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| The 27th annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb. 17, 18, and 19 saw Lenaia Andrade, of Nāʻālehu, in red, take All Around Cowgirl, and Kircia Derasin, of Kaʻū, far right, crowned Rodeo Princess. See story below. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
BANNING CIGARETTE SALES IN HAWAIʻI is the goal of west Kaʻū's state Rep. Richard Creagan, a physician who last year led the successful campaign that made Hawaiʻi the first state to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos. A cigarette ban in Hawaiʻi would put the islands in the same no smoking zone as the Himalayan country of Bhutan , known for its overall happiness. In the U.S. , only Hawaiʻi, Boston , and New York City restrict the minimum age for buying cigarettes to 21.
Creagan proposed House Bill 1509, with cosponsors, Reps. John Mizuno and Cynthia Thielen, to ban cigarette sales with a five-year rollout to wean the government off tax revenues from cigarette sales. The first year would raise the age of those permitted to buy cigarettes from 21 to 30, the second year to 40, the third year to 50, the fourth year to 60, and the fifth year to 100.
With the federal minimum age of 18 to buy cigarettes, the states have the right to raise the minimum to their ages of choice, explained Creagan. He said increasing the minimum age was a way to give those heading government programs dependent on taxes garnered from cigarette sales the time to find other funders. It would also give those who have smoked the longest, longer time to kick the habit.
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| Green Matters and other news outlets covered the proposed cigarette ban in Hawaiʻi. Image from Green Matters |
Creagan said he received much support for the idea. The state Department of Health submitted testimony supporting a Tobacco Free Hawaiʻi and called for banning all tobacco products. Several testimonies, however, said it would take away a freedom of choice. One called it "Orwellian."
The House of Representatives Committee on Health held the bill back during this legislative session, its report stating that more time was needed to understand and plan any rollout of a cigarette ban.
The idea of a smoke-free Hawaiʻi made headlines with stories on CBS, Fox News, CNN, Washington Post, USA Today, People, Time, and other national and international news outlets.
Creagan called the approach of taxing cigarettes as a deterrent, "ridiculous," contending "When you raise the tax on cigarettes, you're taxing the victims. Ninety percent of people who smoke wish they never started. Most of the other ten percent are kidding themselves."
The language of the bill calls cigarettes "the deadliest artifact in human history." Creagan said that smoking is more dangerous and addictive than prescription drugs. Banning cigarettes would be "taking people who are enslaved from a horrific addiction and freeing people from horrific enslavement."
Creagan pointed to statistics from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which blames cigarettes for more than 480,000 – 20 percent of all deaths – per year in this country, with 41,000 of them attributed to second-hand smoking. "If cigarettes are so harmful, why are we selling them to people?" asked Creagan. He recommended the book The Golden Holocaust: Origins of the Cigarette Catastrophe, by Stanford professor Robert N. Proctor, who urges the abolition of cigarettes as the leading preventable cause of death. The book reviews the history of the tobacco industry, and points out that cigarettes caused premature deaths worldwide in 100 million people in the 20th Century and are projected to cause a billion deaths in the 21st Century.
Creagan said he sees a cigarette ban as good for Hawaiʻi's economy. He said there are enough visitors who want clean air free from cigarette smoke and beaches free from being littered with cigarette butts. Hawaiʻi would stand out as a clean air destination, he said.
He said he understands the "attack points carefully crafted by the tobacco industry." Related to civil liberties, the tobacco lobbyists give money to the American Civil Liberties Union – to defend smoking as a civil liberty, he said.
The tobacco industry opposed the ban, said Creagan, and also opposed Hawaiʻi moving the minimum age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21. Tobacco lobbyists argued, "If soldiers can die in war at age 18, they should be able to smoke," said Creagan. He pointed out, however, that when people go into the military "they go cold turkey in basic training." He noted that the military fought for ten years "to get smoke free submarines and finally got it." The post exchanges (military retail stores) in Hawaiʻi honor the 21 year old minimum age, he said. Read the bill and testimony.
