Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, Oct. 30, 2023

TRUNK OR TREAT will be Tuesday, Halloween from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Kahuku County Park. Since homes in Ocean View are located far apart, traditionally trick-or-treating "door to door" is impractical for keiki. Instead, families decorate their cars and park them in the park's upper parking lot. Keiki celebrate Halloween by going "car to car" in quest of the evening's offerings.

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Shawna Tidwell

SHAWNA TIDWELL OF OCEAN VIEW IS SOUGHT BY HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT. Hawai‘i Island police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating the 40-year-old, who is wanted for questioning for a criminal investigation. She is known to frequent the Kona and Ka‘ū areas.
Tidwell is described as being 5 feet 1 inch tall, 118 pounds, with dyed red hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information on Tidwell’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
    Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

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THE ONLY IMMIGRANT SERVING IN THE U.S. SENATE IS ATTEMPTING TO REFORM FEDERAL CARE AND CUSTODY OF UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN coming into the the U.S. Hawai'i Sen. Mazie Hirono, who came to Hawai'i from Japan as a child, released a statement this week, sayint,  "The Protecting Unaccompanied Children Act would address gaps in our system by improving existing safeguards for the release of Unaccompanied Children from government custody, increasing UCs' access to social services and legal protections, and creating new safeguards and services for children's safety."
    "As the only immigrant currently serving in the U.S. Senate, I am proud to join in introducing this

Unaccompanied children who came across the border, held in El Paso. Photo from Council of Foreign Relations

legislation to establish comprehensive policies to protect the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children while they navigate our immigration system," said Hirono. "I am especially pleased that this legislation includes provisions of my bill to provide counsel for unaccompanied minors, a critical support for a uniquely vulnerable population in our immigration system."
    Unaccompanied Children arrive in the United States without immigration status and without a parent or guardian to care for them. Congress passed on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, and President George W. Bush signed into law, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, two pieces of legislation that improved protections for these children. These laws require screening such children for human trafficking, housing children in appropriate settings in the custody of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and family reunification whenever possible.
   Years after enactment of the HSA and TVPRA, new challenges have arisen requiring reforms to our system for caring for Unaccompanied Children. The number of Unaccompanied Children arriving at the U.S. southern border has greatly increased. Many children were separated from their parents by the Trump Administration "Zero Tolerance" policy, and continue to require

assistance.  Some states refuse to license HHS facilities, preventing children and staff in such facilities from reporting safety violations.  In light of increased child labor violations across the country, there has also been a call to improve vetting of sponsors and bolster penalties for child labor violations.  At the same time, our immigration system has grown more complex, making it difficult for UC to get the assistance they need particularly without access to representation.
    Specifically, the Protecting Unaccompanied Children Act would:
    Help Children Navigate Legal System. This bill would provide legal representation for all unaccompanied children. It would also lift numerical limitations for abused, abandoned, or neglected children granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and allow those and children granted "U" visas (victims of serious crimes who collaborate with law enforcement) access to Medicaid.
    Improve Sponsor Vetting and Placement. This bill would codify certain background checks, expand home studies to better identify safety concerns prior to release to a sponsor, and increase post-release services to ensure children's ongoing safety and stability. The bill contains several prohibitions on information-sharing for immigration enforcement purposes to ensure child and family privacy.
    Protect Exploited Children. This bill would also improve immigration protections for those who report child labor violations, including by lifting the annual cap for "U" visas.    Protect Children in HHS Custody. This bill would create an HHS Office of the Ombudsperson for Immigrant Children in Federal Custody to allow children to report abuses in custody. It would also ensure that whistleblower reports are investigated and codify background checks for staff who interact with children. It would also establish state-level coordinators to help ensure Unaccompanied Children receive appropriate services and support from states.
    Remedy Past Abuses. This bill would make families separated under Trump's Zero Tolerance policy eligible for additional public assistance, allowing such families to get the care and support they need to recover from the trauma of separation.
    The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and endorsed by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area.

VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS IN KAHUKU to be held Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit Hwy 11 at mile marker 70.5.

Music will fill the air at Christmas In Kahuku. Photo from Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

    Christmas in Kahuku is free and open to the public. Music all day will feature the Hot Potaytahs band playing rock and roll, The Kipapa Sisters, and Jazz Gardeners. Crafters from Ka’u and beyond will sell their locally made items – jewelry, pottery, holiday decorations, and more. Hawai’i Pacific Park’s Association’s Book store will be open and providemany unique park associated books and items.
    Food will be available for purchase by The Hawaiian Civic Club of Kau and 4 Scoops of Aloha. Friend’s will have free shave ice minis & face painting. Santa will have gifts for the keiki. Friend of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park logo merchandise will be for sale, with proceeds supporting park projects and educational programs.
    Crafters may apply for this event ($35.00 booth fee) by visiting www.fhvnp.org, email admin@fhvnp.org, or call us at (808) 985-7373.
    Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a non-profit 501(c) 3, operating under a formal philanthropic partnership agreement with Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.