Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 24, 2014

       Regarding the commencement ceremonies, Koi told the audience that while commencement “honors our accomplishments in high school, we need to remember that ‘commence’ means to begin; we are just starting our independent lives.

      “There are choices that will transform each of us, those that will destroy each of us, and those that will define each of us. We transform through destruction because we learn from our mistakes. Transformation is a process because change is hard. We overestimate the value of what we have and underestimate what we will gain and the abilities we are capable of. The defining moment is the step toward testing what we all know we can accomplish.” 

       Principal Sharon Beck listed accomplishments of the graduating seniors, including winning their way to the state science fair; training, internships and jobs at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; more than a dozen National Honor Society memberships; acceptance to local colleges and education on the mainland and Japan, with more than $250,000 in scholarships.

      “Be proud. Stand tall. Stay strong,” Beck told the graduating class of 2014 as she proclaimed that they are the new alumni of Ka`u High.

      Commencement speaker Kupono McDaniel, of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, advised the graduates, “Love what you do, and you are sure to succeed.” He also provided additional advice:
      “Find your voice and use it. Build relationships and give others the benefit of the doubt.” Avoid burning bridges. Adversaries can be allies, he said.
      “Do what you love, and you will love what you do.” McDaniel told students. “I am thankful that you will be taking the helm and steering this world’s future.”
      As is the tradition, family and friends filled the gym, and more waited outside with lei, balloons, signage and hugs to cheer on the 2014 graduating class on the lawn of Ka`u High.
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      Act 82 increases the state’s minimum wage rate to $7.75 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2015; $8.50 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2016; $9.25 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2017; and $10.10 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2018. It also raises the tip credit to 50 cents per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2015, and 75 cents per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2016, as long as the combined amount the employee receives in wages and tips is at least $7 more than the applicable minimum wage beginning Jan. 1, 2015.

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MODERATE ECONOMIC EXPANSION WILL CONTINUE in Hawai`i County and other counties, according to the latest report from the Economic Research Organization at University of Hawai`i. Last year’s tourism weakness continued in the first quarter of this year, and incremental gains for 2014 will be slight. Beyond this year, available capacity will limit further visitor industry growth. 

      The report is available at uhero.hawaii.edu/assets/14Q2CountyForecast-PublicSummary.pdf.

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JACOB EDWARDS, A 2010 ALUMNUS OF KA`U HIGH from Ocean View, graduates from University of Wyoming this year. A profile of Edwards appears in West Hawai`i Today. “During his productive career, Wyoming senior Jacob Edwards was a record-setter in the hurdles for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, soaring high and running fast to leave a couple of all-time marks at the school,” writes Kevin Jakahi. 

       Jakahi reports that Jacobs recorded a time of 14.58 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles earlier this month, better than his 14.74 last year, UW’s 10th-best all-time mark in the event.

      More of Edwards’ achievements are available at gowyo.com/sports/c-track/mtt/jacob_edwards_737022.html:

• UW’s second-best all-time mark in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.13 at the Air Force Team Challenge; 
• competed at the Mountain West Indoor Championships, finishing ninth in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.24 and helped the 4x400 relay to fourth place in 3:23; 
• ran a career-best 54.74 in the 400-meter hurdles for seventh place at the meet; 
• placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles in 15.67 at the Nebraska Quad; 
• opened the outdoor season at the Tom Benich Invite, placing third in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.86 and fifth in the 400-meter hurdles in 55.66; 
• named Academic All-MW. 

      UW’s biography of Edwards notes that he was one of Hawai`i’s best track athletes during his high school years, “evidenced by his Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2009 and 2010.” He was also Male Athlete of the Year each year from 2008-2010 and was a multiple state champion in the hurdles, long and triple jumps.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE CONDUCTING DUI checkpoints and roving patrols through Memorial Day. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called Drunk Driving: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. 

      Police ask residents to do their part to keep roads safe by remembering to have a designated sober and licensed driver before starting to drink. They advise, “If you don’t find one, don’t take a chance — take a taxi.”

AN EXHIBIT OF CYANOTYPE PRINTS by Joe Laceby begins at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park today, with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
      VAC Gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park entrance fees apply.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK offers its Palm Trail Hike tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The moderately difficult hike has one of the unit’s most panoramic vistas.
      See more at nps.gov/havo.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Kilauea Military Camp’s Memorial Day ceremony on Monday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the KMC Front Lawn in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees will be waived from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for those notifying gatekeepers that they will attend the ceremony.

A MEMORIAL DAY BUFFET FOLLOWS Kilauea Military Camp’s Memorial Day ceremony Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes Kalua pork sandwich, local-style fried chicken, Volcano chili con carne, tossed salad, potato salad, buttered corn, steamed rice, biscuits and honey, ice cream sundae bar and beverage. $18 adults; $9 children 6-11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.