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| A proposed Hawai`i County Department of Agriculture would support diverse ag endeavors on the island. Photo from The Kohala Center |
HAWAI`I COUNTY WOULD ESTABLISH a Department of Agriculture under a bill to be considered Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. by the County Council’s Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability. Kohala’s council member Margaret Wille introduced Bill 163, which states that the department would consist of a director, a commission and necessary staff.
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| Marget Wille proposes a county Ag Department |
According to the bill, “It is declared to be the policy of the county to support policies and practices that promote agricultural self-sufficiency, protect and preserve the indigenous heritage of agricultural resources and promote family farms and community cooperatives necessary to promote food security on Hawai`i island.”
The bill calls for the department director to have a minimum of three years of experience in the fields of both conventional and organic agriculture, a degree in agriculture and a minimum of three years in an
administrative capacity.
The Agriculture Commission would consist of nine members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. Each council district would have one member. The commission would advise the department on issues related to functions of the department and exercise any other powers related to the functions of the department that may be delegated to it by ordinance.
Additional committee meetings on Wednesday are Planning, at 9 a.m.; Public Works and Parks & Recreation, 9:15 a.m.; and Finance, 10:15 a.m. The full council meets at 1 p.m.
Ka`u residents can participate in the meetings to be held at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Teleconferencing, whereby residents can provide testimony without traveling to Kona, is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. The meetings are also streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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administrative capacity.
The Agriculture Commission would consist of nine members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. Each council district would have one member. The commission would advise the department on issues related to functions of the department and exercise any other powers related to the functions of the department that may be delegated to it by ordinance.
Additional committee meetings on Wednesday are Planning, at 9 a.m.; Public Works and Parks & Recreation, 9:15 a.m.; and Finance, 10:15 a.m. The full council meets at 1 p.m.
Ka`u residents can participate in the meetings to be held at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Teleconferencing, whereby residents can provide testimony without traveling to Kona, is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. The meetings are also streamed live, and agendas are available, at hawaiicounty.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
DURING ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is showing sister park movies for free to raise awareness of the other national parks in Hawai`i and the Pacific Islands– which also marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
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| Kalaupapa National Historic Park is the topic of a film to be screened this week. NPS Photo by Tylor Tanaka |
The Find Your Park on the Big Screen series kicks off this Friday, March 18 with The Soul of Kalaupapa: Voices of Exile, a 52-minute film by Fred E. Woods. Viewers discover what life was like for patients and residents of Kalaupapa, removed from their families because of the fear and stigma of leprosy, also know as Hansen’s disease.
Today, Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Moloka`i shares the history and culture of the people and places of Kalaupapa’s past.
On Friday, May 20, learn the significance of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam, established in 1978 as a tribute to those who fought and died during the Pacific Theater of World War II. The 30-minute film, Liberating Guam: The U.S. Comes Back, reveals the aggressive Japanese expansion into the Pacific region during the war. Due to its graphic nature, the film may not be suitable for younger audiences.
Pu`uhonua o Honaunau is where ancient Hawaiian lawbreakers and defeated warriors once found sanctuary. Today, the park provides a sanctuary for Hawaiian culture. Hawai`i Volcanoes invites everyone to watch two films that highlight Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on Friday, June 17, the eve of the park’s festival: John Grabowska’s 16-minute film Pu`uhonua o Honaunau: Place of Refuge and Brad Watanabe’s 12-minute documentary HiStory: Hawai`i Island’s National Parks.
Maui’s Haleakala, and Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes on Hawai`i Island, were once the same park - Hawai`i National Park. Discover Haleakala National Park in the 51-minute film, Haleakala: House of the Sun. Meet the dedicated rangers who share their knowledge and respect for the park (established in 1961), its natural treasures, and the deep connection to Hawaiian culture perpetuated here. Screening is on Friday, Aug. 5.
All showings begin at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Park entrance fees may apply.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Pu`uhonua o Honaunau is where ancient Hawaiian lawbreakers and defeated warriors once found sanctuary. Today, the park provides a sanctuary for Hawaiian culture. Hawai`i Volcanoes invites everyone to watch two films that highlight Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on Friday, June 17, the eve of the park’s festival: John Grabowska’s 16-minute film Pu`uhonua o Honaunau: Place of Refuge and Brad Watanabe’s 12-minute documentary HiStory: Hawai`i Island’s National Parks.
