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Storybook Theatre Hawaiʻi returns to the Storybook founder Mark Jeffers brings an inflatable whale, which opens up for the children to sit inside its belly for the storytelling. Last year, above, Jeffers told story inside his giant inflatable shark. Sponsored by Pāhala Plantation Cottages. Photo by Julia Neal |
BILLS TO BAN SINGLE-USE PLASTICS WERE GUTTED THIS WEEK AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE. The measures received national attention as they would have made Hawaiʻi the first state to ban most plastics for serving foods in restaurants.
Senate Bill 522 SD2 HD2 was introduced by east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman. The House Committees on Judiciary and Consumer Protection & Commerce reduced the measure to a bill that would establish a working group to work toward reduction of plastic and foam use.
Senate Bill 522 SD2 HD2 was introduced by east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman. The House Committees on Judiciary and Consumer Protection & Commerce reduced the measure to a bill that would establish a working group to work toward reduction of plastic and foam use.
SB 522 SD2 HD1 would have prohibited "the purchase, use, sale, or distribution of plastic beverage bottles, utensils, stirring sticks, polystyrene foam containers, plastic bags and straws by state and county agencies, restaurants, standard bars, and any other businesses or individuals on a certain date." The new wording: "Creates the plastic source reduction working group to make recommendations for eliminating single-use plastic packaging. Establishes the Solid waste Prevention Coordinator. Appropriates funds."
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| Proposed bans on Styrofoam food containers at Hawaiʻi restaurants received national media attention this week. Photo from E.W. Scripps |
SB367 SD1 HD1, sought to ban polystyrene foam food containers, is deferred by the House Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary. Introduced by Sen Dru Kanuha and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele, who has roots in Kaʻū, the bill would have prohibited "sale of polystyrene foam food service containers and the sale or service of food using polystyrene containers statewide," and included funding for Department of Health to "adopt rules for implementation including for enforcement, exemptions, and consumer education."
TO ENFORCE COUNTY VACATION RENTAL LAWS, HB 419 HD1, introduced by Rep. Richard Creagan and east Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, passed the Senate Committees on Energy, Economic Development, & Tourism and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, & Military Affairs. The bill would provide eligible counties with "funds from the State for the purpose of enforcing all applicable laws and ordinances relating to transient accommodations," with "an allocation from TAT (Transient Accommodations Tax ) revenues. Requires reports from counties receiving funds for enforcement of transient accommodations and short-term vacation rentals ordinances."
TO REQUIRE TRUTH IN LABELING OF LOCAL COFFEE, House Bill 144HD1, introduced by west Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan, passed through the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment yesterday, March 20, with east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman voting aye with reservations. It would require "coffee blend labels to disclose regional origins and percent by weight of the blended coffees. Prohibits using geographic origins of coffee in labeling or advertising for roasted or instant coffee that contains less than 51 percent coffee by weight from that geographic origin.
A BILL TO INCLUDE MORE HAWAIʻI GROWN FOOD IN SNAP, SB 390 SD2 HD1, introduced by Sen. Dru Kahuna and Sen. Kai Kahele, is referred to the House Committee on Finance. The bill would require the Department of Agriculture to "create a dollar-for-dollar matching program for beneficiaries of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase Hawaiʻi-grown produce." The program would also involve the Local Healthy Food Incentive Program.
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TO ESTABLISH AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, Senate Bill 412SD2 HD1, introduced by east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman, passed the House Committee on Judiciary and is referred to the
TO ENFORCE COUNTY VACATION RENTAL LAWS, HB 419 HD1, introduced by Rep. Richard Creagan and east Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, passed the Senate Committees on Energy, Economic Development, & Tourism and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, & Military Affairs. The bill would provide eligible counties with "funds from the State for the purpose of enforcing all applicable laws and ordinances relating to transient accommodations," with "an allocation from TAT (Transient Accommodations Tax ) revenues. Requires reports from counties receiving funds for enforcement of transient accommodations and short-term vacation rentals ordinances."
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| The arm of the late Bull Kailiawa, known for his 100 percent Kaʻū Coffee. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
A BILL TO INCLUDE MORE HAWAIʻI GROWN FOOD IN SNAP, SB 390 SD2 HD1, introduced by Sen. Dru Kahuna and Sen. Kai Kahele, is referred to the House Committee on Finance. The bill would require the Department of Agriculture to "create a dollar-for-dollar matching program for beneficiaries of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase Hawaiʻi-grown produce." The program would also involve the Local Healthy Food Incentive Program.
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TO ESTABLISH AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, Senate Bill 412SD2 HD1, introduced by east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman, passed the House Committee on Judiciary and is referred to the
See more bills in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs. Keep track of bills, read them and their testimony and submit testimony at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov.
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PUʻU ʻŌʻŌ IS SLOWLY SLUMPING as small rockfalls fill in the now inactive crater, reports U.S. Geologic Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists. A GPS station on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō shows steady slumping of the unstable crater edge. This motion is not directly related to magmatic activity. Small collapses at Puʻu ʻŌʻō have occurred since the eruption due to the crater's instability.
