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| Kaʻū Learning Academy students on a field trip to Kilauea Volcano with their Every Kid in a Park passes. The public is invited to the school's board meeting on Monday, 4 p.m., at its campus, the old Discovery Harbour Golf Course, concerning KLA's future. Photo from NPS |
Tydlacka is responding to Hawai‘i State Charter School Commission's public meeting of the future of the school, held last Monday at the Discovery Harbour Community Association Assembly Hall. Only three community members were allowed to testify before the Commission's Executive Director, Sione Thompson, shut down the meeting, when KLA supporters asked him to give the school administration more time to talk.
At risk is Hawai‘i State Charter School Commission possibly shutting down the school. The commission put KLA on notice that its charter could be rescinded, pointing to accounting practices that the school administration promises to repair.
On The Ka‘ū Calendar Facebook, regarding shutting down last Monday's meeting, Sel Danslard commented, "Shameful, let the parents be heard!" Cherub Akin posted, "Let the residents be heard!" Peggy Souza said, "I've attended many public hearings/meetings and this did not remotely resemble any of them... shameful."
Regarding a comment during last Monday's Commission meeting - when Tommy Akin objected to the school being located in Discovery Harbour, which he described as a retirement community - Melissa Ann Swinsen posted on The Ka‘ū Calendar: "I live in DH. I’m not retired; my 23 year old daughter isn't retired nor are my grand kids." David DeMello posted that Discovery Harbour Discovery Harbor
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Community member Rachel Ballesteros Velez defended |
Rachel Fitzner posted statistics about Discovery Harbour
Part of a comment left by Marcia Duncan on the KLA comment site read, "Some parents were sporadically vocal about their displeasure but in no way was the meeting 'out of control' or needing to be shut down." and that the meeting was "bizarre". Other comments described the meeting as "absolutely infuriating" -Andy Charles, "completely outrageous" -A. Bradford, and "a joke and an insult"–Mike. Priscilla H., Nicholas Bordonaro, and Shirley M. referred to the Hawai‘i State Charter School Executive Director as a "bully". Bonnie and Harold S. wrote, "It makes us pause and wonder just what is this investigations true objective. It certainly does not have the best interest of the students or the families of Ka‘ū! We strongly support the states continuation of Ka‘ū Learning Academy
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From Rachel Fitzner's post showing Discovery |
See KLA's public comment page and the Charter School Commission's portal for community input. See documents regarding Commssion's concerns about KLA. View the wind-up of the Jan. 29 meeting and read more on the KLA website. Read more on page 18 of January's Ka‘ū Calendar, Jan. 30 Kaʻū News Briefs, or Feb. 1 Ka‘ū News Briefs.
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IN THE WAKE OF THE FALSE BALLISTIC MISSILE ALERT Jan. 13, Vern T. Miyagi resigned his state position as Hawaiʻi Emergency Agency Administrator as of Tuesday, Jan. 30. When the false alert of an incoming nuclear missile blared on cell phones throughout the state, panic lasted 37 minutes, the time it took for HI-EMA to send out an official correction. The mistake was made during an unannounced internal practice drill at HI-EMA.
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| Vern T. Miyagi stepped down after false missile alert led to a terrified population. |
The employee who erroneously implemented the alert is terminated from his job. The other members of the State Warning Point team are offered mental health counseling to help recover from the trauma. The warning system that allowed the error is new, installed in mid-December. A federal analysis states: "No technical training was provided to the SWP, only basic application. Many SWP personnel felt this training was inadequate."
The official report points out several areas where protocols and SOPs were not followed, or not updated sufficiently. The report notes that thorough training and procedure practice is planned for the resumption of drills. Many official recommendations are on record, says the federal report.
Miyagi closed his resignation announcement with this message: "And to the people of Hawaiʻi, recent events have cast a bright light on our emergency preparedness, and caused many of you to consider whether you are ready for the emergencies we will surely face. Don't let that feeling pass without taking action. Here it is from me one last time: Know where to go, what to do, and when to do it. Have a plan. Be safe, and know that whatever happens, good and courageous people will be there to help."
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Young members of Halau Hula O Leionalani, which is open for new registration, with practice each Wednesday at |
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KA‘Ū ATHLETICS RECEIVED DONATION OF ANOTHER $250 prize, won this time by AJ Libunao, during the ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou half-court shot Jan. 20. So far, 2018 has seen Ka‘ū Athletics, which supports Trojan Sports, receive $1,500 in prize monies, donated by six talented young men.
REGISTRATION FOR HALAU HULA O LEIONALANI classes, led by Kumu Hula Debbie Leionalani Ryder, is open for new students. Ryder teaches Wednesdays at Pāhala Community Center 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. , adult beginners 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. , and adult advanced 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Register by coming to class or call 649-9334.
