiki using the park. I counted 60 kids playing baseball, or playing on the swings. Innocent fun is back and that makes it all worthwhile”, said Tomota with a huge grin. “As a token welcome-back gift, we gave each child a brightly colored police department pencil,” he added.
“Each time we visit the park we get a lot of thanks from the adults. Parents and community leaders are noticing the difference and letting us know”.

Community policing officern Aron Tomota.

Making Kahuku Park safe for keiki is not the only lasting contribution made by Tomota and his his colleagues, who, earlier this year, were able to reduce the monthly tally of burglaries from 21 in January, to 11 in February, then three in March and one in April.
Reflecting on this achievement, Tomota again gave the backstory.
“Twenty-one burglaries in Ocean View in January spelled out “C-R-I-S-I-S” in Ka’u,” he said. “We were looking at a third of the burglaries for the whole island happening in one town of about 6,500 people. It was off the scale! We decided a crack-down was needed, and soon.
“On February 10, with a lot of assistance, a task force was formed focusing on the area. Kona Police officers came to Ka’u to help with the crack down, including help from community policing, traffic enforcement, criminal intelligence and some vice officers. A detective from Kona, (Ka`u native) Pernell Hanoa, was particularly helpful. Major Robert Wagner oversaw the operations and was instrumental in developing the action plan.
“I made a list of 25 people of interest, who, we felt, could have been responsible for much of the crime wave, or perhaps associated with known criminals. We talked to people in the community and found out with whom these people were associating, where they liked to go and more about their MO (modus operandi). We found trends and could link suspects to burglaries by how the illegal entry was made, what was taken and background information.”

Tomota explained why the task force was effective. “Our main objective was to show a strong police presence. Of the 25 “people of interest”, I estimate that we contacted about 75percent. We would stop anybody that was walking suspiciously, hanging out or driving. A contact could include being cited, arrested for cause, questioned or pulled over, according to the circumstances of the contact. We call it ‘pro-active’ patrolling, as opposed to ‘reactive’ where we wait for the crime and then react,” he explained. “We also stopped and talked to residents, who were more than willing to share their information with us.

“I cannot emphasize enough how important community cooperation is to the police,” Tomota earnestly explained. “I love getting tips from the Neighborhood Watch. We urge them to call us and work with us; we do so and have success; they like it and have more faith in us and work more with us. Its win-win,” he explained.
“We now have over 40 people at the Neighborhood Watch meetings. They are more structured and more purposeful. We discuss current issues and what we can do to fix the problems. This is collective team work. We are reaching out and they are responding,” Tomota added.
Tomota’s commitment to the Neighborhood Watch was underlined when he was able to arrange for the county to donate five Neighborhood Watch signs to Ocean View. Four have been installed in HOVE and one is awaiting installation in Ranchos.”
Tomota, who is now a community policing officer in Kona, where he lives, was asked if he was pleased to be working locally.
“I am very sad to leave Ka’u,” he confessed. “My wife and kids are ecstatic to have me closer to home and not have to do the long commute.
“But I have enjoyed my seven months here. I feel like I have clicked with the community. When I was first assigned to Ka’u I just wanted to make a difference.”

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While Hurricane Fernanda is is decline other storms have lined up on a path toward Hawai`i. Fernanda is followed
by Tropical Disturbance Eight-E and Tropical Storm Greg.
Image from wunderground.com

HURRICANE FERNANDA made a small comeback today, according to the National Hurricane Center, with its eye becoming distinct in the visible satellite imagery in the midst of of a ragged ring of very cold cloud tops. The Category Two storm is spinning east of Hawai`i at about 105 miles per hour but is still expected to become a Depression before reaching Hawaiian waters. Behind her are the makings of storms. First is Tropical Disturbance Eight-E, followed by Tropical Storm Greg, which is predicted to reach 60 mph before weakening to a post tropical remnant low before entering Hawaiian waters.

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POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT FUNDING is coming to Hawai`i from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Sen. Mazie Hirono, who announced today that the amount will be $6,125,363.

Mosquitoes carrying Zika, dengue
and other diseases will be targets
of new CDC funding in Hawai`i.
Photo from CDC

“Our experience fighting Zika, dengue, and other diseases has taught us how important it is for states and local governments to have the resources they need to confront potential public health threats,” said Hirono. “I will continue to push to ensure that Hawai`i receives the funding it needs to prepare for and respond to future public health emergencies.”

The federal funding was awarded to the state Department of Health to support its Disease Outbreak Control Division’s Public Health Preparedness Branch, which helps DOH respond to public health threats, emergencies, and disasters that threaten local communities throughout the state.

The funds will help DOH recruit and train emergency operations personnel, strengthen connections with the Native Hawaiian health care system, conduct

community assessments, improve risk communication messaging systems, and expand partnerships for medical countermeasure dispensing operations.

A statement from Hirono's office said that she "is a strong advocate for increasing resources needed to support critical public health preparedness investments that protect public health in Hawai`i and the nation. Earlier this year, she took the lead on sending a letter to the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt and Ranking Member Patty Murray urging for the continued funding of programs that help ensure that the nation’s hospitals and public health systems are able to safeguard against public health threats.

Hālau Nā Pua O Uluhaimālama performs Wednesday
evening at Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium
Photo from the halau

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HEAVENLY VOICES on Wednesday features Hālau Nā Pua O Uluhaimālama, which is dedicated to perpetuating the culture and the arts of the hula. They are led by Kumu Hula Emery Aceret, a student of the revered Kumu Hula Ray Fonseca and have participated in many notable hula competitions through the years. They perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center audutorium. Free, park entrance fees apply.

Finian's Rainbow continues its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater next Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

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Na`alehu Hongwanji held a Celebration of Health this week and participants joined

in Tai Chi with Phillip Hema. Everyone is welcome each week. Call 929-7647. See more below.

Photo by Ron Johnson

BAY CLINIC'S BREAST CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAM has been awarded $6,000 from the Safeway Foundation. The program is accessible to all regardless of income level or insurance status and provides clinical breast health care and referral services to help increase access to mammograms and other related clinical care.The American Cancer Society guideline states that women, with an average risk for breast cancer, ages 40 to 44, can choose to have a yearly mammogram, and recommends that all women age 45 through 54 have an annual mammograms. Beginning at age 55, women can change to having mammograms every other year or continue having them every year.

Bay Clinic has earned a $6,000 grant from Safeway Foundation and will
offer additional breast cancer prevention opportunities in Na`alehu
and other clinics. Photo by Joe Febo/Hana Hou Photography

“Regular preventive screenings are an important part of staying healthy. Breast cancer screenings cannot prevent breast cancer, but it can help detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat,” said Dr. Chrissy Capati, Bay Clinic’s Medical Director.
"Bay Clinic providers will work with you to determine which breast cancer screening tests are right for you, and when you should have them."
Call Bay Clinic’s Call Center at 333-3600 to make an appointment at any one of Bay Clinic’s primary care locations: Ka’ū Family Health and Dental Center, 95-5583 Māmalahoa Hwy. in Na’ālehu; Kea’au Family Health and Dental Center at 16-192 Pili Mua Street in Kea’au;
Pahoa Family Health Center at 15-2866 Pāhoa Village Road; Hilo Women’s Health Center (Ob-Gyn on-staff) at 73 Pu’uhonu Place, Suite 204; and Hilo Family Health Center at 1178 Kino’ole Street.

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SAVE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT: USE HAWAI`I AS A MODEL, says west Ka`u's state Senator, Dr. Josh Green. "Like you, I have been closely watching the ongoing efforts by congressional Republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. While it seems the most recent Senate healthcare bill is dead, the fight is far from over. The focus must shift to a bipartisan effort to fix the parts of Obamacare that aren't working while assuring that people do not lose their coverage."
Green shared an op-ed he wrote which was also carried in Civil Beat this week:
In 1974 the landmark Prepaid Healthcare Act was passed by the Hawai`i Legislature enabled us to insure most of our citizens by mandating that any working individual (more than 20 hours per week) received employer-sponsored health insurance. Since that time, Hawai`i has consistently ranked as the state with one of the lowest uninsured rates, usually hovering around 9 percent. We in turn have been continuously ranked No. 1 nationally for almost all health outcomes.

Celebration of Health at Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Mission.

Photo by Ron Johnson

Our low uninsured rate has meant access to health care when people need it most. If citizens need to go to the emergency department, they are covered. Our people receive cancer screening at better rates than any other state in the land. We provide prenatal care to all of our young mothers who ask for it. When our seniors need help at a nursing home the service is available.
Our vaccination rates are among the highest in the country and though we have well documented challenges regarding health care provider shortages (especially in rural areas of Hawai`i) we still find a way to get people care more effectively than our peers across the country. We are doing a better job delivering health care in Hawai`i than the other 49 states.
We’re now witnessing from afar, the health care debate in Washington, D.C., which proposes to repeal and likely replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. This proposal from the Republican-led Congress, supported by President Trump, would radically roll back the health care safety net as Americans know it.
It proposes almost $1 trillion in cuts to the Medicaid health care safety net over the next decade. Hawai`i alone would lose over $200 million a year in healthcare support for our people, $2 billion over 10 years.
Specific cuts could be even more profound than the global reductions, such as shrinking or eliminating resources to treat those suffering from opioid addiction. Opioid use is at a national all-time high and has recently been described as the crisis of our time by many, with as many as 10 percent of the U.S. population experiencing some form of addiction.
In their 80s and 90s, the Yonemitsus celebrate good health at
Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission. Photo by Ron Johnson

In Hawai`i we are already only able to provide addiction treatment to less than 5 percent of our addicted love ones. The new bill may make it impossible to treat almost anyone with addiction, using Medicaid dollars.
One draft of the current legislation proposed to totally defund women’s health care services, provided at Planned Parenthood. This is often an attempt to insert the debate about a woman’s right to choose into a more global question of access to healthcare. It is despicable to divide us in this way.
When Obamacare was passed into law in 2010 it enabled states like ours to provide health insurance coverage for many more of our people. In Hawai`i we were able to expand our Medicaid program from 252,000 low-income citizens to approximately 362,000 covered individuals. This lowered our uninsured rate to below 4 percent.
From a practical standpoint this meant that more than 100,000 additional Hawai`i residents had the coverage they needed for their families, especially children and adults with chronic illness. It meant that people didn’t have to choose between paying rent and paying for health care visits. It meant people could stop worrying about going bankrupt if they had a healthcare crisis in their family.
It meant a young mother didn’t hesitate to bring her child to see me in the ER when her keiki had an asthma attack or an ear infection or perhaps something much more serious like leukemia. Obamacare meant we could breathe easier as a society when things got tough for our family’s health.

Meditation with Velvet Replogle, Senior Yoga with Stephanie Pepper,

Qi Gong with Shary Crocker. Enjoy nutritious snacks and dishes at

Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission. Photo by Ron Johnson

Having a higher percentage of our population insured also has meant greater stability for our rural hospitals. We have witnessed a great strain on the health care system with increasing chronic disease and an aging population, but this has been supported by having almost all of our citizens covered by health insurance.
If the current health care proposal passes it will not only force as many as 100,000 Hawaii residents to again become uninsured, but it will also put our health care safety net, especially the rural hospitals and health centers into grave jeopardy. Independent physicians will be less able to work in areas that aren’t densely populated or have too many uninsured people. It will be a disaster. This will occur all across America and it makes one wonder why this proposal is even being considered in the first place. Experts across the country in health care policy, including myself, agree that Obamacare needs to be updated, repaired and supported in a way that it can be more sustainable and continue to offer health care peace of mind for Americans.
Repealing it is not the answer — instead improving it makes the most sense.
In many regions across our country, including Hawai`i, where there are too few insurers to provide health care plans provided for by the Affordable Care Act, we should allow people to choose a public option. This would be a very straightforward way to stabilize Obamacare. It would also set the stage for grand discussion about the merits of Medicare for All, should our healthcare system further fragment in an unstable way going forward.

Meditation at Na`alehu
Hongwanji Mission
Photo by Ron Johnson

Congress should have the courage to challenge big Pharma and demand that all medications for people become much more affordable. Congress should put aside its petty partisan bickering and realize that good health care for all of its citizens is good politics.
Congress should acknowledge that pre-existing conditions must be covered. Congress should guarantee that anyone with addiction gets a second chance. Congress should never tell a woman what to do with her body.
Sen. John McCain has just had the luxury of critical life-sustaining surgery at the legendary Mayo Clinic, thus postponing a vote on the Senate floor of the bill that would prevent 22 million Americans from getting any health care, from rank and file docs across our country. This incredible hypocrisy should not be lost on anyone. McCain intends to vote yes on TrumpCare.

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KING TIDES may cause flooding conditions along all shores of Hawai`i Island from Thursday through the weekend before gradually subsiding next week. The National Weather Service advises that in light of an unusually high tides forecast and possible storm swells from approaching Fernanda storm, the following precautions should be taken:
Ocean front residents, beachgoers, and boat owners are advised to be on the alert for high surf, strong currents and flooding.
As a precaution, consider postponing ocean activities until these hazards are over.
Special caution to the coastal areas in and around Kapoho during the high tide periods.

FERNANDA WAS BREAKING UP, changing from a hurricane to tropical storm Wednesday evening. The National Hurricane Center said that "her inner core has collapsed. ion fact, it appears that the mid- and low- levels are beginning to separate. Intensity estimates from all agencies relfect such decay..." Fernanda is expected to become a post tropical remnant low by the weekend an be far offshore Hawai`i.

