Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014

Ka`u `Ohana Day is Saturday at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL’S FINANCE COMMITTEE yesterday postponed a bill created by the Real Property Tax Stakeholders Task Force that would phase out the non-dedicated agricultural use assessment program and replaces it with a short-term dedicated agricultural use assessment program.

Margaret Wille

The purpose of the agricultural use assessment program, according to the bill, is to encourage continual and committed agricultural use of lands. The ordinance would create a three-year transition period to provide ample opportunity to implement the transition to the short-term agricultural use dedication program and to provide ample opportunity for those seeking to participate in the short-term agricultural use dedication program to make any necessary adjustments in their farming operations.
According to Nancy Cook Lauer, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, task force chair Margaret Wille said she’d taken the bill to the county Agriculture Advisory Commission, but several other council members expressed concern that few farmers know about it. Cook Lauer reported that the measure received little interest or testimony at several advertised task force meetings.
“This bill addresses an ag loophole and major concern that has been going on for 40 years and in my view … there was no political spine or will to take care of it,” Wille said. “You get in the program, you can sit there forever … we’re basically losing $28 million … everybody else’s taxes go up for that.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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Patch Hawai`i offers child care options.

U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HAS VOTED IN FAVOR of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, and the Senate passed the bill by a bipartisan vote of 88 to one. The bill updates the 1990 CCDBG program, which provides federal funding to states to help parents afford child care while working or in job training programs. The measure now heads to the White House for President Obama’s signature.

“For some parents, not having access to quality child care means they can’t work to support their family. This legislation allows families to balance the need to work with being able to ensure the health, safety and development of their keiki,” Hirono said. “Each month more than 9,000 Hawai`i families rely on federally supported child care services that allow them to work or to acquire new job skills. Strengthening and renewing the CCDBG program is an important way to keep our families safe and strong, and I’m proud to vote in favor of this bill.”
Hawai`i parents and military families can search for child care options at www.patchhawaii.org.

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Hawai`i County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD HONORED Hawai`i County leaders Mayor Billy Kenoi and Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira for their work in response to the June 27th lava flow in Puna. She has remained in close contact with the two leaders throughout the preparation and response process and will be questioning Oliveira today in a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. 

“I want to take this opportunity to highlight two courageous leaders who’ve been the heart of a very strong, resilient community who face an uncertain future as the Kilauea lava flow continues slowly and steadily toward their homes, their businesses and their community,” Gabbard said on the floor of the House of Representatives. “Hawai`i County Mayor Billy Kenoi and Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira have shown incredible leadership not only in response to this, but also in response to Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Ana, and now for nearly five months, managing this slowly creeping lava flow threatening Pahoa.   All three of these natural disasters have been punishing on this community of Puna, whose residents continue to unite and show optimism even with this uncertain future. Billy and Darryl’s tireless work and strong leadership have kept people safe, informed and prepared, even as Mother Nature, through Madam Pele, runs her course. Mahalo to Mayor Kenoi and Chief Oliveira! We stand ready as your partners to support the community we both serve, and we are grateful for your unwavering commitment to them.”

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Leahi Kaupu

PAHALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT Leahi Kaupu won in her age division of the regional NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition and is raising funds to attend the next round of competition. The regional event took place in October in Na`alehu. The upcoming event is on Sunday, Dec. 7 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego before a game between San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots. Kaupu would also participate in the game’s opening ceremony.

“This is an opportunity and experience for me to not only represent my family, the Ka`u Lions Pop Warner Association but also the Ka`u community,” Kaupu said. “This positive and rewarding experience will teach me important life lessons building self-esteem, perseverance and fair play.
If she wins the competition in San Diego, NFL will pay for her expenses to attend the National Competition later next month.
For more information or to make a donation, call Rienadan Kaupu at 217-5990.

TUTU AND ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL hosts a harvest-themed Keiki Ho`olaule`a at Pahala Community Center Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event features keiki games and activities, a photo booth, free raffle, face painting and more. A lunch of chili with rice and fresh fruit will be served, and shave ice and popcorn will be provided by `O Ka`u Kakou.
Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to be donated to the Food Basket.
For more information or to donate goods or services for the raffle, call 929-8571.

ANNUAL MEETING FOR KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is set for Thursday, Dec. 4 at Gilligan’s Restaurant at 6 p.m. Dinner is $15 a person. Dinner includes pizza or spaghetti, salad and dessert. Beverages include beer, wine or soda. Money will be collected at the door.
The public is invited to learn more about the Chamber, which publishes The Directory for Ka`u annually, provides scholarships for students from Ka`u, hosts the annual art contest and selection for The Directory cover at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu and assists in funding Ka`u Food Pantry.
For more information, call President Dallas Decker at 516-662-8789.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL’S SECOND ANNUAL Food Drive & Preseason Basketball Tournament is Friday and Saturday. Sponsored by the girls team under Head Coach Cy Lopez, the Friday food drive will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The tournament will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, the food drive will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games starting at 10 a.m. and the last one beginning 4 p.m. Teams participating are Ka`u, Pahoa, Kealakehe and Hana, Maui.

ENGINEER’S ESTATE! 40-year collection of hand and power tools, tents, telescopes, bikes, household items, records, cameras, vintage violin and more. Over half of proceeds will benefit a well known local support service. Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Hotdogs, coffee, and music.

Celeste Manuia Ha`o aboard Hokule`a. Photo from NPS

KA`U `OHANA DAY IS SATURDAY from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Recently returned from serving as an apprentice navigator aboard Hokule`a, Hilo-native Celeste Manuia Ha`o recounts her epic return to Faleapuna, her village of Samoa. Guided by the waves, winds, stars, and Ka Panana Hoku, the Hawaiian Star Compass, she navigated her way home using the knowledge of Hawaiian ancestors. Participants discover how, whether on sea or on land, they, too, can orient themselves and never be lost.
Sign up at 985-6019.

BOTANIST TIM TUNISON LEADS HIKERS through Kipuka Ki and Kipuka Pua`ulu forests in the Mauna Loa volcano section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event begins at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, where participants carpool to Mauna Loa Strip Road.
Fees are $45 for VAC members and $50 for nonmembers.

KA`U FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach Park. Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. sponsors the event that includes taiko drummers, local entertainers and community potluck. Suggested donation is $15. Call 928-0101 to register.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.