Tulsi Gabbard gave the keynote address at KMC’s Veterans Day ceremony yesterday.Photo from Big Island Video News
A VETERANS DAY MESSAGE came from Tulsi Gabbard yesterday as she put on her Army Service Uniform and made her way to Kīlauea Military Camp for ceremonies. The congresswoman who represents Kaʻū, Volcano and the rest of rural Hawaiʻi, wrote about, “Remembering the brave men and women I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside. In all of the political chaos that we have witnessed and experienced this year, it’s important that we pause today to honor the service of our veterans and remember the values that they sacrificed for.”
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| Flags and program ready for Veterans Day at Kīlauea Miltary Camp. Photo from KMC |
Gabbard continued: “Beyond the results of one election, however, the deeper tragedy is that as Americans we have become alienated from each other. Beneath the anger, distrust and divisiveness is a pervasive anxiety that we are becoming unglued instead of coming together as a nation.
“If we want to preserve the foundation of our democracy, it’s vital that we find common ground that allows us to work for the greater good of this nation. This does not mean giving up our values. This does not mean swallowing a bitter compromise. Finding common ground means reaching out with respect and aloha, despite the issues that divide us, despite the hurt, despite the fear, and recognize what unites us as human beings.
“If you believe the angry box in your living room, you might conclude that America is so deeply divided that finding common ground is impossible. But I don’t believe that for a second. When I walk around my neighborhood, the grocery store, or the farmers market, I don’t see Democrats or Republicans, Progressives or Conservatives. I see my brothers and sisters – living, breathing human beings, with diverse and complicated stories, views and desires that can’t be packaged neatly in a box. I see their fear and anxiety. I see their frustration with a government they don’t feel is listening to them. And I see that there are vast tracts of unexplored, common ground between us. With virtually no exceptions, we want our children to thrive and to feel safe in their home and in their neighborhood. We want peace, justice and the natural prosperity that results from hard work and innovation.
“As I look at the way forward, I acknowledge there are challenges, and I choose to see opportunity. We have an opportunity to articulate a vision for peace by ending counterproductive regime-change wars. We have an opportunity to stand firm in our resolve to stop destructive trade deals. We must continue to illustrate the impacts that climate change is already having on communities around the world –especially our islands – and move forward on the issues that matter to us.
“I hope you will join me as we start down this path toward real reform and progress. And as always, continue to fight for equality and respect for all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other external difference.
“If we want to preserve the foundation of our democracy, it’s vital that we find common ground that allows us to work for the greater good of this nation. This does not mean giving up our values. This does not mean swallowing a bitter compromise. Finding common ground means reaching out with respect and aloha, despite the issues that divide us, despite the hurt, despite the fear, and recognize what unites us as human beings.
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Iwao Yonemitsu, honored at Kahuku’s Veterans Day celebration, with Area Manager for Kahuku, Keola Awong, meditating on his words about the 442nd and military service. Photo by Ron Johnson |
“As I look at the way forward, I acknowledge there are challenges, and I choose to see opportunity. We have an opportunity to articulate a vision for peace by ending counterproductive regime-change wars. We have an opportunity to stand firm in our resolve to stop destructive trade deals. We must continue to illustrate the impacts that climate change is already having on communities around the world –especially our islands – and move forward on the issues that matter to us.
“I hope you will join me as we start down this path toward real reform and progress. And as always, continue to fight for equality and respect for all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other external difference.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to represent the people of Hawai‘i and will continue to do my best to bring the spirit of aloha to our nation’s capital.”
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THE CELEBRATION OF KAHUKU OPENING ON FRIDAYS drew people to this unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Veterans Day to learn about history, culture and wildlife. There were opportunities to educate keiki and listen to music by Demetrius Oliviera and Gene Beck. Honored during the day was Iwao Yonemitsu, Naʻalehu resident and veteran of the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a fighting unit in World War II composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry.
The Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is now open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 20, a hike called People and Land of Kahuku will loop two miles over three hours, guided through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. Emerging native forests, pastures, lava fields, and other sites hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands – from the earliest Native Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the powerful natural forces at work and how people have adapted to, shaped, and restored the Kahuku land. Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, between South Point Road and Ocean View.
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THE CELEBRATION OF KAHUKU OPENING ON FRIDAYS drew people to this unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Veterans Day to learn about history, culture and wildlife. There were opportunities to educate keiki and listen to music by Demetrius Oliviera and Gene Beck. Honored during the day was Iwao Yonemitsu, Naʻalehu resident and veteran of the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a fighting unit in World War II composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry.
