 |
Flags wave for preservation of Maunakea at situation in several stories, below. Photo by Julia Neal |
Inouye, who has also served as mayor of Hawaiʻi County, urged the governor to take action because "Laws must be followed, all laws, all the time. Public trust requires bold leadership: Difficult decisions need to be made about Maunakea, its management, and how we address the needs of our host culture."
 |
| Sen. Lorraine Inouye |
She gave the example that, if she blocked the road into Waipi‘o Valley, "which I wouldn't do," she "would be arrested, hauled to court, fined or jailed. But, if I say I am a 'protector,' and block the Daniel K. Inouye Highway or the public road to the top the mountain, I can, at this moment, do it without repercussion. That's wrong. It opposes our rule of law."
She also said that "allowing protesters to determine who can and cannot access the mountain is malfeasance."
She mentioned that the financial damage - "hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars" spent for police, emergency services, Department of Land and Natural Resources' employees, and National Guard - "harms everyone," and that there's "no end in sight."
Inouye said that the TMT project went through "unprecedented review. Hawaiian, cultural, archaeological, educational, recreational, and environmental specialists were consulted at each step. TMT has committed to significant cultural and environmental protections and community benefits, and the process has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by the state Supreme Court. TMT deserves to build.
 |
| Mauna Kea's summit is home to many telescopes. A new one, the largest ever to be built, is being protested by those who feel the mauna is sacred. Photo from UH |
"I'm not telling anyone to forget their concerns, to give up dreams of sovereignty for our Hawaiian community, or to give up wanting our own children to be the astronomers and engineers operating the telescopes. We cannot give up on expecting a better educational start and choices for all our children, and on ensuring affordable housing, health care, and good paying jobs.
"These are essential human rights issues that are pressing in Hawaiʻi. But blocking the road, stopping TMT, and shutting down astronomy will only impede these – and further divide our community. We already have acute economic disparity. This is not how to right past wrongs.
"Make no mistake, our future – and our children's future – is at stake."
 |
Flags on the lanai in Kaʻū, in support of Maunakea concerns by Hawaiians. Photo by Julia Neal |
Read the full letter at hawaiitribune-herald.com/2019/08/20/opinion/inouye-to-ige-its-time.
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.
 |
| Sen. Mazie Hirono |
Today marked 37 days of Protectors of Maunakea guarding the access road to the summit, in protest of the Thirty Meter Telescope project.
Hirono said in an interview on KHON that she went "when there weren't thousands of people there," to "talk to the kūpuna and some of the leaders." She remarked that the feeling at the encampment was "very respectful" and that they are "very well organized and very committed" to their cause: protecting the mauna because they believe Maunakea is sacred, and there have been "decades of broken promises" regarding the mauna.
Hirono said she did not have the answer to resolving the situation, no "magic wand." She said she spoke to Mayor Harry Kim, who told her he wants to "peacefully resolve" the situation.
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.
 |
| Overcrowding along near Maunakea Access Road has sparked addition of new no parking signs. Photo from Puʻuhonua O Puʻuhuluhulu Maunakea Facebook |
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has recently populated the highway with "No Parking, Stopping, Standing, Loading, and Unloading," signs. An image of a car being towed is underneath each red-lettered sign.
A warning about enforcement was sent out on the Maunakea Protector's Facebook by Kahoʻokahi Kanuha: "They will begin enforcing new rules along the highway today. If we park a 'reasonable' distance from the road then that 'shouldn't' be a problem. Super vague language that's not clearly defined. I told them we need something more definitive and they said that's the best they can do for now."
 |
| One of the new signs along Daniel K. Inouye Highway near the Muanakea Access Road. Photo from David Corrigan/Big Island Video News |
HIGH SURF ADVISORY is in effect for all Kaʻū shores through Thursday. The swell, states the National Weather Service, is forecast to die down by the end of the week. Beaches may be closed without notice, states Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense.
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.
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.
Football, Division II:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala
"Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves, and strong currents," warns NWS. "Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution. Boaters should expect recreational surfers and body boarders utilizing harbor channels to access surfing areas."
 |
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 |
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.
Football, Division II:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Cross Country:
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty
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.
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.
UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 12:30-1:30p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Registration Open: Kickball Instruction, Wednesday, Aug. 21-28, Kahuku Park
Registration Open: Handprint Trees, Thursday, Aug. 22-Sept. 3, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place Wednesday, Sept. 4, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Aug. 22, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, 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.us
Free Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs Saturday, Aug. 24, Ocean View. KARES, Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service brings the clinic to Kaʻū in an effort "to reduce the high euthanasia rate within our community." For more and to register, call 328-8455.
Pickleball at KMC, Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25, Kīlauea Military Camp Tennis
Kapapala Ranch Tour by Volcano Community Foundation, Saturday, Aug. 24, time TBA, Volcano Art Center Peter Lee Road that runs between Pāhala and Volcano, built in 1988. See Volcano Art Center
![]()
Realms and Divisions, Sat., Aug. 24, 9:30-11:30am , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, two-mile, hike. Bring snack. nps.gov/havo
Dances of Universal Peace, Saturday, Aug. 24, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Church hall, across from Nā‘ālehu post office. Fun, easy to learn dances from many traditions evoking peace. Donations welcome. No registration necessary. 939-9461
Free Entry to all National Parks - NP Service 103rd Anniversary, Sunday, Aug. 25. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
Give Input on the Draft General Plan for Hawaiʻi County on Sunday, Aug. 25, at Nāʻālehu Community Center from
Palm Trail, Sunday, Aug. 25, 9:30-12:30pm , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult hike - 2.6-mile loop. nps.gov/havo
MONDAY, AUG. 26
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, Aug. 26, 1p.m. , contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, AUG. 27
Registration Open: Door Knob Hangers, Tuesday, Aug. 27-Sept. 6, Kahuku Park Hawaiian Ocean 12:45-3:30p.m. Free. 939-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Aug. 27, 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 11:30a.m.-1p.m. , St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
Applications for Grants to Steward PONC Protected Lands on Hawaiʻi Island are open through Friday, Aug. 31. In Kaʻū, areas of the Kahuku Coast Kāwā Bay
2018-19%20PONC%20Stewardship
%20Grant%20Request.pdf. Information and applications are also available at the P&R office,
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival Tickets are on sale at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit Volcano School of Arts & Sciences; last year's event sold out. This sixth festive evening of live music, food, wines and craft beers under the stars happens Sunday, Sept. 8,
6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com
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.
