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| Kauahaʻao Congregational Church will host a bicentennial celebration at the Henry ʻOpukahaʻia Memorial Chapel above Punaluʻu Beach on Sunday, Feb. 16. See more below. |
THE STATE OF THE UNION from Pres. Donald Trump today drew comments from most of the Hawaiʻi congressional delegation:
Sen. Brian Schatz said, "Tonight the president had an opportunity to bring people together during this dark time. Unfortunately, what we heard was the same divisiveness that has defined his presidency. While there may be a chance for compromise on infrastructure, the address offered no real solutions to the challenges we face. Nevertheless, I will continue to look for common ground in the Senate, and fight the administration when they undermine American values."
Sen. Brian Schatz said, "Tonight the president had an opportunity to bring people together during this dark time. Unfortunately, what we heard was the same divisiveness that has defined his presidency. While there may be a chance for compromise on infrastructure, the address offered no real solutions to the challenges we face. Nevertheless, I will continue to look for common ground in the Senate, and fight the administration when they undermine American values."
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "The current #StateofHealthCareis under attack. @realDonaldTrumphas used all three branches of government to sabotage our health care system and threaten coverage for vulnerable Americans. Health care is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy.”
Rep. Ed Case said, "I yearned for the speech of a President to a divided nation recognizing deep disagreements, acknowledging differing views and offering a united way forward, but instead I heard the stump speech of a candidate chasing votes at the expense of even deeper division."
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| Render of the 2019 novel coronavirus by scientificanimations.com |
There are no more direct flights between China and Hawaiʻi after today, but Honolulu International Airport is one of seven selected U.S. airports to receive flights with people who need quarantine for the virus. Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a physician who practiced years ago in Kaʻū, said, "Hawaiʻi did not volunteer HNL to be a designated airport for U.S. citizens returning from China … We don't like it any more than anybody else. The federal government decided that because we have CDC capacity at our airports and because we are strategically located in between Asia and the mainland U.S. that we should be one of the seven… Nonetheless, we worked diligently over the weekend to prepare and continue to do so.
"We will only be seeing returning people to the United States . Of course, anybody that lives in Hawaiʻi, we're going to welcome them home, but if they've been in the region they will have to be quarantined for two weeks," possibly in their own homes, Green said. "We're putting a lot of different safety areas and safety plans in place so I don't want people to be too concerned. But we will be totally transparent so people will know what's going on as far as any planes that come here, exactly if we've had any cases, which we have not had any, and exactly what people need to do to avoid contamination or exposure to any virus."
Republican state Rep. Gene Ward said he is reaching out to the White House to request that Hawaiʻi be taken off the of the list of locations designated to for diversion of flights from China in order to screen passengers. He said it could hurt Hawaiʻi's tourism industry.
CDC reminds the public to "Wash hands, cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay home from work or school if sick, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and see your doctor if feeling ill."
Daily updates on 2019-nCoV issues that may affect those in Hawaiʻi will be provided by Civil Defense. For more info, call Civil Defense at 935-0031, or DOH at 974-6001 and after-hours at 211.
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| Red areas show where the 2019-nCoV is confirmed. Hawaiʻi is a small, light pink spot in the middle, on the far left. CDC map |
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A HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN IS IN THE WORKS AND KAʻŪ RESIDENTS ARE SOUGHT TO HELP WITH INPUT, according to a release from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense today. The county has developed developed Survey for Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020. The survey is anonymous and will be used to develop portions of the plan. Fill out the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/HawaiiCountyHMP.
The county statement says that public participation and feedback "are a vital part of the hazard mitigation planning process." The survey closes Friday, Feb. 14. The Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is the County's hazard and risk assessment for natural disasters. The plan will include proposed projects to mitigate potential loss of life and property.
The Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is required to be eligible for FEMA funds and must be updated every five years. The Plan is designed to be closely related to and influence the County's General Plan and the Emergency Operations Plan. To keep up to date with the project, sign up for event notifications, visit hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/multi-hazard-mitigation-plan-2020.
For further information, call the Civil Defense Agency at 935-0031.
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THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF KAUAHAʻAO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH is announced for Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Henry ‘Opukahaʻia Memorial Chapel,
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| Dedication plaque inside the Henry ʻOpukahaʻia Memorial Chapel above Punaluʻu Beach. |
Guest speaker at this bicentennial celebration will be Pastor Kaʻeo Decoite from Maui. Descendant of Henry ‘Opukahaʻia, Deborah L. Lee - who followed the dreams she repeatedly had that Henry wanted to come home to his homeland, and brought ‘Opukahaʻia 's remains back to Hawaiʻi in 1993 - will also share in the celebration. ‘Opukahaʻia was reinterned at Kahikolu Congregational Church in Napoʻopoʻo.
