Two visitors standing at an overlook pointing towards a volcanic crater. NPS Photo/B.Hayes |
Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans have a rich heritage that has shaped the history of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
“Just as the volcanic and biologic features of the land have formed Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, so too have the people who have been a part of its history and sacred landscapes. We are thrilled to share these places and their stories with enriching and exciting new tools such as the NPS App,” said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh.
Native Hawaiian heritage at the grass house in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo |
Visitors to the park have new ways to learn and explore with six self-guided tours on the NPS App. Created by park rangers with visitors in mind, the NPS App gives the public up-to-date information about not only Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, but all 423 national parks in one easy-to-use app. Visitors can download the NPS App in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store to plan a trip, find places to view the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea, use interactive features, and download maps and self-guided tours ahead of time.
In addition to the web content and NPS App, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes joins the Pacific Island national parks on social media throughout May to share posts that highlight the special pilina (interconnections) between culture, human history, and traditions.
While on a visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, the public is reminded to recreate responsibly, follow park safety guidelines and wear masks while inside all federal facilities and outside where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
NATIVE HAWAIIANS ARE EXPLICITLY NAMED in President Biden's recent proclamation recognizing the achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders throughout the month of May. Congressman Kai Kahele pointed out this morning that in naming Native Hawaiians in the proclamation, "Biden is the first sitting President in the history of our country to do so."
"President Biden's explicit naming of Native Hawaiians in his proclamation sends a powerful message that words matter," said Kahele. "For decades, Native Hawaiians have been included in the 'Pacific Islander' category. Although Native Hawaiians are one of the many peoples of the Pacific Islands, Native Hawaiians are unique and have a special legal, political and trust relationship with the United States and should be recognized as such.
"With the continued support of the Biden-Harris Administration, I plan to continue doing what I can to enrich, empower and advance the lives of Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaiʻi while in Congress."
In his proclamation, Biden stated, "In the midst of a difficult year of pain and fear, we reflect on the tradition of leadership, resilience, and courage shown by AANHPI communities, and recommit to the struggle for AANHPI equity."
The President also highlighted the achievements of Vice President Harris as a trailblazer for young people to follow, and condemned acts of anti-Asian bias.
By declaring May 2021 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander month, President Biden stated, "Vice President Harris and I affirm that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make our Nation stronger. I urge my fellow Americans to join us this month in celebrating AANHPI history, people, and cultures."
Read the President's Proclamation: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/04/30/a-proclamation-on-asian-american-and-native-hawaiian-pacific-islander-heritage-month-2021/
HELP IN DEALING WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES is one of the services Congressman Kai Kahele is offering constituents. In his May newsletter he said his staff closed 306 cases in 100 days. They included dealing with the Social Security administration, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Treasury (IRS), U/S. Postal Service, Immigration/Citizenship and the Small Business Administration. To request assistance, contact Kahele's office through https://kahele.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see https://www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
Tickets are $15. Reservations are required. Call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com. KMC will have a Mother's Day dinner in the Crater Rim Café. Reservations can be made by calling 967-8356.
Volcano Village on April 17th. Kapua Kaʻauʻa will also be holding a live demonstration of kaula pā hā/ pā walu at the VAC gallery on April 24th.
WALK THROUGH A GUIDED NATURE TRAIL & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. www.volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222.
Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Should anyone have an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz
.
See the newspaper at www.kaucalendar.com |
gmail.com for vendor inquiries, availability and application.
KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.
CHURCH SERVICES
Public Libraries are open for WiFi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nāʻālehu open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. WiFi available to anyone with a library card, from each library parking lot. See librarieshawaii.org.
Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.
Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
Apply for Utility Assistance to pay for electricity, non-government water, or gas. Applicants must be a Hawaiʻi Island resident, at least 18 years old, lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, and not previously received assistance from other COVID-19 federal or state-funded programs. Funded by CARES Act and distributed by Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, required documents for application are government-issued identification, income verification documents for all household members, utility statement with address of services, lease/rental agreement or mortgage document, and proof of hardship. Hardship may include, but not limited to, pay stubs documenting pre-COVID-19 income, unemployment approval letter, or layoff letter. Apply at HCEOC.net or call 808-961-2681.
Apply for Expanded Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. Contact RMAP partners: Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending, HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801; HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935- 3050; Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union, hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933- 6600; Neighborhood Place of Puna, neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550; Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery, hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808- 934-7852; Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island, habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.
Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants for small businesses and nonprofits, up to $10,000, support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See rb.gy/v2x2vy.