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| Julia Espaniola, a Ka‘ū High School graduate and former intern at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is The Nature Conservancy's new KUPU Conservation Leadership Development Program intern. She stops to takein the view from TNC's Ka'ū Preserve. See story below. Photo by Shalan Crysdale |
OPENING UP THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TO OIL AND GAS development brought on opposition from Sen. Mazie Hirono during a U.S. Senate hearing Thursday. She said oil and gas development would "fulfill a mandate in the Republican tax and budget plan that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee raise $1 billion in new revenue to pay for tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans by November 13."
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono testifies against opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration. |
Hirono testified, “This hearing is all a piece to support the Republican budget and tax proposal that cuts $1.5 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid and imposes massive reductions in funds for education and affordable housing, among other things. All to benefit huge corporations and the wealthy.
“The decades-long debate over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a highly controversial issue that has come to represent a fight between protecting pristine ecosystems versus continuing our reliance on fossil fuels. We should not be considering whether to exploit national treasures like the Arctic Refuge to pay for tax cuts for the rich."
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| Nohoanu, a native Hawaiian geranium. The plant grows at high elevations at Kūlani and at Kahuku. Photo by Julia Espaniola |
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HAWAI‘I ISLAND PROGRAM terrestrial team has hired Julia Espaniola as its KUPU Conservation Leadership Development Program Intern for 2017-2018.
Espaniola was born in Hilo, raised in Pāhala, and graduated from Ka'ū High School in 2013. She said her "passion for the environment stems from home, and the rawness and richness within it." Her supervisor, Lester Gebin, says she is "extremely motivated to learn and... will be a great addition to the team."
Espaniola has worked in the Youth Internship Program at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park as a Park Guide in the Kahuku Unit. She was responsible for checking people in at the gate and giving scheduled tours to visitors. She also served as a youth ambassador from Volcanoes to Bio Blitz in Washington, D.C.
Concerning her new internship with TNC in Ka‘ū, she said, "I am very grateful to be learning more about this place, learning from it, and the people who work here."
In her fourth week working for The Nature Conservancy, Espaniola said she is "amazed at the places she has been to so far. It's so beautiful," and added that she is "learning a lot. I'm writing things down every day." She said that she is surprised by how small the staff is to manage such large portions of land, and how much they accomplish each day. She said she is inspired by their passion. "They each have their own expertise."
Upon completion of her one-year internship, KUPU will reward Espaniola with an educational award, which she intends to use at University of Hawai‘i Hilo to earn a degree in conservation.
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“IPAB is a flawed policy that the Hawaiʻi Medical Association has been advocating for the repeal of since the Affordable Care Act was passed. It would put significant health care payment and policy decisions in the hands of an independent body of individuals with far too little accountability. Additionally, IPAB’s arbitrary, annual cost-cutting targets would lead to short term strategies that would threaten access to care for Medicare patients across Hawaiʻi, but would be most harmful to Hawai‘i's kūpuna in the underserved areas and neighbor islands.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
SEVERE SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN HAWAI‘I AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY was a topic of a briefing Thursday, hosted by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, The event, held in Washington, D.C., featured a panel discussion with nursing leaders and fellow lawmakers.
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HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will occur again on Tuesday, Nov. 14. For more, call 939-703.
Concerning her new internship with TNC in Ka‘ū, she said, "I am very grateful to be learning more about this place, learning from it, and the people who work here."
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| Julia Espaniola visits Kane Po at the American Indian Museum in Washington, D.C., as a youth ambassador for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. She recently became an intern with The Nature Conservancy. Kane Po is a culturally significant stone from Ka‘ū, with stories, history and genealogy. |
Upon completion of her one-year internship, KUPU will reward Espaniola with an educational award, which she intends to use at University of Hawai‘i Hilo to earn a degree in conservation.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
PROTECTING SENIORS' ACCESS TO MEDICARE ACT OF 2017 received the yes vote from Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday. She explained that the bipartisan legislation would take Medicare authority away from the Independent Payment Advisory Board, an independent board of 15 unelected, unaccountable members given largely unchecked authority to make sweeping cuts to Medicare spending. With no nominees presently on the board, current law could give the Secretary of Health and Human Services unilateral power to make changes to Medicare, bypassing congressional legislative authority. The bill passed the House by a vote of 307-111.
