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| Raging waters blocked Kaʻū Coffee farmers from crossing the ford to reach Moaʻula - Cloud Rest orchards today. Photo by John Qualls |
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A rushing stream in |
A group of Wood Valley residents, at a flooded ford with water too high to cross, talked about a scary Saturday night with the sound of boulders rolling and crashing in the streams.
The flood warning was is still in effect, through 6 p.m. Monday.
Schools are expected to open Monday morning with bus service. Those who rely on Hele On Bus routes that service Kaʻū may want to check heleonbus.org for updates, as some cancellations were planned.
See more photos of the rain, rain, rain coming down, down, down in Kaʻū, below.
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PROTECTING BURIAL SITES AND THE BONES OF ANCESTORS, IWI KŪPUNA, is the goal of planned amendments to the Hawaiʻi State Historical Preservation Division's administrative rules. For the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs released a package of bills. OHA-4 proposes to fix "persistent procedural inconsistencies relating to the identification and protection of iwi kūpuna and burial sites, which have led to inconsistent and inadequate protection for iwi kūpuna."
OHA states that the National Park Service also found "significant operational problems with the division," in 2010. "Despite the apparent need for greater regulatory guidance to address these issues," stated OHA, no rule amendments have been made to the administrative rules for burial sites or iwi kūpuna for over 23 years, nor regarding archaeological or historical sites and resources for over 16 years.
"The State Historic Preservation Division has been contemplating rulemaking action in the near future and this resolution would send a clear legislative message to the division that any such rulemaking must address specific, long-standing issues that have inhibited the consistent and appropriate protection of iwi kūpuna, burial sites, and archaeological/historical resources and sites that embody the physical and spiritual legacies and final resting places of our ancestors. The resolution will point to general and specific rule provisions that SHPD should consider," and will likely include:
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A bridge built in 1945 on handles flooding. Photo by Julia Neal |
Learn more at oha.org. See more on yesterday's and tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
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| Water rushes under Hwy 11 after days of heavy rainfall. Highway 11 has reopened after being closed for almost 24 hours. Only one vehicle in Kaʻū was officially reported stranded during the closure. Photo by Julia Neal |
HELPING FORMER INMATES, PAʻAHAO, FIND STABLE EMPLOYMENT is the goal of another piece of legislation introduced for the 2020 Legislative session. As noted in OHA's 2010 report on The Disparate Treatment of Native Hawaiians in the Criminal Justice System, the inability of former pa‘ahao to find stable employment and support their families after their release "is one of the major 'collateral consequences' of incarceration, which particularly burden the Native Hawaiian community. Criminal background checks as part of the employment process may exacerbate this burden by allowing prospective employers to effectively discriminate against pa‘ahao even after they have paid their debt to society. Notably, national studies show that employers may be far less inclined to hire individuals with even a misdemeanor criminal conviction record – particularly for individuals of color – and despite the length of time from their past illegal activity.
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Water roars through |
"This measure would mitigate the impacts of the ten-year criminal background checks encouraged under state law, by limiting the length of time that convictions may be used in employment decisions from a maximum time period of five years for felonies and three years for misdemeanors (subject to existing exceptions for certain occupations and agencies such as those related to law enforcement). These new limits will discourage most employers from using old and possibly irrelevant convictions in making employment decisions; shorten the unreasonably long ten-year background check period used by employers in evaluating job applicants; and ensure that those who have long past paid their debt to society receive a more meaningful opportunity to support themselves and their families and become contributing members of the community.
"By striking a better balance between employers' liability concerns and the need to provide pa‘ahao with meaningful employment opportunities, this measure will help to reduce recidivism, facilitate successful pa‘ahao reentry, and enhance public safety in the long-term. Importantly, this measure will not apply to employers who are expressly permitted to inquire into their employees' or prospective employees' criminal history pursuant to federal or state laws (e.g. DOE to determine suitability to work with children, public safety to insure against risks to the department or the public, etc.), nor will it affect existing reporting requirements (e.g. for sex offender registries).
Learn more at oha.org. See more on yesterday's and tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
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A coffee farmer helps clear boulders off |
DUE TO INCREASED AGRICULTURAL THEFT, Hawaiʻi Police Department issued a statement to remind the public about the following:
Agricultural theft of agricultural equipment, supplies, products, or parts thereof, – valued between $100 and $20,000 – or agricultural products that exceed twenty-five pounds, could be considered theft in the second degree, a class C felony. Thefts from premises showing a crop at the entry point, that are "fenced, enclosed, or secured in a manner designed to exclude intruders, or have signs prominently displayed such as "Private Property,""No Trespassing," or a similar message, are also eligible as class C felonies.
"Possession of agricultural products without ownership and movement certificates is prima facie (sufficient) evidence that the products are or have been stolen," stated HPD.
Transport and sale of all agricultural commodities marketed for commercial purposes that exceed 200 pounds or have a value of least $100 requires a Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Certificate of Ownership/Movement of Agricultural Commodities record describing the commodity, the amount and value of the commodity. The certificate must include: seller's name, residence address, telephone number, and license plate number of any vehicle used by the seller to deliver the commodity to the place of purchase; name of the farm owner and address of origin; name of the buyer or consignee, and destination; and signature of the seller and, upon sale, the signature of the buyer or consignee. Two copies of the certificate shall accompany the shipment, and one copy each shall be retained by the seller and the buyer or consignee.