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HAWAI`I ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION WILL HOST a conference this Saturday at Ma'ona Gardens in Honaunau from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entitled Building Bridges for Resilient Agriculture: facing the Challenges of Climate Change, the day features sessions on water shortages and irrigation challenges, and an invasive species outlook in light of climate change. There will be an Indigenous Microorganism presentation. The session is open to the public with tickets at $35 to include membership and lunch. Sponsors include Island Naturals. See www.hawaiiorganic.org

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Finian's Rainbow continues its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

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Coral reefs are not only important in nature, they generate hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the
Hawai`i economy, says Sen. Mazie Hirono. Photo from NOAA

CORAL REEF PROTECTION WILL CONTINUE. Sen. Mazie Hirono announced today that Hawai`i will receive $715,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fund activities critical to the effective management and protection of Hawai`i’s coral reefs.

“Coral reefs are an important part of Hawai`i’s marine environment and generate hundreds of millions of dollars to our economy every year,” said Hirono. “Even as the Trump Administration denies the existence of climate change, it is critically important that we invest in the science that will help us respond to the very real threat of climate change, maintain a healthy coral reef ecosystem, and recover from recent serious bleaching events.”

The federal funding announced today will help improve management of coral reef ecosystems, support greater capacity to enforce coral reef protections, promote increased understanding of the key threats to reef ecosystems at priority sites, and continue progress toward implementing the objectives of the Hawai`i Coral Reef Strategy.

The grant funding is part of a cooperative agreement between NOAA and the State of Hawai`i Division of Aquatic Resources to support the protection of coral reefs across the state.

EPA's official portrait of its
Administrator Scott Pruitt

Earlier this year, Hirono co-introduced legislation with Rep. Colleen Hanabusa to address increasing threats to coral reef ecosystems due to climate change.

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS ARE BEING ROLLED BACK SUBSTANTIALLY, according to Sen. Brian Schatz. "While we’ve been focusing our efforts on stopping the various Republican health care proposals that would leave millions uninsured, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has been quietly working to rollback more than 30 environmental regulations." In a statement released today, Schatz pointed to The New York Times, which called it “a regulatory rollback larger in scope than any other over so short a time in the agency’s 47-year history.”
According to the Hawai`i Senator, "Pruitt is moving quickly because he believes that with the focus on health care and the Trump administration’s Russia ties, no one is watching the

Hawai`i Sen. Brian Schatz

EPA. We have to show him that’s not true." Schatz asks for those who are concerned to sign a petition to
"stop dismantling our environmental rules."
Says Schatz, "When Donald Trump nominated Pruitt to run the EPA, we held the Senate floor through the night to give example after example of his record of denying the facts of climate change and history of undermining rules that protect our clean air and water.
"And when Pruitt issued memos outlining a new rulemaking process at the EPA in March, I teamed up with Senators Markey and Whitehouse to write a letter seeking assurance that the EPA would make decisions based on science and what’s best for the public -- not just for oil and gas companies. Now, exactly what we feared is happening: Pruitt is working with corporate lobbyists to dramatically weaken industry regulations designed to curb pollution and combat climate change.
"There are so many fires to put out with this Administration. But we can’t let Scott Pruitt undo so much of the progress we’ve made," declared Schatz.

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DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION, updating IT for a Dental program, and Bay Clinic’s Breast Cancer Prevention initiative have been awarded $25,000 from Hawai`i County.
Bay Clinic’s Women’s Health and Diabetes Self-Management Education programs are accessible by all regardless of income level or insurance status. "Health screenings are important because they may reveal risk factors, behavioral and health conditions that put you at risk for diseases. For example, risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or obesity may lead to heart disease, diabetes, or cancer," says a statement from Bay Clinic.

New funding for diabetes education for Bay Clinic has come
from the County Council. Image from Bay Clinic

"Breast cancer may have no symptoms. For this reason, it’s recommended that women over the age of 40 get an annual mammogram,” said Dr. Chrissy Capati, Bay Clinic Medical Director. Caught early, breast cancer is treatable and prevents extensive treatment and improves health outcomes.
The goal of the diabetes program is to provide individuals with diabetes and their families with the tools to take control of diabetes, safely manage the disease and prevent serious complications. Each 6-class DSME session focuses on diabetes education centered around the cornerstones of diabetes self-management, including blood sugar monitoring, medical nutritional therapy, and exercise.
Call Bay Clinic’s Call Center at 333-3600 to schedule a women’s health and breast cancer screening at Ka’ū Family Health Center or Bay Clinic's Ob-Gyn in residence Hilo Women’s Health Center, Hilo Family Health Center, Kea’au Family Health and Dental Center or Pahoa Family Health Center.
For more information about Bay Clinic’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program, call Alice Suncloud, Registered Dietician, at 965-3033.

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The Kohala Center's Agricultural Resources Bulletin gives the community a heads up on
educational and business opportunities. See www.kohalacenter.org

SUISAN COMPANY is looking to connect with growers and suppliers of fresh produce, according to the latest Kohala Center Agricultural Resources Bulletin. Suisan is particularly interested in the following: eggplant, soft and hard squash, peppers, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, corn, beets, daikon, radish, carrots, avocados, 'ulu, taro, beans, mustard cabbage, arugula, pineapple, melons, citrus, liliko'i, mango, banana, and dragonfruit. Those interested in this opportunity, contact Suisan Produce at 808-329-3746 or producegroup@suisan.com.

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Terri L. Napeahi, owner of Papa Mu, with OHA's EDFP.
Photo from Papa Mu

TRADITIONAL UMU-STYLE COOKED MEATS, certified by the USDA-FISIS, is a business with an expansion plan for Papa Mū Native Hawaiian LLC. The Kohala Center has announced that the hui has secured a $6,000 Kiva ZIP microloan matched by the Hawai'i Food Producers Fund. The business will use the microloan to develop a USDA-FSIS certified facility authorized to sell traditional imu-style cooked meats. Visit the campaign page to learn more.
The matching money, through The Kohala Center, is supported by County of Hawai'i and the state Department of Agriculture. They created the Hawai'i Food Producers Fund to increase the amount of capital available to local food producers and stimulate local food production in Hawai'i. Visit kohalacenter.org/business/microloan-kiva for more information about the program. View successful and current campaigns on the Hawai'i Food Producers Fund page on the Kiva lender page.

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Stewardship at the Summit: Help cut invasive himalayan ginger on park trails beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Winds up at noon.

Finian's Rainbow continues its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 orkden73@aol.com.

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, July 25, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, July 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

Pahala Dojo recently traveled on O`ahu for a statewide tournament. See story below.
Photo from Pahala Dojo

PUNALU`U PROPERTY OWNERS ARE FINED FOR WHARF DESTRUCTION. The owners of the Punalu`u wharf at the boat ramp have been fined $15,000 by the county and ordered to repair it. A notice of Violation and Order has been issued for a Special Management Area Violation at Punalu‘u Beach to SM Investment Partners by the Planning Department.
Ka`u's County Council member Maile David said Friday that she is very proud of the county and state's quick response to the situation.

The county is fining SM Investment Partners for allowing damage
to the Punalu`u wharf and has ordered its repair.
Photo by Whitney Cardoza

Planning Director Michael Yee found SM Investment Partners to be in violation of:
·HRS Chapter 205A regarding Special Management Area and Shoreline Setback;
·Planning Commission Rule No. 9 regarding the Special Management Area; and
·Planning Department Rule No. 11 regarding Shoreline Setback.
The Order states that SM is to complete recommended corrective actions at its own expense by August 16. Subject to approval and direction of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, SM Investment Partners shall:
·Promptly remove all of the fragmented debris that was created by the demolition of the concrete structures;
·Promptly remove the two dirt piles placed within the 40-foot shoreline setback area; and

Local residents filmed and photographed the Hang Loose Tour Boat
owner and SM cancelled his rental agreement for the ramp and
staging area for his lava tour boat. Photo by Nohea Ka`awa

·Promptly replace/return the rock wall, to the best extent practicable, to the condition it existed prior to its removal.
SM is also assessed a civil fine of $15,000 for the violations listed above, representing $5,000 for each of the violations. If the Order and Corrective actions are not met by an Aug. 16, 2017 deadline, a daily civil fine starting at $200 per day will be assessed, beginning Aug. 17, until all corrective actions have been completed, reports the Planning Department.

SM Investment Partners can appeal the final decisions of the Planning Director to the Board of Appeals within 30 days from the date of SM Investment Partners' receipt of the Planning Director’s Notice of Violation and Order.

The county was notified by local residents when the Hang Loose Boat Tours company owner used heavy equipment, attempting to change the the wharf to accommodate a 34-foot aluminum catamaran to launch lava tours from Punalu`u to Puna.
Video documentation, social media, direct confrontation and locals camping to protect the wharf stopped the activity as others approached SM Investment Partners and state and county officials. SM Investment Partners cancelled the rental agreement with the boat owner on June 23. The DLNR is bringing the matter before its board for state violations.

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Berta and Jose Miranda's Ka`u Coffee ranked number one in the Ka`uregion at the Hawai`i Coffee Association's
annual cupping contest this weekend. Photo from Miranda's Farms

MIRANDA'S FARMS WINS FIRST IN KA`U AT HAWAI`I COFFEE ASSOCIATION annual convention on Maui this weekend. Former Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda, whose parents Jose and Berta produce the brand, said on Friday that they are thrilled for the accomplishment of being named the best in Ka`u. See more on the winning coffees in an upcoming Ka`u News Briefs.

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PROTECTING AND PRESERVING SOCIAL SECURITY ACT is a bill reintroduced in the Senate and House of Representatives this week. Sen. Mazie Hirono and Congressman Ted Deutch (of Florida) reintroduced the measure, they said, to "strengthen Social Security and improve benefits while restoring fairness to Social Security contributions."

Said Hirono, “Social Security is the cornerstone for retirement and a safety net for millions of families around the country, including thousands in Hawai`i who rely on its benefits every day to survive.” However, for many seniors living on fixed incomes Social Security doesn’t go as far as it should to help make ends meet. I am proud to join Congressman Deutch in our fight to strengthen and expand Social Security to ensure that seniors and others who rely on this critical program receive the hard-earned benefits they deserve.”
Deutch said, “Social Security is a fundamental program that protects millions of American workers’ economic security. It protects retirees, people with disabilities, and families who have lost a breadwinner. Yet, with President Trump willing to break his promise of protecting Social Security from cuts, and with ongoing threats to the program from Congressional Republicans, it’s more important than ever to fight for Social Security.
"We are standing with the American people who want Social Security protected and strengthened, not weakened. For many of my constituents, Social Security is the only thing keeping them from having to choose between medicine and a meal. Our bill bolsters Social Security to continue its success as the most efficient, effective, and popular promise we make to our fellow Americans.”
A statement from Hirono and Deutch said that most Americans contribute 6.2 percent of every paycheck they earn to Social Security, but higher-income earners pay much less. By ensuring that those earners pay into Social Security at the same rate as most Americans, this legislation extends the life of the program at a time when more than three-fifths of retirees rely on Social Security for a majority of their income.
Their statement said: "The legislation also restores accuracy to a broken cost-of-living adjustment formula and ensures that the benefits keep pace, instead of shrink, in the face of inflation.While Republicans have advocated for proposals that would hurt middle class families by voucherizing Medicare or gutting Social Security, the Hirono-Deutch bill would protect the basic safety net for millions of Americans, including those who have worked hard their entire lives."

Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works and Chair of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition, said, "By proposing a more accurate cost of living adjustment, this important legislation ensures that Social Security's vital but modest benefits do not erode over time. Moreover, the legislation restores Social Security to long-range actuarial balance by requiring that higher-paid workers contribute the same percentage of their total earnings that average- and minimum-wage workers do. This legislation is both common sense and extremely wise."
Max Richtman, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare said, “The reason this legislation is important is that the economic benefits are far-reaching. Shifting to a CPI-E will provide a financial boost to beneficiaries who will likely increase their consumption of goods and services which helps fuel our nation’s economic engine. This is a positive step that people of all political stripes should appreciate. In addition, another 25 years are added to the long-term financial outlook for the program – a significant reassurance to current and future generations of workers, retirees, the disabled and their families who depend on Social Security. This is how we make our nation stronger. We applaud Representative Deutch and Senator Hirono for their tireless pursuit of progress on behalf of all Americans.”
Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, said, "The CPI-E is a much more accurate formula for determining COLAs. It reflects what retirees actually spend their money on, like housing and health care. Sen. Hirono and Rep. Deutch's bill would help widows,
widowers, children, and people with disabilities make ends meet."