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| Keiki learned to paint images of Kahuku wildlife. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
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| Musicians Gene Beck and Demetrius Oliveira celebrate Kauhku Unit opening to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Photo by Ron Johnson |
The Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is now open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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| Saving the ‘ōhiʻa forest was featured at the celebration yesterday at Kahuku. Photo by Ron Johnson |
This Sunday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 26, visitors will learn to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku, the ʻōhiʻa lehua. Learn about the vital role of ʻōhiʻa lehua in Native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the tree and the lehua flower. The program is offered free from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
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Dr. Jaggar (Dick Hershberger), Lorrin Thurston (Steve Peyton) and Gov.Walter Frear (Joel Kelley) meet to discuss the forming of Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Stacy Halemano |
THE DRAMATIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is depicted tonight, Saturday, and tomorrow, Sunday afternoon, in Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network’s performance of Kīlauea 1916...and Beyond: A Centennial Celebration. To be performed at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater, the vignettes for Kīlauea 1916 look back at the people who were a part of the beginnings of Kīlauea Military Camp and the unique partnership between KMC and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, both of which opened in 1916.
Kīlauea 1916 features many characters including a reporter talking with Isabel Jaggar as she prepares to board a ship in Honolulu to sail to Hilo and her Volcano home. On the dock, musicians play music of the era. Other characters include: Volcanologist Dr. Thomas Jaggar, publisher Lorrin Thurston, Territorial Gov. Walter Frear, Cpl. Ovid Smith, George Lycurgus, Mitsue Tanaka, Shizuka Yasunaka and Hidechi Yasunaka.
The performance’s and Beyond section continues the history of KMC with stories of veterans, some stationed, some vacationing, at KMC – the most famous being Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in 1946. Other characters include: Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps workers, WWII internees and a fighter pilot, a Navy chaplain in Korea, a Marine in Vietnam and a medic in Iraq. The common thread is the postmaster who weaves the history of KMC through his personal stories of interacting with the people who come there.
Ka‘ū resident Dick Hershberger, who portrays Jaggar in KDEN’s Living History program A Walk Into the Past, wrote the dialogue.
Members of the cast include Arlene Araki, Stephen Bond, Bill Chikasuye, Teresa Christian, Asia Helfrich, Dick Hershberger, Joel Kelley, Steve Peyton and Ray Ryan. Karl Halemano coordinates the music, with Hal Tredinnick, Jade Malia Tredinnick, Olivia Halemano and more performing.
The performance tonight is at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
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Kīlauea 1916 features many characters including a reporter talking with Isabel Jaggar as she prepares to board a ship in Honolulu to sail to Hilo and her Volcano home. On the dock, musicians play music of the era. Other characters include: Volcanologist Dr. Thomas Jaggar, publisher Lorrin Thurston, Territorial Gov. Walter Frear, Cpl. Ovid Smith, George Lycurgus, Mitsue Tanaka, Shizuka Yasunaka and Hidechi Yasunaka.
The performance’s and Beyond section continues the history of KMC with stories of veterans, some stationed, some vacationing, at KMC – the most famous being Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in 1946. Other characters include: Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps workers, WWII internees and a fighter pilot, a Navy chaplain in Korea, a Marine in Vietnam and a medic in Iraq. The common thread is the postmaster who weaves the history of KMC through his personal stories of interacting with the people who come there.
Ka‘ū resident Dick Hershberger, who portrays Jaggar in KDEN’s Living History program A Walk Into the Past, wrote the dialogue.
Members of the cast include Arlene Araki, Stephen Bond, Bill Chikasuye, Teresa Christian, Asia Helfrich, Dick Hershberger, Joel Kelley, Steve Peyton and Ray Ryan. Karl Halemano coordinates the music, with Hal Tredinnick, Jade Malia Tredinnick, Olivia Halemano and more performing.
The performance tonight is at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.
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BEAUTY OF KAʻŪ ARTWORK IS DUE ON MONDAY, Nov. 14 at Naʻalehu Hongwanji between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The annual Chamber of Commerce art show opens on Tuesday with free entry to the public through Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Naʻalehu Hongwanji Breezeway.
A popular vote will choose the cover of The Directory, the 2017 Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce community resource and business guide.
All entries are eligible to win popular vote (the cover) including youth and keiki, with the exception of all previous cover winners. Registration is $5 per adult entry, $2.50 per youth entry and $1 per keiki entry. Prizes will be given for: photography, sculpture, woodworking, quilting, jewelry, lei, graphics, painting and weaving. There are separate youth and keiki categories.
During the showing all week at Naʻalehu Honwanji, those works of art that are for sale will be priced on a list available from art show volunteers.
The results of judging of all categories and the selection for The Directory cover will be announced Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at Naʻalehu Hongwanji, when artists are invited to a reception and awards ceremony.
Entry forms are available at local schools and from merchants, on the Chamber website and at the door during art drop-off hours. The Directory is published in January.
The results of judging of all categories and the selection for The Directory cover will be announced Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at Naʻalehu Hongwanji, when artists are invited to a reception and awards ceremony.
Entry forms are available at local schools and from merchants, on the Chamber website and at the door during art drop-off hours. The Directory is published in January.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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