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| Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island opens weekdays Sept 3 at Ocean View Community Center to serve up to 40 keiki and youth in the after school hours with transport, homework help, snacks, and activities. Photo from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island |
A $3,000 CHECK TO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE BIG ISLAND was presented by Enterprise Holdings Foundation to the organization's board today in Hilo . The money will, in part, help to open free, weekday, after school Boys & Girls Cub services on Sept. 3 at the Ocean View Community Center. It is
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| BGCBI encourages interaction and schoolwork, while providing a safe space and nutrition, after school. Photo from BGCBI |
The new Ocean View program, weekdays from after school until 5:30 p.m. , serves up to 40 children six to 17 years of age. The Department of Education will drop children who sign up for Boys & Girls Club directly to Ocean Community Center
The three staff members are from Kaʻū and all work at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, including the new Ocean View Program Coordinator Natasha Hu and Ocean View Youth Development Specialist Rachael Snyder, both of Nāʻālehu. Ocean View resident Garrett Greedy is also an Ocean View Youth Development Specialist.
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| BGCBI allows keiki and youth to work on school projects in a safe and guided environment after school. Photo from BGCBI |
The after school program offerings for Ocean View will include:
-DOE public school bus drop-off (for our youth members) from Nāʻālehu Elementary School direct to the OV Community Center.
-Daily Homework Assistance.
-Nutritional Supplementation (Snacks for now, developing a plan to provide OV youth with a full meal).
-Recreational youth development activities.
-BGCBI van shuttle transportation for OV youth direct to their homes
Ocean View program inquiries can be received through the BGCBI Administrative office at 961-5536 and locally through Natasha Hu at 339-8634.
The slogan of the Boys & Girls Club is "A child's path is inspired by the people and communities they engage."
To donate or sign up for Boys & Girls Club, which serves, Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View, as well as other Hawaiʻi Island communities, see www.bgcbi.org. Contact info@bgcbi.org or call 808-961-5536.
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| Enterprise Holdings Foundation presents a $3,000 check to Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island, which will help, in part, with the new weekday services for after school youth at Ocean View Community Center. Photo from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island |
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PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TULSI GABBARD, who represents Kaʻū in Congress, joined Tom Steyer today to become the two candidates who most narrowly missed the deadline to be qualified in those polls required by the Democratic National Committee. Both Steyer and Gabbard characterized the DNC's selection of polls for rating candidates as unfair, and neither said they would give up the race. Gabbard pointed to her sufficient ranking in such polls as The Economist and The Boston Globe, saying she ranked at 2 percent or higher in some 20 polls.
Unless they drop out, both are able to apply to be on the fourth debate stage for Democratic presidential candidates in October.
Before the DNC deadline today for candidates to show 2 percent or more support in four of the DNC chosen polls, Gabbard's campaign staff sent out her message, as she returned from active duty in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard:
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| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, on the campaign trail. Photo from her Twitter |
"While I was away on a two-week active-duty drill with the Army National Guard, my campaign called on the DNC to ensure transparency and fairness in the debate qualification process. Whether we have the opportunity to be on the debate stage again or not, we will remain focused on getting our message out to the American people in the same way we've been doing all along – through the grassroots efforts and word-of-mouth momentum that has supporters lined up around the block from Iowa, to South Carolina to New Hampshire. That means we're relying on you – not the DNC, PACs, or the establishment. "
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UNPAID NĀʻĀLEHU SEWER BILLS are soaking some residents in hot water, according to a recent article by Nancy Cook Lauer in West Hawaiʻi Today. She reports that some Nāʻālehu residents haven't been paying their sewer bills, and are now subject to fines, penalties, and warrants to appear in court.
Sewer bills are $18 per month, up from $15, as of April 1. The county is tasked with maintaining the old system of sewer lines going to now-illegal gang cesspools and is planning to build a new sewer plant to meet federal standards.
Lauer reports county Environmental Management Director Bill Kucharski saying that those not paying apparently reason that "since they're not getting (the new) sewer service, there shouldn't be a charge. But it costs money for the maintenance of the existing system. All of our sewer rates are in the code passed by the County Council… It's not something that was just whimsically imposed upon the people of Nāʻālehu."WHT reports Kucharski said that since 2010, 13 households haven't paid their bills, even after being notified by county Corporation Counsel.
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| The green area is where the new wastewater treatment facility is expected to be put. County map |
Nāʻālehu only has 143 sewer customers, states Lauer, with an additional 160 houses on gang cesspools. All 303 buildings are required to be hooked up to the new $40 million wastewater treatment plant that, though being protested by some, is in the process of conducting an environmental assessment. The planned location of the new plant is makai of Nāʻālehu Hongwanji.
WHT reports that one family now has a sewer bill of $1,909.22: a $1,104.59 past-due bill, $695.63 in interest, an $85 service fee, and $24 for the process server's mileage. Others have similar experiences, according to court records, reports Lauer, and bench warrants have been issued for those who don't appear in court.
Nāʻālehu resident Jerry Warren told WHT that he has a 2004 letter, signed by Mayor Harry Kim, "saying residents on the gang sewer won't have to pay until a new system is installed.' Warren old WHTthat "the current gang cesspool is illegal and unlicensed and residents shouldn't have to pay… It's extortion and it's mail fraud to be sending out extortion bills. We need a lawyer to file a class action suit and get all of our money back." He told Lauer that the community was given a ballot to choose their preference for the new system "and they chose a septic tank system."