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| 3D modeling shows changes in Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater over the last ten months. USGS images |
USGS HVO created 3D models of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater, constructed from thermal images taken during helicopter overflights, in May of last year and on Monday, March 18. Despite the absence of active lava in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, changes at the crater continue through occasional small collapses within it. However, no major changes have been observed.
Rates of seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions - which have not changed significantly over the past week at Kīlauea summit, at Puʻu ʻŌʻō, or in the lower East Rift Zone - remain low, with continuing signs of magma refilling the deep East Rift Zone magma reservoir.
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CRISIS COUNSELING is offered by Care Hawaiʻi, Inc. at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View during the Saturday Showers and Hot Meal Days. Care Hawai`i works with victims of the recent volcanic disaster and helps people with "health issues, addiction, loss of home, or almost any crisis. While they may not directly provide the counseling or support for those other types of crisis, they know who can," says a statement from St. Jude's.
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SERVING HAWAIʻI ISLAND FATHERS is the goal of the Hawaiʻi state Commission on Fatherhood. The commission's monthly meeting will be on April 26 from4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Liliʻuokalani Trust – Hilo , 919 Ululani Street .
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Hawaiʻi Island residents, service providers, and community leaders are invited to speak with the commission about issues, programs, needs, and policies related to fathers.
Care Hawaiʻi's Crisis Counseling Program helps survivors "access their strengths and coping skills through community based outreach." The organization is funded by FEMA and require a presidential declaration of disaster for individual assistance. The counseling schedule at St. Jude's started with the second Saturday of each month, but has grown to most Saturdays.
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SERVING HAWAIʻI ISLAND FATHERS is the goal of the Hawaiʻi state Commission on Fatherhood. The commission's monthly meeting will be on April 26 from
Hawaiʻi Island residents, service providers, and community leaders are invited to speak with the commission about issues, programs, needs, and policies related to fathers. The commission' mission is to "promote healthy family relationships by emphasizing the important role fathers play in the lives of their children." The commission serves in an advisory capacity to state agencies and makes recommendations on programs, services, contracts, policies, and laws relating to children and families.
RSVP required: email Caleb Milliken, Hawaiʻi Island Representative of the Commission on Fatherhood and Director of the West Hawaiʻi Fatherhood Initiative, at crmilliken@hotmail.com or 808-747-0267.
RSVP required: email Caleb Milliken, Hawaiʻi Island Representative of the Commission on Fatherhood and Director of the West Hawaiʻi Fatherhood Initiative, at crmilliken@hotmail.com or 808-747-0267.
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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:
Sat., March 23, 1 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Thu., March 28, 3 p.m. , @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 1 p.m. , @Konawaena
Tue., April 2, 3 p.m. , @HPA
Thu., April 4, 3 p.m. , host Waiakea
Sat., April 6, 11 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Softball:
Sat., March 23, 11 a.m. , host Honokaʻa
Wed., March 27, @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 11 a.m. , @Konawaena
Wed., April 3, host Waiakea
Fri., April 5, 3 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Boys Volleyball:
Wed., March 27, 6 p.m. , host Kohala, Varsity
Fri., March 29, 6 p.m. , @HPA
Wed., April 3, 6 p.m. , host Ehunui
Fri., April 5, 6 p.m. , @Christian Liberty , Varsity
Tue., April 9, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Track:
Sat., March 23, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 30, 3 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Sat., April 6, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
UPCOMINGFRIDAY, MARCH 22
Rummage Sale, Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Center. Food and refreshments available. All tools and appliances in good working condition. No clothes. Tom Reis, 503-260-6187, or Ken Shisler, 410-299-5359.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
Pastel On-Site Landscape Painting w/Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection with Tom Peek, Saturday, March 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $65/VAC member, $75/non-member. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
TUESDAY, MARCH 26
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
After Dark in the Park: Exploring the Unknown Depths, Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Justin Umholtz, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation education associate for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, shares his experiences aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, mapping and diving unexplored seamounts via a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Wednesday, March 27 (Committees), Thursday, March 28, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and 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. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org‘Ohe Kāpala Workshop, Wednesday, March 27, 10 a.m. to noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Learn to create beautiful designs from traditional patterns using ‘ohe kāpala, bamboo stamps. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
Arts and Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wednesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 March 11-25. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Arts and Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wednesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 March 11-25. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, MARCH 28
Hawai‘i County Council Mtg., Thursday, March 28, Council, Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, March 28, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.usVolcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, March 28, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., 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
Hawaiian Language Classes with Kaliko Trapp, starting Thursday, March 28, Level 1: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Level 2: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Level 3: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. 8-week sessions. Level 1 - focus on simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Level 2 - expand these. Level 3 - Some Hawaiian language experience preferred. $80/VAC member, $90/non-member. Workbook required. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit is open daily through Sunday, March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha the Great and experience a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences, with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
Five Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona: Three $2000 scholarships will go to female college-bound Kaʻū High School and West Hawaiʻi high school students. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 1. Two $1,000 scholarships will go to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus . Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
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
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