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Sara Kamibayashi (left) is Librarian of the Year for all of Hawaiʻi and manager of Nāʻālehu and Pāhala Public Libraries. Excellence in Service Award goes to Mona Tavares. State Librarian is Stacey Aldrich (right). Photo from The Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi |
2018 PUBLIC LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR for the state of Hawaiʻi is the title bestowed on Sara Kamibayashi. Manager of Nāʻālehu and Pāhala Public Libraries, Kamibayahshi accepted the award last week from The Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, and co-sponsor Native Books Nā Mea Hawaiʻi.
Mona Tavares, Library Technician VI of Hilo Public Library, earned the 2018 Excellence in Service award.
The two Hawaiʻi Island residents received the honors during a reception and ceremony at the Hawaiʻi State Library inHonolulu during The Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi's annual meeting on Thursday, Feb. 21.
The two Hawaiʻi Island residents received the honors during a reception and ceremony at the Hawaiʻi State Library in
A statement from The Friends of Hawaiʻi Library says, "Sara Kamibayashi is anything but quiet! She is a warm and welcoming force at the smallest library branch, Nāʻālehu Public Library on the Big Island Virginia and came to Hawaiʻi to volunteer at Volcanoes National Park
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| Addie Flores of Kaʻū took first place in the Youth Barrel Racing Event. Photo by Charles McKeand/ HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
THREE KAʻŪ WAHINE rose to prominence at the 27th annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo on Feb. 17, 18, and 19. Lenaia Andrade, a high school student from Nāʻālehu, won the All Around Cowgirl Award. Addie Flores, whose family owns and operates South Point Buckers, won the Youth Barrel Racing Event. Kircia Derasin of Kaʻū was crowned Rodeo Princess.
More than 10,000 people attended the three-day event at the Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center in Hilo, setting a record on Sunday for attendance in excess of 4,000. The 185 competitors ranged in age from three to 73. The event included rodeo clowns, cultural and historical displays, leather and saddle making exhibits, and food and craft booths. Special novelty events included Hula Bulls and Bull Poker. Organizer Hawaiʻi Horse Owners, Inc. was awarded a grant from Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority to help with advertising, spreading the word to more people to come understand and appreciate Paniolo culture and history.
The 28th Annual Pana’ewa Stampede Rodeo will be held Saturday through Monday, Feb. 15 to 17, 2020. For more, see HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.
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| All Around Cowgirl Lenaia Andrade in the Wahine Barrel Racing event. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
During the Stampede Rodeo, Westin Joseph earned the most points among kane paniolo to become All Around Cowboy for the second year in a row. Kaili Brenneman became Reserve All Around Cowboy. Lenaia Andrade earned her title of All Around Cowgirl. Jerikah Valencia became Reserve All Around Cowgirl. Here are the complete results:
Po‘o Wai U, a paniolo event that comes from tying cattle to forked tree trunks when rounding them up in Hawaiian wildlands, saw Nicky Boy first in 22.75 seconds. Hammah Joseph took second at 24.75, third was Shawn Aguiar at 26 – he took fourth last year – Westin Joseph took fourth at 27.53, and Cowboy Kaʻapana slid into fifth at 28.53.
Dummy Roping saw Bulla Arruda take first in 4.19 seconds, Hailey Cypriano second in 6.47, and Marley Miranda third with at time of 7.38 seconds. Peyton Tisalona-Benevides took fourth in 12.91 seconds and Daeston Rojas-Mendoza fifth in 14.1 seconds.
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| Rodeo Princess Kircia Derasin, left, and All Around Cowgirl Lenaia Andrade, middle. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
Wahine Barrel Racing saw Kalysa Hamilton take first in a total of 35.22 seconds, the same time as last year's winner. Lenaia Andrade took second with 35.66, Nahea Brenneman third with 35.91, Lori Bergin fourth at 36.94, and Jerikah Valencia fifth in 40.22 seconds.
Youth Barrel Racing saw Addie Flores first in a total of 62.67 seconds. Hilina‘i Gouveia – who took fifth in the event last year – placed second with 63.07. Leiana Arruda took third with 66.37, Lucia Miranda fourth at 81.91, and Te’ani Souza fifth in 91.53 seconds.
Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging – where one teammate ropes and the other grabs a ribbon from the tail of the steer – posted Lenaia Andrade and Kaili Brenneman first in 16.97 seconds, Justin Jose and Lenaia Andrade second with 21.44, Justin Jose and Jessica Jose in third with 24.44, Halia Bautista and Trisyn Kalawaia fourth with 28.31, and Trisyn Kalawaia and Shannon Benevides fifth at 31.19 seconds.
Sheep Riding showed Colty Boy Mandaloniz first, lasting 56 seconds – he took fifth last year. Isaiah Publico, second, lasting 55. Tayzlie Brown, in third, lasted 49, taking one second off her third-place time of last year. Khyrie-Lynn Kekoa and Lawai’a Martinez tied for fourth, each riding the sheep for 45 seconds.
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| Over 10,000 people came to see events such as calf roping. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
Youth Team Roping showed Westin Joseph & Eli Higa first in 15.59 seconds, Zayven Menino & Clancy Aku second at 17.87, Westin Joseph & Bobby Boy Manuel third at 18.5, Eli Higa & Trisyn Kalawaia fourth with 20.06, and Kelvin Medeiros & Lenaia Andrade fifth at 25.84 minutes.
Wahine Breakaway Roping showed Nahe Nobriga first in 2.2 minutes, Camela Haalilio second at 2.75, Jerikah Valencia third with 2.90, Jadee Odain fourth with 4.37, and Aryka Diego fifth at 5.16 minutes.
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| Classic Bull Riding is one of the events at Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo. Held yearly on President's Day weekend, competitors from age three to 73 vie for titles. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
Wahine Breakaway Roping showed Jerikah Valencia first in 11.75 seconds; she took third last year. Kalysa Hamilton took second at 24.88, Lenaia Andrade third with 28.3, and Nahea Brenneman fourth with 32.85.
Steer Wrestling showed two extremely close competitors: Westing Joseph, who took down the steer in three tries with a total of 17.85 seconds, and Trisyn Kalawaia, who had an total of 17.88.
Open Team Roping showed Ethan Awa & Chris Awa in first in 12.53 seconds, Jordan Cypriano & Kevin De Reis second in 13.53, Ty Kauai & Ethan Awa third with 15.75, Brian Bugado & Shawn Aguiar fourth at 15.81, and Westin Joseph & Ryan Sanborn fifth at 15.84 seconds.
 .Keiki participate in Sheep Riding, wearing protective gear on their heads, chaperoned by rodeo clowns, parents, and other event monitors. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
Junior Bull Riding sole competitor Eli Higa shaved one second off is 2018 time by riding the animal for 65 seconds.
Double Mugging showed Justin Jose & Kaili Brenneman, who came in first with a time of 25.84 seconds. Kaili Brenneman & Hammah Jose took second with 31 seconds, John Troche & Danny Joseph third in 32.13, Migo Acia & Westin Joseph fourth in 39.37, and Koa Aiwohi & Rusty Wilbur fifth in 47.21 seconds.
Century Team Roping – where the total age of team members is a minimum of 100 years – showed off pairs of competitors. Boo Boo Tolentino & Chu Chu Cruz finished first in 15.46 seconds. Hans Poouahi & Boo Boo Tolentino were second with 16.91, Rodney Wilbur & Bob Manueln took third with 17.09, Eric Valencia & Mike Cheek fourth at 21.16 seconds, and John Fitzgerald & Butch Gomes took fifth at 27.45.
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| Unusual events, like Bull Hula, were featured at the 27th annual Hawai‘i Horse Owners Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo in February. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
Tie Down Roping showed Westin Joseph in first with a total time of 128.11 seconds, and Trisyn Kalawaia with a total of 211.9 seconds.
Wahine Calf Mugging ended with Nahea Brenneman & Shannon Benevides in first with a time of 47 seconds. Kassey Hanoa & McKella Akana took second at 76.82.
Bull Riding saw Chance Miranda earn a score of 68.The 28th Annual Pana’ewa Stampede Rodeo will be held Saturday through Monday, Feb. 15 to 17, 2020. For more, see HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.