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Pahala Dojo members flew to O`ahu for a tournament and

received diplomas for accomplishments. Photo from Pahala Dojo

PAHALA KARATE DOJO flew to O`ahu in July for the weekend long International Karate League event It included the July 7 tournament that saw seven Ka`u students in kata and kumite events. Francisco Villa earned a Bronze medal in the black belt senior kata division and Ethan Baison won a silver medal in the junior blue belt kata division.
The next morning a seminar covered advance understanding of kata. There were six Senseis selected to lead this seminar. Pahala Sensei Cliff Field reviewed applications and principles of bunkai, the practical application of techniques learned in kata.
At the banquet the following Pahala Dojo members received a promotion in rank, receiving diplomas from Walter Nishioka, founder and Chief Instructor of International Karate League:

Jake Villa receives his full adult Shodan - First Degree Black Belt.
Photo from Pahala Dojo

Jake Villa received his full adult Shodan (1st degree black belt) certificate. Jack Minassian received his Nidan (2nd degree) certificate and Sensi Cliff Field was promoted to the rank of Rokudan (6th degree). Persons with the rank of Rokudan and above also have the honor of wearing a red and white belt in place of the black belt.
Field Sensei extended his gratitude to all the businesses and community members that supported the dojo in fund raising and donations. This helped defray some of the cost the students incurred to attend the event. The Pahala dojo is a registered nonprofit as Ka’u IKL and is a 501c3. Next July the tournament will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah and Field Sensei is hoping to raise additional funds to be able to have students attend this event.

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MEET LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS during a casual, no-agenda, talk-story opportunity. Coffee & pastries provided, at the Ocean View Community Center, upstairs, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, 9 a.m. -11 a.m. Call Ocean View Community Association at 939-7033. See www.ovacahi.org

HAWAI`I ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION holds its conference Saturday at Ma'ona Gardens in Honaunau from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entitled Building Bridges for Resilient Agriculture: Facing the Challenges of Climate Change, the day features sessions on water shortages and irrigation challenges, and an invasive species outlook in light of climate change. There will be an Indigenous Microorganism presentation. The session is open to the public with tickets at $35 to include membership and lunch. Sponsors include Island Naturals. See www.hawaiiorganic.org

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Finian's Rainbow continues its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 orkden73@aol.com.

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Miranda's Farms Ka`u Coffee ranked top in Ka`u and top in the state Commercial Division
at the Ninth Annual Hawai`i Coffee Convention in Maui this weekend.
Photo from Miranda's Farms

THREE KA`U COFFEES RANK IN THE TOP TEN STATEWIDE: Miranda’s Farms took first, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill eighth and Leo Norberte’s JN Coffee tenth statewide in the Commercial Division at the Ninth Annual Hawai‘i Coffee Association’s Cupping Competition this weekend.

For first place, the green beans from Jose and Berta Miranda were of the Typica variety with a small amount of Catura, conventionally cultivated and wet fermented. This Ka‘ū Coffee earned a score of 84.1.

Miranda's took first. Ka`u Coffee Mill and JN also ranked
in the top ten in the statewide competition.

For eighth place, the green beans from Ed Olson’s Ka‘ū Coffee Mill farm were Bourbon, conventionally cultivated and wet demucilaged. This Ka‘ū Coffee earned a score of 82.68.
For tenth place, the green beans from Leo Norberte's JN farm were Bourbon, conventionally cultivated and wet demucilaged. This Ka‘ū Coffee earned a score of 82.62.
Other top-ten winners from across the state were Honolulu Coffee, Kainaliu-Kona Coffee, Waiono, Kobayashi, Imagine 100% Kona, Arianna Farms `Ono Kona Coffee, LLC and Kona Gold Coffee Co.
The cupping was held at the Hawai‘i Coffee Association’s convention on Maui. One of the judges, cupper Warren Muller of Walker Coffee Trading of Houston, said, “When you got to the last cup, we just said, ‘Wow,’ this is exiting!”
Cupper Shawn Hamilton, of Java City of Sacramento, said, “The level of experimentation is such that we’re now seeing coffees that you wouldn’t expect from the Hawaiian Islands. The quality just keeps getting better and better. It’s very good for Hawai`i.”

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BERTA AND JOSE MIRANDA, not only won first in the state, they won first in the Ka`u regional division during the Hawai‘i Coffee Association’s ninth annual Commercial Division cupping competition, held on Maui this weekend.
Berta Miranda said the Ka‘ū Coffee green beans she sent for roasting were a blend of mostly typica and “a little bit of catura.” All competitors’ beans were submitted green and roasted by the Hawai‘i Coffee Association. The winning beans were picked at Miranda’s Farms at Cloud Rest above Pahala from trees about 20 years old.

Berta, Mira and Jose Miranda's coffee won first in the Commercial
Division and first in Ka`u at the Hawai`i Coffee Association
Cupping Competition. Photo from Miranda's Farms

The Mirandas care for their 24 acres of Ka‘ū Coffee at Cloud Rest with Berta’s father, Saul Enriques and Jose and Berta’s children. Miss Ka‘ū Coffee 2015 Maria Miranda and her siblings Ana, Carlos and Pedro all help their parents and grandfather on the farm.
Said Berta, “We work so hard with our coffee, we put our hearts, we put our love into the coffee just not for us but for the whole community. It is a blessing from the Lord. We love to do the coffee business.”
In addition to the 24 acres at Moa`ula, Cloud Rest, which they lease, the Mirandas recently purchased 21 acres next to the Kahuka section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park near South Point Road. They have already planted coffee there and hope to someday open a Ka‘ū Coffee shop.
They sell their Ka‘ū Coffee under their own Miranda’s Farms label and also to Starbucks, which offers a Ka‘ū blend. Starbucks representatives recently visited Miranda's and other Ka‘ū farms to observe growing practices and to share knowledge and meet with farmers on sustainability, fair trade and quality.
The Mirandas are originally from El Salvador where Berta grew up on a farm with seven sisters and one brother, helping the family raise cattle, green beans and corn.
During the civil war, Jose moved from El Salvador in 1984. Berta left El Salvador for California in 1991. Jose picked oranges, worked in packing houses, and Berta picked grapes. They left for Hawai`i after Jose was asked to come to Ka‘ūto work on the Ka`u Gold orange farm when it operated on South Point Road. Berta too picked oranges and then transferred to macadamia and worked for Mac Farms for 11 years.

Berta and Jose Miranda migrated from El Salvador to California and to Ka`u where they have become
successful Ka`u Coffee growers, owning land and farming 24 acres. Photo from Miranda's Farms

“Our dream, however, was to have our own Ka‘ū coffee farm and to own it,” said Berta. In 2006, they started farming in Cloud Rest, acquiring an orchard and help from one of pioneer Ka‘ū Coffee farmers, Frances and Trini Marques. As the Mirandas became successful, they bought a second farm from the Marques.
Regarding their accomplishment, said Berta, “The big picture is you have to put all your love and passion to the coffee. You do it because you love to do the job, the pruning, fertilizing, picking, planting and processing, the pulping and drying. We love all of it. We do it. “
After hearing about winning both the statewide and Ka‘ū commercial cupping contests, the Mirandas held a “big family celebration at their home in Discovery Harbour, singing and praising with joy,” said Berta.

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THE LATE HAWAIIAN SINGER, COMPOSER AND MUSICIAN MAHI BEAMER is remembered by Ka`u's Kumu Hula Sammi Fo. Beamer passed away recently, bringing up memories of getting to know him in the entertainment world and becoming longtime friends, said Fo.

Fo, who lives in Ocean View, said her early Hawaiain dance and choreography career was started by Mahi's cousin, Keola Beamer, who taught her hula and gave her a job in the New York night club The Hawaiian Room where he was choreographer in charge of dozens of top hula dancers.
“He taught me how to dance hula in the famous and distinctive Beamer Method. I now realize that his hula lessons were a great gift to me, although I had no idea at the time that they would change my life. From there I joined the original cast of the Broadway Show Flower Drum Song," recalled Fo.
“I flew to Las Vegas to join the show and there I met Buddy Fo, whom I later married. Mahi Beamer and his sister Sunbeam were the leads in a huge extravagant show, entitled Live from Hawai’i. “Their show was one of the biggest on the Strip, with an extravagant supporting cast of dancers and musicians. Anything Hawaiian was immensely popular entertainment,” recounted Fo. “Buddy took me to see their show and then he introduced me to them. Meeting Mahi and Sunbeam was very special, and we have been friends since then. Back in Hawai’i we saw a lot of each other. Mahi had a boyish look and he and his cousin, Keola, looked like brothers.

Sami Fo met the Beamers through the Hawaiian Room in
New York City (above) and Live from Hawai`i in Las Vegas.

“They were both extremely talented, top of the line hula dancers and they both had a great sense of humor. When they got together they were like a pair of comedians – we would laugh 'till our stomachs hurt. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see them perform many times, both solo and together.”

Mahi Beamer, 88, died on O’ahu within ten days of playing piano and collapsing after the funeral of his bother, Sonny Beamer, 91.

The late Buddy Fo and Sammi Fo, who learned hula
from the Beamers. Photo by Nalani Parlin

Mahi and Sonny were grandsons of famed Big Island composer and hula teacher Helen Desha Beamer, and nephews of Winona “Nona” Beamer, who played an important part in reviving Hawaiian culture through teaching hula dancing, and the Hawaiian language in the Kamehameha Schools.
Known for his falsetto singing, Edwin Mahi’ai “Mahi” Beamer was also a famed musician, hula dancer and a popular composer. He attended Kamehameha School, the University of California at Santa Barbara and the Julliard School of Music in New York.
Mahi recorded his first album, The Remarkable Voice of Hawai`i’s Mahi Beamer in Authentic Hawaiian Songs, for Capitol records in 1959. His second album was entitled More Authentic Island Songs by Mahi … Hawai`i’s Most Remarkable Voice. This album features songs largely written by his grandmother Helen Desha Beamer. They include hulas, chants, love songs, and wedding songs. He has also recorded many singles, including more of his grandmother’s compositions.

“A true contralto, Mahi Beamer’s voice is the epitome of the countertenor tradition,” texted Hoku Award-winning artist Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole, who also praised Mahi’s “seamless synergy of his piano virtuoso and mezzo soprano voice.”
After he retired as a singer, Mahi continued to perform as a pianist and an organist. He received the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts Lifetime Achievement Award, was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, named a Living Treasure of Hawai`i by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai`i, and earned a Hawai`i Academy of Recording Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the State of Hawai`i Recognition Award for his musical contributions and for perpetuating his grandmother's music. He earned the David Malo award presented by Rotary International for his cultural contributions.

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Finian's Rainbow wraps up its run at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, available at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 orkden73@aol.com.

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, July 25, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, July 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

Gloria Camba, President of the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, grows coffee with Rogelio Aquino. Their
Ka`u Royal Coffee placed in the top ten in the state for the Creative Division in this weekend's Hawai`i Coffee
Association Convention. Photo from R&G

R&G FARM'S KA`U ROYAL COFFEE RANKED IN THE TOP TEN in the Creative Division of the Ninth Annual Hawai`i Coffee Association Cupping Contest. Grown by Gloria and Rogelio Aquino, the Typica variety was conventionally cultivated and wet fermented for processing. The score for this Ka`u Coffee was 84.05, taking eighth place.

Rogelio Aquino partners with Gloria Camba in their
award-winning R&G Ka`u Royal Coffee.
Photo from R&G

Camba said that "Bong and I are very, very excited to rank in the top ten statewide in the Creative Division."
A five-way tie for sixteenth place included two coffees from Mailan Lahey's Wood Valley farm, a Typica, conventionally cultivated and processed through carbonic maceration, and a Caturra, organically cultivated and washed. Both coffees scored at 82.93.
The Creative Division's first place winner was from Olinda Organic Farm. The coffee was a red catuai, organically cultivated and wet fermented. Other top-ten finishers were Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, LLC, Kainaliu-Kona Coffee, Hala Tree, Maui Mountain coffee Farm, Second Alarm Farm, Big Island Coffee Roasters, Maui Estate Coffee Co. and Pueo Coffee Co.
The top three in the Ka`u District rankings were Miranda's Farms, R&G and Wood Valley Farm.

100 Percent Pure Ka`u Coffee took top ten positions in cupping
competitions this weekend at the statewide coffee convention.
Photo from R&G

A press release from Hawai`i Coffee Association says that "The new board of directors features broad representation spanning a variety of business disciplines including Big Island Coffee Roasters, Heavenly Hawaiian Farms, Hawai`i Coffee Company, Royal Kona Visitors Center, Hawai`i Coffee Growers Association, Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, Hawai`i Agricultural Research Center, Kaua`i Coffee Company LLC, Daylight Mind Coffee Co., Maui Coffee Association and UCC-Hawai`i."
The Hawai`i Coffee Associaiton board member from Ka`u is Chris Manfredi, who brokers coffee to Starbucks for Ka`u Coffee farmers. Vice President is Tom Greenwell, of Greenwell Farms. Treasurer is Adrian Guillen of Hawaiian Queen Coffee and Secretary is Donna Wooley of the Kona Coffee Council.

Spinning this way from Mexico, tropical storms are lining up.
Image from National Hurricane Center

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TROPICAL STORMS ARE LINED UP COMING THIS WAY FROM MEXICO. While Greg is expected to diminish, Irwin is slowly gaining strength and Hilary is primed to become a major hurricane by Tuesday. Where the two wind up could depend on their interaction with one another, reports the National Hurricane Center.

Kīlauea Volcano’s Kamokuna ocean entry photographed on May 23, 2017 (left) and July 13, 2017 (right) show how lava flowing from the tube has both widened and thickened the delta. Near the sea cliff, the delta appears to have doubled in thickness over the past seven weeks, creating a distinctly sloped surface from the base of the cliff to the sea. As of mid-July, the Kamokuna lava delta was estimated to be about 1150 feet (350 m) wide and about 6 acres in area. Large cracks on the delta indicate its instability and potential for collapse. USGS photos by L. DeSmither.

