Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, June 14, 2017

HAWAI`I ON THE HILL today welcomed nearly 75 Hawai'i business leaders to meet with members of Congress and federal officials. It was the Fourth Annual Hawai`i on the Hill Policy Summit, with representatives of diverse industries in Hawai`i – including manufacturing, health care, transportation, and others.
    Among those participating were co-sponsor Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce, Hawai`i County Council Vice-Chair Valerie Poindexter, Hawai`i County, University of Hawai`i, Hawai`i Tourism Authority, Hawai`i Crop Improvement Association, Kona Coast Shellfish and Big Island Candies.

Big Island Candies was represented at Hawai`i on the Hill today in Washington, D.C.

     Sen. Mazie Hirono, who initiated and hosts the event, said that “Given the uncertainties of the current administration, it has become more important than ever that Hawai`i’s business community knows the D.C. landscape and can advocate for themselves. Bringing Hawai`i businesses face-to-face with our country’s top decision makers, Hawai`i on the Hill continues to play an instrumental role in supporting our local industry. I’m pleased that in our fourth year we were able to connect nearly 70 local businesses with top officials.”
     Hirono, Chamber of Commerce Hawai`i President and CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara, Hawai`i state Senate President Ron Kouchi, and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard kicked off the Policy Summit.
     Gabbard thanked Hawai‘i business leaders and stakeholders for coming to Washington, D.C. and engaging with leaders to increase economic opportunity for Hawai`i. The group attended the Fourth Annual Taste of Hawai‘i reception on Capitol Hill which featured over 70 members of Hawaii’s local business community, ranging from food and beverage companies to representatives from energy, tourism, and farming industries. Said, Gabbard, "They brought the aloha spirit with them, and lots of lei, making great connections and leaving a strong impression on policymakers and leaders in Washington."

Kona Coast Shellfish sent its locally grown seafood to Washington, D.C.

     Earlier in the day, Sen. Jack Reed , Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, gave a congressional update on defense policy issues. Sarah Ladislaw, Director and Senior Fellow for the Energy and National Security Program Center for Strategic & International Studies, answered questions about Hawaii’s renewable energy commitments and the implication of withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement.
     Kimberly Flowers, Director of the Global Food Security Project, shared insights and lessons learned to help Hawaii develop local agriculture that is resilient to drought and climate change. Chris Jennings, Founder and President of Jennings Policy Strategies, Inc. and Former Deputy Assistant to President Obama for Health Policy and Coordinator of Health Reform, discussed potential implications of the American Health Care Act and provided a future outlook of health care in America. Mike Fullerton, Director of Public Affairs for Brand USA, discussed his outlook for international visitors to the U.S., including travel and tourism trends. Michele Jawando. Vice President of Legal Progress at the Center for American Progress, provided a judiciary update.
     Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer closed out the Policy Summit by thanking Hirono for her dedication representing Hawaii in the U.S. Senate, and took questions on how business leaders can continue their advocacy for Hawai`i.

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THE PONO HAWAI`I INITIATIVE has been launched with executive director Gary Hooser,  former Majority Leader of the State Senate. and former head of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control.
         The board is comprised of John Frost, Patrick Kamakanianu Shea, Kau`i Pratt-Aquino, Kristin Mie Hamada. See their backgrounds at www.ponohawaiiinitiative.org.
      Hooser said that the statewide organization. "is focused solely on supporting policy and political change in Hawai`i and in fact moving that needle over the coming 18 months. Our core values are driven by the need to increase the level of economic, environmental and social justice that exists in Hawai`i. The status quo is unacceptable: Affordable housing is an oxymoron, our coastal waters and mountain streams are in constant peril of increasing degradation and general inequality exists at far too many levels.

     "In addition to identifying, encouraging and supporting new candidates for public office, working with its community partners," said Hooser, Pono Hawai`i Initiative "will also be working on identifying and supporting new ballot initiatives at the County level. If our county and state legislators refuse to pass meaningful legislation, the people at the County level have the power to do it directly. Affordable housing, solid waste, industrial agriculture and good government issues are all on the table for discussion."

     The board is comprised of John Frost, Patrick Kamakanianu Shea, Kau`i Pratt-Aquino, Kristin Mie Hamada. See their backgrounds at www.ponohawaiiinitiative.org.

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HORSEWOMAN LORIE LEE LORENZO is not only a rodeo queen, Pa`u Queen and princess on horseback in parades, she is an author. 

     She was recently named Grand Prize winner in The Great Barefootin' Story Contest. Her story will be published this summer's issue of The Horse's Hoof magazine. She receives a pair of Scoot Boots Innovative Hoof Boots, along with the subscription to The Horse's Hoof, published by Wishing Welz Equine, LLC.

      Lorenzo lives in Pahala with her family. She has also been a winner in the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest at the Ka`u Coffee Festival, and has submitted winning entries into the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce's annual Beauty of Ka`u Art Contest.

Hawai‘i Cordage Plants, Thu, June 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Linda Pratt discussed the botanical aspects, distribution and habitat of various species. Register at 967-8222. Free; register at 967-8222.

Family Reading Night, Thu, June 15, 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

OVCA Board Meeting, Thu, June 15, 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, June 17, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230 

Kilauea Military Camp visitors are careful to avoid the Hawai`i State Bird, the endangered nene and chicks strolling on the roads. KMC hosts Mongolian BBQ this Saturday. Photo from KMC

Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sat, Jun 17, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

Kahuku ‘Ohana Day: Hawaiian Healing Practices, Sat, June 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ka‘ānohi Pe‘a demonstrates children’s massage. Keiki 17 and under and their families sign up by June 8, 985-6019.

Mongolian BBQ, Sat, June 17, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.