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| Humpback whale season in Hawai‘i has begun. The public is invited to sign up for upcoming whale count events at sanctuaryoceancount.org after the majority of humpback whales are expected to arrive in January. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
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| According to N.O.A.A. as many as 12,000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawai‘i. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
"Collisions between whales and vessels occur annually, presenting serious risks to boaters as well as the whales," said Edward Lyman, large whale entanglement response coordinator for the sanctuary. "Whale calves are particularly vulnerable because they are difficult to see and surface more often."
Humpbacks can also get entangled in fishing gear, which can result in starvation, physical trauma and infections, and may contribute to vessel strikes since the animals are less mobile.
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| A humpback whale entangled in a discarded fishing net swims near the surface, making it more vulnerable to vessel strikes. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
Those who see an injured or entangled marine mammal are urged to keep a safe and legal distance and call N.O.A.A.'s Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Hotline at 888-256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 immediately. Those reporting a vessel coming too close to a whale, call the N.O.A.A. Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964 or email respectwildlife@noaa.gov. Additional guidelines and safety tips can be found at: hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/res/ocean_etiquette.html.
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| Humpback whales are known to feed in Alaska and then migrate to Hawaiian waters to breed, calve and nurse their young. Photo by N.O.A.A. |
N.O.A.A.'s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. N.O.A.A. offers Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media channels.
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MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND EDUCATION are in Monday's request by Gov. David Ige who unveiled his Supplemental Budget proposal, which will be taken up by the 2018 session of the Hawai‘i Legislature beginning in January. His statement asks "the State Legislature to continue supporting programs that tackle many of the challenges our communities face."
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| When viewing humpback whales, unless in possession of a special government issued permit, everyone is required to keep a distance of at least 100 yards when on or in the water. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
The governor reported that housing production is up. Homelessness is down nearly 9 percent across the state. "Our classrooms are cooler. Hawai‘i is a recognized national and international leader in sustainability and clean energy. And Moody’s Analytics reports that Hawai‘i is one of only 16 states with enough cash reserves to weather the 'stress test' of another recession."
The governor's Fiscal 2019 amendments total $85.5 million – an increase of 0.6 percent over F.Y. 19 operating appropriations in the biennium budget (all revenue sources).
He said that the state’s improved G.O. bond ratings and lower interest rates make it a favorable time to invest in the state’s infrastructure. "These capital projects have broad economic impact, supporting about 14,000 jobs of which 5,520 will be in the construction industry," said Ige.
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| Those who see an injured or entangled marine mammal are urged to keep a safe distance and call N.O.A.A.'s Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Hotline or U.S. Coast Guard immediately. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
HOUSING: "We are asking for a cash infusion of more than $100 million," announced Ige. This includes a $25 million C.I.P. for the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund statewide and $50 million C.I.P. for the Rental Housing Revolving Fund statewide. Ige said that the Department of Hawaiian Homelands is helping in the effort to produce more housing. The governor is also asking for a $10 million C.I.P. for repairs and maintenance of existing infrastructure and a $15 million C.I.P. for lot development.
“Our efforts are paying off. Since I’ve been in office, 5,300 units have been completed, 40 percent of them affordable. There are another 1,400 under construction and 4,500 units in the planning stages. Let’s build on our momentum,” Ige said.
“Our efforts are paying off. Since I’ve been in office, 5,300 units have been completed, 40 percent of them affordable. There are another 1,400 under construction and 4,500 units in the planning stages. Let’s build on our momentum,” Ige said.
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| Humpback whale calves are particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes because they are difficult to see and surface more often than adults. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
To maintain safety in public areas, Ige is asking for eight full time equivalent permanent positions and $419,302 for deputy sheriffs positions to support homeless and illegal camping operations. He is also requesting $300,000 for staff time and equipment to support homelessness policy reinforcement statewide for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
“For the first time in eight years, there are fewer homeless people across the state – a decline of nearly nine percent. We hope the State Legislature continues to support our efforts to put more families in homes and drastically reduce our homeless population,” Ige said.
FOR A SUSTAINABLE HAWAI‘I: the governor is asking for $5 million for cash infusion for the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund; $2.8 million for agricultural infrastructure improvements; $8.3 million for watershed protection; $7 million for land acquisition for forest reserve expansion on O‘ahu and Maui; $8.7 million for state parks infrastructure and improvements.
“We are asking for this funding to continue support of the initiatives announced at last year’s I.U.C.N. World Conservation Congress – protecting our natural resources, doubling local food production, and growing our economy,” said Ige.
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| Humpback whales are protected by state and federal agencies. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
“We see progress on complex issues, and this budget aligns our values and programs with those actions we know will make a difference. My administration remains focused on doing things the right way to achieve the best outcomes for the State of Hawai‘i,” said the governor.