KILAUEA VOLCANO'S KAMOKUNA OCEAN ENTRY REACHES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, reports the latest Volcano Watch from Hawai`i Volcano Observatory.

July 26th marks the one-year anniversary of Kīlauea Volcano’s episode 61g lava flow reaching the sea. And at this time, there’s no indication that the Kamokuna ocean entry will soon end.

The story began in late May 2016, when a new vent opened on the flank of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone on Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone. This new phase was called “episode 61g,” as it was the seventh subevent of the 61st episode of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption, which began in 1983.

The episode 61g flow gradually advanced down the south flank of Kīlauea, and, within two months, reached the coast. Just after 1:00 a.m. on July 26, 2016, lava entered the ocean in an area historically called Kamokuna.

Lava creating explosion of steam as it hits the ocean.
USGS Photo

When the 61g flow first spilled over the sea cliff, it had been almost three years since lava entered the ocean. Just two weeks later, another branch of the 61g flow entered the ocean west of the main Kamokuna entry. But this second entry was short-lived, lasting only a few months.

The initial Kamokuna ocean entry then became the focus of activity, and the lava wasted no time in building a delta at the base of the sea cliff. By the end of 2016, the lava delta was approximately 24 acres in size.

Lava deltas are inherently unstable features, and the instability of the large Kamokuna delta soon became apparent. Large cracks formed parallel to the coast and the front of the delta slumped seaward.

On New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31, 2016), around 21 acres of the delta and 4 acres of the adjacent older sea cliff collapsed into the ocean. This collapse occurred in piecemeal fashion over the course of several hours. Afterward, only a small remnant of the delta, a ledge of about 2.5 acres, remained along the base of the sea cliff.

Following the delta collapse, tube-fed lava jetted from the cliff face and plunged into the seawater below. Due to its appearance, the gushing lava stream was referred to as a “firehose” flow. This firehose lasted for nearly three months, but surprisingly, a delta did not begin to build right away.

Active delta on the southeast coast of Kialuea Volcano
USGS Photo

As the flow entered the ocean, spectacular explosions—caused by the interaction of hot lava and cool seawater— hurled fragments of molten and solid rock and volcanic glass both landward and seaward. These ballistic fragments, which can be larger than a basketball and reach several hundred yards (meters), are one of the many hazards at an ocean entry.

After the 2016 delta collapse, the sea cliff near the ocean entry became unstable. The exact cause of this is instability is unknown, but it’s possible that the collapse oversteepened the cliff below sea level, weakening its foundation.

In early February 2017, a large slice of the sea cliff, separated from the coastal plain by a deep crack, could be seen vibrating. As it did, the adjacent ground shook. This slice, along with other portions of the sea cliff, eventually collapsed into the sea. These cliff failures can generate large ocean waves and swells, airborne rocky debris, and other dangers for people too close to the ocean entry—on land and at sea.

Lava drizzling into the ocean, creating new land.
USGS Photo

Near the end of March, the firehose flow was no longer visible, and lava finally began building a small delta. This delta grew to roughly 3 acres (estimated from time-lapse images) before collapsing on May 3. After this collapse, another delta quickly began to form, growing to approximately 6 acres as of mid-July.

A steep ramp of crusted-over lava currently extends from the lava tube exit point (near the top of the cliff) to the delta surface. This ramp formed as the firehose surface cooled and hardened.

Cracks and failures of the ramp have resulted in lava spilling onto the delta surface repeatedly during the past month. These flows have thickened the delta significantly, creating a distinctly sloped surface from the base of the cliff to the sea.

Currently, large, arcuate cracks span nearly the entire length of the lava delta—a reminder that it is unstable and could collapse without warning. Like other ocean entries during the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption, the Kamokuna entry is a highly dynamic, and potentially dangerous, part of the lava flow field.

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HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, July 25, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, July 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

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Ka`u photographer Peter Anderson captured this Ka`u silversword image through infrared photography.
Photo by Peter Anderson

TWO HURCULEAN FEATS IN HAWAIIAN PLANT CONSERVATION have been announced by Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. A team of biologists has the successful reintroduction of the endangered Ka'ū silversword (Argyroxiphium kauense) and Pele lobeliad (Clermontia peleana) on Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
In an article recently published in the leading science journal, Biological Conservation, the biologists describe their 20-year efforts on Hawai'i Island to rescue the plants from the edge of extinction.

Park ecologist David Benitez and Rob Robichaux collecting pollen

from a Ka'ū silversword. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

"It's been two decades of painstaking efforts by devoted individuals from federal, state and private agencies and institutions to save these plants," said Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park botanist Sierra McDaniel. "The team used technical rope systems to produce cuttings from Pele lobeliads in the rainforest canopy, flew by helicopter to remote volcanic slopes to rescue Ka'ū silverswords, and worked long hours in the field and greenhouses to save them. It's impossible to describe the joy we feel to see these plants thrive in the wild again," she said.
The 11-page article describes the efforts and plants in detail, with color photographs that illustrate the nature of the efforts and convey the exceptional beauty of the plants. The article celebrates the centennial anniversary of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, which was established Aug. 1, 1916 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pele lobeliad flowers with nectar droplet at Volcano Rare Planet
Facility greenhouse.. The abundant nectar serves as a food reward
for native honeycreepers. Photo courtesy of Rob Robichaux

The Pele lobeliad nearly went extinct. Only five remnant plants are known in the wild, but now, more than 1,000 Pele lobeliads have been reintroduced in protected areas in the national park. The effort with the Ka'ū silversword has been similarly successful, with more than 21,000 plants having been reintroduced in the park. Furthermore, the Ka'ū silversword has now produced offspring of its own – a key factor for long-term recovery.
An important aspect of the work has been linking the reintroduction efforts to landscape restoration at large scales in the park and in adjacent state and private lands, thereby providing opportunities for future growth and expansion of the silversword and lobeliad populations.
"The highly collaborative nature of the work has been the key to its success," said Rob Robichaux, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, and coordinator of the silversword and lobeliad recovery efforts. "Daunting challenges remain. Yet the story of the Ka'ū silversword and Pele lobeliad offers hope for a brighter future in which the landscapes of Hawai'i are once again replenished with its many native plant species, which are true marvels of evolution," he said.

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The FDA agrees that eating mac nuts can help reduce coronary heard disease risk.
Photo from Royal Hawaiian Orchards

ROYAL HAWAIIAN ORCHARDS, with thousands of macadamia acres in Ka`u and a large workforce in the community confirmed on Monday that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved its parent company's petition to advertise that consuming macadamia nuts can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease under certain circumstances. The company also purports to sell non-GMO products.
A statement was released by Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut, Inc. referring to its "nutritiously delicious Hawaiian island-harvested macadamia nut foods under the Royal Hawaiian Orchards, brand."

Royal Hawaiian boosts the health benefits

of cooking with macadamia.

Photo from Royal Hawaiian Orchards

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States, said the statement. While the FDA previously approved a qualified health claim for the consumption of other tree nuts, the announcement is the first time the agency has extended a qualified health claim to macadamia nuts specifically. The following statement may now be applied in connection to the consumption of whole or chopped macadamia nuts, including raw, blanched, roasted, salted or unsalted, and/or lightly coated and/or flavored macadamia nuts:
“Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces per day of macadamia nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and not resulting in increased intake of saturated fat or calories may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”
“This is a truly a historic day for everyone in the macadamia nut industry,” said Scott Wallace of Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut. “Research about the benefits macadamia nuts have for heart health has existed for decades, and we’ve worked tirelessly to secure the legal right to share this with the masses. Many people associate almonds, pistachios and walnuts with better health, but this momentous decision from the FDA now puts macadamia nuts in a similar category. We want consumers to know that there is real, supportive evidence with respect to the benefits of consuming macadamia nuts. Consumers are aware of the benefits of consuming other tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, and we want them to know similar benefits are available from consuming macadamia nuts. Royal Hawaiian Orchards makes a variety of options – from savory roasted nuts, to macadamia milks, confections and more – that are now widely available, so it’s easy to enjoy both the great taste and the benefits of macadamias almost anywhere in the country.”
Wallace pointed out that macadamia nuts have no cholesterol and are high in monounsaturated fats—the same healthy fats found in olive oil and avocados, which are known to help reduce bad cholesterol levels and can lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Scientists first discovered that

Royal Hawaiian sells non GMO nuts.
Photo from Royal Hawaiian Orchards

adding macadamia nuts to the diet appeared to lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood during the 1990s and 2000s. Since then, researchers have been exploring the connection, resulting in a growing body of scientific evidence supporting that a diet including macadamia nuts can help lower LDL cholesterol levels. One ounce of macadamia nuts (about 15 nuts) is also an excellent source of thiamin and manganese, a good source of dietary fiber and copper, and contains protein, magnesium, iron and phytosterols, said Wallace.

Royal Hawaiian Orchard offers a portfolio of macadamia nut-based snacks, including: Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Macadamia Nut Milk, Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts and Fruit & Macadamia Nut Crunches. "It is the only brand with a range of macadamia nut-based snacks in several high-growth grocery categories," states a press release from Royal Hawaiian Orchards.
Royal Hawaiian Orchards products are available in grocery, natural food, club and convenience stores throughout the United States, including Safeway/Albertsons, Stop and Shop, Giant, Publix, Meijer, Jewel, Savemart/Lucky, 7-Eleven, select Whole Food Markets and Costco locations and more. To learn more about Royal Hawaiian Orchards and the health benefits of macadamia nuts, see www.royalhawaiianorchards.com.

Denyse Woo-Ockerman plays Queen Emma
Tuesday at Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park.

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HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, July 25, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, July 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

A ONE-WOMAN SHOW ON QUEEN EMMA'S LIFE comes to Kīlauea Visitor Center, Tuesday, July 25 at 7 p.m.

Hānaiakamālama stars UH Hilo Performing Arts graduate Denyse Woo-Ockerman who brings the audience into Queen Emma’s home as she contemplates her eventful life, rich in family history and the weight of unexpected tragedy. Married to Alexander Liholiho, Kamehameha IV, the queen reveals her resilience as they attempted to build, side by side, a better life for all Hawaiians, in a time of great change in the islands.
The event is free; a suggested $2.00 donation helps support park programs - Park entrance fees apply.

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Hawai`i Wildlife Fund has been working all summer to clean up the Ka`u Coast and other shorelines, including
a volunteer event this Friday. Photo by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

"IF YOU GET SICK, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. In the richest country in the world, we can take care of each other," tweeted Hawai`i Sentator Brian Schatz on Tuesday when the U.S. Senate voted to send the Affordable Care Act repeal bill to the floor for debate. "This thing is not over. Not by a long shot. We took a gut punch, but people agree with us, and we should act like it. Keep fighting!" said Schatz.
Sen. Mazie Hirono released a statement saying, “Today’s vote was disappointing, but our fight to save the Affordable Care Act is only beginning. Any proposal Senate Republicans come up with will kick millions off of their health care and hurt the sickest, oldest, and poorest in our communities. If this is what the Republican Party wants to stand for, the American people will hold them accountable.”

Sen. Brian Schatz with a bull horn, joins Senators Mazie Hirono,
Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, and Cory
Booker on the steps of the Capitol urging protection of health care.
Photo from Brian Schatz

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted, "We should be expanding Medicare & increasing access to healthcare, not taking it away from millions - we must fight for the American people."
Sending the bill to the Senate floor brings it one step closer to passage. AARP vowed to inform its 38 million members and the public the voting record for and against Obamacare "in our publications, online and in direct alerts."
Almost every health, hospital, doctors and nurses association in the United States lobbied against the proposed repeal. The American Medical Association urged the Senate to reject efforts to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act, stating, "Recent revisions do not correct core elements that will lead to millions of Americans losing health insurance coverage with a resulting decline in both health status and outcomes.

Sen. Mazie Hirono asked people to help fight to keep health
insurance for the poor, the middle class and the elderly, after
the Senate vote to debate on repealing Obamacare.
Photo from Mazie Hirono

"In numerous communications this year, we have urged Congress to approach reform of the Affordable Care Act in a manner consistent with a number of key objectives. These objectives, embedded in AMA policy and ratified by the representatives of the more than 190 state and national medical specialty organizations represented in the AMA House of Delegates, have formed the basis for AMA consideration of reforms to our health care system. Among these priorities are efforts to ensure that those currently covered do not become uninsured; the preservation of key insurance market reforms and efforts to stabilize and strengthen the individual insurance market; ensuring that low and moderate income patients are able to secure affordable and meaningful coverage; and the provision of adequate funding for Medicaid and other safety net programs.
"Unfortunately, neither the proposed Better Care Reconciliation Act nor the Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act adequately addresses these key concerns. Each bill results in millions more Americans without health insurance coverage, weakened markets, less access to affordable coverage and care, and the undermining of funding for state Medicaid programs. Furthermore, while efforts have been made to improve the bill through provisions such as supplemental funding to address opioid abuse and market stability funding, these investments are made necessary because of the reduced health insurance coverage and weakened markets brought about by the underlying legislation.

"Senators from both sides of the aisle have expressed interest in pursuing remedies to stabilize the individual market and foster greater availability and choice of health plans. We urge Congress to take this initial step. Longer term, stakeholders and policymakers need to work in concert to address the challenge of unsustainable trends in health care costs. The AMA is ready to work on both short and long-term solutions.
"The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act and the 21st Century Cures Act are recent examples of what can be accomplished to improve the health of the nation when Congress works in a bipartisan fashion and with key stakeholder groups. Again, we urge you to reject efforts to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act and work instead toward improvements that will increase access to affordable, quality health care coverage for all Americans," the AMA statement concluded.

