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| Feral goats roamed in huge herds in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park before control began in the 1970s. Helicopter flights tomorrow will survey for wild goats along the Kaʻū boundary of the Park. See more HVNP flight plans below. Vintage photo from National Park Service |
ENCOURAGING LANDOWNERS TO ALLOW NATIVE HAWAIIAN PRACTITIONERS TO ACCESS land, water, roads, and trails is the aim of a bill to be submitted by Office of Hawaiian Affairs to the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature. OHA-5would address liability concerns of private and government landowners who grant "explicit permission to cultural practitioners to access their lands to specifically engage in Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices." A summary of the bill from OHA says it would encourage accommodation of practitioners "and facilitate the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, as envisioned in our constitution and otherwise protected under the law."
OHA explained that the bill would not require practitioners to obtain permission to exercise their constitutionally protected rights, but would encourage landowners to grant permission through reducing liability. The bill proposes that the owner of the land would owe "no duty of care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for the purpose of engaging in a Native Hawaiian traditional
and customary practice, or to give any warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on such premises to persons entering for such purposes, or to persons entering for a purpose in response to a cultural practitioner who requires assistance, either direct or indirect, including but not limited to rescue, medical care, or other form of assistance."
and customary practice, or to give any warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on such premises to persons entering for such purposes, or to persons entering for a purpose in response to a cultural practitioner who requires assistance, either direct or indirect, including but not limited to rescue, medical care, or other form of assistance."
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| A hula heiau in Kaʻū where permission is given to a group of cultural practitioners to protect and care for the site on Olson Trust property. Photo by Jasmine Cronin |
"Such landowner reluctance may force practitioners to risk physical conflict or even the possibility of citation and/or arrest in order to access lands they do not have permission to be on. In the latter case, practitioners would also have the costly burden of proving in court that they were in fact engaged in the reasonable exercise of their traditional and customary practices, in order to avoid conviction and a criminal record. Faced with such risks and burdens, Native Hawaiian practitioners may choose to forego the continuation of their practices and the perpetuation of their culture, undermining the vision and intent of our unique constitutional protection."
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FLIGHT PLANS FOR JANUARY are announced by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Tuesday, Jan. 14, between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. , for ungulate surveys near the Ka‘ū boundary from sea level to 1,500-ft. elevation.
Wednesday, Jan. 15, between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. , for ungulate surveys near the Ka‘ū desert boundary between sea level and 1,500-ft. elevation.
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| Hawaiʻi Volcanoes will monitor petrels on Wednesday and Thursday at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Photo from NPS |
Monday, Jan. 27, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. , for invasive banana poka surveys and control on Mauna Loa Road between 5,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation.
Tuesday, Jan. 28 between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. , for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku Unit, between 4,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation.
Tuesday, Jan. 28, between 10 a.m. and noon, to survey for Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death in the Kahuku Unit between 2,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation.
In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.
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Visitors gaze at Kīlauea Iki Crater from the Pu‘u Pua‘i Overlook. NPS photo/Janice Wei |
The public is reminded to stay 60 feet away from nēnē and never give them food. Nēnē that are comfortable with people and handouts are more likely to be killed by vehicles.
Only 30 nēnē remained statewide in 1952. Efforts to recover the imperiled species began in the 1970s. The Nēnē Recovery Program continues today: more than 200 birds thrive in the park from sea level to around 8,000 feet, and the species has more than 3,000 living members.
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Still on a storm watch but lighting up at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. Photo by Maria Miranda |
A GALE WARNING AND A HIGH SURF ADVISORY are in effect for Kaʻū. High winds of 29 to 40 mile per hour winds are forecast through tomorrow, states the National Weather Service. The high winds are expected to cause rough seas through Thursday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. The remnants of the storm that caused flooding all over Kaʻū will keep the waves above 5 feet. NWS warns that hazardous seas should be avoided by most non-necessary water travel.
In addition, a Brown Water Advisory is in effect for all of Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch stated that, due to heavy rains, the public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff "due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Not all coastal areas may be impacted by runoff. However, if the water is brown stay out. Continue to practice good personal hygiene and follow-up with your primary care physician if you have any health concerns."
HELE ON BUS SERVICE will be limited on Monday, January 20, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. See heleonbus.org for details.
KAʻŪ BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS faced off with Kealakehu on Saturday in Junior Varsity and Varsity games. The Trojans' JV team came close to a win, scoring 56 points to the Waveriders' 61. Varsity had a harder challenge, scoring 29 to Kona's 59 points.
Today, the teams traveled to Hilo to play JV and Varisty games against the Waiakea Warriors. The JV Trojans had an even closer game, scoring 59 points to Hilo's 61. Kaʻū's Micah Espejo scored 23 of the game's points, Ivan Ramos scored 10, Cyrus McMasters scored 8, and Waiola Akiu, Jezekial Jara, and Jocyiah Mukini each scored 6.The Varsity game had a wider spread, with Hilo taking the game at 84 points to Kaʻū's 39. Dayson Burns scored 13 points for the Trojans, Kyson Toriano scored 7, Raymond Polido-Kalili scored 6, Kealiikoa Reyes-Nalu and Blake Nakano each scored 4, Elijah Evangelista scored 3, and Jyron Young scored 2.
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 |
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
Wed., Jan. 15 host Kealakehe
Fri., Jan. 17 @Parker
Mon., Jan. 20 @Honokaʻa
Soccer
Wed., Jan. 15 @Konawaena
Sat., Jan. 18 Girls @Kamehameha
Wed., Jan. 22 and Sat., Jan. 25 Girls BIIF
Wrestling
Sat., Jan. 18 @HPA
Swimming
Sat., Jan. 18 @Kamehameha
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
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
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sunday, Jan. 19, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
MONDAY, JAN. 20
Fee Free Day at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Monday, Jan. 20, midnight-11:59p.m. Park entrance fees waived for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
AdvoCATS, Monday, Jan. 20, 7a.m.-4:30p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
ONGOINGApply 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.
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T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511
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.
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.
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511Tūtū & 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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