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| Health Care organizations, including American Hospital Association and American Medical Association, lobbied for the legislation to end the authority of a board that could make cuts to Medicare. Image from Kaiser Permanente |
Ending the IPAB is supported by a coalition of medical organizations representing 450,000 physicians and the patients they serve, including the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association, along with the Hawaiʻi Medical Association, Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaiʻi, National Kidney Foundation Hawaiʻi Chapter, among others.
Gabbard said that “Leaders on both sides of the aisle have long agreed that the IPAB is the wrong way to address Medicare costs. Along with placing seniors’ healthcare into the hands of unelected government bureaucrats, or even worse, a single cabinet secretary, the structure of the IPAB allows for sweeping cuts without taking into account the quality of care. Rather than finding ways to pinch pennies on the backs of our kūpuna, we need to focus on the root of the problem and enact real reforms to our broken healthcare system.
Christopher D. Flanders, DO, Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Medical Association, said,
“IPAB is a flawed policy that the Hawaiʻi Medical Association has been advocating for the repeal of since the Affordable Care Act was passed. It would put significant health care payment and policy decisions in the hands of an independent body of individuals with far too little accountability. Additionally, IPAB’s arbitrary, annual cost-cutting targets would lead to short term strategies that would threaten access to care for Medicare patients across Hawaiʻi, but would be most harmful to Hawai‘i's kūpuna in the underserved areas and neighbor islands.” To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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Pick up the November edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar delivered free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com |
Defining HOPE, a documentary that follows patients with life-threatening illnesses as they make choices about how they want to live, how much medical technology they can accept, what they hope for and how that hope evolves when life is threatened, was shown. The Defining HOPE film trailer is also available online.
Said Gabbard, “Nurses and caregivers are the heart of our healthcare system. Day in and day out, they provide life-saving care with empathy and compassion in the most trying and stressful situations. Yet across the country, we continue to see nursing workforce shortages, especially in our rural and underserved communities, like those in my home state of Hawai‘i."
Gabbard said that passing the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act, which she introduced, would help address the shortage. "This legislation would reauthorize federal funding for nursing and education programs to help grow and support the nursing workforce across the country, and expand access to quality healthcare for our keiki, veterans, kūpuna, and others in need.”
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HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will occur again on Tuesday, Nov. 14. For more, call 939-703.To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
NATURE WORKS EVERYWHERE GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE is Friday, Nov. 3. Applications are open for public/charter schools to build or maintain a Nature Works Everywhere school garden, greenspace or green infrastructure project. For more, visit NatureWorksEverywhere.org/#grants.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Sept. 14.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE PLANTS that prevent native plans from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Friday, Nov. 3, at 8:45 a.m.
To join the effort, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/plan
yourvisit/summit_stewardship.
htm. More events are planned for Nov. 11 (fee-free day), 18 and 25.
A FUNDRAISER FOR KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, which is in production for A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol, will be at Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant in Waiakea Villas in Hilo this Friday, Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m. Featured menu includes a pasta dish, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, pizza, and an Italian salad. Ice tea is included in the meal. The cost is $20. Diners are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or other beverages to consume. Reservations for the fundraiser are not necessary, but suggested. Call KDEN at 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com to make a reservation or for more information on A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 26.
A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP, MANDALA MOSAIC, teaches basic glass cutting techniques as well as specialized pattern-cutting skills with Volcano Art Center guest artist Mark Brody. The program takes place Friday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.
Class limited to 10 people, 15 years +. $225/$200 VAC members, plus $25 material fee. All students receive free $25 valued substrate at workshops end. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 26.
A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP, MANDALA MOSAIC, teaches basic glass cutting techniques as well as specialized pattern-cutting skills with Volcano Art Center guest artist Mark Brody. The program takes place Friday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.
Class limited to 10 people, 15 years +. $225/$200 VAC members, plus $25 material fee. All students receive free $25 valued substrate at workshops end. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
BIRTH OF KAHUKU, a guided easy-to-moderate hike, traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations as hikers explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. The free hike is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
A HEALTH FAIR will take place at Discovery Harbour Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with exercise demonstration - Yoga, hula, pilates, Tai Chi, and Qigong - the fair will also offer healthy cooking demonstrations, flu shots, massages and health presentations from various organizations, including Unsafe at Any Meal author Dr. Renee Dufault. For more, visit discoveryharbor.net or call 929-9576. See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 1.A HOLIDAY AFFAIR is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. The art sale also offers maps to Ka‘ū galleries for attendees to continue their Ka‘ū art exploration. Gift wrapping and/or boxing for easy mailing will be available for items sold. To reserve a booth or space call Mars Cavers at 938-9760 or email starmars@mac.com. For more about the event, see Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 22.