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Blue Zone offers a cooking demo in Na`alehu on Friday
and a healthy gardening demo on Aug. 2,
Photo from Blue Zone

BLUE ZONE IS HOSTING HEALTHY LIVING EVENTS on Thursday, July 27 at Na`alehu Community Center at 11 a.m. with a cooking demonstration. On Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. iwll be a gardening demonstration at Pahala Community Center. A statement from Blue Zone says, "The world’s longest-lived people live in environments that constantly nudge them toward a healthy lifestyle that includes moving naturally, eating wisely, having the right outlook, and connecting with family and friends." Blue Zone is sponsored by HMSA, the largest health insurer in Hawai`i.

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HELP CLEAN THE KA`U COAST with a Kamilo workday this Friday, July 28. Join Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and KUPU volunteers. Space is limited. Contact Hawai`i Wildlife Fund through Megan Lamson, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S CORPORATE COUNCIL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT raised over $200,000 for local conservation in fiscal year 2017.
Ka`u sites include the Kamehame Hawksbill Turtle Preserve, and native forest preserves stretching from Pahala to Na`alehu.

Hawksbill turtle nest at Kamehame.
Photo by Will Olsen/Hawksbille Turtle Project

The Corporate Council for the Environment is a group of local business leaders who recognize the vital link between Hawaii’s environment and its economy. Since its launch in 1987, the Corporate Council has raised over $4 million to protect Hawaii’s natural resources.

Corporate Visionary supporters with donations of $25,000 or more are: Alaska Airlines, Moana ‘Ohana, and Skyline Eco-Adventures. Executive Leadership Circle supporters with donations of $10,000 or more are: ABC Stores, Alexander & Baldwin, Hawaiian Electric Industries, The Shidler Family Foundation, and William Yeoward Crystal.

“In Hawai‘i, the environment is the economy,” said Ulalia Woodside, the Conservancy’s Hawai‘i Executive Director. “These companies know the importance of protecting the lands and waters that sustain Hawaii’s people, economy and island way of life.”
Since 1980, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 200,000 acres of natural lands in Hawai‘i and works with other public and private landowners to protect the islands’ key watersheds. The Conservancy manages a statewide network of 14 preserves and works in 20 coastal communities to protect the near-shore waters of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Hawksbill Turtle Preserve makai of Pahala, cared for

by The Nature Conservancy and the Hawksbill

Turtle Project. Photo by Steve Raner

‘Ohe Kāpala Demonstration, Wed, July 26, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to create designs from traditional patterns using bamboo stamps (‘ohe kāpala). Free; park entrance fees apply.

Free Cooking Demo, Thursday, July 27, 9:30 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Learn how to prepare plant-based recipes that are Blue Zones-approved. Enjoy samples, meet people from your community, and join a walking or potluck group to win prizes. RSVP jade.iokepa@healthways.com.

Coffee Talk, Friday, July 28, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. An informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries available for purchase. Free.

Ocean View Community Development Corp. meeting, Friday, July 28, 5 p.m., Hawaiian Ranchos office.

Kimchi Making, Sat, July 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Aaron and Soohee Martinson introduce students to techniques used to make traditional Korean kimchi. 967-8222.

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Kaulana Boat Ramp near South Point is the only ramp managed by the state in Ka`u. Punalu`u
Boat Ramp is private. Proposed rules for boat ramps and harbors can be read at
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/draft-rules

STATE RULES FOR BOATERS IN NEARSHORE WATERS and state-owned boat ramps and harbors go to public hearing on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the state office building in Hilo and Friday in the cafeteria at Kealakehe High School in Kona. No meetings are scheduled for Ka`u.

Big Island boating facilities. Those in blue are run by the state,
with one a Kaulana near South Point. The yellow dot in Ka`u
is Punalu`u boat ramp, privately owned. Map from DLNR

The Kaulana Boat Ramp near South Point is the only boat ramp in Ka`u governed by the state. The boat ramp at Punalu`u Wharf, where recent damage by a boat operator may draw fines from the state, is privately owned but the state has jurisdiction over the water in Punalu`u Bay as in all navigable waters throughout Ka`u.
The state's proposed new, revised and deleted rules are presented in 132 pages, which can be read online at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/draft-rules.

A press release from the state Department of Land & Natural Resource, Division of Boating and Recreation says, "These amendments to Hawai`i Administrative Rules (HAR) are being proposed to allow DLNR to better manage and facilitate boating and ocean recreation-related activities within State small Boat harbors and nearshore waters, and to reorganize the HAR provisions relating to DOBOR for clarity and general efficacy.
The statement quoted Ed Underwood of the Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation: “This extensive rule package contains modifications we have wanted to make for many years. Some amendments are being proposed because facility management and the ocean recreation industry are changing rapidly and our existing rules cannot address the way people are using our harbors and the ocean today. Some rules are being repealed because they are obsolete.In all cases, the rules being proposed will allow DOBOR to do its job of managing its facilities and responsibilities more effectively.”

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PROJECT VISION IS COMING TO KA`U again with free vision screenings Na`alehu Community

Tut & Me cosponsors Project Vision in August.

Center on Wednesday, Aug. 16 and Pahala Community Center on Thursday, Aug 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Adults receivea distance and near acuity screening, as well as retinal screening for eye diseases. Freee reading glasses will be provided to adults. Keiki recieve screening for near and far division as well as for color deficiencies with the use of a Plusoptix camerea. Free sunglasses will be offered to keiki. Bringin the free eye exams and glasses to Ka`u is sponsored by Project Vision and Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool. See www.projectvisionhawaii.org.

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WHILE THE U.S. SENATE CONTINUES TO

VOTE DOWN BILLS TO REPEAL OBAMA CARE, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is supporting a Medicaid for All campaign and co-sponsored the bill. She wrote Wednesday: "While the continued debate on repealing the Affordable Care Act goes on, a recent USA Today poll shows that 88 percent of Americans do not support the Senate’s plan. Let's shift the conversation to how we can actually improve health care. In contrast to the Senate plan, an AP poll from last week found that 62 percent of Americans believe it is the federal government’s responsibility to guarantee health care to all Americans, and we have a bill that would guarantee Medicare for All in the House right now. I have signed on as a co-sponsor, but we need to show the support Medicare for All has outside of Washington." Gabbard is asking her constituents to sign on:

"Tell Congress where you stand by signing up to become a citizen co-sponsor of H.R. 676, the Medicare for All Act.

"We all know that the Affordable Care Act needs to be improved. While it helped to insure more than 20 million people, expand Medicaid coverage, and end the discrimination of people with pre-existing conditions by insurance companies, we still have millions of people today without any health insurance at all. Even more are underinsured, struggling to afford the skyrocketing cost of premiums, deductibles, and copays for the prescriptions and care that they need. Meanwhile, prescription drug and insurance companies continue to prosper.

Gabbard puts forth that "While the American people struggle to receive the vital health care they need, pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, the maker of Oxycontin, are using deceptive marketing tactics, lying about the addictive nature of their drugs, price gouging, and moving to other countries to exploit foreign markets as they have ours while raking in billion dollar profits. The Republican health care bill amounts to a handout to pharmaceutical companies by cutting their taxes, shifting the burden of cost onto ordinary families who are suffering from the opioid epidemic."

Gabbard again asks for people in her House of Representatives district, which includes Ka`u, to sign up:

"Become a citizen co-sponsor of H.R. 676, the Medicare for All Act, and make clear where the American people stand in the debate over our health care. I will continue fighting to advance this cause in Congress, but I can't do it without you," she proclaims.

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HIRONO FIGHTS TO SAFEGUARD FILIPINO VET BENEFITS AT MANILA VA.

With authorization set to expire Sept. 30, impacting services to more than 10,000 veterans, Sen. Mazie Hirono on Wednesday introduced the Keeping Our Commitment to Overseas Veterans Act. It would extend the expiring provision under law that allows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to operate the VA Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic in Manila, Philippines.
The introduction of Senator Hirono’s bill coincides with the 76th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s executive order placing Filipino soldiers under U.S. command during World War II.
“Hawai`i’s deep cultural and family ties to the Philippines extend to the sizable community of veterans and their dependents who rely on the Manila VA to receive their pensions and health care,” said Hirono. “We must keep our commitment to these veterans and all veterans who rely on the Manila VA. It is imperative for Congress to promptly renew authority for this facility to avoid any impact to the hard-earned critical services these veterans deserve.”

Retired U.S. Army Major General Antonio Taguba
supports the continued operation of the Veterans
Administration in Manila.

According to the VA, Manila VA supports over $19 million per month in disability compensation or pensions to around 13,000 beneficiaries. In addition, it serves approximately 6,000 enrolled patients through its Outpatient Clinic. The Manila VA also plays a key role in processing WWII veteran claims under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation fund. Without extension by Congress beyond September 30, the VA would no longer have authorization to maintain the facility.
“We’d like to thank Hirono for her steadfast efforts to support our Filipino World War II Veterans including all our nation’s veterans living in the Philippines,” said Edmund Aczon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, Hawaii.
Retired U.S. Army Major General Antonio Taguba, Chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, said, “Today, we remember the sacrifices the Filipino and American soldiers made for our country during World War II. The VA’s longtime presence in the Philippines is a reflection of our duty to provide the benefits and services they have earned."
Carlos Fuentes, VFW National Legislative Director, said, “The VA’s long established presence in Manila is a testament to the commitment our nation has to the more than 10,000 veterans and family members in the country but also a reminder of the sacrifices of those veterans in the Philippines who answered President Roosevelt’s call to service during World War II 76 years ago today."

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"TRANSGENDER AMERICANS serve our country with honor and distinction," said Sen. Mazie Hirono on Wednesday after Pres. Donald Trump tweeted that all transgender persons would be banned from serving in the military. Hirono serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The President's decision is wrong, and perpetuates bigoted stereotypes about the LGBTQ community," wrote Hirono.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, "Less than 1 percent of Americans volunteer to put their lives on the line to serve in our military and protect the American people. The only qualifications that should matter for those who want to serve is a commitment are to uphold the Constitution, defend our country, and be capable and qualified to carry out their duties. This ban dishonors the thousands of transgender Americans who currently serve in the military. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, not kicked out of the military. Our country owes a great debt of gratitude to all our servicemembers, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, as they risk their lives to protect our nation."

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Blu Zone hosts a cooking demonstration Thursday
at 9:30 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center.

Free Cooking Demo, Thursday, July 27, 9:30 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Learn how to prepare plant-based recipes that are Blue Zones-approved. Enjoy samples, meet people from your community, and join a walking or potluck group to win prizes. RSVP jade.iokepa@healthways.com.

Coffee Talk, Friday, July 28, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. An informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries available for purchase. Free.

Ocean View Community Development Corp. meeting, Friday, July 28, 5 p.m., Hawaiian Ranchos office.

Kimchi Making, Sat, July 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Aaron and Soohee Martinson introduce students to techniques used to make traditional Korean kimchi. 967-8222.

www.kaucalendar.com

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Sharing coffee at the Ocean View Community Center were, from the left, Heidi Jaworski, Community

Policing Officer Clayton Tayamen, Lono Ah Loo and Community Policing Officer Officer Dane Shibuya.

Photo by Ann Bosted

OCEAN VIEW RESIDENTS ENJOY COFFEE WITH A COP. About 25 Ocean View residents enjoyed conversation, coffee and cakes with the police on Tuesday though the number of hosting police officers was reduced when three patrolmen had to leave to attend an auto accident on the highway.

The National Coffee with a Cop Day was an unstructured talk story and a way for the Ka’u police officers to meet community members informally and find out what is on their mind, or, as officer Dane Shibuya put it: “We are getting to know each other, one on one.”
“Some people came with issues to discuss, others came with thanks for police services, and many were just curious.” added Shibuya.
“This is a great idea,” commented Ocean View resident Heidi Jaworski. “This is real community policing.”
Asked what she thought was the biggest problem in Ocean View, Jaworski replied: “Drugs and burglaries – they go hand in hand.”
“We need to install hope, not dope,” added Lono Ah Loo, a dream builder with ideas for helping drug addicts, that he wanted to share with the officers. Coffee with a Cop was held at Ocean View Community Center.

Sen. Brian Schatz said the health care movement is
the largest in American history.

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THE REPEAL OF OBAMACARE WAS VOTED DOWN Thursday night in the U.S. Senate. "Thanks to the millions of Americans who made their voices heard. Thank you to everyone for your courage and determination," tweeted Sen. Brian Schatz. He called the grass roots movement to improve health care and to oppose the repeal the largest in American history. Schatz said the bill to repeal Obamacare would have been devastating. Before the vote, Sen. Mazie Hirono tearfully described her health history from being born at home in rural Japan to losing her sister there to pneumonia and to her own battle with kidney cancer. She said that when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer, she was very grateful that she did not have to worry about having health insurance, "so that I could concentrate on the care that I needed rather than how in the heck was I going to afford the care that was going to probably save my life."
Hirono said that so many of her colleagues, on the other side of the aisle, have sent her wonderful notes showing their concern about her illness. "You showed me your care, you showed me your compassion. Where is that tonight? I cannot believe that a single senator in this body has not faced an illness or whose family member or loved one has not faced an illness where they were so grateful they had health care?" She said the bill would have taken health care away from 16 million people...."We are better than that."

