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| Justin Kripps, center, is a bobsleigh pilot, born in Nāʻālehu, who guided Canada to a sliver medal in the 2017 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Championships. He competes in his third Olympics in the four-man bobsled starting on Thursday. Photo from easternontarionetwork.com |
KAʻŪ-BORN JUSTIN KRIPPS WILL COMPETE IN BOBSLED at the Olympics. Vying for medals in the two-man and four-man competitions on team Canada, Kripps will pilot the bobsled in his third Olympics. Bobsled training heats begin tomorrow, Feb. 15, in Pyeongchang , South Korea , and continue until the final race on Feb. 25.
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| Justin Kripps |
His first time at Olympics, he was a crewman, but soon after was offered coaching to be pilot - the front man for a team of two or four - by retired sledder Pierre Lueders, who has an impressive record of two Olympic medals, eight World Championships, and 11 World Cup overall titles during his 20 years.
After his bobsled overturned during the four-man race in the last winter Olympics in
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| Kripps, at front. |
He piloted his two-man team, with Alexander Kopacz - his most consistent brakeman - into third place at two-men bobsled World Cup in Königssee, Germany, on Jan. 20.
Kripps is hopeful that this third trip to the Olympics will be his time to win gold. He and Kopacz are favored to place Bronze in the two-man competition.
HALTING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST IMMIGRANTS was on Sen. Mazie Hirono's mind this week. She retweeted a photo of Korean American Olympic snowboard gold medalist Chloe Kim presenting the American flag. Hirono shared Sen. Dick Durbin's remarks from the Senate floor: "Olympic gold medalist @chloekimsnow is the daughter of a immigrant father who came to America determined to make a better life for his family. Their story is the story of immigration in America. My Senate colleagues should keep it in mind this week," said Durbin. He made the point as discussion in the Senate began toward solving policy problems that could lead to deportation of many DREAMers, the working and student immigrants, brought here illegally by their parents as children.
Hirono also encouraged constituents to continue to fight against Pres. Donald Trump's Muslim ban this week. She spoke at a ceremony to honor the late civil rights fighter Fred T. Korematsu in Washington, D.C.
Korematsu took the federal government to the Supreme Court when it interred Japanese Americans during World War II. Though he lost that court battle, his own conviction for evading internment was overturned decades after the war.
Earlier this year, Hirono joined Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to introduce a resolution that commemorates Jan. 30 as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution and denounces any effort to discriminate against any individual based on national origin or religion.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted the photo of Olympic gold medalist and Korean American Chloe Kim. |
Korematsu took the federal government to the Supreme Court when it interred Japanese Americans during World War II. Though he lost that court battle, his own conviction for evading internment was overturned decades after the war.
Earlier this year, Hirono joined Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to introduce a resolution that commemorates Jan. 30 as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution and denounces any effort to discriminate against any individual based on national origin or religion.
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Don Tamaki, coram nobis attorney for Fred Korematsu; Sen. Mazie Hirono; and Karen Korematsu. Photo from Hirono |
"Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi (a sociologist who resisted internment), and Minoru Yasui (an attorney who resisted internment) fought the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and dedicated their lives to defending civil rights," said Hirono. "However, history can repeat itself if we are not vigilant, and these times call for our vigilance. This country is worth fighting for and I thank you for fighting for justice." Her remarks accompanied a screening of a new film, And Then They Came for Us. See the trailer. See more at the Fred T. Korematsu Institute.
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| Fred Korematsu, civil rights activist for immigrants to the U.S. |
Last January, Hirono joined 29 Senate Democrats in demanding that Trump rescind his executive order establishing the Muslim Ban, the statement said.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.HULA KAHIKO AND NĀ MEA HULA SERIES CONTINUE inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National on Saturday, Feb. 17. Sponsored by Volcano Art Center, the free hula performance and demonstration occur once a month.
Kumu Hula Ka‘ea Lyons and Lily Kahelelani Lyons Dudiot with Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani perform Hula Kahiko on the kahua hula (platform) near the Volcano Art Center Gallery, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Both native residents of Kalaoa, Kona, Dudiot and Lyons come from a family of hula dancers and musicians and are “proud to have the opportunity to carry on this legacy that was gifted to them by their mother Sally Alohikea-Toko,” says the event description on volcanoartcenter.org. Their hula years span their lifetime, each with over 35 years of experience. As students of Halau Nā Lei ‘O Kaholoku they participated in the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, traveled to Japan, New Zealand, Tahiti, Taiwan and all across the U.S.
Kumu Hula Ka‘ea Lyons and Lily Kahelelani Lyons Dudiot with Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani perform Hula Kahiko on the kahua hula (platform) near the Volcano Art Center Gallery, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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| Kumu Hula Ka‘ea Lyons and Lily Kahelelani Lyons Dudiot. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
The Hula Kahiko performance will be presented authentically in an outdoor setting, rain or shine without electronic amplification. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats.
These events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and individual funding from members of the Volcano Art Center’s ʻohana.
In conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performance, the public is invited to join Kumu Hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe and mebers of Hālauolaokalani on the lānai of the Volcano Art Center Gallery, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They present and share a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. The demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.
THURSDAY, FEB. 15
STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU Thursdays, Feb. 15 and 22, at 9:30 a.m., at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11. Remove invasives; bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, water, closed-toe shoes - clothing could be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com - nps.gov/HAVO for more.
WEST HAWAI ‘I FISHERY COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING at Puka‘ana Church 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Meetings happen third Thursday each month - West Hawai‘i Fishery Council website.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON HIKING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Thurs., Feb. 15, 6 p.m., at Nāʻālehu Community Hall and Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The hike would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.
FAMILY READING hosted at Ocean View Community Center Thurs., Feb. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. - 939-7033 or ovcahi.org.
