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| O Ka`u Kakou volunteers for the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament at Punalu`u are busy organizing the event for this Saturday. Photo by Peter Anderson |
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| The 2nd State Senate district includes a large territory in Ka`u from Volcano toward Miloli`i for Sen. Russell Ruderman to cover. Map from Hawai`i State Legislature |
As the Legislature begins, the State of the State address will be given by Gov. David Ige on Monday, Jan. 23. and the State of the Judiciary address will be given by the Hawai`i Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald next Wednesday.
On Thursday, major issues will be taken up in briefings to the House Finance Committee, including the funding and future of the Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation, which includes Ka`u Hospital. Whether to privatize elements of the quasi-state run hospital system has been an issue in many recent legislative sessions. On Thursday, many state departments will provide briefings on responsibilities from environmental protection, to disease outbreak control, child protective services and vocational rehabilitation.
Representing Ka`u in the Hawai`i Legislature are two Senators and two members of the House of Representatives:
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| Th 3rd Senate District, includes a vast expanse in Ka`u around the south end of the island to Honu`apo for Sen. Josh Green to cover. Map from Hawai`i State Legislature |
Sen. Russell Ruderman, representing East Ka`u, serves on the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee and is Vice-Chair of Government Operations Committee and serves on the Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health Committee. He can be reached by phoning 808-586-6890, emailing senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov, or writing to or visiting him in Room 203 in the Hawai`i State Capitol, 415 South Beretania St. Honolulu, HI 96813.
Rep. Richard Creagan, representing West Ka`u, chairs the House Agriculture Committee. He serves on the Education Committee, Higher Education Committee, the Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs Committee and Public Safety Committee. He can be reached by phoning 808-586-9605, emailing repcreagan@Capitol.hawaii.gov, or writing or visiting him in Room 331 in the Hawai`i State Capitol, 415 South Beretania St. Honolulu, HI 96813.
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| Top scorer for Ka`u in Tuesday's win over Hawai`i Preparatory Academy is Raishlyn Jara. Photo by Pam Taylor |
Visit http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov to submit testimony, sign up to receive a public hearing notifications, follow legislation and to read more about legislators, committees and reports
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KA`U BEAT HAWAI`I PREPARATORY ACADEMY IN Big Island Interscholastic Federation girl's basketball on Monday. Top scorer for the Trojans was Raishy Jara. Final score was Ka`u 37 and HPA 31.
THE ANNUAL KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT AT PUNALU`U Beach Park has organizers hoping for good weather as families sign up for this Saturday, Jan. 21. Open to all keiki, from one to 14 years of age, the ninth annual event, sponsored by O Ka`u Kakou, is a catch and release event. Preregistration ends at noon on Wednesday, with applications at Pahala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette, Pahala Gas Station, Na`alehu Elementary School, Na`alehu Wiki Wiki Mart, Wong Yuen Store and Na`alehu -Ace Hardware, as well as Kahuku Country Market and Ocean View Auto Parts.
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| Family watches the keiki fishing off the shore at Punalu`u. The annual OKK Keiki Fishing Tournament is this Saturday. Photo by Peter Anderson |
Children and families are asked to bring non-perishable food - at least one item per fisherman to the tournament for its food drive.
Check-in is at 8 a.m. with a welcome and review of the guidelines at 9 a.m. Distribution of fishing equipment is at 9:30 a.m. and the tournament is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A free lunch and shaved ice are served at noon and awards and prizes are presented from 1 p.m. For more information contact Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773 or Guy Enriques at 217-2253.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A HILO SISTER MARCH IN SUPORT OF THE WOMEN'S MARCH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. will be held this Saturday, Jan. 21, the day after the Inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The Hilo event will begin with a Women's Initiative Gathering at Mo'oheau Bandstand, Downtown Hilo at 10 a.m. The March will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the bandstand talks and other events will continue until 3 p.m. A statement from organizers said, "This is a Pro Peace Movement - a family-friendly, non-partisan event and all peaceful marchers are welcome. Gather together in solidarity with partners and children for the protection of women's rights, safety, health, and our families -- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country." For complete information visit: http://bigislandwomensmarch.com/index.html
A KA`U FARM SCHOOL IS BEING ORGANIZED and classes begin on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Earth Matters Farm on the corner of South Point Road and Kamaoa Road. The session, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. is free and features speakers Gabriel Howearth, founder of Seeds of Change; Greg Smith, owner of Earth Matters and Marla McCasland, owner of Hawaiian Flowers. Attendess can learn about propagation and seed saving, different ways to grow food and what grows well in Ka`u. The class is both on concepts and hands-on learning. It is sponsored by Hawai`i Farmers Union United. To sign up, visit https://goo.gl/y87XtZ, call 808-721-6977 or call 808-721-6977. Leave name, email and contact number.
