Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, September 17, 2019

THE PROTECT AMERICAN VALUES ACT was introduced today by Sen. Mazie Hirono and 26 of her colleagues. The legislation would prohibit the Trump Administration from preventing  immigrants from coming into and staying in the United States based on wealth, family size, age, skills, level of education, and ability to speak English, through its "public charge rule." The Trump administration is planning to use federal funds to implement the "public charge rule" starting Monday, Oct. 15.
     Said Hirono, "The true effect, and therefore, the true intent behind the Administration's public charge rule, is to create a climate of fear among immigrant families, and it's working. I've heard from a number of hardworking, taxpaying immigrants in Hawaiʻi, many not even subject to the rule, who are afraid to see their doctor or access essential services. Instead of harming immigrant families seeking a better life, our bill protects them. Our bill keeps families together. And our bill supports the rich diversity that has enabled our country to thrive and excel throughout its history. I'm proud that 26 of my colleagues support this legislation already, and I will continue working toward passing it."

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.

The facility, like the one above, will be more than a roller rink, multifunctional, with a walking path around it. Image from Kaʻū Skate Club

A ROLLER SKATE RINK FOR OCEAN VIEW is in the works. Kaʻū Skate Club received permission to site the rink on a portion of ten acres of county land near Kahuku Park on Paradise Circle. The budget is $300,000 and fundraisers are planned, including a yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 92-8907 Paradise Parkway, cross street Aloha in Ocean View, and a concert with Dave Lawrence & Green Machine at Tiki Mama's on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. Tickets at the door of the concert are a suggested donation of $15, plus one can of food, which goes to the Hawaiʻi Island Food Bank.

Lzena Barrett,  Kaʻū Skate Club President.  Photo from Kaʻū Skate Club

     Kaʻū Skate Club is a non-profit that aims to provide a place and activities for OV and other Kaʻū youth. Founders are Lzena Barrett, Lisa Olivarez, and Erika Prowse. Barrett is President and told Kaʻū News Briefs that the Club was "born over coffee" at her dining room table. "We were discussing how fun it would be to have a roller rink here for the entire community. We decided on starting a co-ed, recreational, all ages skate club. We skated a few times at KahukuPark, watching the smiles on the kids' faces. They would be ready to go, race with us – we laughed along with them, taught them a few tricks. It was obvious then, we really needed something for everyone. And there it was: 'Let's do this for real.' The three of us met daily and talked about the ins and outs, and what was needed to build a skate rink." The roller rink will be a multifunctional facility with a walking path around it.

     Barrett said a member of ʻO Kaʻū Kākou mentioned they should contact Kaʻū County Council member Maile David. They called and left a message with her secretary, and "to our surprise, Maile called back with the hour. She wanted a meeting with the three of us, was very interested in our vision."

     Barrett said they met with the council member in early March, after applying for non-profit status for the Club. They presented a business plan, concept pictures, and ideas. "She asked questions, like why we thought this would work well in Ocean View, what our complete vision was, and how long we thought it would take us. She was very excited about a roller rink here. She said, 'OK, let's do this,'" said Barrett.

Lisa Olivarez,  Kaʻū Skate Club Vice President.  Photo from Kaʻū Skate Club

     In June, the Kaʻū Skate Club founders met again with David, this time with Department of Parks and Recreation staff, to go over the business plan, projected dates, concept pictures, and costs. "We left that meeting with all positive feedback," said Barrett. Soon after, Kaʻū Skate Club became an official non profit 501 (C) (3).

     On Aug. 6, the Club received a letter from county Parks & Recreation, allotting a portion of ten acres for the rink. A survey will help determine the best location, possibly followed by an Environmental Assessment. Said Barrett, "We are not sure if an EA has been done there before, if we need to update one or start from scratch."

     Barrett projects a finish date in September of 2021 – two years. "We have a lot going into this. We are always working on fundraisers for this project. One hundred percent of our proceeds go directly to the skate club." They are looking for nonprofit partners, grant writers, corporate sponsors, and community volunteers.

     On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, Saturday and Sunday, the club held its first fundraiser, a garage sale. Barrett said the sale went "amazingly," with a lot of support from the community in donations and purchases. "Almost everyone that came by knew it was for the Kaʻū Skate Club and had a lot of questions," said Barrett. "Some kids were expressing how happy they were to learn something new, and some of our older community members were smiling ear to ear, sharing the memories of Roller Skate Rinks growing up and how much fun this is going to be. In fact, one gentleman in his 60s, I believe, said he cannot wait to get his roller skates back on."

     The next fundraiser will be Saturday, Oct. 12. "We have already started collecting donations – we sold almost everything at the last one, which is great. Super excited!"

At the rink, skates will be rented for a small fee.  Photo from Kaʻū Skate Club

     Another fundraiser is a concert featuring Dave Lawrence & Green Machine at Tiki Mama's on Saturday, Oct. 19.

     Lzena Barrett, Kaʻū Skate Club President, has lived in Ocean View for three years, after splitting time between Hawaiʻi Island and California, where she "grew up on roller skates." At a young age, she was an artistic and competitive roller skater. She continues with Roller Derby, both playing and coaching. She and her husband owned and operated a roller skate rink in Northern California.

     Lisa Olivarez, Kaʻū Skate Club Vice President, originally from Northern California, has lived in Kaʻū for seven years. "She's definitely our athletic skater," said Barrett. "She very much enjoys fast paced, heart pounding roller skating. She has been skating now for a few years as an adult, but like many others, she remembers birthday parties and school functions at the skate rink."

     Erika Prowse, Kaʻū Skate Club's Treasurer and Secretary, is also from Northern Californiaand has been in Kaʻū for five years. Said Barrett, "She is our go-to business woman. She's the one who knows all the ins and outs of the business part of the skate club. She began roller skating a couple years ago as well. Erika is always learning new styles and always has a smile."

     Prowse and Olivarez work together at a local bee farm. Barrett is a stay at home mom.

     Barrett said Kaʻū Skate Club will serve the community of Kaʻū district and beyond. The rink will be open to all, "a safe and fun place for families to come and enjoy."
     Kaʻū Skate Club board members and committees will schedule use of the facility for skating and other activities. Someone from the Club will be on site at all times during operating hours, Barrett said, and a skate floor monitor will be in charge, "to ensure the safety of everyone using the Roller Skate Rink."

     Said Barrett, "Our organization is volunteer based only. No one person will be paid any type of salary. We want to do this for our community, not for money." She said admission will be charged for open skating, and there will be a fee to rent skates, "reasonably priced," she said. The fees will go toward utility bills, skate maintenance, and building upgrades and upkeep, said Barrett.

     Kaʻū Skate Club plans to have open skate on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 2 p.m to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

     "The Rink will have all the lights, music, and events," said Barrett, "Too many to list, really. We would eventually love to do roller skate lessons for all ages, and possibly roller hockey. Though none of us have played roller hockey, I do know a hockey coach. So many things to look forward to. We are always looking for more volunteers."

     To donate to the Oct. 12 yard sale fundraiser or become involved, call Barrett at 808-747-1147.