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Miles of Hwy 11, from the bridge construction site at Punaluʻu to past floodwaters at Kāwā Flats, remained closed from Saturday until after dark Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal |
Sales over $300 also require the seller to present the buyer with a valid photo ID card or license, issued by a federal or state government agency.
HPD recommends helping safeguard against agricultural theft by taking an active involvement and establish communication within the community and neighborhood to help increase awareness. Make it difficult for a thief or trespasser to enter onto or steal from the property by using: fencing, signage, motion sensors, and ample lighting; security cameras, drones, or private security near high-value commodity areas; no-glow infrared flash trail cameras that are easily downloadable; dogs; strategically placed and secured storage containers away from main roads or highways.
HPD also asks the public to assist law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity to the Hawaiʻi Police Department, (808) 935-3311. HPD recommends including the date, time, and location, along with descriptions of the suspect(s) or vehicle(s) and direction of travel; providing photographs and/or video; requesting that the officer contacts you and avoid remaining anonymous if willing; providing the name of the vendor or business attempting to buy or sell suspected stolen goods.
For buyers of ag commodities, HPD recommends establishing a paper trail; getting to know the seller; verify the seller's ID; gather a photocopy of a government-issued ID or license if the commodity is valued at $300 or more; and provide a receipt for all transactions.
Download an Agricultural Certificate at hawaiipolice.com/01-08-20-agricultural-thefts.
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| A road to Kaʻū Coffee farms becomes impassable. Photo by John Qualls |
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.
Girls Basketball
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Empower Meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 14 and 28 – every other Tuesday, monthly – 11a.m.-1p.m., PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Empowering girls group. Registration required. Diana, 935-4805
Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries Annual Mtg., Wednesday, Jan. 15,5:30 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House on Maile Street
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Family Reading Night, Wednesday, Jan. 15 – third Tuesday, monthly – 6-7p.m. , Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria. Family reading, make & take activities, snacks provided. Free,
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SATURDAY, JAN. 18Hawaii
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Hike Back in Time To The 1969-74 Mauna Ulu Eruption, Saturday, Jan. 18, 10a.m.-1p.m. , Mauna Ulu parking lot. USGS HVO geologist Dr. Carolyn Parcheta leads a two-hour guided walk along the fissure that started the Mauna Ulu eruption, the longest observed effusive rift eruption at the time which built lava shield, Mauna Ulu, growing mountain, a prominent landmark on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
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Pupule Papales Band, Saturday, Jan. 18, 7-10p.m. , Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge, free to in-house guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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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 |
See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball
Tue., Jan. 14 host Konawaena
Thu., Jan.16 @Kealakehe
Boys Basketball
Mon., Jan. 13 host Hilo
Wed., Jan. 15 host Kealakehe
Soccer
Wed., Jan. 15 @Konawaena
Sat., Jan. 18 Girls @Kamehameha
Wrestling
Sat., Jan. 18 @HPA
Sat., Jan. 25 @Kamehameha
Swimming
Sat., Jan. 18 @Kamehameha
Sat., Jan. 25 @Kona Community Aquatic Center
UPCOMING
TUESDAY, JAN. 14
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Tuesday, Jan. 14 and 28 – every other Tuesday, monthly – 9a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Call to confirm location before attending. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Lauhala Weaving Ku‘uipo Kakahiki-Morales, Tuesday, Jan. 14 – second Tuesday, Monthly – 11a.m.-1p.m. , Volcano Art Center
Public Information Mtg. by County of Hawai 95-5635 Māmalahoa Hwy , from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and give input. The Solid Waste Division will be discussing the facilities' operating days and the possibility of modifying the current schedule for transfer stations. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org or call the Solid Waste Division Office at 961-8270 for more.
After Dark in the Park – What's Happening at Kīlauea Volcano's Summit 7-8p.m. , Kīlauea Visitor Center Kīlauea ’s summit? Could explosive activity return? What is known about the water lake? How is it monitored? Join USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists Matt Patrick and Tricia Nadeau as they answer these questions and more. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Jan. 15 – third Wednesday, monthly – 12:30-1:30p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries Annual Mtg., Wednesday, Jan. 15,
THURSDAY, JAN. 16
Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, 1-3:30p.m. , Jan. 16 through Feb 20, Kaʻū Resource Center, 96-3126 Puahala St. in Pāhala. The free class series on Chronic Kidney Disease lead by retired kidney doctor Ramona Wong. Bring a pen and whomever cares/cooks/shops for the person(s) with CKD. Enroll online by Friday, Jan. 10 at alohakidney.com or call (808) 585-8404.
Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Thursday, Jan. 16 – third Wednesday, monthly – 6-7p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Soft Pastel Still Life Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, Jan. 18, 9a.m. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Birth of Kahuku, Saturday, Jan. 18, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to-moderate hike. Bring snack and water. nps.gov/havo
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Jan. 18 and Feb. 4 – every other Tuesday – 10a.m.-1p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
SUNDAY, JAN. 19
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sunday, Jan. 19, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
ONGOING
Apply for Mosaics of Science by Monday, Feb. 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington , D.C.
The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed.
The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
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For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.
For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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.
