Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, January 15, 2019

A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT BY STATE SEN. KAI KAHELE could put him in a position to serve Kaʻū. The announcement is planned for Monday, Jan. 21, at 10:30 a.m., at Moʻoheau Bandstand in Hilo. One possibility is that he will run for U.S. House of Representatives to take the place of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who would be unable to run for her current seat and the U.S. Presidency at the same time. Last weekend, Gabbard said she will run for President.

     Should Kahele run and win the House seat, he would represent Kaʻū, the place of his roots – his father's family comes from Miloliʻi. The Democrat would serve all rural populations throughout the islands. His father, Gil Kahele, whose family land is in Miloliʻi, served as a state Senator from Kaʻū before redistricting put him in Hilo.

Sen. Kai Kahele plans a big announcement next Monday. Will he run for Congress? Photo from Team Kahele

     When Gil Kahele died, Gov. David Ige named Kai Kahele to fill his father's seat. Kai Kahele was reelected to the position.

     Team Kahele invites the public to the bandstand for the announcement on Monday: "Kai, Maria, their girls, and the Kahele ʻohana is inviting you to join them, next week Monday, January 21, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., at the Moʻoheau Bandstand in Downtown Hilo. They have a BIG announcement that they would like to share with you! Mahalo for all your support through the years and we look forward to seeing you there."

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Diana Aki and Keoki Kahumoku in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal

THE LIFE OF DIANA AKI WILL BE CELEBRATED AT MILOLIʻI this Saturday from noon to 6 p.m at the oceanfront park.
     Diana Puakini Aki, 76, died on Jan. 8. Known as the Songbird of Miloliʻi, she performed and taught music many times in Kaʻū, with the late Cyril Pahinui, at Keoki Kahumoku's music camps, Debbie Ryder's hula and music events, as well as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival & BioBlitz celebrations. She often performed and taught in Miloliʻi, a regular at the La ʻOhana annual event.
     Aki was famous for her soaring soprano Hawaiian falsetto voice, wining a Na Hanohano Female Vocalist of the Year award.
     View and hear her singing Aloha Punaluʻu, playing ʻukulele and accompanied by steel guitar, on the HVNP website.

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     "Due to this discrepancy, HWF saw the need for a third party to conduct additional surveys and report back to federal and state agencies, concerned Puna community members, and through social media platforms," said the organization's report released on Monday.

     HWF's Puna Aerial Reconnaissance Survey Report details areas surveyed and methods used. It is available online.

     After completing two aerial surveys, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund identified the following:

     Turtles appear to be in higher numbers outside of the lava ocean entry areas, likely staying near the food sources that were not covered or "scrubbed" by new sand and wave interactions.

     There is no evidence that large numbers of turtles were stranded or killed by lava flow, although there were obviously some tragedies. Turtle experts that were interviewed believe that most turtles would simply swim away from the lava impacted areas.

     The recovery of ecosystems in the lava impacted areas will depend on healthy coral reefs nearby that can provide needed resources, and fish and invertebrate larvae, for recolonization.

     Hazards such as marine debris and ocean pollution likely have a greater negative impact on turtles and other marine resources worldwide than the recent lava ocean entry event.

     Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund reminds the public to refrain from shining lights around turtles as white light disorients them – use only red light. Another tip: A green sea turtle basking on the shore is not in distress.

     The organization sends a "big mahalo" to those that shared information and attempted to help turtles during the course of the recent lava flow. "This is how we hoʻo hui (come together) to take care of our native animals, wild places, and learn how this natural event impacts our marine resources."

     Those encountering an injured or stranded turtle in Hawaiʻi can attempt to contact designated stranding responders. Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund advises that reports must be timely – ideally within a few hours – include photos, and involve a location that is accessible and safe for responders. NOAA's statewide marine animal stranding and reporting hotline is 1-888-256-9840. Additional information that is less time-sensitive can be sent via email (with photos) to RespectWildlife@noaa.gov.