JOIN RAIATEA HELM WITH SONG, HULA AND MUSIC at Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Enjoy the free music and entertainment and visit vendor booths offering crafts, food, games and information. Halau hula are ariving from Japan, Mexico, West Virginia and other Hawaiian Islands. For more details see Ka‘ū News Briefs published Wednesday, Oct. 18, or contact Kumu Debbie Ryder at 649-9334.
A GILLIGAN'S NIGHT to raise funds for Ka‘ū Learning Academy is Saturday, Nov. 4, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Gilligan's Restaurant former site in Discovery Harbour, which is now KLA.It is the first in a series of charter school fundraisers with music and food.
Foggy will play from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Solomon and Tiger will play from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. The food will feature pizza, pasta, lasagna, salads, desserts and chicken parmesan. Beer and wine will
be served.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Monday, Oct. 23.
FREE HEPATITIS C TESTING IS AVAILABLE on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., at Volcano Farmers Market on Wright Rd in Volcano. Volcano Community Association, the organization hosting the event, says that one in 30 baby boomers have Hep. C and most don’t event know it. For more details visit Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 12, or email vcainfo@yahoo.com. be served.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Monday, Oct. 23.
HAM RADIO OPERATORS HOST A POTLUCK PICNIC Sunday, Nov. 5, at Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. For more, call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.
PU‘U O LOKUANA, a free moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike, takes visitors to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered Sunday, Nov. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn about the formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view from the top of lower Ka‘ū.
KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Nov. 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.RETURN TO THE WILD: AN UPDATE ON THE ‘ALALĀ RELEASE is the Tuesday, Nov. 7, After Dark in the Park topic in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, at 7 p.m. ‘Alalā Project staff Jackie Gaudiso-Levita and Rachel Kingsley present and update on the most recent reintroduction efforts to establish a wild population of ‘alalā, the endangered Hawaiian crow. Paul Banko (USGS) and Donna Ball (USFWS) will share past experiences. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
REGISTER KEIKI GRADE K-8 FOR PAPER FALL FLOWER CRAFT by Tuesday, Nov. 7, for the class which takes place Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
DISCOVER THE SKILL OF WEAVING LAU HALA with ‘Aha Pūhala o Puna on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, though park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will occur again on Tuesday, Nov. 14. For more, call 939-7033.
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THE PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM AT THE STATE CAPITOL is offering citizens training to help them interact with government, especially leading up to the 2018 Hawai‘i Legislature.
HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will occur again on Tuesday, Nov. 14. For more, call 939-7033.
THE PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM AT THE STATE CAPITOL is offering citizens training to help them interact with government, especially leading up to the 2018 Hawai‘i Legislature. Several opportunities to learn learn about the legislative process and how to participate will be provided at the Your Voice workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i training room near the Kona Airport, and on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hawai‘i Community College Manoa Campus Building 379, Room 1 in Hilo. Both events are free to attend.
The workshop is designed to be helpful to newcomers and seasoned advocates alike.
For additional information, contact the Public Access Room (PAR):
phone (808)587-0478, email par@capitol.hawaii.gov, or visit LRBhawaii.org/PAR. Read the Ka‘ū News Briefs for Thursday, Oct. 26 for more.
phone (808)587-0478, email par@capitol.hawaii.gov, or visit LRBhawaii.org/PAR. Read the Ka‘ū News Briefs for Thursday, Oct. 26 for more.
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“Moonlight Violets” oil and watercolor monoprint by Lisa Louise Adams. Photo from Volcano Village Artists Hui |
Artwork media ranges from paintings, prints and photography to hand blown glass, metal and wood sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber art and more.
This years participating Hui members: Erik Wold, Ira Ono, Misato & Michael Mortara, Elizabeth Miller, Zeke Israel, Emily Herb, Pam Barton, Margaret Barnaby and Lisa Louise Adams, along with guest artists Joan Yoshioka, Randy Sutton, Ricia Shema, Scott Pincus, Tim Freeman, Charlotte Forbes Perry and Nash Adams-Pruitt.
A special drawing for artwork contributed by each of the artists will be held at the end of the sale. For more information, call 987-3472. Maps to the six artists' studios will be available at local businesses and galleries in Volcano Village and at: VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.
The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.
