Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, Oct. 9, 2023

commitment to Native communities, addressing past injustices, and deepening the federal trust responsibility to the Indigenous peoples of the United States.”

    Hirono was one of the co-sponsors of the bill. It would replace any mention of Columbus Day in all federal laws or regulations with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. More than a dozen states across the country, including Hawai'i, have recognized this change. In 2021, Joe Biden became the first U.S. President to formally commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. "Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a federal holiday is a necessary next step to address generations of trauma and inequity," said a statement from Hirono's office.

    The legislation is supported by The Navajo Nation, All Pueblo Council of Governors, National Congress of American Indians, Indigenous Peoples’ Initiative, Association on American Indian Affairs, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, the Pocahontas Project, Cherokee Nation, National Council of Urban Indian Health, and Barona Band of Mission Indians.

    "The successful completion of the badging ceremony signifies a pinnacle achievement in these officers' 

careers and underscores their steadfast dedication to the welfare of the community's animals." said a statement from the office of Mayor Mitch Roth who extended congratulations to Charde Silva, Blake Cardines, Halcy Clinton, Charyse Emmons, Jermy Dussan, Kamalani Andres and Aurabingy Tafari.
    "Assuming the responsibility of animal control for our island has been a tall order made easier by the unwavering dedication and compassion of our Animal Control Officers," said the Mayor. "These 

individuals work tirelessly to care for the numerous animals residing on our island while simultaneously striving for the safety of our residents. Today, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to these officers for their accomplishments and wish them ongoing safety as they contribute to making our island a more pleasant place to live, work, and enjoy."
    The Animal Control & Protection Agency plays a vital role in the community, enforcing animal welfare laws, responding to emergencies, and promoting responsible pet ownership. The certification of these officers will further enhance the agency's ability to fulfill its mission."
    The Mayor also said that work continues to be done to build out the Animal Control and Protection Agency in a broader effort to provide sufficient services to all areas of the community. Residents interested in applying for Animal Control and Protection Agency positions can visit jobs.hawaiicounty.gov for more information.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

WEST HAWAI'I WOODWIND QUARTET will perform kid-friendly classical music at two Kaʻū libraries on Wednesday. The hour-long concerts will feature pieces that were written primarily for keiki.
    The quintet musicians hope that the music will evoke memories of childhood among the adult audience members. Younger audiences are sure to appreciate the rare opportunity to experience a symphonic fairy tale played live, while learning the sounds of the five principal classical woodwind instruments. Quintet members are Barbara Coffman on flute, Peter Bosted on oboe, Robbie Brown on clarinet, Jessica Dalke on horn, and Lisa Wells on bassoon.
    Peter and the Wolf is a memorable piece, that relates a story set in olden day Russia, and composed by Sergei Prokofiev, specifically for children. Each instrument plays the theme that represents a character in the story. The bird is played by the flute, the duck by the oboe, the cat by the clarinet, Peter's grandfather by the bassoon and the hunters by the horn. Peter's catchy theme is played by the entire ensemble.

Members of the West Hawai'i Woodwind Quintet are, from the left, Robbie Brown on clarinet, Jessica Dalke on horn, Barbara Coffman on flute, Lisa Wells on bassoon and Peter Bosted on oboe.  Photo by Annie Bosted

    Also helping the story along will be a professional narrator, Charley O'Kelly, telling the story of an adventurous young Russian boy, Peter, whose animal friends are threatened by a wolf.
    Rounding out the hour-long concert will be four short, crowd pleasing pieces from the Peer Gynt suite by Edvard Grieg, including Hall of the Mountain King and Morning Mood. Originally composed to portray Ibsen's traditional Norwegian fairy tale as a musical, these popular pieces are often used in movies, videos and even video games. Morning Mood was used as the opening theme music in PopCap Games' 2007 video game Peggle.

    Both concerts will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The Nāʻālehu library performance will start at 10:30 a.m. and the Pāhala library performance will begin at 2:15 p.m. The concerts are sponsored by the County of Hawai'i. There is no charge to attend.