Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, July 1, 2019

THE U.S.CONFERENCE OF MAYORS HOSTED REP. TULSI GABBARD on Sunday. She addressed the mayors' meeting in Honolulu, stating the importance of local government and federal funding to America's communities, the impact of foreign policy on the ability to provide needed resources to local governments, and the growing nuclear threat.

     In the plenary session led by the Women Mayors Leadership Alliance, Gabbard recalled Hawaiʻi's strong heritage of female leadership. Noting that each of Hawaiʻi's counties have been led by female mayors, she also named Queen Liliʻuokalani and Representative Patsy Mink as amazing leaders who continue to inspire

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spoke at the U.S. Mayors Conference on Sunday in Honolulul. She talked about local and international issues facing cities around the country. Photo from Gabbard See the video.

   Gabbard spoke about the importance of supporting local leaders with federal funds. "There is amazing work that is done at the local level to serve the everyday needs of our people.  I know how important the resources are that you need to get that work done – to deal with things like infrastructure, making sure our residents have clean water to drink, sewage treatment plants that work, safe and clean parks, first responders, fire fighters, law enforcement, and more."

     The congresswoman noted the impact of American foreign policy on the federal government's capacity to deliver federal resources to communities, the increasing threat of nuclear war, and lack of preparedness and shelter for the American people in the event of a nuclear attack.

     "You cannot separate foreign policy from domestic policy. Since 9/11 alone, our country has sacrificed countless lives and over $6 trillion on wasteful regime change wars in countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Afghanistan, and on the nation-building caused by the destruction left in our wake," said Gabbard. "To give this a little context, we spend $4 billion every month in Afghanistan. Think for a moment – what could you do in your city with $4 billion?

     "It's imperative that every mayor, every leader at the local, state, and national level stand up and speak out," said the congresswoman. "Speak out against regime change wars, and the new Cold War and arms race that are sucking money out of our communities and threatening our future. Speak up and speak out for peace." See the video.

HUI MĀLAMA OLA NĀ ʻOIWI'S third Kaʻū festival, Mālama Nā Keiki, encouraged families and individuals to take steps toward better health. The Keiki Fest was held at Pāhala Community Center on Saturday. See coverage in yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
     Dr. Kaʻohimanu Dank Akora, who works for Hui Mālama, spends much time as a street doctor seeing homeless people and those who are homebound, unable or unwilling to go to a physician.
     She said she works with the Marshallese community and is willing to come to Kaʻū to see whomever needs medical care in their home or homeless camp.
    Hawaiʻi Child Passenger Safety Program  promoted car seat safety and gave out car seats. "Children under the age of four are required to ride in a child safety seat and children ages of four through seven to ride in a child safety seat or a booster," said the info distributed on car safety.

Laurel Ledward at Cancer Kine Tings. Photo by Leilani Esperanza

     Family Support Hawaiʻi promoted an Early Head Start, answering questions about pregnancy, labor, and delivery; sharing the latest ideas in baby care and development; teaching about playing with infants and toddlers; and encouraging planning a healthy future "for you, your baby, and your family." Early Head Start is for those who are pregnant or have a child under 3 years old, are a teen parent or foster parent, are living below the poverty level, are receiving TANF benefits or S.S.I. benefits, or are homeless – or hidden homeless (couch-surfing) – and living in the districts of North and South Kona, Waikaloa, North and South Kohala, Kaʻū, Kamuela or Honokaʻa. For more, contact the closest office near you: Kaʻū, (808) 939-7028; Kona, (808) 334-4123. See familysupporthawaii.com or facebook.com/familysupporthawaii.
     PARENTS, Inc. provided information on prevention, education, and treatment services for men, women, and children. The organization hopes to strengthen families and create cycles of positive parenting in the community by providing resources, skills, support, and advocacy. Contact the closest office: Kaʻū, (808) 333-3460; Hilo, (808) 934-9552.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Oiwi brought education for keiki and families Saturday to Pāhala community Center. Among the displays was this illustration of The Balancing Act of Food and Fitness, which includes Activity.  Leenal Castro explained its importance to health. Photo by Leilani Esperanza

     At the American Red Cross table, Uilani Soares gave natural disaster scenarios and ideas for what families could do to prepare. The group works to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
     Bay Clinic, which provides health care to the local people of Hawaiʻi, educated about the dangers of vaping, e-cigarettes, hookahs, and secondhand vaping. Bay Clinic states vape pipes, hookah pens, and e-cigarettes are, "A new way to addict people to nicotine," and that even vape products that don't contain nicotine may still be harmful.
     Project Vision Hawaiʻi provided free eye health screenings to participants at the festival and educated them about the importance of healthy eyes.
     Hawaiʻi Island Food Bank provided and received food for families that came to Pāhala's Community Center. Their mission is to end hunger in Hawaiʻi County.

Gaku Yamaguchi-Tiare Ortega of Otitis Media. Photo by Leilani Esperanza

     Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻOiwi hosted tables with more activities, health information/awareness, and crafts, including Kahea; Whoa, Slow, Go; Jump Your Height; Otitis Media Screening; Sugary Drinks; Rainbow Frames; Cancer Kine Tings; Healthy Hapai; Grow Your Own Plant; and Makahiki Games.
     See more from the festival on yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
     See more on Hui Mālama.