See his supplemental budget request at budget.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Budget-in-Brief-FY-19-BIB.2eM.pdf. |
| When approaching humpback whales, unless in possession of a special government issued permit, everyone is required to keep a distance of at least 1,000 feet while in the air. Photo from N.O.A.A. |
"We are delighted to welcome one of the strongest journalists in the state to our growing newsroom," said H.P.R. News Director Bill Dorman. "We look forward to Catherine's continuing contributions to the community."
Cruz has been a television reporter in Hawai‘i since 1983 and has won a number of awards and respect from a statewide audience. She spent more than 30 years at K.I.T.V., covering beats from government to education and health.
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| Catherine Cruz will be on 89.1FM in Ka‘ū, Hawai‘i Public Radio at 11 a.m. daily, starting Tuesday. The show is called The Conversation. Photo from H.P.R. |
Cruz is a graduate of San Francisco State University. She holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
H.P.R. currently has a news and talk staff of 12, plus three contributing reporters from the Neighbor Islands.
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A CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER will be Friday, Dec. 22, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A young Spanish choir form San Carlos, California will perform. Also on the program are popular Christmas carols, a skit and hula, followed by refreshments. Santa Claus will appear. Call Ron Gall at Ocean View Community Association, 939-7033, or email ovcahawaii@gmail.com.
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ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH ANNOUNCES A CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE for all on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m. The schedule includes carols and bells at 5 p.m., main service at 6:15 p.m., with a potluck after. For more details, visit stjudeshawaii.org or call 939-7000.
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| See public Ka‘ū events, meetings entertainment at kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decemberevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decembercommunity.html. December print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com. |
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Basketball: Wednesday, Dec. 20, Waiakea @ Ka‘ū.
Boys Soccer: Wednesday, Dec. 20, Honoka‘a.
Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Dec. 19, Hilo @ Ka‘ū.
Swimming: Saturday, Dec. 23, @ Hilo.
Boys Soccer: Wednesday, Dec. 20, Honoka‘a.
Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Dec. 19, Hilo @ Ka‘ū.
Swimming: Saturday, Dec. 23, @ Hilo.
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HOLIDAY FAVORITES IS PERFORMED BY THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF KONA on Tuesday, Dec. 19, starting at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa.
The orchestra, under the direction of Bernaldo Evangalista, will present Christmas at the Movies, Sleigh Ride, Carol of the Bells, Santa at the Symphony, Festive Sounds of Hanukah, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and many more. Ursula Vietze is the orchestras concert master. Among those performing are Susan McGovern from Volcano on viola and Ocean View residents Arlene Arai on trumpet, Steve Moon on trumpet, Michael Cripps on cello and Peter Bosted on oboe.
Tickets are $10/$20. Free entry is given to those under 18 years old. Purchase tickets at the door starting at 6 p.m. or visit chamberorchestraofkona.com/concerts.html.
Beer, wine and champagne are served before the concert and during the break. Validated parking on the Sheraton's grounds.
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REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8, FOR A MINI GINGERBREAD HOUSE craft class that has been announced for Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Register until Tuesday, Dec. 19. For more, call Nona Makuakāne or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20, from noon to 1 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
The orchestra, under the direction of Bernaldo Evangalista, will present Christmas at the Movies, Sleigh Ride, Carol of the Bells, Santa at the Symphony, Festive Sounds of Hanukah, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and many more. Ursula Vietze is the orchestras concert master. Among those performing are Susan McGovern from Volcano on viola and Ocean View residents Arlene Arai on trumpet, Steve Moon on trumpet, Michael Cripps on cello and Peter Bosted on oboe.
Tickets are $10/$20. Free entry is given to those under 18 years old. Purchase tickets at the door starting at 6 p.m. or visit chamberorchestraofkona.com/concerts.html.
Beer, wine and champagne are served before the concert and during the break. Validated parking on the Sheraton's grounds.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20, from noon to 1 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. See agendas and more at hawaiicounty.gov.
HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK HOST A FREE CONCERT featuring award-winning musical artist Ken Makuakāne on Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Makuakāne has won 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award, and six Big Island Music Awards. Park entrance fees apply.
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū meets Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu. For more, call Pres. Berkley Yoshida at 747-0197.
MAKE LEI WITH TROPICAL AG FARMER KAIPO AHCHONG at Aloha Friday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center. AhChong's experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions. For more visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.A CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER will be held on Friday, Dec. 22. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church, it begins at 7 p.m. The event is free to all and highlights include refreshments and gifts for children in attendance.
VOLUNTEER WITH HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK to help remove invasive non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in at two remaining Stewardship at the Park events that take place this December. The upcoming event is Saturday, Dec. 23, with the event also taking place Dec. 30. Volunteers should meet leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. Fore more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and amazing volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures.
For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
Classes are held at The Kona Cooperative Extension Service office in Kainaliu, with field trips and workshops in the area. The next program will be held for three hours every Tuesday morning through April 17. Classes will be involved with current Master Gardener projects and will include hands-on orientation to the Helpline and Outreach programs.
Apply online by googling West Hawai‘i Master Gardeners. For more information, call the UH Cooperative Ext. Office at 322-4884.
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.
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