Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, January 1, 2019

A FEDERAL WORKERS UNION SUES OVER SHUTDOWN: As the partial federal government closure, starting Dec. 22, pressured Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and other federal entities to shutter facilities and programs, the American Federation of Government Employees sued. Lead attorney Heidi Burakiewicz filed suit on New Years Eve for employees labeled "essential" and "expected" who work during the shutdown without pay. They include those critical for security and infrastructure. Among those who could be covered by the suit are federal firefighters and law enforcement officers at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

     Burakiewicz told The Washington Post reporter Deanna Paul, "It's outrageous the government expects them to work without knowing when they'll get their next paycheck." 

     She said that nationwide, essential and expected federal employees face workplaces understaffed and unfair costs, like commuting to work, gas, and child care. "They may be paycheck to paycheck, have cellphone bills, mortgages...It's unacceptable for any employer, but especially for the U.S.government." She told The Washington Post that timing of the closure already qualified some employees to sue and that many more, some 420,000 across the country, would be eligible if the shutdown goes beyond the next pay cycle that ends midnight Saturday, Jan. 5.

     In addition to those in the National Park Service, the suit covers employees in the Departments of Transportation, Forest Service, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, and IRS. Those who work in border patrol and federal prison guards are included.
     The American Federation of Government Employees filing the suit is the largest union representing federal government workers.

     In the meantime, Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation promised to fight to fund the government and to break the standoff with Pres. Donald Trump who is holding up government funding until he receives  money to build a wall along the southern mainland border of the country to keep out immigrants.
   Nationwide, some 800,000 government employees were without paychecks at the beginning of 2019 and many may never see a dime for time they were involuntarily furloughed. Sen. Mazie Hirono vowed to work with congress to pay them, and offered her own pay during the shutdown to Hawaiʻi's food banks.
     As the shutdown continues, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes keeps its main gate open, without admission fees. Non-profits and Park business partners step up to help visitors.
     Should the shutdown roll through weeks in January, it would be difficult to keep the park open without funding, said park officials. However, just before the New Year, Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaiʻi County were expecting to commit money to assist Hawai`i Volcanoes. The state and its Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority also considered assisting, as it did for the Arizona Memorial on Oʻahu.

     Open at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are: Volcano Art Center Gallery; Volcano House hotel, restaurants, and stores; Kīlauea Theatre; KMC accommodations, restaurant, store, and lounge; and KīlaueaVisitorCenterdisplays and its Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association bookstore. Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks staff members keep the VisitorCenter open 9 .am. to 5 p.m.every day.

Aerial fireworks displays over homes in Pāhalaon New Years Eve.  Photo by Michael Worthington

     Also open are Kīlauea Visitor Center picnic tables and restrooms; Crater Rim Drive from Park entrance to KMC; Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and KMC; Steam Vents and Sulfur Banks; Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu (vehicles not permitted past the gate at Kīpukapuaulu); Mauna Loa Road to Mauna Loa Lookout – pedestrians and bicyclists only; Kīpukapuaulu day use picnic area (no trash or custodial services – pack it in, pack it out only); Kīpukapuaulu and trail; and Ka‘ū Desert Trail to the Footprints shelter and exhibit.

     The rest of the park is closed, including the Kahuku Unit near Ocean View, Chain of Craters Road, Escape Road, all campgrounds, and all backcountry areas.