Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022

STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY IS GOV. DAVID IGE'S second headline in his State of the State address this week. "To do that, we must first help our struggling families—to malama pono, make things right for them. It means making sure they can secure the very basics of food, shelter, and jobs," said the governor. "That’s why our Department of Human Services developed online applications for SNAP benefits (formerly Food Stamps) and added 32,000 additional families during the pandemic. As many faced job losses, we provided $6.6 billion in unemployment benefits, allowing those who are out-of-work to continue to receive essential income for their families."

    Ige noted that the pandemic caused many workers to lose long-held jobs and pursue new career paths. "To help them, the Department of Labor is rolling out the Hawai’i Career Acceleration Navigator, with its one-stop, online hub to help unemployed workers with new career and training opportunities."
    The pandemic also highlighted the need for childcare for working families and how it is essential for many to continue to hold jobs. "To help them, the state’s Child Care Program Office is distributing nearly $80 million to support access to childcare and provide much needed relief for young families," said the governor. "These funds will support childcare businesses weathering the challenges of the pandemic, and can be used for personnel costs, training, rent, mortgage, utilities, supplies, and equipment related to COVID-19."

'Ohana Zones that serve the homeless and other housing initiatives were featured in Gov. David Ige's State of the State this week. Photo from State of Hawai'i

    

    To assist renters and homeowners, "we provided $260 million in emergency rent and mortgage assistance to ensure that no family would be evicted because of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Hawaiian Homes Commission postponed mortgage payments and provided its beneficiaries with rent and utility assistance. The state is also working closely with the counties to increase the number of affordable rentals on all islands," said Ige. The state is also working closely with the counties to increase the number of affordable rentals on all islands, "including more than a thousand across the neighbor islands since we took office."
    Two years ago, the Legislature created 'Ohana Zones. "Working with the counties, we opened 20 sites across all islands that provide a wide range of services for individuals and families. These projects have assisted over 5,500 homeless individuals statewide, with more than 1,300 placed directly into permanent housing. By increasing funding for the homeless by 68 percent since taking office, we’ve assisted more individuals to, not only find temporary shelter, but lift them out of the vicious cycle of homelessness."
    The governor said the "biggest factor affecting home ownership in Hawai’i is supply.That’s why we set out to build 10,000 new homes by 2020—and we did it! We also expect to build another 3,000 homes by the end of this year."
    Ige said, "We can strengthen our communities in another way too. Given the recent revenue projections, we’re asking the Legislature to return some of those dollars back to taxpayers. We want to issue refund checks of $100 for every taxpayer and for each dependent.For a family of four that means an extra $400. In this way, we’ll also inject $110 million back into our economy, giving it a boost as well."

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HAWAI'I PACIFIC PARKS ASSOCIATION, which operates visitor
centers at national parks and historic sites, announced a contribution of $28,500 to Volcanoes, Haleakalā, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Parks, along with Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site.
    The donation comes from an initiative entitled $10,000 for 10 Years, to celebrate the ten year mark since Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association rebranded to generate more avenues of Park support. The goal of the December campaign was $5,000 in visitor donations that would be matched with another $5,000. However, by mid December, more than triple the 
amount was raised and matched.
    "Donations to national parks help support wildlife programs, youth ranger programs, cultural events, publications, demonstrations and so much more," says a statement from HPPA.
    HPPA is the nonprofit partner of six national parks in Hawai'i and American Samoa. Proceeds from its visitor center park stores and online ship have contributed over $20 million in support to parks since 1933. See more at https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/

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Roger Bong, founder of Aloha Got Soul record label and vinyl record shop, hosts the new Mauka to Makai radio show on Sundays, to be heard on HPR1 at 88.8 FM in Ka'u and online. Photo from Aloha Got Soul

MAUKA TO MAKAI IS THE NEW HAWAIIAN MUSIC SHOW on Hawai'i Public Radio, the broadcast beginning Sunday, Feb. 6. The weekly program explores the rich musical diversity of the Hawaiian Islands and the artists who call Hawai'i home. Mauka to Makai will air every Sunday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on HPR1 at 88.8 FM in Ka'u and online.

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