The celebration will focus on the commemoration of 200 Years of Christianity in Hawaiʻi. The celebration will also be held in remembrance of ‘Opukahaʻia, the first Christian from Hawaiʻi, who was born in 1792 near Ninole. He died on Feb. 17, 1818 in Cornwall , Connecticut April 4, 1820 , the Thaddeus arrived and anchored in Kona. The ninth ABCFM company arrived on May 21, 1841 , on the Gloucester . On board was Rev. John Davis Paris, who founded Kauahaʻao Congregational Church in Waiʻōhinu in November of 1841.
DON'T BREAK YOUR CAMPAIGN PROMISE is the message from 38
Hirono said Trump's comments "could pave the way for massive cuts to retirement income and health care benefits that workers have earned and paid into throughout their careers." She said the cuts would have a "major impact" in Hawaiʻi: 19.1 percent of residents receive benefits from the Social Security Administration, 21.2 percent are enrolled in Medicaid, and 18.9 percent are enrolled in Medicare.
The senators wrote: "As a presidential candidate, you promised the American people that you would not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. In fact, you criticized your political opponents for failing to make the same promise. Not only have you broken that promise, you have waged an all-out assault on Medicaid. Attempting to make up the trillion-dollar deficit created by your tax law on the backs of hard-working Americans would be a betrayal to all who consider these programs a lifeline. American workers who for decades have paid into Social Security and Medicare should not be forced to relinquish their health and retirement security to pay for your tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations."
The senators wrote: "As a presidential candidate, you promised the American people that you would not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. In fact, you criticized your political opponents for failing to make the same promise. Not only have you broken that promise, you have waged an all-out assault on Medicaid. Attempting to make up the trillion-dollar deficit created by your tax law on the backs of hard-working Americans would be a betrayal to all who consider these programs a lifeline. American workers who for decades have paid into Social Security and Medicare should not be forced to relinquish their health and retirement security to pay for your tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations."
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono speaking in Washington, D.C. about healthcare last year. Photo from Hirono |
In 2017, Hirono lobbied for an amendment cosponsored by 32 of her colleagues to that year's budget resolution that sought to prevent major changes to Medicare or Medicaid without a supermajority in the Senate. While the amendment received bipartisan support, it failed on a 49-47 vote. She listed harmful amendments as raising the eligibility age, modifying eligibility requirements, or privatizing and voucherizing the program. Social Security is already protected by a similar provision in law.
Hirono and 15 other Senate Democrats also introduced the Medicare and Medicaid Protection Act, modeled on her budget amendment, that would permanently set a supermajority voting threshold in law "in order to provide additional guards to these vital health care programs against Republican attacks during the budget reconciliation process," said a statement from Hirono's office.
Download the signed letter to Trump here.
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THE NEW FARMERS MARKET IN NĀʻĀLEHU has drawn more than 20 vendors for its inaugural day, tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 5, reports its manager Sue Barnett. She said the vending will focus on Kaʻū products, with mushrooms from the new farm in Nāʻālehu, and fresh breads, along with vegetables, fruits, and other products. She said ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, which sponsors the market on its land mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu, may offer music in the future and acquire picnic tables for market goers. The hours are each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Barnett said there is room for more vendors - up to 36. Call Barnett at 345-9374.
HAWAIʻI ISLAND FRUIT GROWERS will head to a statewide conference from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3. The 30th Hawaiʻi International Tropical Fruit Conference, Keeping It Local, marks three decades of promoting sustainable fruit production in the Aloha State Hilo and Kona, and on Molokai , Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi.
Geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers, and proponents of sustainable agriculture, the multi-day conference is presented by the statewide Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers and open to the public.
The 2020 conference offers a lineup of visiting researchers and agricultural experts sharing information and breakout sessions on a variety of topics.
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| ʻUlu, breadfruit, will be the focus of a presentation by HTFG Exec. Dir. Ken Love. Photo from ʻUlu Co-Op |
Also in the works are farm tours.
The conference is made possible with the support of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Hawaiʻi County Department of Research and Development.
