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| Na Kupuna O Ka`u, under the direction of Kumu Lori Lei Shirakawa, participated in the Kupuna Hula Festival last month. Photos from Na Kupuna O Ka`u |
THREE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES debated issues on KITV yesterday. Republican Duke Aiona, Independent Mufi Hannemann and Democrat David Ige gave views on issues including the economy, education, prisons, aging, the environment, the state hospital system, the state budget, energy, GMOs and invasive species.
To an opening question asking what the candidates thought is the major problem facing Hawai`i and what they would do about it, Aiona replied, “I would focus immediately upon jobs, the economy and cost of living. I think those are some of the biggest problems we have in the state right now. ... Cost of living is something like an elephant in the room. How do you treat an elephant? Well, you take it one bite at a time. … Regarding jobs and economy, we’re going to have to play to what I call our naturally competitive industries. That’s things like renewable energy, dual technology, marine and ocean science and things of that nature. So we have to grow those industries. Tourism will always be there for us, and I think we can expand our economy, get livable wages in regards to our jobs, and of course that we can touch on the cost of living and taxes, etc., by eliminating more taxes.” |
| From left, Kananiokalani Neizman, Beth Waller, Bob Smith, Sue Smith, Kasa Neizmen and Charlyn Nakamoto with Kumu Hula Lori Lei Shirakawa. |
Hannemann said, “I think it’s clear that the situation calls for change. The Lingle/Aiona administration had eight years to implement many of the changes that we see continue to persist today. They couldn’t get many of those things done because they couldn’t figure out a strategy of how to get their bills, their initiatives through an entrenched Democratic majority. A record number of bills that they submitted that were vetoed by the governor were overturned by the Legislature – over 100 over an eight-year period, including a record 38 in one year. I don’t believe that the current candidate for governor who is running on the Republican party is going to be able to effectuate much change. I believe it’ll be same old, same old results that occured with the entrenched Democratic majority in the Legislature.
Ige said, “I really believe that the biggest challenge before the people of Hawai`i really is about our public schools. It is about making investments in the public schools - empowering schools and getting those closest to the children - to give them the authority and the resources to make a difference. I know growing up that it really is the relationship between the teacher and the child that is most important in improving education. Education is the foundation of our economy. It’s the foundation of our society. It really is about making a difference for those school children in our public schools.”
See the debate at kitv.com.
HAWAI`I’S U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION has announced two Fiscal Year 2015 grants totaling $3 million for Hawai`i organizations that support homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. The United States Veterans Initiative and Catholic Charities Hawai`i each will receive $1.5 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.
THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION will be visible in the skies over Ka`u this month, according to astronomer Lew Cook, who contributes a monthly article to The Ka`u Calendar. “There is a pass where this satellite goes through Aquila in the early evening the night of Oct. 3 after sunset,” Cook said. “If you want to see it, go outside and look up. Remember the summer triangle? The southern star of those three first-magnitude stars is Altair. At 7:05 p.m., the ISS will pass Altair on a southwest to northeast pass. At 5:03:30 p.m. (that’s three and a half minutes past 5 p.m.) it went through the tail of Scorpius on its track through Aquila heading toward the northeast. It will wink out of sight before it sets as it passes Cassiopeia. It appears as a bright moving star against the background of stars we know.
“There is another pass easily visible from Ka`u on Oct. 28 at almost the same time of day. It will appear over Mauna Loa (northeast), traveling southwest at 7:08 p.m. At 7:09:30 p.m. it should pass quite close to Vega heading through the center of the summer triangle before vanishing about midway between Altair and Fomalhaut at 7:10:40 p.m. Please note these times can vary a bit depending upon orbital adjustments of the ISS. Sit outside on the evening of a pass with your eyes scanning the sky, and I’m sure you’ll see it. It can be much brighter than Vega. There’s another pass the following night about half an hour after sunset with the satellite appearing in the north above Polaris just before 6:18 p.m., reaching its highest altitude (36 degrees) at 6:19 p.m. in Andromeda. It sets in the southeast at 6:22 p.m.
