Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, June 23, 2016

      “This new funding is great news for Hawai`i,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “AmeriCorps members supported by these grants will serve across the state, teaching in high-need schools, improving public parks and providing legal resources and other services to veterans and their families.”

      “For more than 20 years, AmeriCorps members have had a positive and lasting impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

      “Building on Hawai`i’s strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will improve lives and strengthen communities across Hawai`i. While they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves – gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers. I salute every AmeriCorps member for his or her dedication and determination to ‘get things done’ and respond to the needs in their communities.”

      The federal investment includes three grants totaling $2,084,391 that will support 531 AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps members will tackle some of the toughest problems in Hawai`i including teaching in high-need schools, improving public parks, providing legal aid and other services to veterans and their family members, and more.

      CNCS will also provide up to $1.7 million in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants to help pay for college, vocational training, or pay back student loans. The federal investment is projected to generate an additional $6.8 million in local support to increase community impact and return on federal investment.
      The federal investment announced today also includes more than $654,000 for the Hawai`i Commission on National and Community Service, the governor-appointed state service commission. Later this summer, the Hawai`i Commission on National and Community Service will make additional grants to support AmeriCorps programs in the state.
      The current year’s AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive due to strong demand by organizations seeking AmeriCorps resources. The 2016 competition prioritized investments in economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, disaster services and continued a new initiative for governors and mayors.
      AmeriCorps members with Kupu will assist in improving Hawai`i’s public parks and lands using their knowledge of environmental stewardship and environmentally conscious practices.
      Teach for America AmeriCorps members will serve as full-time teachers in 38 high-need schools on Hawai`i Island and O`ahu, reaching more than 5,400 students.
      With Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i, AmeriCorps members will help more than 1,545 residents, including 145 veterans or veterans’ family members, find legal information and resources they need in Legal Aid offices and courthouse-based self-help centers across Hawai`i.
      For more information about AmeriCorps, see www.NationalService.gov.
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HAWAI`I HAS BEEN AWARDED a $763,856 grant by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment to complete a Supply Chain Map for Hawai`i’s defense contracting community. This grant starts on July 1 and will be administered by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

      The defense industry is Hawai`i’s Number Two economic sector. Past analyses of the impact of the military in Hawai`i have been completed at the macro-economic level. The average annual direct defense expenditures in Hawai‘i are about $8.8 billion, resulting in a total output of $12.2 billion into the economy. This sector supports approximately 100,000 jobs, or 16.5 percent of Hawai`i’s total jobs, across all islands.
      “This grant will enable the state of Hawai‘i to identify the prime contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers to the military. This will enable us to plan ahead to better support this critical component of our economy by ensuring that Hawai`i businesses are prepared to adapt to changing defense requirements,” said Gov. David Ige.
      The Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce Hawai`i is a strategic partner for this grant. “We look forward to partnering with the state to inventory and study Hawai`i’s DoD supply chain which includes all of our MAC members. This project will reveal how the defense sector impacts every island and aspect of our economy,” said David Carey, Chairman of the Military Affairs Council.
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TODAY, THE SUPREME COURT released a deadlocked ruling on U.S. v. Texas, which halts President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs. 

      “In 2014, President Obama gave hope to millions of workers and families by expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has helped over 700,000 people come out of the shadows since its creation in 2012, and establishing the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents program,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said. “Last year, a federal court challenge led by Texas halted these programs, and today, the lives of up to five million people remain on hold as the Supreme Court deadlocked and was unable to resolve the situation.
      “Deadlock at the Court, and deadlock in Congress, are denying hope and opportunity to millions of people. This is not how our government is supposed to work. I will continue speaking out and fighting as hard as I can to give those people in the shadows hope, and to see that the Supreme Court be returned to full strength, and that Congress finally pass real, comprehensive immigration reform legislation.”
      As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, Hirono has been a leading advocate for fixing our broken immigration system. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 113th Congress, she was one of the authors of the Senate’s 2013 comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

Pahala resident Lane Ueda accepts applications for LIHEAP through next Thursday. Photo by Julia Neal

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KA`U RESIDENT HAVE ONE MORE WEEK to apply for Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program 2016. The deadline is Thursday, June 30. LIHEAP assists households with their utility bill (electric or gas).

      Ka`u residents can apply at Na`alehu HCEOC Office on Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Edmund C. Olson Trust Office Building in Pahala today and next Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Dr. David Davenport Photo from VAC

KA`U AND KILAUEA REFLECTIONS opens Saturday at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Featuring works by former Ka`u Hospital Dr. Douglas Davenport, the exhibit benefits Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation. All funds raised by the foundation go directly to enhance the quality of care provided at Ka`u Hospital and its rural health clinic by enabling the purchase of advanced medical equipment, resources to improve patient and resident care as well as staff training and scholarships.

      From June 25 through July 10, Davenport’s paintings and ceramics by will be available for viewing Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The works display his appreciation for the unique district of Ka`u through a multitude of landscapes.
      “I feel fortunate to have been able to work in Pahala and, in my small way, give back to the community and to the island that has enriched my life immeasurably,” Davenport said.
      Proceeds from artwork sold as well as donations received go directly to Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation.
      A special opening reception takes place Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the campus. For more information, see call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June_2016.pdf.