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| John Masters of Ka`u Auto Repair won Most Patriotic in the parade competition for Independence Day last weekend. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Girl Scouts rode in the Kama`aina Choo-Coo during Na`alehu's Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal |
TEAMS FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT are being implemented by Hawai`i Department of Education as a new approach to raise performance levels of students. Instead of spending money on management consultants, the DOE is moving toward using teams of specialists with specific knowledge of local schools.
During the upcoming school year, the program will begin its pre-implementation phase, DOE deputy superintendent Ronn Nozoe told Alia Wong, of Civil Beat. During this phase, consultants will still be used, as they have been since 2005.
The change is part of DOE’s application for partial exemption from No Child Left Behind law.
To comply with NCLB and receive federal funding, DOE has been contracting with consultants “with a demonstrated record of effectiveness to operate the school,” but Hawai`i student performance has continued to trail behind the national average, the Civil Beat story says. “The key to our success is internal capacity,” Nozoe told Wong.
See more at civilbeat.com.
The change is part of DOE’s application for partial exemption from No Child Left Behind law.
To comply with NCLB and receive federal funding, DOE has been contracting with consultants “with a demonstrated record of effectiveness to operate the school,” but Hawai`i student performance has continued to trail behind the national average, the Civil Beat story says. “The key to our success is internal capacity,” Nozoe told Wong.
See more at civilbeat.com.
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| Robert Williams shared his patriotism during the parade in Na`alehu. Photo by Peter Anderson |
SEVERAL NEW LAWS GO INTO EFFECT TODAY. A car safety law prohibits use of hand-held cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. Hands-free devices can still be used, except by drivers under 18 years of age.
With updates to Hula Mae Single Family Mortgage Loan Program, more homebuyers can now qualify for below-market interest rates. They also add down payment, closing cost and other assistance as program features and make various housekeeping and conforming amendments.
Another law raises film tax credits from 20 percent to 25 percent on Hawai`i Island and other Neighbor Islands. It also extends the credits to 2019 in order to broaden the state’s economy from tourism and the military.
BUS FARES IN HAWAI`I COUNTY increase today. General fare is $2 per ride. Students through college with current I.D., senior citizens 60 years and above with a valid I.D. and disabled persons with disability pass I.D. or pass issued by County Mass Transit Department pay $1 per ride. Children under age 5 ride for free.
Discounts are available to general riders by buying a sheet of 10 tickets for $15 or a monthly pass for $60. Qualifying students, seniors and disabled individuals pay $7.50 for 10 tickets or $45 for monthly passes.
For more information, call 961-8744 or see heleon.org/bus-fare-information.
A SPECIAL MEETING ABOUT PROHIBITING GMOs is scheduled by Hawai`i County Public Safety and Mass Transit Committee tomorrow at 9 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. The committee considers a bill prohibiting the propagation, cultivation, raising, growing, sale or distribution of transgenic organisms.
The bill grants exemptions to GMO crops already growing in Hawai`i County, including papaya and corn, while setting up a system of registration, signage, and buffer zones for all GMO crops given the exemption.
The bill also specifies penalties for those who knowingly violate the article. Fines would be $1,000 for each location in violation and $500 per day for those who do not timely obey any order of violation, such as confiscation or removal. Administrative and abatement costs would also be the responsibility of the violator.
The entire text of the bill is available at hawaiicounty.gov.
Ka`u residents can participate and offer testimony at Ocean View Community Center’s videoconferencing facility.
Another law raises film tax credits from 20 percent to 25 percent on Hawai`i Island and other Neighbor Islands. It also extends the credits to 2019 in order to broaden the state’s economy from tourism and the military.
BUS FARES IN HAWAI`I COUNTY increase today. General fare is $2 per ride. Students through college with current I.D., senior citizens 60 years and above with a valid I.D. and disabled persons with disability pass I.D. or pass issued by County Mass Transit Department pay $1 per ride. Children under age 5 ride for free.
Discounts are available to general riders by buying a sheet of 10 tickets for $15 or a monthly pass for $60. Qualifying students, seniors and disabled individuals pay $7.50 for 10 tickets or $45 for monthly passes.
For more information, call 961-8744 or see heleon.org/bus-fare-information.
A SPECIAL MEETING ABOUT PROHIBITING GMOs is scheduled by Hawai`i County Public Safety and Mass Transit Committee tomorrow at 9 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. The committee considers a bill prohibiting the propagation, cultivation, raising, growing, sale or distribution of transgenic organisms.
The bill grants exemptions to GMO crops already growing in Hawai`i County, including papaya and corn, while setting up a system of registration, signage, and buffer zones for all GMO crops given the exemption.