Ige said, “I really believe that the biggest challenge before the people of Hawai`i really is about our public schools. It is about making investments in the public schools - empowering schools and getting those closest to the children - to give them the authority and the resources to make a difference. I know growing up that it really is the relationship between the teacher and the child that is most important in improving education. Education is the foundation of our economy. It’s the foundation of our society. It really is about making a difference for those school children in our public schools.”
See the debate at kitv.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Director Ted Sakai has been selected by the Association of State Correctional Administrators as Outstanding Director of Corrections for 2014.
“This national recognition reminds us how fortunate we are in Hawai`i to have leaders like Ted,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “Since his appointment two years ago, Ted has implemented positive change to our Public Safety Department, achieved clear progress in bringing our inmates housed on the Mainland back home and moved transformative Justice Reinvestment Initiatives forward that will have lasting benefits beyond this administration.”
“This national recognition reminds us how fortunate we are in Hawai`i to have leaders like Ted,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “Since his appointment two years ago, Ted has implemented positive change to our Public Safety Department, achieved clear progress in bringing our inmates housed on the Mainland back home and moved transformative Justice Reinvestment Initiatives forward that will have lasting benefits beyond this administration.”
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| Their rendition of Henehene Kou Aka brought third place to Na Kupuna O Ka`u in the Kane Group division. |
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I’S U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION has announced two Fiscal Year 2015 grants totaling $3 million for Hawai`i organizations that support homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. The United States Veterans Initiative and Catholic Charities Hawai`i each will receive $1.5 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.
“No veteran should ever go without care or without a place to sleep at night,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “These funds from the VA will make sure veterans who have fallen on hard times have access to job training and temporary financial assistance for rent and utility expenses to help them get back on their feet. Our veterans and their families have made great sacrifices for our nation, and we must continue to make sure every veteran has a safe place to call home.”
“Safe, affordable housing is a basic necessity,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Finding and keeping a job, supporting a family and living a secure life without a place to call home is a major challenge for too many of our Hawai`i veterans. We must do better for our veterans in need. The grants will support ongoing efforts to provide much-needed services to at-risk veterans and their families.”
“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed greatly on behalf of their fellow Americans, and it is a tragedy that some end up living on the streets or in poverty,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “The SSVF grant program connects community-based homelessness organizations with the VA to confront homelessness while addressing the distressing challenges that can face our veterans. This $3 million in grant funding will give our veterans and their families the support and resources they need in order to secure permanent housing and provide a stable environment for their families.”
In August, U.S.VETS and Catholic Charities Hawai`i also received FY2014 grants of $1,017,000 and $1,101,224, respectively, for the same purpose.
For more information, see va.gov/homeless.
“Safe, affordable housing is a basic necessity,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Finding and keeping a job, supporting a family and living a secure life without a place to call home is a major challenge for too many of our Hawai`i veterans. We must do better for our veterans in need. The grants will support ongoing efforts to provide much-needed services to at-risk veterans and their families.”
“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed greatly on behalf of their fellow Americans, and it is a tragedy that some end up living on the streets or in poverty,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “The SSVF grant program connects community-based homelessness organizations with the VA to confront homelessness while addressing the distressing challenges that can face our veterans. This $3 million in grant funding will give our veterans and their families the support and resources they need in order to secure permanent housing and provide a stable environment for their families.”
In August, U.S.VETS and Catholic Charities Hawai`i also received FY2014 grants of $1,017,000 and $1,101,224, respectively, for the same purpose.
For more information, see va.gov/homeless.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Kananiokalani Neizmen danced to Aliamanu Hula for first place in the Tutu Kane division. |
NA KUPUNA O KA`U, UNDER THE DIRECTION of Kumu Lori Lei Shirakawa, showed their talent at the 2014 Kupuna Hula Festival held Sept. 11.
First Place in the Tutu Kane division went to Kananiokalani Neizmen, dancing to Aliamanu Hula.
