Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, July 6, 2017

Finans' Rainbow cast preludes the show at Fourth of July celebration at Cooper Center. The play opens Friday
at Kilauea Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Ron Johnson

KUPUNA CAREGIVING, HEALTHY AGING AND FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS received Gov. David Ige's signature in ceremonies at the Capitol on Thursday.
HB 607 -- Kupuna Caregivers Program authorizes the Executive Office on Aging to establish the Kupuna Caregivers Program to assist community members obtaining care for elders while remaining in the workforce.
HB 615– Healthy Aging Partnership Program appropriates funds for the Healthy Aging Partnership Program to further the program’s role in improving the health and well-being of Hawai‘i’s kupuna.
HB 1396 – Community Care Foster Homes for Medicaid authorizes the Department of Health, working with the Department of Human Services, to allow two private-pay individuals to be cared for in the same community care foster family home, after consideration of specified relevant factors.

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Flood insurance is available for inland and coastal regions of Ka`u,
with new maps that help determine eligibility and rates at such
places as along Wood Valley road where rains from Hurricane Ana
created flood waters in 2014. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I IS ONCE AGAIN ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE and policies will be renewed and new ones accepted. Gov. Daivd Ige signed a bill on Monday that brings Hawai`i into compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program. At risk were coverage for the individual counties, the State of Hawai`i, FEMA Region IX, and policies issued through the Hawai`i Farm Bureau, Hawai`i Association of Realtors and Hawai`i insurance companies, banks and building contractors.
State Rep. Ryan Yamane, who took the lead on the legislation as chair of the House Water & Land Committee, issued a statement saying, “For many of our residents their homes are the biggest single investment they own. Hawaii` homeowners can trust that their federal flood insurance will remain in place to protect them from future flood disasters.”

“In the last 35 years that Hawai`i has been participating in the program, FEMA paid out 4,600 claims totaling over $87 million. Currently, there are over 60,000 flood insurance policies totaling over $13.4 billion throughout the state, which would have been cancelled without the bill,” said Yamane.

Detailed federal flood maps of Ka`u can be seen on the website gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat, with
the ability to zoom in on specific properties.

FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS are the subject of Kona and Hilo meetings for the public, sponsored by the County of Hawai`'s Department of Public Works. The Hilo meeting will be Wednesday, July 12 at Aupuni Center Conference Room at 5 p.m. The Kona meeting will be Thursday, July 13 at West Hawai`i Civic Center, Bldg. G at 5 p.m.
Two short formal presentations will start at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The meetings will be an open house format with multiple stations where the public can learn about a structure’s particular flood zone, flood insurance and building criteria.

Floodwaters make their way through coffee farms up Wood Valley
road in 2014. Photo by Julia Neal

Personnel from FEMA, State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawai‘i County will be available to answer questions, concerns, and provide information on flood insurance and property specific flood zone determinations.
Flood insurance rates will be based on the new flood data. If a property is mapped into a high-risk area (an SFHA labeled with letters starting with “A” or “V”) on the new FIRM and the owner has a mortgage through a federally regulated or insured lender, flood insurance will be required when the FIRM becomes effective. Property owners who obtain flood insurance before the FIRM becomes effective may be able to benefit from the NFIP’s “grandfathering” insurance rating process and pay a lower premium.
According to a statement from the county, "Everyone is at some risk from flooding, even those behind levees or in low or medium-risk areas. Therefore, FEMA encourages everyone to purchase flood insurance. Property owners should contact their insurance agent or visit www.FloodSmart.gov for more information."
The newest Flood Information Maps are available online by using the state Flood Hazard Assessment Tool at gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat. To learn how to view the preliminary maps using the FHAT, click on the tutorial link provided on the Hawai‘i NFIP Website dlnreng.hawaii.gov/nfip/.

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FINIAN'S RAINBOW OPENS ON FRIDAY. It is Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's annual summer musical. Director is Suzi Bond, with musical direction by Walter Greenwood.The show runs July 7 – 23 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 at KMC’s Kīlauea Theater. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, and are available at Kīlauea General Store and at the door.

Opening on Broadway in 1947 with music by Burton Lane and lyrics by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg (who wrote the lyrics for 1939’s The Wizard of Oz), Finian’s Rainbow was an unexpected smash that generated one pop classic after another: How Are Things In Glocca Morra?, Old Moon and Look To The Rainbow to name but three.

Finian moves to the southern United States (the fictional state of Missitucky) from Ireland with his daughter Sharon to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief that it will grow and will change people’s lives, including a struggling farmer and local citizens. A leprechaun follows them, desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human. Complications arise when a bigoted and corrupt U.S. senator gets involved and when wishes are made inadvertently over the hidden crock.
Primary roles include Finian, his daughter Sharon, Og the leprechaun, Woody Mahoney, town leader and Sharon’s love interest, and Susan Woody’s mute sister who “talks” through her dancing. Other cast members are a gospel quartet and townsfolk, including Henry, who translates for Susan, and Maude.
For more information, call 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

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Pancake Breakfast, Sat, July 8, 8 – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

37th Annual Hawaiian Cultural Festival & BioBlitz, Sat, July 8, Kīlauea Military Camp in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Engage in Hawaiian cultural practices and learn how Hawaiians live closely to the land as its stewards. Enjoy hula and music, watch skilled practitioners demonstrate their art, and try your hand at Hawaiian crafts. BioBlitz is a chance to join scientists and cultural practitioners and discover the biodiversity that thrives in the park. Cultural Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; BioBlitz, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Atlas Recycling at South Point U-Cart, Sat, July 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Connecting Cords: Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., July 8 – Aug 19, Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The multi-media exhibit showcases works by eight artists focusing on fiber, form and function of Hawai‘i’s cordage plants. Opening day reception, 5 p.m.

Nā‘ālehu Fourth of July Festivities, Sat, July 8. Parade begins at 11 a.m.; Fun Day in the Park, & Senior Bingo & Luncheon at Community Center begin at 12 p.m. 929-9872

Jazz in the Forest, Sat, July 8, 4:30 & 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Hal Glatzer with Jean Pierre Thoma & The Jazztones. $20/$18 VAC members. 967-8222

Kanikapila, Sat, July 8 & 22, 6 – 9 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. Acoustic instruments, drums, singers & dancers welcome. Desmond, 937-6305