Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, March 20, 2022

    Case wrote: "President Zelenskyy said what we all know, that Russia's February 24th unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine was an attack not just on a sovereign, independent country and its people, but on its democracy, on our democratic world. He graphically presented the tragedy of purposeful Russian attacks on civilians, of mounting death and injury, and of a humanitarian crisis in encircled cities and among a now-estimated 6.5 million displaced Ukrainians. He asked for our continued help, with assistance including weapons and a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Rep. Case said he urges much more defense  assistance to Ukraine, its flag shown here.

    "We have joined the rest of the democratic world in imposing the toughest and broadest sanctions on any country ever. Last week Congress passed and the President signed into law $13.6 billion in emergency assistance, including weapons and other defense supplies which are already reaching Ukraine. I have joined other colleagues in supporting much more defense assistance."

     Case also offered up a statement from his bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, saying that last week, "I joined my U.S. House colleagues in moving to revoke Russia's favored nation trading status. President Biden and Congress are pursuing further actions, both ourselves and together with our partners around the world, to make the consequences to Russia and Putin of continuing with this invasion far worse than any gains they hope to achieve.
    "Thus far President Biden and our NATO allies have declined to pursue a no-fly zone. This is because a fully-enforced no-fly zone would require direct attacks by us and our allies on Russian aircraft and ground missiles both in Ukraine and in Russia, a far greater and riskier expansion of the conflict. I support the President's decision, as deeply frustrating as that is, though like the President I do not believe we can rule that or any other action out under all circumstances. For now, we must pursue and expand all current efforts to isolate Russia and help Ukraine, with our goal of inflicting such a price on Russia that it withdraws."

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CONGRESSMAN ED CASE IS CALLING FOR A WAIVER OF THE JONES ACT during time of sanctions on Russian oil. He noted in a message today that standing up for Ukraine with sanctions comes "at a cost back home as we correctly ban imports from and exports to Russia. But while Russian oil only accounts for less than 2 percent  of our country's total supply, it has been around 25 percent of Hawai'i's total. The great majority of Hawai'i's oil comes from foreign rather than domestic supply largely because it costs fully three to four times more to ship domestic oil to Hawai'i than from farther distances overseas. 

Rep. Ed Case is calling for suspension of the Jones Act during sanctions on Russian oil.Image /Grassroots Institute of Hawai'i

     "That huge cost difference is because of the Jones Act, a century-old federal law that prevents us from bringing in our own country's oil on plentiful and affordable international tankers. As we look to replace 25 percent of our oil supply, we shouldn't be effectively prevented from accessing our own country's supplies. I therefore asked the President for a limited, targeted waiver of the Jones Act to allow international shipping to bring domestic oil to Hawai'i during our ban on Russian oil. Here is my full press release detailing my request to the President, as well as legislation I introduced in the U.S. House to mandate a similar exemption."

Developing ʻIke Hana Noʻeau - Experience the Skillful Work craft demonstrations on video will be supported by the sales of specialty license plates showing the Nene and lava at Hawai'i Volcanoes. Photo from Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association

    Hawai'i Pacific Parks recently presented the check to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh for $153,356. These funds will be dedicated to supporting the ʻIke Hana Noʻeau - Experience the Skillful Work craft demonstrations and workshops through video. These workshops were, in pre-pandemic years, open to visitors on the park lānai for instruction in such Hawaiian arts and crafts as lei making, lauhala weaving, hula, and much more. Now the park plans to develop ʻIke Hana Noʻeau instructional videos to be available online for everyone, around the world.
    Other national parks that benefit from specialty license plate programs include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and Yosemite National Park.
    For more information on how to purchase a specialty plate, visit https://vehicleregistrationlicensing.as.me/specialtyplates.

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     "Population growth in Hawaiʻi County was among the highest for the state from 2010 to 2020, at 8.2%. At the same time, data show Hawaiʻi County with the lowest median household income, highest percentage of adults reporting frequent mental stress, and the second highest suicide rate (just slightly behind Kauaʻi). The teen birth rate is the highest in the state, and early/adequate prenatal care for all women with a recent birth was the lowest. The proportion of single parent households is the highest in the state.
    "The challenges of rural health on Hawaiʻi’s largest island are currently being examined by the State Rural Health Association; State Department of Health, Office of Primary Care and Rural Health; in conjunction with community partners.
    "On the positive side of the ledger, with the lowest median housing prices in the state, the homeless rate is lower than other counties, as is the percentage reporting severe housing issues (overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of a kitchen, lack of plumbing). A higher percentage of Hawaiʻi County teens spend less than two hrs a day online in activities other than school-related, with the hope that they spend more time outside."

    Read the report at https://www.scribd.com/document/565679753/2021-CHNA-Final-Report#download&from_embed

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THE USDA IS OFFERING FUNDING THROUGH ITS LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM. Nationwide it will provide $97 million in competitive grant funding to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and local food enterprises.

    The total includes $65 million of supplemental American Rescue Plan funding and $32 million in funds provided through the 2018 Farm Bill. This ARP funding will promote competition and help to create more and better markets for local and regional food producers by expanding and strengthening opportunities to sell to institutions, such as universities, hospitals, and settings operated by local, tribal, and state governments. Of the $97 million, LAMP’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) will receive $57 million and the Regional Food System Partnerships will receive
$40 million.
    Learn more about the grants during webinars for FMLFPP at on April 5 and RFSP on April 6. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by Monday, May 16 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.