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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 Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Tue., Feb. 26, 3p.m. , @Honokaʻa
Thu., Feb. 28, 3p.m. , @HPA
Mon., March 4, 3p.m. , host Konawaena
Wed., March 6, 3p.m. , @Kamehameha
Sat., March 9, 1p.m. , host Kohala
Sat., March 16, 1p.m. , host Keaʻau
Softball:
Wed., Feb. 27, @Honokaʻa
Tue., March 5, host Konawaena
Thu., March 7, @Kamehameha
Sat., March 9, 11 a.m. , host Kohala
Mon., March 11, host Kemehameha
Wed., March 13, 5:30 p.m. , host Pāhoa
Sat., March 16, 11 a.m. , host Keaʻau
Boys Volleyball:
Wed., Feb. 27, 6 p.m. , @Konawaena
Fri., March 1, 6 p.m. , host Pāhoa
Fri., March 8, 6 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Tue., March 12, 6 p.m. , @Makualani, Varsity
Fri., March 15, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Track:
Sat., March 2, 9 a.m. , @HPA
Sat., March 9, 2 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Sat., March 16, 2 p.m. , @Konawaena
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| Kalia Andrade, running her horse in Youth Barrels. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
NEW and UPCOMING
For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. Kahuku Park is located at 92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka, Ocean View. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours.
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| That bull has a great poker face. Unusual events, like Bull Poker, were featured over President's Day weekend at the Stampede. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tue., Feb. 26, 10am, HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Feb. 26, 11:30-1pm, last Tuesday monthly, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Feb. 27, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Last Wednesday monthly. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services.
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| Various rodeo events require brute strength, agility, and skill. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Wed., Feb. 27, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 19-25. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Arts & Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wed., Feb. 27, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 19-26. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Craft Class, Thu., Feb. 28, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
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| Po‘o Wai U, a paniolo event that comes from tying cattle to forked tree trunks when rounding them up in Hawaiian wild- lands. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Feb. 28, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
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Stewardship at the Summit, Saturday, March 2, 9, and 16, Friday, March 22 and 29, 8:45a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers remove invasive, non-native plants. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves/tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required for those under 18. Free; park entrance fees apply. Paul and Jane Field, field@hawaii.edu, nps.gov/havo
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Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, March 3 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park
sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or
sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home.
Rick Ward, 938-3058
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
Exploring Tunnel Books - Bookbinding Workshop, Saturday, March 2, 9a.m. -noon , Volcano Art Center
Paint Your Own Silk Scarf with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, March 2, 9a.m.-12:30p.m. , Volcano Art Center
Keiki Science Class, Saturday, March 2 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m. -noon , Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste, Sunday, March 3, 8:30a.m.-3:30p.m. , Pāhoa Recycling and Transfer Station. See complete list of acceptable or unacceptable household hazardous waste at hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste. Contact Chris Chin-Chance at 961-8554 or recycle3@hawaiicounty.gov.
sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or
sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home.
Rick Ward, 938-3058
MONDAY, MARCH 4
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, March 4. Register in advance. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629
Free Vision Screening for All Ages, Monday, March 4, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu. All ages receive screening for near and far vision. Keiki are screened for color deficiencies, adults for eye diseases. Keiki receive free sunglasses, adults free reading glasses. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-282-2265.
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, March 4 and 18, 1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Monday, March 4, 4-6p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant accepts applicants through Thursday, Feb. 28. The pageant is held at Ka‘ū District Gym, Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond. The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships. Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower. Email tmarques@yahoo.com.
Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications due by Thursday, Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.
Nāʻālehu Celebrates Craft Month with open crafting for all ages, while supplies last. Crafting starts off at 3 p.m. each Thursday in February. Free. Contact Sara Kamibayashi at (808) 939-2442 for more.
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Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar, Saturday, March 16, 9-2 pm , just above Wong Yuen Store in Waiʻōhinu. Bazaar vendor spaces on the church lawn are $10 for 10' X 10'. Vendors are responsible for bringing all supplies, including electricity. Church members will sell kalua pig and cabbage bowls, and roast chicken with gravy bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts. Submit application with fee by Sunday, March 10; call Debbie or Walter, 928-8039, for application.
Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through Friday, March 15. Full-time 11.5-month commitment from
Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before Friday, March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
Applications for Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are open. Year-long, full-time position in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona. $1,600 monthly living allowance, before taxes; a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefit, if eligible; and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience. Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy, 443-5401, or call Kupu Hawai‘i, 808-735-1221.
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