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| The whale count goes on, despite the government shutdown, with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation stepping in to organize it. Photo from National Marine Sanctuary Foundation |
DESPITE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, ANNUAL WHALE COUNT IS ON, declared the the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation today. It is stepping up to help Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, a federal program. The annual Ocean Count will begin Saturday, Jan. 26, despite the federal government shutdown. National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the national non-profit partner for the National Marine Sanctuary System, will coordinate Ocean Count.
MADELEINE LONGORIA GARCIA, well known in the Kaʻū Coffee industry from the time she worked here, is headed to the national competition for the Untied States Brewers Cup, March 15 through 17, in Kansas City. She took fifth out of 36 competitors at the December 2018 United States Brewers Cup Qualifying Round in Denver. The USBC highlights and celebrates the art of manual brewing. Garcia is a professional barista, Q-grader, and cupping contest judge—a strong representative of Hawaiʻi coffee.
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"AUWE!" SAYS SEN. MAZIE HIRONO, in a Tweet that shows her opinion on the continuing partial government shutdown: "Someone who is amoral makes no distinction between right and wrong and does not care. On Friday, @realDonaldTrump confirmed he was prepared to keep the government shut down for months or years. America is a moral country with an amoral president. Auwe!"
Responding to the Trump speech on prime time television, House Majority leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer said that Trump attempted to stoke fear in the American public to force Congress to fund his wall. They said his government shutdown holds hostage innocent federal workers, contractors, and others dependent on the contribution of the federal economy to their communities. They urged him to separate the wall from everyday federal government and to fund the fed so people can return to work, and citizens can receive those services that are cut back during the shutdown.
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.
FOREVER GI BILL HOUSING PAYMENT FULFILLMENT ACT was signed into law last week by Pres. Donald Trump, while more than 800,000 federal employees remain out of work and with no pay due to the partial government shutdown.
Kris Sarri, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, says, "Through the support of dedicated volunteers, Ocean Count has provided more than 20 years of data that supplements scientific research and helps monitor humpback whales during their annual migration to the Hawaiian Islands. Fewer humpback whales are being observed in the main Hawaiian Islands in recent years, and we don't know why. Unfortunately, critical sanctuary research that could help us understand these changes is on hold indefinitely due to the government shutdown."
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| Heads, tails, and full bodies of humpback whales will be counted on Saturdays, Jan. 26, Feb. 24, and March 30, at Punaluʻu, Kalae, and Miloliʻi. On the shore of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, whether the count takes place depends on the status of the federal government shutdown. NOAA photo |
Ocean Count is a community citizen science project hosted every year during peak whale season by Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. With the federal government shutdown, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is stepping in to make sure the count is not interrupted.
The count, conducted the last Saturdays in January, February, and March, provides a snapshot of humpback whales sightings from the shoreline. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey.
Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. The Great Whale Count takes place on the same dates on Maui, led by the Pacific Whale Foundation.
More than 300 volunteers are expected to participate in Ocean Count on Saturday, Jan. 26. Other counts are scheduled for Feb. 23 and March 30.
Ocean Count participants must be registered in advance. Registration can be completed online at oceancount.org. For information, contact oceancount@marinesanctuary.org.
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports national marine sanctuaries by protecting species, conserving ecosystems and preserving America's maritime heritage through on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. See marinesanctuary.org.
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The count, conducted the last Saturdays in January, February, and March, provides a snapshot of humpback whales sightings from the shoreline. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey.
Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. The Great Whale Count takes place on the same dates on Maui, led by the Pacific Whale Foundation.
More than 300 volunteers are expected to participate in Ocean Count on Saturday, Jan. 26. Other counts are scheduled for Feb. 23 and March 30.
Ocean Count participants must be registered in advance. Registration can be completed online at oceancount.org. For information, contact oceancount@marinesanctuary.org.
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports national marine sanctuaries by protecting species, conserving ecosystems and preserving America's maritime heritage through on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. See marinesanctuary.org.
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.
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| Madeleine Longoria Garcia, brewing, well known to Kaʻū Coffee farmers, is headed to the United States Brewers Cup in Kansas City this March. Photo by Danielle Orlowski |
The road to nationals began last summer. In August, the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association sponsored Pacific Coffee Research in hosting Hawaiʻi's inaugural U.S. Coffee Champs Brewer's Cup Preliminaries at Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center in Kunia, Oʻahu. Attendees included baristas from across the islands who went head-to-head brewing two compulsory Kona coffees: Half Mile Hi and Hala Tree coffee farms.