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NEW CHIEFS IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION are announced. Gov. David Ige and DOT Director Jade Butay yesterday named Lynn A.S. Araki-Regan as first deputy of DOT. She was previously employed with the County of Maui, serving as the economic development coordinator, budget director, and the mayor's chief of staff.

     Araki-Regan is also an attorney, with 22 years of experience in litigation, commercial transactions, creditor’s rights and landlord/tenant law. She has a law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i, a B.S. in accounting. She graduated summa cum laude from H.P.BaldwinHigh School on Maui. This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

     Derek J. Chow becomes the DOT Deputy Director running the Harbors Division, overseeing ten commercial harbors across the state. Chow is former chief of Civil & Public Works Branch for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District. His experience also includes serving as chief of the Water & Infrastructure Division, U.S. Forces – Kabul, Afghanistan, and as resident engineer Danger Resident Office, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Tikrit, Iraq.

     Ross Higashi is re-appointed to DOT Deputy Director running the Airports Division with its 15 state airports across Hawaiʻi. Higashi is responsible for billions of dollars in modernization and facility improvement projects. He has served as HDOT interim director, interim deputy director, and fiscal management officer for the Airports Division. Higashi has more than 25 years of public service in state government. He received his B.A. in accounting from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

     Ed Sniffen is re-appointed DOT Deputy Director to oversee the Highways Division. He will manage improvements and maintenance of about 2,500 lane miles of state highways. Sniffen was executive assistant to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. He also served as DOT Highways Division administrator and as technical design engineer in the Highways Division Design Branch. Sniffen is a civil engineer, having received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Santa ClaraUniversity.

     The appointments of Chow, Higashi, and Sniffen are not subject to Senate confirmation.

Principal Sharon Beck and County Council member Maile David with a certificate of recognition for each member of the Trojan football team. Photo by Julia Neal

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FOOTBALL PLAYERS AT KA‘Ū HIGH each received a certificate from County Council member Maile David on Sunday, honoring the team for its "outstanding athletic achievements" in Eight-Man Football. The Trojans ranked in the top of the pack of 1,687 Eight-Man Football teams across the country.

     The Certificate of Recognition from the County Council says, "The Kaʻū Trojans brought pride and honor to Kaʻū and Hawaiʻi Island by sweeping BIIF Eight-Man Football Championships, in 2014 and consecutively in 2016, 2017, and 2018. If that is not an exceptional display of athletic talent and determination in itself, in 2018, the Kaʻū Trojans also defeated Lanaʻi in the 2018 Eight-Man Football State Championship held at Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi."

Trojan Coach DuWayne Ke shakes a Trojan hand as County Council member Maile David presents Certificates of Recognition.  Photo by Julia Neal

     The certificate praises the Trojans' national rankings for 2018: "First in the country for gaining 489 rushing yards, with star player Izaiah 'Bobby' Pilanca-Emmsely ranking first nationwide with 293.3 yards gained, and third nationwide with 193 interceptions. Teammate Kyson Toriano ranked sixth in the nation with 150 interceptions. In total yard stats, the Kaʻū Trojans placed fourth nationwide with a whopping 512.7 yards and 654 in the nation out of 1,687 Eight-Man Football teams."
     The 2018 season ends Eight-Man Football for Kaʻū. In the Fall, the Trojans return to playing with the traditional team size for Eleven-Man Football.

Offensive Line Coach Greg Rush presents a glass trophy to Coach DuWayne Ke. Photo by Julia Neal

     Not only are the Trojans outstanding athletes, said Kaʻū High School Principal Sharon Beck, they serve as mentors for younger students. They are also scholars and "The kindness, you can see it in the hallways," said Beck.
     In praising the Trojans, council woman David said that she grew up in a rural community on the island and understands what the achievement means to the students and the community.

     Coach DuWayne Ke received a glass trophy for the team, with coaches and team members names inscribed, to be placed in the trophy case at Kaʻū District Gym. Offensive Coach Greg Rush reviewed the Trojan eight-man statistics for families and team members to understand the national significance of their achievement.

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NO TSUNAMI DANGER from a 6.6-magnitude earthquake today north of Vanuatu, says Civil Defense. The quake happened at 8:16 a.m.

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