The bill also specifies penalties for those who knowingly violate the article. Fines would be $1,000 for each location in violation and $500 per day for those who do not timely obey any order of violation, such as confiscation or removal. Administrative and abatement costs would also be the responsibility of the violator.
The entire text of the bill is available at hawaiicounty.gov.
Ka`u residents can participate and offer testimony at Ocean View Community Center’s videoconferencing facility.
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| Southside Volleyball teams are competing in Reno, Nevada. Photo by Katherine Okamura |
SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL 14-year-old boys won 14 straight games and today earned the gold medal in the 2013 Boys Junior National Championship in Reno, Nevada. Southside defeated Pennsylvania in the championship match. Southside beat teams from places like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Outrigger from Honolulu with names like the Panthers, AZ Fear and Team Rockstar.
The tournament runs through July 3. Southside is a Ka`u-based volleyball training and competition group. Members of the team of 14-year-olds are Addie Enriques, Avery Enriques, Nai`ia Makuakane and Kameron Moses. Members of the 16s team are Brian Gascon, Emmett Enriques and Kai Enriques. Head coach is Guy Enriques. The 16-year-olds were also undefeated as of this morning and are still aiming for the championship.
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| Ken Charon offers drawing classes this month. Photo by Marsha Hee |
ARTIST KEN CHARON TEACHES how to gain inspiration from the natural environment of Kilauea in a series of free instructional outings this month. The offerings are scheduled on Wednesdays, July 3, 10, 17 and 24. The 1.5-hour classes meet on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. They are open to park visitors and island residents over eight years of age.
Charon covers basic drawing techniques and other helpful tips before leading participants to a scenic location around the caldera to witness the creative forces of Kilauea and develop the ability to capture its unique natural beauty. Charon invites those who have attended this popular offering in the past to return for a new and enriching experience. He likes to switch locations to keep things exciting and inspiring.
Charon is one of the founding members East Hawai`i’s artist cooperative, Stairway to ART, above Reuben’s Mexican Restaurant in downtown Hilo. The venue displays work of their cooperating members promoting freedom of artistic expression as well as private art lessons and mentoring for art students of all ages.
Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the class; arrival prior to the 10:30 a.m. start time is suggested. Participants bring a sketchpad, pencils, eraser, sharpener and a folding chair or mat for sitting, if necessary, and dress for both warm sun and chilly rain, as the weather is unpredictable. This offering is free; park entrance fees apply.
For more information, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
Charon is one of the founding members East Hawai`i’s artist cooperative, Stairway to ART, above Reuben’s Mexican Restaurant in downtown Hilo. The venue displays work of their cooperating members promoting freedom of artistic expression as well as private art lessons and mentoring for art students of all ages.
Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the class; arrival prior to the 10:30 a.m. start time is suggested. Participants bring a sketchpad, pencils, eraser, sharpener and a folding chair or mat for sitting, if necessary, and dress for both warm sun and chilly rain, as the weather is unpredictable. This offering is free; park entrance fees apply.
For more information, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
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| A silent auction hosted by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Thursday benefits three organizations. Photo from FHVNP |
VOLCANO VILLAGE’S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE starts at 9 a.m. Thursday at the post office and continues down Old Volcano Road, where it turns left on Wright Road and heads to Cooper Center. To join the parade, contact Jim Mitchell at 253-441-0863 or Sher Glass at 967-8553.
Festivities continue at Cooper Center with craft and food booths, entertainment, a silent auction and games for children.
For craft or food booths, contact Barbara Toles at 769-3903 or Donna Stickel at 985-7140.
To sign up to perform during the festivities, call Kathy Baybayan at 982-7387.
Volunteers who would like to help with the keiki games can contact Mary Brewer at 985-9595.
A SILENT AUCTION TAKES PLACE THURSDAY, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. after Volcano Village’s Fourth of July parade. Held at Cooper Center on Wright Road, the auction benefits Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Community Association and Cooper Center.
This year, the auction has over 200 items up for bid including fine art, vacation packages, jewelry, helicopter tours and much more.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
For craft or food booths, contact Barbara Toles at 769-3903 or Donna Stickel at 985-7140.
To sign up to perform during the festivities, call Kathy Baybayan at 982-7387.
Volunteers who would like to help with the keiki games can contact Mary Brewer at 985-9595.
A SILENT AUCTION TAKES PLACE THURSDAY, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. after Volcano Village’s Fourth of July parade. Held at Cooper Center on Wright Road, the auction benefits Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Community Association and Cooper Center.
This year, the auction has over 200 items up for bid including fine art, vacation packages, jewelry, helicopter tours and much more.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.