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū meets Thurs., Feb. 15,6:30 p.m. , at United Methodist Church
FREE LOMILOMI DEMONSTRATION AT KAHUKU from master practitioner, Fri., Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to noon . Entrance to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
HULA & OLI WITH KAHO‘OKELE CRABBE hosted on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery, Fri., Feb. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org.
CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei. The free hike is offered Friday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 18, from11 a.m. to noon , starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center
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Island has provided a safe and educational place for children after school.
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These events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and individual funding from members of the Volcano Art Center’s ʻohana.
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| Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
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THURSDAY, FEB. 15
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS SUMMER INNOVATIONS ACADEMY
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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com /janfebmar/februaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html. February 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. |
STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA FROM TŪTŪ & ME Thurs., Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon , Nā‘ālehu Public Library - 929-8571.
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| Volunteer with Hawai‘i Volcaneos National Park to remove invasive species from native forest habitat. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO |
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON HIKING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Thurs., Feb. 15, 6 p.m., at Nāʻālehu Community Hall and Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The hike would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.
FAMILY READING hosted at Ocean View Community Center Thurs., Feb. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. - 939-7033 or ovcahi.org.
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū meets Thurs., Feb. 15,
LITTLE FIRE ANT PRESENTATION WITH BIG ISLAND INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE, Volcano Art Center, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free, suggested donation $5 - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.
FRIDAY, FEB. 16
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| Kaho‘okele Crabbe |
CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei. The free hike is offered Friday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 18, from
MARDI GRAS AT ST. JUDE 'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH hosted Friday, Feb. 16; doors at 5:30 p.m. , dinner 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets at the door: $5/person, $15/two, $20/family - 939-7555.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON RAISING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The increase would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON RAISING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The increase would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.
SATURDAY, FEB. 17
WARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, with Paul and Jane Field, Sat., Feb. 17 and Mon., Feb. 19, 8:45 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.
WARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, with Paul and Jane Field, Sat., Feb. 17 and Mon., Feb. 19, 8:45 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.
LA‘AU LAPA‘AU, BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS, at Ka‘ū District Gym, 9 a.m. to noon , Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24. Free; to register or for more details, call 969-9220 and ask for the Traditional Health team - hmono.org to learn more about the organization.
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| Henry ʻOpukahaʻia |
TĪ AND SEAS, NEW ART EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center Gallery featuring oil paintings by Pāhoa resident Steve Irvine, opens to the public Sat., Feb. 17 to Sun., Mar. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , daily. Irvine shares his inspirations and techniques at an opening reception on Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.
CELEBRATIONS HONOR HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA AT PUNALU‘U. Bell ringing ceremony and gathering at Hokuloa Chapel at10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. A Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. , also at the tiny chapel above the sea.
CELEBRATIONS HONOR HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA AT PUNALU‘U. Bell ringing ceremony and gathering at Hokuloa Chapel at
ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, with Sensei Bill Newton, Volcano Garden Arts, Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24. Space is limited - 985-8979 or volcanogardenarts.com.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m , Ocean View Community Center
PANIOLO FROM KA‘Ū HEAD TO PANA‘EWA for annual Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 17, 18 and 19. Rodeo Grounds open at noon on Saturday, 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. Buster Barton is the announcer and Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison will protect the paniolo and entertain - HawaiiRodeo
Stampede.com.
Stampede.com.
A MONGOLIAN BBQ at Crater Rim Café, Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests; park entrance fees apply - 967-8356 or kilaueamilitary
camp.com.
camp.com.
BUNCO & POTLUCK, Sat., Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Bring a dish to share - call Margie Hack at 541-954-8297.
SUNDAY, FEB. 18
PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU FREE, GUIDED HIKE, Sun., Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. , within Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA WILL BE HONORED SUNDAY AT PUNALU‘U. The Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at10 a.m. at the tiny Hokuloa chapel above the sea. The service will replace the regular worship service in the Wai‘ohinu church. An additional commemoration service will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, at 9:30 a.m. , at Kahikolu Congregational Church on Napo ‘opo‘o Rd., where his body was reinterred in 1993.
CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a free, Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei, through Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) to the edge of Kīlauea Caldera at Akanikōlea (Steaming Bluff). Sunday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center - nps.gov/HAVO.
SUMMIT Kīlauea Visitor Center 8:45 a.m. Mon., Feb. 19. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meets Monday, Feb. 19, from5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. , in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.
REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY PAPER FLOWER CLASS from Feb. 20 to 27, for keiki grades K-8 Wed., Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
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HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEET TUESDAY, FEB. 20, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Both meetings occur in Kona. Ka‘ū; residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.
HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA WILL BE HONORED SUNDAY AT PUNALU‘U. The Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at
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| Chinese New Year Guided Hikes - in Mandarin Chinese - are offered at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park this weekend. See event details below. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO |
MONDAY, FEB. 19
STEWARDSHIP AT THE DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meets Monday, Feb. 19, from
TUESDAY, FEB. 20
REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 BY FEB. 20 FOR A PRESIDENT'S DAY STAR HANGING arts and crafts activity, Wed., Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Free; call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY PAPER FLOWER CLASS from Feb. 20 to 27, for keiki grades K-8 Wed., Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
UPCOMING
SUPPORT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB locations at Pāhala and Ocean View by purchasing tickets and sponsoring persons to attend the annual Youth of the Year celebration, Friday, Mar. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, in the Moku Ola Ballroom. For 66 years, its outreach to the To purchase tickets, contact Ka‘ū Boardmember Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net. To purchase an ad in the Gala program, become a Gala sponsor, make a financial donation, or to donate an auction item, contact Gail Hamasu at 961-5536 or gail@bgcbi.org.
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