Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, March 28, 2023

    A statement from U.S. Mint describes Kanaaka'ole as an "indigenous Hawaiian composer, chanter, kumu hula, custodian of native culture, traditions, and natural land. The design features a depiction of Edith Kanakaʻole, with her hair and lei poʻo (head lei) morphing into the elements of a Hawaiian landscape, symbolizing Kanakaʻole’s life’s work of preserving the natural land and traditional Hawaiian culture. The inscription “E hō mai ka ʻike” translates as “granting the wisdom,” and is a reference to the intertwined role hula and chants play in this preservation.     The minting of the Kanakaole quarter is through the American Women Quarters Program, a four-year series that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women who have shaped the Nation’s history and helped pave the way for generations who followed. Begun in 2022, and continuing through 2025, the Mint is issuing five new quarters each year. The American Women Quarters Program is authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330).
   Other women honored with their portraits on U.S. Mint quarters this year are:
    Bessie Coleman – pilot, advocate, and pioneer who flew to great heights as the first African American and first Native American woman pilot, and first African American to earn an international pilot’s license. The design depicts Bessie Coleman as she suits up in preparation for flight, her expression reflective of her determination to take to the skies, the only place she experienced a freedom she did not have on the ground. 
    Eleanor Roosevelt –first lady, author, civil liberties and human rights advocate, Chairperson of United Nations Human Rights Commission, and instrumental in the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The design depicts Eleanor Roosevelt and the scales of justice against a backdrop representing the globe, symbolic of her impactful work with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
    Jovita Idar – Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher, community organizer, champion of bi-lingual education, and suffragist. The design features a depiction of Jovita Idar with her hands clasped. Within her body are inscriptions representing some of her greatest accomplishments and the newspapers for which she wrote.     Maria Tallchief – America’s first major prima ballerina who broke barriers as a Native American ballerina. The coin design depicts Maria Tallchief spotlit in balletic pose, and her Osage name, which translates to “Two Standards,” written in Osage orthography. 
    The 2023 American Women Quarters Silver Proof Set comes with a certificate of authenticity and consists of five proof finish quarter dollars struck in 99.9 percent silver at the United States Mint at San Francisco.
    Each coin in this series features a common obverse (heads) design depicting a portrait of George Washington. This design was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as a candidate entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth.  See https://catalog.usmint.gov/

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HELE-ON, THE COUNTY'S MASS TRANSIT AGENCY, HAS LAUNCHED A REFRESHED, USER-FRIENDLY WEBSITE. It offers easy access to information on all Hele-On services. The ADA-compliant site features tools such as a trip planner, real-time bus tracking, weather updates, and accessible schedules. The new site is consistent with the County of Hawaiʻi's website platform, Granicus, and can be accessed at heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov.
    "Encouraging sustainable ridership of our Hele-on service for both our residents and visitors depends on our ability to make it as easy as possible to access the information necessary to take the ride," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "We want folks to know there are alternative modes of transportation that are safe, reliant, and most importantly, easy to access. We also want our visitors to know that this service exists so that we can mitigate visitor impacts, reduce our carbon footprint, and educate our guests in hopes of creating a more well-rounded and connected visitor experience."
    In addition, a new Get Around Hawaiʻi County page has been launched to inform visitors about transportation alternatives on the island. The site aims to promote sustainable transportation choices and support low-impact green rides. The website includes transportation options, regional walking guides, and tips for getting around Hawaiʻi without a car. It also includes a How to Travel with Aloha section to encourage responsible tourism.

    Hele-On provides free countywide public transit services on 23 fixed and flex routes countywide. For Ka'u, it also provides rural transportation service in partnership with Hawai'i County Economic Opportunity Council.

    Hele-On transports approximately 588,000 passenger trips annually on a fleet of more than 30 buses, vans, and a trolley. Transit services are contracted with Roberts Hawai'i, taxicab companies, MTM Transit, HCEOC, Enterprise Holdings, and PATH. For additional Hele-On information, call (808) 961-8744, TDD/TTY: 711 through the relay service, email: heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov, or visit www.heleonbus.org.