Ka`u News Briefs Friday, March 31, 2017

HEADING TO THE SUPREME COURT is a possibility for the block on President Donald Trump's travel ban, issued this week by Hawai`i federal Judge Derrick Kahala Watson. The Trump administration attorneys appealed Watson's ruling to the Fourth Circuit Court in Richmond, Virginia on Friday. If the Fourth Circuit rules in Trump's favor, the matter would likely go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

      The Trump administration claims that the Executive Order to freeze the U.S. immigration program and bar travelers from six Muslim-majority countries is allowed under the President's duty to protect the U.S. citizenry. 

     Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin who argued for the State of Hawai`i against the ban told the Associated Press on Thursday that the Hawai`i federal court considered the many statements made by Trump and his surrogates concerning immigrants and Muslims during his campaign and presidency, showing an intent to discriminate.

     The Hawai`i judge stated in his ruling, “The court will not crawl into a corner, pull the shutters closed, and pretend it has not seen what it has.” The federal court in Virginia is expected to hear arguments on May 8. 

     While a ruling in favor of Trump won't automatically allow the President to proceed with his travel ban, it would cause a split in authority between federal courts with the different rulings. These are often resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Volcano School of Arts & Sciences students educates those old enough to drive. Photo by Julia Neal

THE HULA HEIAU MAKAI OF KA`ALAIKI ROAD, the old sugar cane haul road between Pahala and Na`alehu, is the subject of a public meeting Saturday, April 1 at 12:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. 

    The Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, which is working with the Edmund C. Olson Trust  II to steward the historic site, will explain its Preservation Plan and Protocol Guide.

     Public input is invited. The plan and other documents.can be accessed at the Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation website at www.edithkanakaolefoundation.org.

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YOUNG STUDENTS AND POLICE OFFICERS joined together to hold signs at the corner of Pikake and Kamane Streets in Pahala on Friday morning to implore the public to drive slowly and look out for pedestrians. The keiki and police stood near the main Pahala bus stop where many children board vans and buses to go to and from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. Many people also board buses there to go to work, go to town and to attend University of Hawai`i in Hilo and Hawai`i Community College.

      Police officers who joined the keiki in holding signs were Sheldon Salmo, Clayton Tyamen, Aron Tomota, douglas Phillips and Jon Carvahlo. They said they are happy to hold signs with students and help them learn to be vocal citizens.

Ka`u police officers joined keiki on Friday morning to hold signs and remind drivers to slow down, Photo by Julia Neal

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THE 2017 JAZZ IN THE FOREST series continues with performances on Saturday, April 8 at the Volcano Art Center campus, featuring Jeannine Guillory with Jean Pierre Thoma & the Jazztones. The Jazz in the Forest concert series "offers an extraordinary opportunity to hear the highest caliber jazz – anywhere – up close and personal," said Thoma.
     Jean Pierre Thoma is a world-traveled professional musician on flute, saxophone clarinet and piano, with experience throughout America, France, Japan, India and Israel. He holds two master’s degrees in music and has been a public and private school teacher as well as member of numerous jazz and classical ensembles, such as the Maui and Marin Symphonies. He is the leader of the Jazztones: Raga Jazz (with Sarangi, synth guitar and bass): a member of Royal Kona Harp Ensemble (three harps, two flutes and winds): Volcano Trio (two flutes and piano): performer at Holy Cross Church in choir and as instrumentalist; and pianist at restaurants and charity performances at Hospice and Life Care Centers. Now a music teacher in Hilo at the Pacific Academy of Music and the Kukuau Studio, he lives in Hilo.

John Pierre Thoma

     Bassist Matt Spencer is a long time professional musician and multi-instrumentalist who has enjoyed a dynamic career primarily as a freelance musician, touring, recording and writing music with many different groups in many different styles. Playing bass, guitar and percussion, he covers a wide range of musical vocabulary from jazz to African, Brazilian to funk, and salsa to spiritual. Spencer has led his own 10-piece salsa band, was musical director for the Cleo Parker   Robinson dance company, toured with the Motet, Tony Furtado, and Kyle Hollingsworth, worked as a studio musician in LA and worked as a dance accompanist for many dance schools around the country. He integrates the consciousness of spiritual awareness into the technique and knowledge of the art of music.
     Guitarist Fred Hee is originally from Honolulu and now lives in Volcano. He began playing at age 17 while at Punahou School and has been active ever since in America, Canada and the Bahamas, including traveling with Solid Gold and playing in Hawai‘i with numerous groups. His activities following his education in computer science have led him to an interesting career with the telescopes of Hawai‘i. The Wine and Beer Room at Volcano Art Center campus will be open for attendees to enjoy before and after the concert. And as usual, an area has been set aside for dancing, so attendees don’t have to stay in their seats when the band starts to swing. 
     Two shows are offered, with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7 p.m. Tickets for the matinee show are $18 for VAC members and $20 for non-members. Ticket holders will be able to purchase Volcano Red Ale and Mauna Kea Pale Ale from Mehana Brewing Company, as well as wine before each performance. Pupus by ʻŌhelo Café will also be available for sale. 
     Tickets are available for sale online at volcanoartcenter.org, at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village and VAC Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The last day to purchase tickets online or at VAC Gallery is Friday, April 7. After that, tickets will be sold at the door if they are not sold out. Tickets will be held at will call on the day of the show or may be picked up any day before the show at VAC’s Administrative Office from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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