Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, July 9, 2016

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AT THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT of the United States, national and state flags will be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as Hawai`i’s National Guard as a mark of respect for the victims of the attack in Dallas, Texas. During a peaceful protest on Thursday regarding police shootings of men in Minneapolis, MN and Baton Rouge, LA the day before, one and perhaps more snipers shot and killed five police officers and injured more.
      The flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, July 12.
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STORMS IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC continue to churn but are forecast to weaken as they move toward the Central Pacific. 

      Blas, currently over cool waters and embedded in a fairly stable air mass, has weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm. According to National Hurricane Center, unfavorable conditions combined with a notable increase in southwesterly wind shear during the next couple of days should allow the weakening trend to continue. Blas is forecast to degenerate into a remnant low in 24 to 36 hours and dissipate in four to five days.
      On Blas’ heals is Celia, whose center is moving over warmer water west of the cool wake of Blas. In response, its central dense overcast has become much better defined. The forecast shows a faster intensification than previous forecasts, with Celia becoming a hurricane in about 24 hours. However, unfavorable conditions should then cause Celia to gradually weaken.
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AN OCEAN VIEW WOMAN has been charged with seven offenses in connection with two reported robberies.

      On March 6, Ka`u District officers responded to a report of a robbery on the 92-1000 block of Kona Kai Boulevard in Ocean View. A 53-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman reported that an acquaintance had gone to their house, demanded money and threatened to harm them if they didn’t give it to her. She fled with the cash.
      Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Vanda Hokukea Ventura, of Ocean View. Before officers were able to locate her, police received a report on April 6 that the same woman had entered a home on the 92-8900 block of King Kamehameha Boulevard in Ocean View, demanded money from a 51-year-old woman and then grabbed the victim’s purse and fled with it.
      Wednesday morning, police located Ventura in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision and arrested her. She was taken to the Kona police cellblock while detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.
      At 6 a.m. yesterday, detectives charged her with burglary, two counts of robbery, two counts of terroristic threatening and two counts of theft. Her bail was set at $33,500. She remains in the cellblock pending her initial court appearance scheduled for Monday.
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BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH a mandatory federal labeling system for GMOs passed the U.S. Senate with a vote of 63-30. “Regardless of your position on GMOs, most of us agree that we all have a right to know what is in the food we eat,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said. “I support a mandatory federal system for labeling and disclosing GMOs in food so that consumers across the country have consistent access to information no matter what state they live in.

      “The bill passed by the Senate establishes a mandatory federal labeling system that covers more products than the strictest state-level labeling law. It also strengthens the National Organic Program, which is a clear, GMO-free alternative that is growing in popularity. The bill also protects the rights of states like Hawai`i to make their own decisions about the role GMO crops should play in a sustainable local food system. It also allows states to establish and enforce penalties if federal labeling requirements are not met.

      “Our work does not end with the Senate passing this bill. We need to make sure that the final label options are as clear as possible and the regulatory process takes the concerns of Hawai`i farmers and consumers into account. I will work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as it implements the labeling standard established by this legislation and to ensure that consumers have access to information about GMO ingredients.”
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK this month will use aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.
      Aerial observations and patrol of the 61G lava flow from Pu`u `O`o to the flow front are ongoing, with times to be determined.
      Flights will shuttle crew, camp supplies, fencing material and equipment to `Ola`a Tract on July 19, 25 and 28 between 6 a.m. and noon.
      Ungulate surveys and control work take place at Kahuku between 3,000- and 7,000-ft. elevation on July 19 between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. On July 21 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., crews monitor and control fountain grass from Keauhou Trail to the park’s southwest boundary below 2,500-ft. elevation.
      In addition, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kilauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
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ACUPUNCTURE FOR ABUNDANT HEALTH is the topic at Ka`u libraries next week. Cassandra Cupples explains what acupuncture is and what conditions it treats. Programs are on Monday at 3 p.m. at Na`alehu Library and Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Pahala Library. 

      Call 939-2442 and 928-2015 for more information.

KA`U LIBRARIES HOST a Health and Fitness: Mind, Body and Soul Summer Reading Program free lecture on Tuesday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Library and Wednesday, July 20 at 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Library.
      Tara Compehos, Ka`u’s community doula and private birth attendant’s program, Have Healthy Pregnancy & Smooth Labor, will answer questions or concerns and share information on how to avoid complications in pregnancy and how to take control of the birth of your child.
      For more information, contact Debbie Wong Yuen at 928-2015 or Sara Kamibayashi at 939-2442.

PARTY ON THE CRATER'S EDGE. Friends Of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park invite Ka`u residents to celebrate the park’s 100th birthday at a cocktail party on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Volcano House. A silent auction begins at 5 p.m. in the lobby. Enjoy entertainment, champagne and light pupus. Tickets for $50 each are available at fhvnp.org.

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