Sen. Mazie Hirono reviews the health history of her family and
her own battle with kidney cancer.

The vote to repeal Obamacare failed when Republican Senators John McCain, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against it. McCain, just days after his own surgery for brain cancer talked to Vice President Mike Pence and Pres. Donald Trump before walking into the Senate Chamber and giving it a thumbs down, reported Politico. "I thought it was the right vote. I do my job as a senator," said McCain. He saved Obamacare, the legacy of Barack Obama, whom McCain opposed in the 2008 presidential campaign.

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Coffee Talk, Friday, July 28, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. An informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries available for purchase. Free

Ocean View Community Development Corp. meeting, Friday, July 28.Kimchi Making, Sat, July 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Aaron and Soohee Martinson introduce students to techniques used to make traditional Korean kimchi. 967-8222.

www.kaucalendar.com

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

The June 2017 earthquake, the biggest in Ka`u in a decade, reminds the USGS to warn people to be prepared
for larger ones like the one that took out this home in Punalu`u in 1975. See story below.

NORTH KOREA DISPLAYED INCREASED COMPETENCE on Friday, by firing a type of intercontinental missile that could one day reach Hawai`i. On Thursday, as reported by Big Island Video News, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard questioned the Trump administration about its approach to deterring North Korea, beyond pressuring China and Russia to do something. During a hearing before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Gabbard pointed out that China has been mobilizing its military along a North Korean border, stepping up its surveillance." However, she said, "It does not appear that serious diplomatic efforts are either working or continue to be underway, beyond saying, 'We think Russia and China need to comply with sanctions.'"

Gabbard questioned Acting Assistance Secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thorton, asking her “Can you talk about how this budget actually supports a serious diplomatic strategy in resolving the threat from North Korea? If so what is it?”

North Korean rocket launchedFriday night shows capability
of reaching Hawai`i and prehaps. LA.

Thorton said the Department of State is approaching North Korea by “trying to build up a pressure campaign so that they can change the calculation that they’ve made surrounding the cost-benefit analysis of their weapons programs, and their missile programs.” She said a global pressure campaign is new, with the state department talking with representatives of China, Russia "and other major players." She said the U.S. has "really put the onus on China to do a lot more than the've ever done" and that China has complied, seeking a peaceful resolution and hoping to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.

Said Thorton, "The problem is that right now the North doesn’t seem to be very inclined to come back to the negotiating table with any kind of serious attitude or proposal. So what we’re doing is continuing to sort of squeeze and close the vice and hope that that brings about a reckoning in that that they’re paying too much for their weapons programs."
After today's North Korean missile launch, the U.S. Eighth Army and South Korean army conducted a straining event that included the Army Tactical Missile System and South Korea’s Hyunmoo Missile II.

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THE HEALTH CARE DEBATE CONTINUES and Sen. Brian Schatz released a statement today.

"From the beginning of this health care debate, I’ve hoped that despite incredible odds, my colleagues in the Senate would come together and do what’s right for the American people.

"Last night, thanks to your courage and determination, the U.S. Senate heeded your calls and voted down Obamacare repeal, protecting health care for millions of people.

"Because of last night’s historic vote, more than 16 million people across the country will be able to stay on their insurance. Rural hospitals will be able to keep their doors open. Families who are taking care of a loved one will no longer have to worry about paying outrageous medical expenses just to keep them alive. Tens of millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions will be able to afford coverage.

"Thank you for all of your calls, your petitions, your tweets and for making your voices heard. Your activism made this victory possible.

"Now my colleagues and I in the Senate can go back to work on health care legislation as intended with proper procedure, public hearings, and debate. I will work diligently with my fellow senators to make sure the next health care bill that comes to the floor reflects our values.

"In the meantime, there’s more work to be done, from protecting net neutrality to addressing the threat of climate change. I hope you are energized by this victory and ready to join me in the fights ahead."

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THE LARGEST HAWAIIAN EARTHQUAKE IN A DECADE, June 8, awakened many Island of Hawai‘i residents by a sharp jolt just past 7 a.m. This natural wake-up call was caused by a magnitude-5.3 earthquake. This week's Volcano Watch, written by scientists at the USGS Volcano Observatory, reminds everyone to be prepared.

ShakeMap for the June 8, 2017, earthquake shows that strong

intensities (yellow color) occurred near the epicenter,

and weak intensities could be felt as far away as O‘ahu.

Maps like this are produced by a combination of data

from strong motion accelerometers and felt reports submitted

by the general public through the USGS Did You Feel It?

website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi).

ShakeMap from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

HVO scientists recall that on June 8, as seismic waves rippled across the island, people described a roaring or rumbling sound as vibrations passed through their homes, rattling items on walls and shelves. Almost 1,000 people submitted felt reports for the earthquake through the USGS Did You Feel It? website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi). Submissions came in from as far away as the leeward coast of O‘ahu some 500 km (310 miles) distant.

HVO received several reports of moderate shaking from across Hawaiʻi Island. There were also reports of minor damage from Volcano to Hilo, including a small rockfall on the Chain of Craters Road in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

HVO scientists said "Mahalo to everyone who submits Did You Feel It? reports after an earthquake. By doing so, you contribute to the USGS monitoring program, and help us keep you informed and safe."

Data from DYFI reports are translated into felt intensity, which describes what people experience during an earthquake. The USGS also records ground shaking intensity with strong motion accelerometers. The geographic distribution of these intensities is portrayed through a USGS product called ShakeMap. The maps combine both quantitative data from seismometers and qualitative data from DYFI felt reports to paint a picture of shaking for each earthquake. This information aids post-disaster response, as well as earthquake risk mitigation.

The ShakeMap for the June 8 earthquake shows that the strongest ground motions corresponded to a maximum intensity of VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mercalli.php). An intensity value of VI means that strong shaking was felt by all and minor damage occurred in the earthquake vicinity. This was the highest intensity recorded for any earthquake in the State of Hawaii since the Kīholo Bay and Māhukona earthquake sequence in 2006.

Instruments near the epicenter of the June 8 earthquake recorded maximum accelerations of 0.16g, which is 16 percent as strong as Earth’s gravitational force. Accelerations vary up and down as the seismic waves pass. If the earthquake had been larger (greater than magnitude-6.0), the acceleration likely would have exceeded 1g, or 100 percent times Earth’s gravity. When that happens, objects can be lifted off the ground momentarily. People have observed such ‘jumping rocks’ during past large earthquakes on the Island of Hawai‘i.

Waiohinu church destroyed by and 1868 earthquake.

The June 8 earthquake occurred at a depth of 7 km (4 mi) beneath Kīlauea Volcano's south flank, slightly above the fault separating the old oceanic crust from younger volcanic rocks that make up the island. Earthquakes along this fault occur when the massive volcanic pile shifts relative to the oceanic crust. The largest Hawaiian earthquakes in recorded history, including the destructive magnitude-7.9 and 7.7 events in 1868 and 1975, respectively, have occurred along this interface.

Impacts of last month's magnitude-5.3 earthquake were relatively light. But the next big earthquake could have a different outcome. Before it happens, create a quake-safe plan, put together an emergency kit, and keep it handy. And the next time you feel strong shaking, remember these three actions: Drop, Cover, and Hold on! (https://www.earthquakecountry.org/dropcoverholdon/).

If near the beach when a strong earthquake strikes, head to higher ground away from the shore as soon as shaking stops. This could save lives in case of a locally-generated tsunami.

To learn more about how indivisuals, families and co-workers can prepare for the next big earthquake, participate in the Great Hawaii ShakeOut on October 19, 2017 (http://shakeout.org/hawaii). The ShakeOut website features educational videos, flyers, and other materials that describe what to do in a variety of earthquake hazard scenarios.

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Kimchi Making, Sat, July 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Aaron and Soohee Martinson introduce students to techniques used to make traditional Korean kimchi. 967-8222

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Aug 1, 6 – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

Blue Zones Project Gardening Demo, Wed, Aug 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Pāhala Community Center. RSVP at jadeiokepa@healthways.com

Open Mic Night, Wed, Aug 2, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Open to authorized and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

www.kaucalendar.com

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Keauhou koa forest, further protected by the new Safe Harbor agreement between Kamehameha Schools,
the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Photo by Travis Idol/CTHAR

NEARLY THIRTY THREE THOUSAND ACRES, much of it mauka of Volcano Village, will be further conserved with the Safe Harbor agreement approved Friday between the state Board of Land & Natural Resources, Kamehameha Schools, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The 32,800 acres at Keauhou and Kīlauea, given by Princess Ruth Ke`elikolani to Kamehameha Schools, adjoins the state Pu`u Maka`ala Natural Area Reserve where the Hawaiian Crow is being reintroduced into the wild.
It also borders Kapapala Forest Reserve, Hawai`i Volcanoes National park, Mauna Loa Forest Reserve and Kipuka Ainahou Nene Sanctuary. The land becomes the largest Safe Harbor for endangered species in the United States.

‘Alalā, with help from San Diego Zoo, will be reintroduced into

adjacent state land with the Safe Harbor property becoming

a potential habitat for the future. Photo from San Diego Zoo

The Safe Harbor agreement is for 50 years and is aimed at supporting recovery of threatened and endangered species. The contract establishes a baseline for Hawai`i's only native mammal - the hoary bat, as well as seven species of native birds and 25 species of native plants.

It is a landmark agreement for Kamehameha School, the first time it has signed such a contract with the state and federal government for conservation.
DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “The vast acreage covered by this Safe Harbor Agreement is incredibly important to the recovery and perpetuation of these vital bird, bat, and plant species. We are extremely happy to have worked out this agreement with Kamehameha Schools and in the coming decades look forward to many great stories of native species success as a result.”
Kamehameha's end of the bargain includes its promise to plant more than 20,000 plants every five years, 1,000 acres of koa in new forests on old pasture, assuring firefighting capabilities with infrastructure and getting ride of pasture fence with barbed wire that can harm the bats. Most of the property is already fenced and largely free of goats, sheep, wild cattle and pigs that compete for resources with native species.

A few of the many species of wildlife supported by the new Safe Harbor
agreement between Kamehameha Schools, the state Department of Land &
Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife.
Photos from Kamehameha Schools

Jackie Gaudioso-Levita, the ‘Alalā Restoration Project Coordinator for the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife said, “The momentous finalization of this large-scale Safe Harbor agreement will particularly benefit imperiled species, such as the ‘Alalā, which will be reintroduced on State land adjacent to the Keauhou-Ka‘ū Kamehameha Schools parcel, thereby in-part, protecting and managing potential ‘Alalā habitat for decades to come.”
Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong commented, “This agreement strengthens Kamehameha Schools’ ability to steward these lands in a manner that fosters healthy habitats for species fighting to survive. As we work toward a thriving lāhui, the cultural connection to ‘āina that is healthy and
vibrant becomes much more important for Native Hawaiians and all the people of our State.”
Kamehameha Schools Ecologist Nāmaka Whitehead said that Hawaiians are Hawaiians because of the ‘āina. “Healthy, functioning native ecosystems are the foundation of Hawaiian cultural identity and well-being. Stewarding our ʻāina to be more resilient ensures that future generations will continue to have a relationship with the native species and ecological processes that make us who we
are. I Hawaiʻi no nā Hawaiʻi i ka ʻāina. Our ʻāina, Hawaiʻi, is what makes us Hawaiian.”
Across the state, Kamehameha Schools owns more than 365,000 acres with about 5,000 acres set aside for commercial and residential use. The non-profit is tasked with using income for education and operates school campuses and outreach programs throughout the islands.

The Safe Harbor near Volcano includes bare lava (in red), forest with closed
canopy (dark green), forest with open canopy (light green), scattered
trees (mustard) and very scattered trees (yellow). Map from Kamehameha Schools

See the plan at https://dlnr.
hawaii.gov/wildlife/files
/2013/10/ks-sha.pdf.

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DANGER, HIGH VOLTAGE – KEEP OUT may become pervasive signs in Ocean View, alongside “For Sale” signs, if the industrial size solar project is allowed to proceed on neighborhood houselots.

The project has been slowed by a complaint lodged by two Ocean View residents, with the state Public Utilities Commission, which regulates utility companies in Hawai`i. An application by HELCO, for an overhead transmission line to serve the project, was put on hold in September 2016 to allow the PUC time to considered the complaint. After an eight-month lull, the complaint case is once again active with an exchange of questions among the complainants, HELCO and the developer – an international corporation based in China, called SPI.

The project, which involves placing about 1,000 solar panels on 17 non-contiguous three-acre housing lots and eight 21-acre lots in Ocean View’s makai subdivisions, was announced by HELCO at a community meeting in June 2015. Since then opposition to the project has grown. A petition against the industrialization of Ocean View was signed by 640 residents, about 90 letters of protest were sent to the PUC, including letters from Ka`u’s elected representatives.

“I really object to their back door approach,” said Mats Fogelvik, President of the Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corp. “This project is supposed to be part of the Feed In Tariff Program, which was aimed at bringing renewable energy to Hawai`i when solar was still new. This should have been up and running in 2012 and saving the island from importing oil for the past five years.