Maui’s Haleakala, and Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes on Hawai`i Island, were once the same park - Hawai`i National Park. Discover Haleakala National Park in the 51-minute film, Haleakala: House of the Sun. Meet the dedicated rangers who share their knowledge and respect for the park (established in 1961), its natural treasures, and the deep connection to Hawaiian culture perpetuated here. Screening is on Friday, Aug. 5.
All showings begin at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Park entrance fees may apply.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Chief Harry Kubojiri |
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED that an anonymous Community Satisfaction Survey for the Hawai`i Police Department is open during the month of March. The survey includes both multiple-choice questions and an opportunity to make individual comments. Chief Harry Kubojiri reads every individual comment and encourages individuals to make their feedback as specific as possible to help the department respond to community needs.
By comparing the results of this year’s survey with those of past surveys, the department can gauge where it has improved and where it needs further improvement.
The Internet survey will be open until 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at www.hawaiipolice.com. It takes about five minutes to complete and is limited to one survey per computer. The respondent’s IP address will not be stored in the survey results.
The responses will be collected and compiled by an outside source. After the survey period, results will be posted on the Police Department’s website.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
The Internet survey will be open until 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at www.hawaiipolice.com. It takes about five minutes to complete and is limited to one survey per computer. The respondent’s IP address will not be stored in the survey results.
The responses will be collected and compiled by an outside source. After the survey period, results will be posted on the Police Department’s website.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Ka`u residents can help local health occupation students compete in Nationals. Photo from Angie Miyashiro |
KA`U HIGH & PAHALA ELEMENTARY School’s Health Occupations Students of America club members have set up a gofundme account, raising money to travel to Nashville, Tennessee and compete in Nationals. They competed with 32 schools at the state level on O`ahu last month, and members qualified for Nationals by taking second and third places.
HOSA is a nationwide organization that includes secondary as well as post-secondary education students. It provides students with opportunities to promote health, deliver quality care and to learn about elements that are essential for health career professionals. HOSA also provides students with the chance to compete in various health subjects individually or as a team. Club Advisor Angie Miyashiro said the advantage of HOSA is that it allows students to engage even more in critical thinking beyond the classroom as well as enhance their problem solving skills.
This is the first time that Ka`u High and Pahala had such an event. As the first year for the CTE Health career and technical program offering, there was the opportunity to create a health club. To date, the club has 24 students, with nine that chose to compete this year.
This is the first time that Ka`u High and Pahala had such an event. As the first year for the CTE Health career and technical program offering, there was the opportunity to create a health club. To date, the club has 24 students, with nine that chose to compete this year.
The students had their first District competition at University of Hawai`i-Hilo. Ka`u entered pathophysiology, Community Awareness and with the topic of dengue fever and a public service announcement on promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles. “Ka`u club worked hard after school and on weekends,” Miyashiro said. “We were stunned but excited that we received first in all of our categories.”
The HOSA Health Club then went to O`ahu Feb. 24-26 and competed at the state level. There were 32 schools, and Ka`u qualified for Nationals by receiving second and third places. Nationals is June 20-26 in Nashville, Tennessee. The club needs to raise $20,000 to attend and represent Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary.
“Please help us if you can by any donations and creative ways that you might be able to do so,” Miyashiro said. “We need to raise the money soon, as reservations need to be made.” Checks can be made out to HOSA Health Club Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary.
“We are very proud to represent Ka`u and what the future holds,” Miyashiro said.
“Please help us if you can by any donations and creative ways that you might be able to do so,” Miyashiro said. “We need to raise the money soon, as reservations need to be made.” Checks can be made out to HOSA Health Club Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary.
“We are very proud to represent Ka`u and what the future holds,” Miyashiro said.
To donate, see gofundme.com/cysq9wuk?utm.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Kai Ho`opi`i performs Wednesday. Photo from NPS |
KEIKI AND ADULTS CAN HAVE their eyes checked tomorrow at Pahala Community Center. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Project Vision, in association with Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool, will offer free sunglasses to keiki and free reading glasses to adults if needed.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KAI HO`OPI`I PERFORMS Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Ho`opi`i, a winner of Aloha Festivals’ Hawaiian falsetto contest, shares music of his `ohana. Free; park entrance fees apply.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETS Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School. Residents are invited to express concerns, learn about successes and hear academic and financial plans. For more information, email Angela_Miyashiro/KAUH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