Registration forms and fee schedule are available at HTFG.org or by contacting Love at kenlove@hawaiiantel.net or Mark Suiso at suiso@aloha.net.
Marking its 31st year, HTFG was incorporated in 1989 to promote tropical fruit grown in Hawaiʻi. It is a statewide association of tropical fruit growers, packers, distributors and hobbyists dedicated to tropical fruit research, education, marketing and promotion. See HTFG.org.
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THURSDAY, FEB. 6![]()
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
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TUESDAY, FEB. 11
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 Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com |
See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.
Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball
Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 HHSAA on Oʻahu
Boys Basketball
Wed., Feb. 5 BIIF @ Kealakehe
Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu
Soccer
Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 Girls HHSAA on Oʻahu
Sat., Feb. 1 and 8 Boys BIIF
Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 Boys HHSAA on Oʻahu
Wrestling
Sat., Feb. 8 BIIF @Konawaena
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22 HHSAA
Swimming
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui
UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5
OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Wednesdays beginning Feb. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., mauka on Hwy 11 at the old Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand and future home of the Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.
Hula Voices, Thursday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Presents an engaging, intimate talk story session with Hawai‘i Island kumu hula and features Volcano musician Joe Camacho. volcanoartcenter.org
FRIDAY, FEB. 7
Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū - Community Mtg. andMembership Drive 6:30 p.m. at the Nāʻālehu Community Center. Topics include revival of annual Prince Kūhio Day Hoʻolauleʻa, to be held Saturday, March 28 at Nāʻālehu Park, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature music and hula, food, arts and crafts, and Hawaiian cultural activities. Anyone wanting to be a vendor, host a booth, and become a member should also come to the meeting. The annual membership dues are $10 per person or organization. Contact Terry-Lee Shibuya at terrylshibuya@gmail.com or treasurer Kehau Ke at hunneygurl15@gmail.com.
Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū - Community Mtg. and
16th Annual Love the Arts Volcano Arts Center Fundraiser Gala, Saturday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Theme is The Roaring 2020s, highlighted by unique decorations, decadent food, fine wines and beer, and dancing. Features appearances by members of Harmony on Tap and opera singer D'Andrea Pelletier. Live and silent auctions: bid on artwork, jewelry, hotel stays, restaurants, local products, services, and gift certificates to businesses and attractions. Tickets $70, $65 VAC Members. Purchase at VAC's Niʻaulani Campus in the village or Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
SUNDAY, FEB. 9
Kaʻū Clean-Up with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, Sunday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, March 21. Volunteer spaces limited. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
Music in the American Wild, Tuesday, Feb. 11; seating begins at 6:30 p.m. , concert starts at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The American Wild Ensemble was formed to celebrate and tour America 's national parks. They've performed in unconventional venues, from caves to mountaintops, commissioning new works and performing them in site-inspired and site-specific locations. Attend an evening concert with ensemble directors Emlyn Johnson (flute) and Daniel Ketter (cello) as they present a contemporary classical program featuring new works by Hawai‘i resident and Hawai‘i-born composers. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
ONGOING
Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, through Feb. 13, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. "Learn to live more in the moment, think on your feet, let go of self-judgment, bring more joy in your life, and recapture your playful spirit in the 6-week workshop series with improv legend Keli Semelsberger." Attendance to all 6 classes is not required – classes may be attended individually. No prior experience is necessary. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
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Sharp Turns – The Creative Art of Woodturning, Volcano Art Center Gallery exhibit, featuring the works of Aaron Hammer and Mark and Karen Stebbins, continues daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , through Feb. 16. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. , 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. See alohakidney.com. Call (808) 585-8404 to enroll.
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Register for ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive through Wednesday, Feb. 19 at noon . Event takes place Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
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Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, Sunday March 8, 6:30 p.m. , Pāhala Plantation House. The concert will feature music that will celebrate native plants of the Kaʻū Dryland Forest and will raise funds for Hoʻomalu Kaʻū.
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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 p.m. to 4:30 pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.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
Register for a Free CERT Basic Training Course, four Saturdays starting Feb. 22 through March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center
Clay – High Fire!, Sunday, through Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. 8-week morning or afternoon pottery series with Erik Wold. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
Performers will include: Maya Hoover , Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at University of Hawaiʻi
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment, features classes on block printing, lauhala weaving, ti leaf lei making, and more. A free guided Cultural Forest Tour, and a Mele and Hula ‘Auana performance are also slated. Visit the website events calendar for the full lineup. volcanoartcenter.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.
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