High Voltage signs and fencing are the likelihood, if industrial
scale solar farms are established in Ocean View neighborhoods.
Photo by Ann Bosted

“It has not yet begun. Instead of spreading the 32 installations slated for this island on parcels of open land, HELCO allowed the developer to concentrate 26 installations in Ocean View on lots that are slated for homes. This is not what the FIT Program should be all about. We don’t want dangerous, high-voltage industrial installations, surrounded by six-foot security fences, in and among our homes. And we certainly do not want a new substation built on HRRMC land right next to the Kohala gate, which HELCO seems bound and determined to give us,” added Fogelvik.

This April, an SPI employee, Kevin White, who was vacationing in Hawai`i with his wife, hosted a community meeting in Ocean View, in an attempt to placate residents.

Residents loudly made statements to White, including the following: “Go away.” “We don’t want you here ruining our community.” “Have you heard of the Monkey Wrench Gang?” “Your panels will be good for target practice.” “This program was set up for agricultural people, not for you.” “You are scamming us for roads and poles.”

One resident explained: “As soon as your project was made public, our land and home values went down. This affects all of us. Everyone in Ocean View will take a hit.”

Sandi Alexander, the former President of Ocean View Community Association, told The Ka’u Calendar,“I don’t believe they (SPI) have any clue who they are dealing with and how much opposition they will continuously have to deal with until this goes away. Why would anyone want to invest in technology that is already out of date? We are going to be stuck with outdated, horrible, structures rusting away, and we are going to have to deal with them. My first choice is no project at all and my second is project elsewhere."

A solar farm in Miloli`i of the type that could be constructed on
numerous lots in Ocean View. Photo by Ann Bosted

“I object to the way they try to play the jobs card and convince us that this is what we want,” commented Sandra Shelton, Secretary of the Hawaiian Ranchos Community Association. “If the 16 lots in Ranchos could be used for homes, instead of solar installations, far more desirable and useful jobs could be created. Home building requires carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, landscapers and many other skills that abound in Ocean View. Solar panels don’t go shopping. They don’t contribute to the community. Any profits go to China.

“I am still getting e-mailed questions from concerned residents who are very much against the project,” she added.

SPI has stated publicly that it plans to sell the project as soon as it is completed, so generating profits from generating solar power is not a goal. Instead, a spokesman stated at a community meeting, SPI plans to claim generous federal and state tax credits, which will reimburse 65 percent of its investment. If the project can then be sold for an estimated 75 percent of the cost, SPI will have received 150 percent of the cost of the project without producing power.

The exchange of questions among the parties to the PUC case (the complainants, HELCO and SPI’s lawyers) must be filed by Aug. 4. The complainants must submit testimony by Sept. 1, other parties must submit testimony by Sept. 15, and the Complainants must submit rebuttal testimony by Sept. 28. That will be followed by a prehearing conference, then a hearing, then post hearing briefs, then post-hearing reply briefs, and finally a decision by the PUC.

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Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Aug 1, 6 – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

Blue Zones Project Gardening Demo, Wed, Aug 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Pāhala Community Center. RSVP at jadeiokepa@healthways.com

Open Mic Night, Wed, Aug 2, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Open to authorized and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

www.kaucalendar.com

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Hawai`i Police Department officers converged on the late Officer Bobby Gomes' home base, Ka`u Police Station, on
Saturday for a "Last Call Bobby Gomes." Photo by Alan Moorse

True community policing officer
Bobby Gomes.
Photo by William Neal

BOBBY GOMES SEEMED TO BE EVERYWHERE, helping out during his entire life in Ka‘ū. He was a true community police officer every day, patient, kind and understanding to all who met him no matter their race, creed, faith or culture. He made time for everyone.

Gomes emceed the groundbreaking of the new Ka‘ū District Gym & Shelter with the Rev. Martin Mwashibula and was there for the ribbon cutting with Mwashibula when it opened last year. Gomes and wife Phoebe, for whom he always showed a public endearment, emceed the Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, and the couple served as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for keiki at Hana Hou Restaurant’s Christmas party.

At KAHU, Ka‘ū’s community radio station, he hosted a show with live music from keiki, interviews and call-ins. It was one of the most listened-to programs until the station shut down, its license sold to Hawai‘i Public Radio, which now sends its signal from the same building. Gomes was an occasional photographer for The Ka`u Calendar.
After his retirement from a 53-year career in the Hawai‘i Police Department, Officer Gomes directed traffic and people for many local events, including the Independence Day Parade in Nā‘ālehu. Last year, he served as its Grand Marshal.

Pahala Volunteer Fire Department salutes Bobby Gomes
during Saturday's procession. Photo by Alan Moores

Gomes treasured democracy and campaigned to involve the community in local elections, offering support to many candidates, including close friend and current County Council member Maile Medeiros David. Serious about the future of Ka‘ū, Gomes testified during public meetings on the controversial biofuels factory that was proposed for Wood Valley. He sought preservation of history and historic buildings and took part in Ka`u Plantation Days.

Phoebe and Bobby Gomes and family with County Council
member Maile David at last year's council swearing in
ceremony. Photo by Ann Bosted

Immersed in local culture, he danced hula, played guitar and sang, accompanying his lifelong partner Phoebe at many events in Ka`u, including the Ka`u Coffee Festival and the annual Ka‘ū Christmas Parade where he rode, sang and played guitar with his Holy Rosary Church members.
His funeral at the overflowing Holy Rosary Church in Pāhala on July 29 showed that his influence spread enormously beyond Ka‘ū. Police cars came from around the island and proceeded to Ka‘ū Police Station in Nā‘ālehu. Along the way, the public, police and firefighters stood in reverence with a salute of respect. At Nā‘ālehu, a Last Call sounded over the communications system: “Last Call Bobby Gomes.”

Last year the County Council honored Gomes for his public service and community advocacy. Gomes launched his career with Hawai‘i County Police Department in 1962. Said Ka‘ū’s council member Maile David, “You nurtured several generations of children in Ka‘ū through tough love and constant reminders about the importance of ‘ohana, of helping your community and of treating everyone with honesty and respect.

Bobby Gomes, fourth from right, during Plantation Days in Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

“As we all know, a man’s greatness is attributed to those closest to him. Your soul mate, guiding star, voice of reason for the past 59 years, is Aunty Phoebe. The kupuna dynamic duo that you are would help anyone in need without question or hesitation and always with aloha and compassion. You are an icon at parades and community events, an avid hula dancer and love playing the role of Santa because it brings joy to the faces of children who you love so dearly.
“Leading by example, and always with humility and respect for others, you have shown us what it means to truly ‘live aloha.’” Bobby Gomes was 81, March 5, 1936- July 1, 2017.

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Holding signs for passing motorists to read were, from the left,

Tim Houle, Linda Morgan, Sterling Robbins, Claire Underwood

and Edna Montague of Ka‘ū Voices. Photo by Ann Bosted

KA`U VOICES STAND UP FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE: Placard waving members of Ka‘ū Voices lined up along the road near the swap meet in Ocean View on Saturday to voice their support of the Affordable Care Act. Commonly called Obamacare, it has been threatened with repeal by the legislature in Washington, DC.
Last week, three Republican U.S. senators voted with 48 Democrats to stop the repeal – an historic vote, which Sen. Brian Schatz said was prompted by the call of the people. Schatz wrote, “Thank you for all of your calls, your petitions, your tweets and for making your voices heard. Your activism made this victory possible.”
An organization of activists, Ka‘ū Voices participated in the Women’s March after the inauguration of Pres. Trump. Its members meet monthly, and the next scheduled meeting is Sunday, Aug. 13, from 2 p.m – 3 p.m. at Punalu’u Bakeshop in Na’alehu.

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Working for more CERT certified volunteers are (front row) President of
Discovery Harbour Community Association Irene Eklund and
Volcano CERT Team Leader Nancy Lakin. Back Row: Civil Defense
official Barry Periatt, Volcano Fireman Paul Lakin, Discovery Harbour
board member Doug Flaherty, Orchidland Team Leaders Sharon
and Dennis McCartin, Civil Defense official Patti Pinto, and Discovery
Harbour board member Doug Castro. Photo by Alan Stafford

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS TRAIN. Ka‘ū residents received training this summer for Community Emergency Response Teams. The course held at Discovery Harbour Community Hall over four Saturdays included instruction from county Civil Defense, the trainers specializing in various skills, including firefighting, triage for injuries, first aid and search and rescue. The classes wound up with a graduation and practice disaster activation on June 24. Graduates joined the Discovery Harbour/Na`alehu and Ocean View CERT teams.
The graduates in the Discovery Harbour/ Nā‘ālehu CERT Team are: Jeanne Taylor, Richard Taylor, Diane Porter, Mary Henderson and Connie Hand. Ocean View received one new CERT member, Marty Marsh. Three other Ocean View residents recertified.
Dina Shisler, Team Leader for the Discovery Harbour/ Nā‘ālehu CERT Team, said CERT teams are trained to serve in their own communities during emergencies and disaster response. “We hope to see more Ka‘ū residents take the CERT training and for there to be more teams formed to serve our communities.” She said she hopes to help build a separate team for Nā‘ālehu. Ocean View has a separate CERT team. The leader is Rick Ward.
Monthly CERT meetings are held at Discovery Harbour Community Hall, the second Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Planned for Aug. 15 is a mock search and rescue at night. Call Shisler at 410-935-8087.

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Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Association Meeting, Tue, Aug 1, 6 – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

Blue Zones Project Gardening Demo, Wed, Aug 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Pāhala Community Center. RSVP at jadeiokepa@healthways.com

Open Mic Night, Wed, Aug 2, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Open to authorized and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

www.kaucalendar.com

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Summertime activities are ending, like weeks of fishing at South Point, as students head back to school in Ka`u next week.
See stories below. One of the classic Ka`u photos by Peter Anderson

ITS FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL FOR KEIKI IN KA`U was announced today by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi. The non-profit will host Mālama Nā Keiki Festival at Na'ālehu Park on Saturday, Aug. 26. The Mālama Nā Keiki Festival promotes prenatal, children’s, and family health by providing a festival of health education, community resources, and interactive keiki activities. The festival is free and open to the public, aiming to serve expecting and first-time mothers, women considering pregnancy, young families, and supporting ‘ohana from across the county.

Hawai’i Island family health agencies will participate in the event to share about their services. Participants will have the chance to learn about local prenatal, postnatal, and keiki health services available to their families. Clinical health screenings will a be offered, including hearing screenings and vision tests, along with immunization information and prenatal education. It will be a family fun day with keiki activities and local healthy food available to all participants.
The Mālama Nā Keiki Festival will launch an island-wide Healthy Hapai prenatal cohort program. Each prenatal cohort will meet monthly in their regional area with a Hui Mālama health educator, for hands-on learning about maternity health and wellness practices. Interested women can sign up for the cohorts at the festival.
The festival is made possible through support of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. "Hui Mālama strives to help participants develop a strong network of prenatal and postnatal support, and learn best practices to prevent potential health problems, raise healthy happy children, strengthen family, and fulfill OHA and Hui Mālama's shared goal of a strong and healthy Hawaiian nation," says a statement from the organization.

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Raina Whiting has been selected for the
Rural School Leadership Academy.

NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN TEACHER Raina Whiting has been accepted to a national program to support emerging teacher leaders who teach in rural schools. The 2017-2018 Rural School Leadership Academy consists of 39 Teach For America alumni across the country who teach in or are leaders of rural schools.
The goal of the program is to train emerging school leaders by preparing them to lead schools as a principals or vice principals or to participate in chartering new schools. The cohort of 39 spent this past week in New Mexico focusing on leadership skill building, relationship building and learning from current school leaders.
Whiting will attend leadership summits in several rural locations over the next year. Whiting joins educators from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, North Carolina, Louisiana, Hawai'i, Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia and other parts of the U.S. that are considered rural regions.

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KA`U SCHOOLS LAUNCH THE FALL SEMESTER next week, with the following schedule:

Ka`u High & Elementary School will have a Back-to-School Kick Off this Friday, Aug. 4 from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the gym for families and students to meet the faculty, with a spaghetti dinner to follow.
Na`alehu Elementary School starts classes on Tuesday, Aug. 8 for grades first through sixth and pre-kindergarten. Kindergarten starts on Aug. 9 and 10.

Ka`u Learning Academy Charter School starts classes on Monday, Aug. 7.
Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences Charter School starts for new students on Monday, Aug. 7 and for continuing students on Tuesday Aug. 8.
Ka`u High & Elementary School starts the fall semester with a transition day Wednesday, Aug. 9 for orientation for Pre-K through sixth grade as well as seventh and ninth grade students. All students start school on Thursday, Aug. 10.

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KA'U HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Kalei Namohala has announced the following opportunities for student athletes and prospective staff from the following coaches:
Football with Coach Duwayne Ke: Started July 17 with Eight-Man Football practices Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Coach Tammy picks up students who are interested at Hele On Park and Ride at 1:15 p.m. in Ocean View and 1:30 p.m. at 76 Gas Station in Na`alehu until start of school.
Girls Volleyball with Coach Joshua Ortega: Starts Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Ka'u District Gym, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Coach Tammy picks up students who are interested at Hele On Park and Ride 1:15 p.m. in Ocean View and 1:30 p.m. at 76 Gas Station in Na`alehu until start of school.