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| Head Judge Beth Beall of Texas Coffee Trades looks over the work of Madeleine Longoria Garcia as she faces a panel of judges. Photo by Danielle Orlowski |
Over the two-day competition, Garcia took second place overall, landing a spot in the qualifier round. Danielle and Jean Orlowski, owners of Hala Tree coffee farm, sponsored Garcia during the following months. Garcia worked closely with the couple during harvest season to select varieties to use in the competition. With the help of her coach, Brian Webb of Pacific Coffee Research, the team developed a blend and roast profile using a parchment-dried (washed) Bourbon and fruit-dried (natural) Kona Typica.
"Madeleine's performance at the two qualifiers was seamless," notes Brittany Horn of Pacific Coffee Research. "She is a professional, confident, and proud representative of the Hawaiʻi coffee industry." During Garcia's presentation, she talked about the burgeoning specialty coffee industry in Hawaiʻi, and improvements in coffee quality, which she has experienced in the five years she has lived on the island. She also talked about the opportunity for education from seed to cup on the islands and Hawaiʻi's unique position as a leader in scientific research for the larger specialty coffee industry.
"The HCA is thrilled that local a local barista is excelling in this important competition using locally sourced coffee," said Kaʻū Coffee broker, Kaʻū Coffee Festival organizer, and HCA President Chris Manfredi. "It really highlights the unique combination of people and place that makes the Hawaiian coffee culture so special. We're cheering for Madeline and will be looking for her in the finals."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.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono challenges Pres. Donald Trump's views on fed shutdown. Photo from Hirono's Twitter |
Responding to the Trump speech on prime time television, House Majority leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer said that Trump attempted to stoke fear in the American public to force Congress to fund his wall. They said his government shutdown holds hostage innocent federal workers, contractors, and others dependent on the contribution of the federal economy to their communities. They urged him to separate the wall from everyday federal government and to fund the fed so people can return to work, and citizens can receive those services that are cut back during the shutdown.
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.
FOREVER GI BILL HOUSING PAYMENT FULFILLMENT ACT was signed into law last week by Pres. Donald Trump, while more than 800,000 federal employees remain out of work and with no pay due to the partial government shutdown.
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| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, standing with veterans of a selection of wars, hopes veterans will be out from under "added stress and financial hardship" with the signing of two new bills. Photo from Gabbard's Facebook |
A CBS News article by Stefan Becket and Anna Gunther says the new law is one of two "meant to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable for an IT failure that delayed payments to thousands of veterans under the Forever GI Bill."
The law will establish a team to "audit housing payments made to veterans and identify those affected by the delay," says the article.
Trump also signed the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 on Dec. 31, which includes a provision barring schools from penalizing students whose payments were delayed because of the VA's failure.
Trump also signed the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 on Dec. 31, which includes a provision barring schools from penalizing students whose payments were delayed because of the VA's failure.
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| A new system, meant to process veteran payments under the 2017 Forever GI Bill, will be delayed until the end of 2019. |
The Forever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act implements a "Tiger Team" to determine veterans affected by the IT failure and establish how to make sure they receive their benefits. The team "must be established within 15 days and submit reports to Congress every three months, with a final report due in 2020," says the CBS News report.
KAʻŪ TROJANS SPORTS: On Monday, Jan. 7. Girls Basketball, nearly beat Honokaʻa. The Trojans scored 44, but Honokaʻa scraped by, scoring five more points to win at 49.
Boys and Girls Soccer at Waiakea in Hilo were both TKO, with Hilo Boys winning with 9, and Hilo Girls winning with 15.
