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| Liz Kaue in front helps Kamamalu Kaue learn more about her heritage at the display of the Pāhala Multicultural Society, accompanied by cofounder Darlyne Vierra at right and Tia Smith, left. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE HISTORY OF KAʻŪ PEOPLE WHO IMMIGRATED here to work in agriculture and wound up evolving this place into a multicultural community was front and center at a day of Reminiscing & Talk Story on Sunday. Sponsored by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary Alumni Association, the event at Pāhala Community Center was organized by a team led by Reunion Chair Clement Hirae, himself son
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| Clement Hirae chaired the alumni event. Photo by Kamamalu Kaue |
Some immigrant families are into their sixth generation in Kaʻū, the Hawaiian families much longer.
BRIAN SCHATZ IS AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION in Chicago this week. As one of two U.S. Senators who represents Kaʻū and all of Hawai'i, he said, "I'm excited to be here and feel the enthusiasm and energy firsthand.
"Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz are officially our candidates for president and vice president. Vice President Harris helped us achieve many of our biggest legislative wins and helped our country recover from the pandemic. She is more than ready to lead on tough domestic and foreign policy issues and to deliver for the American people. I was proud to cast my vote for her in the delegate roll call.
"The strength of VP Harris' campaign has Donald Trump and the GOP rightfully worried. Their frustration is palpable and their strategy is basically a bunch of whining.
"Democrats, on the other hand, have seen a surge of enthusiasm and participation -- in the form of contributions, volunteers, and good polls. We have a long way to go and this thing is a toss up, but it's trending in the right direction.
"We all need to stay this active and engaged through Election Day if we're going to turn this momentum into meaningful results on November 5th. So if you're committed to this fight, go ahead -- pick a race and get involved."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
KAʻŪ'S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE U.S. CONGRESS is in Chicago this week at the Democratic National Convention for the official naming of the Democrat's candidates for U.S. President and Vice President.
Rep. Jill Tokuda wrote" I am reminded how the stakes in this election could not be higher. This November, we have the chance to reclaim the House Majority and ensure that we protect a woman's right to choose, pass meaningful gun reform, and guarantee that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, no matter their zip code.
Together, we can ensure that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are elected as President and Vice President of the United States, and that our shared values are upheld at every level of government.
"This is the most important election of our lifetime, and we need all hands on deck to secure a future that works for everyone. Your support today will make all the difference in the battles ahead."
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* Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.
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Hirae talked about the first immigrants from Europe and Asia coming here in the late 1800s. They and their descendants worked in sugar until the last sugar plantation on the island shut down in Pāhala in 1996. Sugar was followed by macadamia orchards, the rise of Ka'u Coffee and the expansion of ranching that developed here even before sugar.
Folks from Kaʻū who have moved away came to the town over the weekend, gathered with family and old friends and shared music and many stories of childhood days.
Kaʻū Multicultural Society, led by Liz Kaue and Darlyne Vierra, set up their history display. The PBS Film Kaʻū Sugar, A Town Remembers was shown and sparked more stories. It can be seen on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqhn7uZa0wc. Another film on the coffee industry was presented. It can be seen at www.kaucoffeefest.com.
Following an ethnic foods feast prepared by attendees, with music by Calvin Ponce and Dennis Pascubillo, awards were handed out for longtime community service to Eddie Andrade, known for his 40 years of hosting Pahala Christmas parade, his martial arts teaching, his leadership at Kaʻū Sugar Mill and his own landscaping work that continues today.
Wayne Kawachi was honored for his longtime volunteerism with the community group O Kaʻū Kakou, which offers scholarships, runs a farmers market, sponsors athletic events, takes care of graveyards, assists other organizations with their events, and provides direct service to kupuna with home repairs.
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| Artist and aikido sensei Alan Moores created at Talk Story illustration. |
The late Bobby Barba was honored for his inspiration to youth as a football coach, his career in sugar and his volunteerism in the community.
The eldest alumnus to attend the event was Jane Ueda, 98, from the Class of 1945. The eldest surviving alumnus is Sally Mizuno Yamaguchi, Class of 1943.
Local artist and aikido sensei Alan Moores donated a Talk Story illustration for the event. See more in future Kaʻū News Briefs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
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| Brian Schatz and Kamala Harris in 2019. Photo from Harris |
"Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz are officially our candidates for president and vice president. Vice President Harris helped us achieve many of our biggest legislative wins and helped our country recover from the pandemic. She is more than ready to lead on tough domestic and foreign policy issues and to deliver for the American people. I was proud to cast my vote for her in the delegate roll call.
"The strength of VP Harris' campaign has Donald Trump and the GOP rightfully worried. Their frustration is palpable and their strategy is basically a bunch of whining.
"Democrats, on the other hand, have seen a surge of enthusiasm and participation -- in the form of contributions, volunteers, and good polls. We have a long way to go and this thing is a toss up, but it's trending in the right direction.
"We all need to stay this active and engaged through Election Day if we're going to turn this momentum into meaningful results on November 5th. So if you're committed to this fight, go ahead -- pick a race and get involved."
 |
| Kaʻū's Congresswoman Jill Tokuda with Tim Walz in Chicago on Monday. Photo from Tokuda |
Rep. Jill Tokuda wrote" I am reminded how the stakes in this election could not be higher. This November, we have the chance to reclaim the House Majority and ensure that we protect a woman's right to choose, pass meaningful gun reform, and guarantee that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, no matter their zip code.
Together, we can ensure that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are elected as President and Vice President of the United States, and that our shared values are upheld at every level of government.
"This is the most important election of our lifetime, and we need all hands on deck to secure a future that works for everyone. Your support today will make all the difference in the battles ahead."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
HAWAI'I IS THE BEST STATE FOR WOMEN'S EQUALITY in a country that ranks 43rd for gender
equality worldwide, according to personal-finance website WalletHub. On Monday, it released its report on the Best & Worst States for Women's Equality in 2024, as well as expert commentary, to determine![]()
where women receive the most equal treatment in American society.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 17 key metrics. The data set ranges from the gap between female and male executives to the disparity in unemployment rates for women and men to the income gap.
Hawai'i ranked First Overall and in Educational Attainment Gap among Advanced Degree Holders; Minimum Wage Workers Gap; and Unemployment Rate Gap. Hawai' ranked second in Political Representation Gap; third in Work Hours Gap and Entrepreneurial Rate Gap; sixth in Executive Positions Gap and 16th in Earnings Gap.
equality worldwide, according to personal-finance website WalletHub. On Monday, it released its report on the Best & Worst States for Women's Equality in 2024, as well as expert commentary, to determine
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 17 key metrics. The data set ranges from the gap between female and male executives to the disparity in unemployment rates for women and men to the income gap.
Hawai'i ranked First Overall and in Educational Attainment Gap among Advanced Degree Holders; Minimum Wage Workers Gap; and Unemployment Rate Gap. Hawai' ranked second in Political Representation Gap; third in Work Hours Gap and Entrepreneurial Rate Gap; sixth in Executive Positions Gap and 16th in Earnings Gap.
See the full report at https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-women-equality/5835.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER REPORTED at 8 p.m. on Monday: Approximately 1300 miles east-southeast of Hilo, shower and thunderstorm activity has changed little in organization in association with an area of low pressure located well east southeast of Hawai'i.
Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next day or two. The disturbance is forecast to meander slowly northward or northeastward during the next day to two, while interacting with or possibly combining with another disturbance located a few hundred miles to its east-northeast. The combined system is then forecast to accelerate west-northwestward into the Central Pacific basin by Wednesday night.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...80 percent.* Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
