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Da Box coordinator Chelsea Takahashi shows off a few items in this week's Da Box. |
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WILL GO TO THE FOOD BASKET, INC., this island's Food Bank. The funding covers four years and comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive. The program supports various initiatives for malnourished and hungry people in Ka`u and around the island.
The grant also supports start up of a new program Da Box to support purchase of Hawai`i grown fresh fruit and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through incentives at the point of purchase. The Food Basket plans to address food insecurity and health disparities by providing SNAP recipients with an affordable way of obtaining nutritious, Hawai`i-grown produce.
“We've been given an opportunity to do exciting work here on Hawai`i Island that will lead the state,” said En Young, Executive Director of The Food Basket. “Da Box will expand our ability to assist local farmers and get people connected to the kinds of foods they deserve, while also modeling a food system that is accessible and equitable to all.”
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| Toby and Barry Taniguchi, of the KTA family, have been putting locally grown foods on the tables of local families for generations and have joined with The Food Basket to introduce The Box. Photo by Tim Wright |
The Food Basket will roll out the program over the next several months in partnership with KTA Super Stores, its own community-supported agriculture program, Ho`olaha Ka Hua Da Box, and at designated SNAP eligible farmer’s markets.
"We have always wanted people to eat local, and now we're going to make it even easier," said Toby Taniguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer of KTA Super Stores. "For many decades, KTA has worked hard to support local farmers and entrepreneurs through the promotion of local goods. In this new partnership with The Food Basket, we are committed to a new level of community through the expansion of local produce availability to our SNAP customers through the Da Box incentivized program."
The Food Basket has enlisted the help of the Fair Food Network, a group with experience in implementing incentive programs nationwide, to ensure a smooth start to the program. FFN will share its expertise in increasing consumption of healthy local food and also the support of local growers in other jurisdictions. The mission of The Food Basket is to end hunger in Hawai`i County.
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TESTIFYING FROM THE OLD NA`ALEHU COURTHOUSE is once again available during public hearings and County Council and Planning Commission meetings where public testimony is welcomed. The county had shut down the interactive video service that allowed people to watch and testify, as few people were making use of the facility during the public meetings. However, the county has arranged to reopen the facility.
A special session next week when public testimony will be taken is on Thursday, June 22 at 5 p.m. regarding the proposed gasoline tax hike in Hawai`i County.
Said Gabbard, “For too long, veterans in Hawaiʻi and across the country have faced a crisis of unacceptable delays and challenges as they try to access quality care from the VA. The systemic problems within the VA that created this situation cannot be ignored. This bipartisan legislation will enact long-overdue reforms to provide accountability and improve oversight at the VA, while maintaining protections for whistleblowers and ensuring due process for workers. The mission of the VA is to take care of our veterans, and our country must keep its’ promise to provide them with the best possible care.”
In response to investigations revealing egregious wait times across the country for veterans seeking an appointment with a primary care physician, the congresswoman also introduced the Access to Care and Treatment Now for Veterans Act to allow veterans to get the immediate care they need from non-VA medical providers. The premise of her legislation was ultimately included in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act signed into law in 2014. She has also introduced legislation like the Veterans Administration Bonus Elimination Act to prevent bonuses for senior VA executives who fail to meet VA requirements for veterans health care and has supported legislation to reform rural health access, improve veterans mental health care, and more.
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A MAN WITH A GUN WHO ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO KILL TWO MEN IN VOLCANO and fired two shots, is out on bail, according to a story in today's Hawai`i Tribune Herald. The John Burnett story reports that 57-year-old Raymond Frank Black "was charged Thursday with two counts each of kidnapping, first-degree reckless endangering and illegally carrying a pistol, plus four counts of first-degree terroristic threatening."
The incident allegedly took place at Pearl Avenue near 10th Street. The 27 and 29 year old men who made the report claimed that Black "drove westbound past them in a white Toyota sedan and pointed a dark pistol with a silver barrel in their direction. The men reportedly told police that about 10 minutes later, they were walking up 11th Street. They said the Toyota was parked in the middle of the road and they saw Black get out of the car and stand by the driver’s side door. He allegedly pointed the pistol toward the men again, and said, “I’m going to kill you.” reports Burnett.
The men said Black fired several shots that missed and ordered the two to lay on the ground and said, "I'm going to kill you."
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According to the Tribune Herald report, Black was authorized a supervised release by Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas on $175,000 bail. He faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted of the most serious counts, additional time on the other counts.
Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network (KDEN) presents "Finian's Rainbow" as its 15th Annual Summer Musical. The show includes the classic tunes "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?""Old Devil Moon," and "Look to The Rainbow". The show will run July 7 – 23 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 at KMC’s Kilauea Theater. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12for children 12 and under, and are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea’au Natural Foods, and the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.The men said Black fired several shots that missed and ordered the two to lay on the ground and said, "I'm going to kill you."
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Saturday, June 17 - Papaikou Hongwanji Mission, 964-1640; Saturday, June 24 - Honomu Hongwanji Mission, 963-6032; Friday, June 30 - Puna Hongwanji Mission, 966-9981; Saturday, July 1 - Kohala Hongwanji Mission, 775-7232 and Puna Hongwanji Mission, 966-9981
Friday, July 28 - Hilo Daijingu, 959-8611; Saturday, July 29 - Taishoji Soto Mission, 935-8407.
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.
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.
FINIAN'S RAINBOW comes to the stage in Volcano in July. Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network presents its 15th Annual Summer Musical. The show includes the classic tunes How Are Things in Glocca Morra?, Old Devil Moon, and Look to The Rainbow. The show will run July 7 – 23 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students, and $12 for children 12 and under
Tickets are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea’au Natural Foods, and the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.
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PAHALA IS ONE OF THE VENUES in this year's Bon Dance season when dancers and musicians travel to Buddhist temples around the island to join in the harvest season ceremonies and entertainment to honor ancestors. Last year was the first time that a Bon Dance had been held in Pahala since 1999. This year, it will be held on Sunday, Aug. 20 at Pahala Honwanji Mission.
Here is the complete round-the-island Bon Dance schedule for summer of 2017 with phone contact:
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| Pahala held its first Bon Dance last year since 1999. Photo by Ron Johnson |
Saturday, July 8 - Daifukuji Soto Mission, 322-3524; Kohala Jodo Mission, 987-8495, Hilo Meishoin Mission, 935-6996 and Paauilo Hongwanji Mission, 776-1369.
Friday, July 14 - Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 961-6677; Saturday, July 15 - Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 961-6677, Honoka`a Hongwanji Mission, 775-7232 and Keei Buddhist Church & Cemetery, 323-2993.
Saturday, July 22 - Hilo Hooganji Mission, 935-8331, Kona Hongwanji Mission, 323-2993 and
Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission, 962-6340.
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| Participant's at last year's Pahala Bon Dance made their own hachi machi. Photo by Ron Johnson |
Saturday, Aug. 5 - Hawi Jodo Mission, 987-8495; Kurtistown Jodo Mission, 936-7828 and
Paauilo Kongoji Mission, 776-1474.
Saturday, Aug. 12 - Hamakua Jodo Mission, 775-0965; Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission, 935-8968 and Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission, 324-1741.
Friday, Aug. 18 - Life Care Center, 959-9151
Saturday, Aug. 19 - Hakalau Jodo Mission, 963-6110; Kamuela Hongwanji Mission, 885-4481;
Sunday, Aug. 20 - Pahala Hongwanji Mission, 928-8254; Saturday, Aug. 26 - Honohina Hongwanji Mission, 963-6032; and Pahoa YBA Kaikan.
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.
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.