See below for scheduled home games for chances to root for the home team.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com |
Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball:
Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm
Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm
Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Boys Basketball:
Jan. 11, Fri., host Konawaena, 6pm
Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm
Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm
Jan. 21, Mon., @Hilo 6pm
Jan. 23, Wed., @Laupāhoehoe, 6pm , Varsity
Wrestling:
Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha
Jan. 19, Sat., @Keaʻau
Soccer:
Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau
Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa
Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani
Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona
Jan. 18, Fri., Boys host Pāhoa
Jan. 21, Mon., Girls BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 22, Tue., Boys @Kohala
Jan. 22, Tue., Boys @Kohala
Jan. 23, Wed., Girls BIIF Div. II Finals
Swimming:
Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am
Jan. 19, Sat., @KCAC, 10am
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Trials @KCAC, 3:30pm
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| Images of a past poetry night. Photo from Bee Boys Facebook |
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits. Dental, Wed., Jan. 9, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Jan. 31, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org
Lau Hala - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau - Experience the Skillful Work - Wed., Jan. 9, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Jan. 9 and 23, 2-3:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly. Free. Pre-registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10
Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Jan. 10, 17, & 31, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. All ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign up. Free; donations accepted.
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Jan. 10, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Jan. 10, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197
STOKE Screening, Thu., Jan. 10, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Film follows Jane, a struggling tourist, who hires two wannabe tour guides to take her to an active volcano. 90 min. narrative feature shot on Hawai‘i Island in 2017. Rated R for language and brief nudity. Directors in attendance for brief Q&A. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
PATCH Class #701, Creating Supportive Environments I, Fri., Jan. 11, 8-11am, back pavilion, Punalu‘u Bakery, Nā‘ālehu. Making connection between the environment, social-emotional development, and challenging behaviors - specifically relating to pre-school, home day care, etc. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org
Free Artist in Residence Lecture and Concert w/Celebrated Composer Glenn McClure, Fri., Jan. 11, 6pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center. McClure is a composer, educator, and data scientist. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
Free Community Dance, Fri., Jan. 11, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snack provided. Free; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat., Jan. 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Stained Glass Basics II: Fan Lamp Project, Sat. & Sun., Jan. 12, 13, 19 and 20, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Claudia McCall provides patterns to create a finished lamp or light catcher at end of 4-session workshop. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $30 supply fee/person. Additional $20 supply fee for lamp base and bulb. Limited space, pre-registration required. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Jan. 12, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.kawa
Introduction to Zentangle w/Ellen O'Dunn, Sat., Jan. 12, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Supplies included, no experience necessary. Bring light refreshment to share. $30, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp.'s East Hawai‘i Region Annual Public Mtg. and Forum, Sat., Jan. 12, 1:30-2:30pm, Ka‘ū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, 1 Kamani Street, Pāhala. Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant, 315-7558
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
A Celebration of Life and Art: Honoring the Legacy of Dietrich Varez, Sun., Jan. 13, 1-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222MONDAY, JANUARY 14
Free STD Testing, Mon., Jan. 14, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. 2nd Monday, monthly. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tue., Jan. 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - New Insights from Kīlauea's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 15, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS HVO geologist Matt Patrick presents. Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
The Public is Invited to Speak Up on Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, health needs, and health care planning for Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp.'s East Hawaiʻi Region annual public meeting and forum will take place Saturday, Jan. 12, from
An overview of the operations and financial condition of all facilities, including Kaʻū and Hilo hospitals, as well as a view toward the future, will be presented. Ample time will be available for community members to share their perspectives and concerns regarding access to health care services, said a statement from Hawaiʻi Health Systems.
Dr. Daniel Belcher, Chair of the East Hawaiʻi Regional Board of HHSC, said, "I would like to encourage everyone who has an interest in our hospitals and regional health system to bring your questions and concerns to this meeting."
Registration for P&R Boys & Girls, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball League open through Jan. 16, Kahuku Park, H.OV.E. For ages 5-8. Programs run Jan. 22-Apr. 18, game and practice times tba. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
The event features five guest speakers: Pastor Mat Torres of Zion's House of Praise, Pastor Mark Parra of The House Hilo, Pastor Troy Gacayan of River of Life Assembly of God in Pāhala, and Rev. Ken Gaub of Ken Gaub Ministries.
Ola Shaw of Kona and special guest musician Ricky "RNB" Brown of San Jose, CA, provide music for the event.
Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.
Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona .
Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must also have their own housing and transportation, a driver's license, and be able to pass a criminal history check. The internship is offered through Kupu Hawai‘i. Those interested are asked to fill out an application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation under Conservation Leaders Program as soon as possible. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.
Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes in January include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays, from Jan. 16 through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.
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