Kucharski told Lauer that a septic system won't work in Nāʻālehu, so the more expensive wastewater treatment plant design is being used.
Nāʻālehu resident Sandra Demoruelle is also fighting against the plant. She filed a lawsuit in Environmental Court . She wants both the Nāʻālehu and Pāhala sewer projects halted until after the environmental review process is complete. Demoruelle states the county didn't follow proper procedures; that sites were evaluated and technologies chosen without a chance for the public to give input.
Demoruelle told Cook, "They don't want to put all options on the table; they just want their option on the table."
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.
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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 |
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through September
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates
Football, Division II:
Sat., Sept. 7, 2 p.m. , HPA hosts Kaʻū
Sat., Sept. 14, 11 a.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Thu., Sept. 19, 7 p.m. , Pāhoa hosts Kaʻū
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Wed., Sept. 4, 6 p.m. , Christian Liberty hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 6, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha
Tue., Sept. 10, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kealakeha
Fri., Sept. 13, 6 p.m. , Honokaʻa hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 17, 6 p.m. , Waiakea hosts Kaʻū
Thu., Sept. 19, 6 p.m. , Keaʻau hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 24, 6 p.m. , Makualani hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts HPA
Cross Country:
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m. , @Christian Liberty
Sat., Sept. 7, 10 a.m. , @Kamehameha
Fri., Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. , @HPA
Sat., Sept. 21, 10 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m. , @Keaʻau
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.
THURSDAY, AUG. 29
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Aug. 29, 4-6p.m. , Cooper Center Volcano Village
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
Coffee Talk at Kahuku: ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou - We Are All Ka‘ū, Friday, Aug. 30, 9:30-11a.m. , Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Learn about OKK and all their community projects. Free. nps.gov/havo
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Ka‘ū Community Clean-up, Saturday, Aug. 31. Free; donations appreciated. Full – waitlist only; B.Y.O.-4WD okay. R.S.V.P. required. 769-7629, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com
Paths and Trails, Sat., Aug. 31, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, 2-mile, hike. nps.gov/havo
Healing Through Words creative writing workshop with Dr. Heather Rivera, Saturday, Aug. 31, 10-11:30a.m., Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Bon Dance Festival and Twilight Lantern Parade, Saturday, Aug. 31, 6-10p.m., Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Lantern Parade at 7:30 p.m. Taiko drums, Hachimaki headbands, saimin, teriyaki bowls, vegetable bowls, and fun for the whole family. First time the temple has held this event in over 10 years, a Celebration of Remembrance. All are welcome. Free. Temple President Robert Kobzi, robertkobzi@aol.com
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1Ka‘ū Art Gallery and Gift Shop Opening, Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., behind Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware. Corrine Kaupu, 937-1840. kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz, kauartgallery.com
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sunday, Sept. 1, 9:30-11a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, short, moderately difficult, 0.4 mile hike. nps.gov/havo
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, Sept. 1 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park
Empower Meeting, Monday, Sept. 2 and 16 – 1st and 2nd Monday monthly – 3-4:30p.m. , PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Empowering girls group. Registration required. Diana, 935-4805
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, Sept. 2, 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Sept. 3 (Committees), Wednesday, Sept. 4 (Council), Hilo . Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 6-8p.m. , Pāhala Community Center.
Wildlife Recovery and Restoration, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 7p.m. , Kīlauea Visitor Center
Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Sammye Young, Wednesday, Sept. 4 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m. , Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
ONGOINGTalk Action, Take Action Surveys Deadline is Saturday, Aug. 31. The surveys ask for information regarding 2018's Kīlauea eruption recovery. Hawaiʻi County residents are encouraged to take the surveys at recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite. Hard copies of the surveys can also be picked up at Council member offices, the Department of Research & Development, and the Planning Department. Unless one chooses to be contacted individually, the information from the surveys will be anonymous.
Applications are available at records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/edoc/95324/2018-19%20PONC%20Stewardship%20Grant%20Request.pdf. Information and applications are also available at the P&R office, Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6, Hilo. Completed applications must be submitted or postmarked by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018 . Questions? Contact Reid Sewake at 961-8311.
Applications are Open for Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Nā‘ālehu and Wai‘ōhinu, at Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Limited space available. Pāhala Home Visits also available. Call 939-8573 for Nā‘ālehu, 929-8571 for Pāhala. pidfoundation.org
Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Volcano local photographer Jesse Tunison, daily through Sunday, Sept. 15, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Nani Ka ʻIkena, that which is seen is beautiful, features vibrant colors and crisp, wide vistas which highlight the character and drama of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. The collection of ten photographs were captured over the past decade by Tunison and also document the dynamic changes which have occurred in such a short period of time. "While the landscape has changed the beauty has endured." Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
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
Tutoring for Kaʻū Hugh & Pāhala Elementary is Available to All Students of the school, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. , Monday through Thursday. Grades Kindergarten-2nd will be in room 3; grades 3-6 will be in room 6 on Mondays, room 11 on Tuesdays through Thursdays; middle school students, will be in building Q; and high school students will be in room M-101 in the science building. Contact khpes.org or 808-313-4100 for more.
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