Kananiokalani Neizmen, Bob Smith, Kasa Neizmen won third place in the Kane Group competition, perfoming to Henehene Kou Aka.
Ka`u participants in mixed Mixed Group were Kananiokalani Neizmen, Beth Waller, Bob Smith, Sue Smith, Kasa Neizmen and Charlyn Nakamoto. Their song choice was Kaneohe.
First Place in the Tutu Kane division went to Kananiokalani Neizmen, dancing to Aliamanu Hula.
Kananiokalani Neizmen, Bob Smith, Kasa Neizmen won third place in the Kane Group competition, perfoming to Henehene Kou Aka.
Ka`u participants in mixed Mixed Group were Kananiokalani Neizmen, Beth Waller, Bob Smith, Sue Smith, Kasa Neizmen and Charlyn Nakamoto. Their song choice was Kaneohe.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION will be visible in the skies over Ka`u this month, according to astronomer Lew Cook, who contributes a monthly article to The Ka`u Calendar. “There is a pass where this satellite goes through Aquila in the early evening the night of Oct. 3 after sunset,” Cook said. “If you want to see it, go outside and look up. Remember the summer triangle? The southern star of those three first-magnitude stars is Altair. At 7:05 p.m., the ISS will pass Altair on a southwest to northeast pass. At 5:03:30 p.m. (that’s three and a half minutes past 5 p.m.) it went through the tail of Scorpius on its track through Aquila heading toward the northeast. It will wink out of sight before it sets as it passes Cassiopeia. It appears as a bright moving star against the background of stars we know.
“There is another pass easily visible from Ka`u on Oct. 28 at almost the same time of day. It will appear over Mauna Loa (northeast), traveling southwest at 7:08 p.m. At 7:09:30 p.m. it should pass quite close to Vega heading through the center of the summer triangle before vanishing about midway between Altair and Fomalhaut at 7:10:40 p.m. Please note these times can vary a bit depending upon orbital adjustments of the ISS. Sit outside on the evening of a pass with your eyes scanning the sky, and I’m sure you’ll see it. It can be much brighter than Vega. There’s another pass the following night about half an hour after sunset with the satellite appearing in the north above Polaris just before 6:18 p.m., reaching its highest altitude (36 degrees) at 6:19 p.m. in Andromeda. It sets in the southeast at 6:22 p.m.
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| The International Space Station, seen from the departing Space Shuttle Atlantis, will be visible from Ka`u this month. It is 239 feet long, 356 feet wide and 66 feet high. NASA photo from Lew Cook |
“ISS may be moving along and quickly fade from view. What happened? They just saw a sunset on the ISS. They see about 15 sunsets and sunrises each day. It frequently is over Ka`u during the orbital passes, but is seen only occasionally, provided the conditions are right. These conditions are that it is above us shortly after sunset or before sunrise, the sky is clear and dark enough to see the station, but the sun is still shining on the station.
“Remember, the orbit is fixed in space; the earth turns beneath it. As we travel around the sun, the orbit remains fixed while our view changes. This means that while we could see the ISS in August, we may not see it in November when the station passes overhead in daylight or the sun is not shining on the station.”
Lists of visible passes are available at spotthestation.nasa.gov. Click on Sightings, then follow prompts to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Email notices of ISS passes are also available.
“Remember, the orbit is fixed in space; the earth turns beneath it. As we travel around the sun, the orbit remains fixed while our view changes. This means that while we could see the ISS in August, we may not see it in November when the station passes overhead in daylight or the sun is not shining on the station.”
Lists of visible passes are available at spotthestation.nasa.gov. Click on Sightings, then follow prompts to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Email notices of ISS passes are also available.
VOTING FOR PEOPLE’S CHOICE at Ka`u Chamber Of Commerce’s Art Show continues at CU Hawai`i Credit Union in Na`alehu. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow. Along with People’s Choice, which will be on the cover of The Directory 2015, first, second and third place will be awarded in categories of Graphic, Wood, Craft, Sculpture and Quilting. Keiki categories for grades one through six are Graphic and Photo.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. |