Ka`u High School's Athletic Director
Kalei Namohala

Bowling with Coach Hiilani Lapera: Starts Tuesday Aug. 22. Sign up with Athletic Director Kalei Namohala, once school starts, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 18.
Cross Country with Coach Erin Cole: Starts Aug. 14. Sign up with Athletic Director Kalei Namohala, once school starts, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 18.
Cheerleading with Coach Jessica Carroll: See Coach Carroll first day of school to sign up.
In order to participate, all students 9th to 12th grade must have a current physical and participation on file with Athletic Trainer Moses Whitcomb. For more information or questions contact the Athletic Director.
Coaching Position Openings: Ka'u High is seeking head coaches for varsity boys and girls Swimming, varsity Baseball, varsity Softball and varsity Tennis.
Seeking Assistant Cross Country Coach - works under the supervision of the Head Varsity Boys / Girls Cross Country Coach Erin Cole.
Positions will include staffing the varsity and junior varsity programs. Applicants for coaching must have prior high school or college coaching experience. College diploma is recommended and must clear D.O.E. background check. Email resumes with at least three references to Athletic Director Kalei_Namohala@notes.k12.hi.us or fill coaches application form in school office.

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A MULTI-STATE CYBERSECURITY COMPACT was signed by Gov. David Ige today, as Hawai‘i joins 3 other states to enhance state cybersecurity and develop the cyber workforce. The Compact to Improve State Cybersecurity is part of the National Governors Association’s Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge initiative. The compact makes recommendations to better secure states’ cyber infrastructure by building cybersecurity governance, preparing and defending the state from cybersecurity events, and growing the nation’s cybersecurity workforce, said a statement from the governor.

A reminder image from the state Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

“The top priority of any governor is the public’s welfare and safety, which now includes protecting citizens from cyber threats,” Ige said. “I am proud to join my fellow governors in signing this compact and committing to its recommendations.”

The compact specifically recognizes that a “competent and plentiful workforce” is critical to successful cybersecurity policy.

“Hawai`i has already taken proactive steps toward the compacts goals,” said state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy, who leads the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, the agency responsible for securing state government information resources and infrastructure. “These include establishing a state chief information security officer, reclassifying IT security positions to align with modern industry best practices, offering cyber internship opportunities, and supporting programs such as SANS Institute’s CyberStart program that encourages high school and college students to explore careers in cybersecurity.”

Read the full Compact to Improve State Cybersecurity here:

https://ci.nga.org/files/live/sites/ci/files/1617/docs/1707CybersecurityCompact.pdf

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A climbing fig, a fruit introduced to Hawai`i in the 1800s. See story on Hawai`i Tropical
Fruit Growers Conference below. Photo from University of Hawai`i

THE PUBLIC AUCTION OF THE OLD PAHALA MILL SITE IS DELAYED until Dec. 1. The plaintiff in the foreclosure asked for the delay saying the parties will attempt to work out their differences. The group owing money on the 60-plus acres in Pahala had been granted permission from the former County of Hawai`i Planning Director to build a water bottling plant there, along with a commercial center with parking for tour buses, vans and cars.
Plans included a new 81,250 square foot warehouse, a 33,000 square-foot processing and bottling plant and renovation of the existing 12,000 warehouse on the property.

A site map submitted to the county showed large warehouses,
and commercial development for a water bottling plant.

However, the holder of a loan on the land foreclosed on the property, which was scheduled for auction on the Hilo Courthouse steps last Friday, July 28, but delayed.
In the meantime the land has been placed on the county's Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation list for acquisition.
Ka`u residents submitted the request and proposed multiple uses, including a community park and venue for such large events as Ka`u Coffee Festival, vocational education facilities, historic preservation of remnants of the old sugar mill for which the town was founded, a campground, and a possible site on one end of the property for the Pahala sewage treatment plant. In order for the county to consider purchasing the site, there would have to be a willing seller.

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A SCIENCE LAUREATE FOR THE UNITED STATES is proposed by Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Zoe Lofgren. Today, they introduced the Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2017, bicameral legislation.

Sen Mazie Hirono proposes a
U.S. Science Laureate program.

Hirono said, "Our country’s scientific achievements contribute to our national economy, while also improving and enhancing our local communities, but American students continue to lag behind their international peers in STEM proficiency. The Science Laureate of the United States will help motivate our students to enter into scientific fields – increasing their ability to compete in the global economy.”
Lofgren pointed out that “Scientists like Albert Einstein, Jane Goodall, or Sally Ride can capture the public's attention and inspire Americans. Establishing a Science Laureate will provide a platform for more scientists to inspire us. Science and technology is ever more important to the United States’ competitive edge in the modern world. A Science Laureate can elevate, articulate, and promote science to the broader public, as well as be a role model for students by encouraging and inspiring them to be the innovators of tomorrow.”

Sen. Spark Matsunaga formalized
the Poet Laureate program, funding
it through Congress in 1985.

Similar to the Poet Laureate of the United States, a position that was formally established by Hawai`i Sen. Spark M. Matsunaga in 1985, the Science Laureate of the United States "would promote a greater appreciation of a field important for all Americans—raising the public’s awareness about scientific feats and accomplishments, and inspiring others to pursue innovations in the science field," said a statement from Hirono's office.
The legislation would require the National Science Foundation to appoint a Science Laureate of the United States based on recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences. The Science Laureate would be appointed on an annual basis, with an opportunity to serve for a longer period of time, as determined by NSF.
The bill is supported by Research!America, Council on Undergraduate Research, American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Geophysical Union, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, and the American Chemical Society.

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THE 27TH ANNUAL HAWAI`I TROPICAL FRUIT CONFERENCE is set for Hilo the week of September 22, with travels to Kona, Maui, Moloka`i, O`ahu and Kaua`i for mini-conferences.
Geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture, the eight-day event is presented by the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and open to the public.

Dragonfruit grow well in Hawai`i.
Photo from University of Hawai`i

The conference is titled Facing Challenges and offers a lineup of visiting researchers and agro experts sharing information and breakout sessions on a variety of topics. They include Ed Stover on Huanglongbing and the U.S. Citrus Industry: Status and Ongoing Research, Lindsay Basik on Durian Cultivation Around the World, and David Karp on the History and Genealogy of Citrus.

HTFG Executive Director Ken Love says Hilo activities include UH, USDA and NASS updates, a report and survey on specialty crops, Q & A with guest speakers, Sunday tour of OK Farms with Brian Lievens, networking and fruit tasting.
Mini-conference activities on the other islands include farm tours and speaker presentations and meetings. Registration forms and fee schedule are available at www.HTFG.org or by contacting Love at kenlove@hawaiiantel.net or Mark Suiso at suiso@aloha.net. Conference room rates are available through August 9, 2017 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel using code HH7027. Conference is made possible through funding from the County of Hawai`i and Hawai`i Department of Agriculture.

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Blue Zones Project Gardening Demo, Wed, Aug 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Pāhala Community Center. RSVP at jadeiokepa@healthways.com

Open Mic Night, Wed, Aug 2, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Open to authorized and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Jay Ignacio, President of HELCO presented the power grid upgrade plan to the public in Hilo and Kona
this week. Public comments are being accepted through Aug. 9. Read the plan
on the HELCO website. Photo from Big Island Video News

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO.'S plans to upgrade the power grid on the Big Island are being accepted until Wednesday, Aug. 9.
HELCO held meetings Monday and Tuesday evenings in Hilo and Kona. See the Hilo meeting on Big Island Video News in which HELCO President Jay Igacio talks about the 11,000 to 12,000 customers who are generating their own energy and his prediction that this number will soon double. He said by 2045, HELCO should reach 100 percent renewable energy and, in the meantime, needs to install a modern grid.

According to Big Island Video News: Attendees at the Waiakea High School cafeteria were presented an overview of the draft plan to modernize Hawai‘i Island’s power grid, and provided input during a open house / question and answer session with utility officials.

Components of a modernized grid to serve renewable energy.
Image from HELCO.

“Hawai‘i Electric Light has been effectively integrating renewable energy on our isolated island grid for many years, using innovative solutions to safely bring on more renewables while maintaining grid stability and reliable service,” said Ignacio in a media release before the event. “Since 2009, we’ve increased our renewable percentage from 30 to more than 54 percent, the highest in the state. To make the jump to 100 percent, we need to make the grid even better, stronger and smarter.”
The utility filed the draft Grid Modernization Strategy with the Public Utilities Commission in June. The plan describes the scope and estimated $205 million cost to update the energy networks of Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaiʻi Electric Light over the next six years.
HELCO says the plan aims to help bring on more renewable resources like private rooftop solar, increase reliability, and give customers new choices to control their energy use.
According to the utility, highlights of this near-term work include:

A tiered Utility Communication Network Structure,
proposed by HELCO. Image from HELCO

Distribution of smart meters strategically rather than system-wide, i.e., to customers with private rooftop solar on saturated circuits; and customers interested in demand response programs, variable rates or who seek usage data;
Reliance on advanced inverter technology to enable greater rooftop solar adoption;
Expanded use of voltage management tools, especially on circuits with heavy solar penetration to maximize circuit capacities for private rooftop solar and other customer resources;
Expanded use of sensors and automated controls at substations and neighborhood circuits;
Enhanced outage management and notification technology.
The draft plan and related documents are available on the HELCO website. Public comments on the plan can be submitted to gridmod@hawaiianelectric.com until Aug. 9. See more at www.bigislandvideonews.com

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PREVENTION OF RAT LUNGWORM DISEASE BECAME HIGHER PRIORITY on Wednesday when Gov. David Ige, the state Department of Health and state Department of Agriculture announced plans to place a stronger emphasis on prevention. This year, the state confirmed 15 cases of this serious parasitic infection, angistrongyliasis, the highest number in the last decade.

According to the state Department of Health, "You can get angiostrongyliasis by eating food contaminated by the larval stage of A. cantonensis worms. In Hawai`i, these larval worms can be found in raw or undercooked snails or slugs. Sometimes people can become infected by eating raw produce that contains a small infected snail or slug, or part of one." It is unknown whether slime left by infected snails and slugs can cause the rat lungworm infection. Angiostrongyliasis is not spread person-to-person.

Life cycle of rat lungworm disease, transmitted by ingesting a tiny snail or slug or part of snail or slug,
usually in uncooked vegetables.

The governor said that his administration is “bringing together local experts from relevant fields to increase public awareness, improve our response activities, and explore ways to control and treat the disease. They will work together with the Joint Task Force we established last year to step up prevention efforts beyond Hawai‘i Island, where the first cases were reported.”
The state Department of Health will work in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Hawai‘i, sate Department of Agriculture and other agencies to conduct a targeted rat, slug and snail study to identify disease routes and provide data on disease risks from these vectors. A statewide study of this kind has never been conducted in Hawai`i because of limited resources. Findings from the study will guide vector control activities for rat lungworm prevention.

Funding from the Legislature will also support two temporary full-time staff positions to coordinate prevention efforts between county, state, federal, and private sector partners.

The state Department of Health food safety inspectors and vector control staff are collaborating with the state Department of Agriculture to investigate any reports of produce shipments from any farmer or vendor (local or mainland) with an infestation of slugs or snails. If the shipment is traced to a local farm, inspectors work with the farmer to ensure proper pest reduction measures are implemented.

Dr. Kenton Kramer, Associate Professor of the Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology with the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine, serves as Joint Task Force chair. He said the Task Force will reconvene in August. "Experts from the medical, scientific, environmental, and public health communities will collaborate to develop guidelines for schools, farms, food establishments, physicians and other groups on best practices to prevent, control, and treat rat lungworm disease.”

An African slug commonly found on the Big Island that can carry
rat lungworm disease. Photo by Julia Neal

The Joint Task Force, established in May 2016, consists of members from UH-JABSOM, Pacific Biosciences Research Center; The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at UH Hilo; HDOA’s Plant Industry and Quality Assurance Divisions; USDA Agriculture Research Service; Kaiser Permanente Hawai`i; Hilo Medical Center; Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children; Hawaii County; and the DOH’s State Laboratories Division, District Health Offices of Hawai`i Island, Maui, and Kaua‘i, Vector Control Branch, Safe Drinking Water Branch, Disease Outbreak Control Division, and Sanitation Branch.

"Because of rising concerns over the recent increase in confirmed cases this year, the 2017 Hawai‘i State Legislature appropriated $1 million to increase public education and improve control and prevention of rat lungworm disease. The funding will make possible a statewide media campaign in partnership with the Hawai‘i Association of Broadcasters to build public awareness of ways to prevent the spread of the parasitic disease," said a statement from the governor's office.

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Pick up the August edition of The Ka`u Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka`u, from Miloli`i
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at www.kaucalendar.com

A NEW PROPOSAL TO FURTHER RESTRICT IMMIGRATION drew response Wednesday from Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the only immigrant serving in the U.S. Senate. She released the following statement on the Trump-Cotton-Perdue immigration proposal:

“It is shortsighted to think that America became the great nation it is by only letting certain kinds of people into our country. Yet, this is exactly what the Trump-Cotton-Perdue proposal does. Instead of doubling down on the bigotry and irrational fear of immigrants he promoted during the campaign, the President should work with members of both parties to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”

The bill, introduced by Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, and David Perdue, of Georgia, aims at reducing immigration by 50 percent and making it merit based. It would reduce the number of refugees and family members allowed to immigrate to the U.S. Permission to immigrate would involve evaluation of education, income, ability to speak English, and whether the immigrant could afford health care.

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Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, Aug 5, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This moderately difficult two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring a snack for the talk story segment of this hike.

Ecstatic Dance, Sat, Aug 5, 2 – 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. With Jo Caron. $20. 967-8222

Ham Radio Operators Potluck Picnic, Sun, Aug 6, Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028

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