Ka`u News Brief Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016

KA`U FOOD PANTRY holds its next distribution this Tuesday, Dec. 27 at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle-mauka. The new hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 9 a.m. Ka`u Food Pantry, Inc. is staffed entirely with volunteers and is a non-profit agency with the mission to feed the hungry of Ocean View.  About 150 families are served by Ka`u Food Pantry. The program is designed to provide one to three days of nutritious food to help people who run short of money, benefits or food by the end of the month.
     Donations of non-perishible food items and funding are welcomed. Ka`u Food Pantry is able to purchase food from the Hawai`i Food Basket for 18 cents a pound. One dollar can buy a half a case of food to help the community. Cash donations may be deductible under IRS Code 501. Write checks to St,. Jude's with Food Pantry on the memo line. One hundred percent of any donation goes to the Food Pantry. Send to St. Jude's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 6026, Ocean view, HI 96737.
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AS FAMILIES JOINED TOGETHER FOR THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spent holidays in Hawai`i surfing with her husband, Abraham Williams, Gabbard pointed out today that many U.S. military people are shipping out to war zones.
    Among them are 1,700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team leaving for Iraq. One of their large packages this Christmas season is comprised of 232 pounds of gear. "We must not forget those who are currently deployed overseas, unable to spend time with their families and loved ones," wrote Gabbard.
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PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA and family are spending the holidays in Hawai`i. In their Christmas Message, Michelle Obama pointed to the "ideas that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated. And that we care for the sick, feed the hungry and welcome the stranger no matter where they come from, or how they practice their faith."
     Barack Obama said these values "help guide not just my family's Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds. And no one better embodies that spirit of service than the men and women who wear our country''s uniform and their families."

Pres. Barack and Michelle Obama issue Christmas message, while staying in Hawai`i for the holidays. Photo from the White House

     The President said that "the greatest gift that Michelle and I have received over the last eight years has been the honor of serving as your President and First Lady. Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low. We secured health insurance for another twenty million Americans, and new protections for folks who already had insurance. We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more.

Gov. David Ige whose former liaison Wil Okabe is now Mayor Harry Kim's Managing Director for Hawai`i County. Okabe was also head of the Hawai`i teachers union. Photo from HSTA

    ''By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we first got here. And I’m hopeful we’ll build on the progress we’ve made in the years to come," said Obama in his last Christmas Message as President.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.                                                                                                   THE NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HAWAI`I COUNTY is Wil Okabe, the former East Hawai`i liaison for Gov. David Ige and a former president of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association - the teachers' union. 

     Okabe is Mayor Harry Kim's first appointment to his administration, confirmed by the Hawai`i County Council last Wednesday. Okabe spoke to the council members, saying he wants closer cooperation between the legislative body and the administration.  

     Okabe said that when Kim called him, it took him awhile to see the importance of the County managing director's job. "Harry's mission is to make sure that trust, honesty and integrity is at the utmost importance to this administration," he said. Okabe said these three word are an important aspect of Kim's administration. "What people want in this community is that we are fair, and to ensure that the services provided by this county is something we can be proud of." 

    Okabe said he can also his bring his knowledge of working with the state as the HSTA union leader and as the governor's liaison to his new county position and promote a good state and county relationship.
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HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE  BOARD MEETING, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 10:30 a..m. is at St. Jude's Church.  929-9910.

NEW YEARS DAY BRUNCH, Sunday, Jan. 1 from 7 a.m. to noon at Kilauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Cafe in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Roast pork, chicken picata, omelet station, pancakes, breakfast potatoes, patties, bacon, fresh fruit and beverags. Adults $16.95, children 6-11 for $9.50. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356.