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| AJ Libunao, pictured with June Domondon of OKK and Trojans Athletic Director Kalei Namohala. Photo from Ka‘ū Athletics |
KA‘Ū ATHLETICS RECEIVED DONATION OF ANOTHER $250 prize, won this time by AJ Libunao, during the ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou half-court shot Jan. 20. So far, 2018 has seen Ka‘ū Athletics, which supports Trojan Sports, receive $1,500 in prize monies, donated by six talented young men.
OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS on Monday, Feb. 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.
AN ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY ROAD CLEAN-UP, between mile markers 78 and 79 on Highway 11 in Ocean View, is hosted by Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Bags, water, and vests (volunteers shirt sizes should be emailed to address below) are provided. Volunteers are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m., and are advised to wear work gloves and sun protection. Confirm meet-up location by emailing Pat at mcmathorama@gmail.com. Ocean View Community Association can be reached at 939-7033 or by visiting ovcahi.org.
REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY FEB. 6, FOR A "YEAR OF THE DOG" WALL HANGING arts and crafts class that takes place Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, for more.
DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.
A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā‘ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.
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KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.
PRESERVATION OF STONE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE: Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park, is presented Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Archeologist MaryAnne Maigret gives an historical overview of early and mid-20th century restorations of Hōnaunau, and a behind-the-scenes look at 50-plus years of preservation at the park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Suggested donation of $2 to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEETS TUESDAY, FEB. 6, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Both meetings occur in Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 (committees), and Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Council), in Kona. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.
ADVOCATS, INC., comes to Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to perform free cat spay and neuter services. For more, call 895-9283.
KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. KMC is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.
MAKE A VALENTINE FOR YOUR VALENTINE! at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Friday, Feb. 9, starting at 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For more details, call 939-2442. |
See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com/ janfebmar/januaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januarycommunity.html. January print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com. |
REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY FEB. 6, FOR A "YEAR OF THE DOG" WALL HANGING arts and crafts class that takes place Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, for more.
DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.
A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā‘ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.
PRESERVATION OF STONE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE: Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park, is presented Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Archeologist MaryAnne Maigret gives an historical overview of early and mid-20th century restorations of Hōnaunau, and a behind-the-scenes look at 50-plus years of preservation at the park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Suggested donation of $2 to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEETS TUESDAY, FEB. 6, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Both meetings occur in Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 (committees), and Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Council), in Kona. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.
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| AdvoCATS, Inc. comes to Ocean View Community Center and offers free cat spay and neuter services. Image from adovocatshawaii.org |
KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. KMC is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.
ABSTRACTS AND PROPOSALS ARE DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 9, for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations for 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in July. For more, visit hawaiconservation.org.
JOIN PAUL AND JANE FIELD IN VOLUNTEERING FOR STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT on Friday, Feb. 9, and remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO. This event will also be held Feb. 17 and 19.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, Feb. 9, at their Ka‘ū Preserve (located between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu), from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact Linda Schubert at 443-5401 or lschubert@tnc.org. The following Volunteer Day will take place on Friday, Mar. 23, at TNC’s Kona Hema Preserve.
A PERFORMANCE OF NORA EPHRON'S LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Kīlauea Theater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to raise funds for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. The play is based on a best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman. Tickets are $20 per person. For reservations or more info, call 982-7344.
ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, a workshop taught by well-known Bonsai Sensei Bill Newton, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, 17, and 24, at Volcano Garden Arts. Sign up for all three classes and receive a complimentary meal at award winning Cafe Ono. Space is limited. For more, call 985-8979 or visit volcanogardenarts.com.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HAWAIIAN HOSPOT AND CREATION OF KAHUKU on a hike, Birth of Kahuku, on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.
KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, arranged by Mā Mamo o Kāwā, is hosted Saturday, Feb. 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. Sign up with James Akau by emailing namamookawa@gmail.com or calling 430-3058.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND A RAFFLE are offered at by Ocean View Community Association at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. To volunteer, call 939-7033. Visit ovcahi.org for more.
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| Example of a Zentagle-inspired frame. Image from pinterest.com |
ZENTANGLE: THE ELEGANCE OF LIMITS, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. Learn how to use tangles for boarders and how to create elegant frames to hold Zentangle art with Lois & Earl Stokes. Zentagle Basics is recommended but not required. All art supplies provided. Class fees are $30 for VAC members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.
HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.
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| Mauna Ulu and Pu‘u Huluhulu. Photo from NPS.gov |
JOIN VOLCANOLOGIST CHERYL GANSECKI for a Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This moderate three-mile hike explores the Mauna Ulu area, a landscape that was transformed during a five-year eruption, which tells the story of one of the longest-known rift-zone eruptions of Kīlauea . The course skirts gaping fissures, traverses massive lava fields, and features spectacular visuals like lava trees.
Due to the fragile nature of this significant cultural area, space is limited to 15 people, and reservations are required. The hike is free for, but restricted to, members of Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
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