Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 20, 2017

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL, WITH 39 GRADUATES, held the ceremonies Friday night for the first time in the new Ka`u District Gym.
     Co-Valedictorians Chole Gan and Jenny Mauricio Henriques encouraged the class to reach for their goals and dreams. Na`alehu School Principal Darlene Javar gave the Commencement Address with inspiration for a successful and happy future.

Valedictorian Janny Mauricio Henriques, Student Body President Pete  Dacalio and Co-Valedictorian Chloe Gan. Photo by Pam Taylor

     Ka`u High School Principal Sharon Beck named scholarship winners:
     Destiny Beck and Tristan Davis received Harry McKee honors. Charisma Felipe received Na Wahi Pana O Ka`u and Foodland Shop for Higher Education Scholarships.
     Chloe Gan received scholarships from American Association of University Women, Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship, F. Keohnen Ltd. Scholarship, Harry McKee Scholarship, Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Outstanding Student Award, UH Hilo-Hawai`i Scholars Award and University of Portland President's Scholarship.
     Alkysha Gustafson-Savella received a Shoreline Community College Scholarship and Jenny Mauricio Henriquez received a UH Hilo-Hawai`i Scholars Award and University of Virginia Award.

Na`alehu School Principal Darlene Javar gave the Commencement Address. Photo by Pam Taylor

     Travis Taylor received a UH- Hilo Hawai`i Scholars Award and Trevor Taylor received a Citizen Scholar Award from Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association, Department of Education and the Honolulu Star Advertiser newspaper.     
     The Class of 2017 Award Recipients are: Pete Dacalio for Athletics, Chloe Gan for Scholastics, Jenny Mauricio Henriquez for Leadership, Jacob Maygra for Literacy & Artistic Performance and and Travis Taylor for Information Technology.
     The Principal, vice Principal Deisha Davis and Athletic Director Kalae Namohala presented the diplomas. Graduates are:
     Sheanale Agpaoa, Dayse Andrade, Titan Ault, Joanne Baruelo, Destiny Beck, Benly Bolaoen, Jamal Buyuan, Jessica Coss, Pete Dacalio, Jr., Tristan Davis, Cedrick Felipe, Charisma Felipe, Jacob Flores, Jr., Cedrick Freitas, Sheri Lynn Freitas, Chloe Gan, Daniel Garo, Benjamin Gouveia, Alysha Gustafson-Savella, Ismarjan Guzman, Layna Haina, Julia Ka`awa, Jameson LeMaire, Javier Lobos Paz, Janny Maruicio Henriquez, Jacob Maygra, Yokko Nagel, Joven Padrigo, Chadwick Pajimola; Kathryne Patara, Brittney Perry, Ka`ala Petrill-Abrojina, Arjhell Salmo-Grace, Lomon Silk, Taylor Silva, Richard Souza III, Travis Taylor, Trevor Taylor and Kalamakoa Waiwai`ole.

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CONDEMNING THE $460 BILLION ARMS DEAL WITH SAUDIA ARABIA was the Saturday statement from Rep. Tuslsi Gabbard, who represents Ka`u in Congress. The congresswoman said she opposes President Donald Trump Administration’s arms sale—$110 billion immediately and $350 billion over the next 10 years—because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has "a devastating record of human rights violations at home and abroad, and a long history of providing support to

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard opposes the Arms deal with Saudi Arabia. See more at www.bigislandvideonews.com.

terrorist organizations that threaten the American people." Gabbard contended that "Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest sponsor and propagator of the extremist Wahhabi Salafist ideology that fuels terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda. Based on Saudi Arabia’s history and track record, there is a significant likelihood these weapons will be used against innocent civilians or end up in the hands of terrorist groups."

CIA Director Mike Pompeo gave the Saudi Prince an award for excellence in intelligence and contribution to peace.

     Gabbard declared that "Saudi Arabia has spent hundreds of billions of dollars spreading their extreme Wahhabi Salafist ideology around the world, creating fertile ground for terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaeda to recruit, while simultaneously providing direct support to terrorist groups who pose a direct threat to US interests and who are fighting to overthrow the Syrian government.

Gabbard asked Secretary of Defense James Mattis to end U.S. participation in Yemen war.

"The hypocrisy in the Trump administration’s actions toward Saudi Arabia began in February 2017 with the newly-appointed CIA Director Mike Pompeo presenting Saudi Crown Prince bin Nayef with the George Tenet Award in recognition of Prince bin Nayef’s ‘excellent intelligence performance, in the domain of counter-terrorism and his unbound contribution to realise world security and peace.’ This hypocrisy continues now as the Trump administration talks tough against ISIS and terrorism, while selling weapons to, supporting, and praising a country that beheads dissidents, oppresses women, persecutes religious minorities, atheists, and LGBT people, and is the greatest supporter of terror groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS in the world
     Gabbard pointed to her bill H.R. 608, the bipartisan Stop Arming Terrorists Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from using taxpayer dollars to provide weapons, cash, intelligence, or any support to armed militants who are allied with al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups. It would also prohibit the U.S. government from funneling money and weapons through other countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, which, she says, "are directly or indirectly supporting terrorists."
     Gabbard also sent a letter to Secretary Mattis urging an end to the United States’ military participation in Yemen’s civil war, "where 19 million people need emergency support and which has never been authorized by Congress." She called for a Congressional briefing on the White House’s strategy in Yemen.

Star Gazing from Makanau is Monday, as part of the Ka`u CoffeeFestival. Photo by Andres Richard Hara

today. This arms deal will enable Saudi Arabia to use U.S.-made weapons in their war crimes against Yemeni civilians in a brutal civil war, and continue perpetuating
human rights atrocities at home and abroad," Gabbard concluded.

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PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU - Sunday, 9:30 am. to noonat the Kahuku Unite of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free, guided 2.5  mile hike covers rugged terrain and human history of the area.

KA`U COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST - 11 a.m. Sunday at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Entries due by 10 a.m.

     Prizes in adult and student categories for recipes using Ka`u Coffee. Public welcome to the judging and tasting. Ka`u Coffee Mill on Wood Valley Road.

KA`U STAR GAZING at Makanau on Monday evening, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.. An event of the Ka`u Coffee Festival. See www.kaucoffeefest.com. Call 928-5050.