Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015

Registration is now open for Ka`u Rural Health Community Association's fifth annual Floating Lantern Ceremony at Punalu`u in November. Photo from KRHCAI

“HAWAI`I IS A MICROCOSM of what’s going on in many parts of the world,” said the director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which next September brings the largest international meeting of government, academic, community and business leaders to Hawai`i since the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation event in 2011. In a Honolulu Star-Advertiser story this morning, Enrique Lehmann told reporter Allison Schaefers that “some of the challenges and opportunities that we see in Hawai`i in terms of conservation and sustainable development are similar to things that we see on a global level.” The theme of the meeting will be Planet at the Crossroads. See more at staradvertiser.com.

To be held in Honolulu, the World Conservation Congress follows the recent Hawai`i Conservation Conference in Hilo, which featured speaker Suzanne Case, longtime head of The Nature Conservancy in Hawai`i. She assisted with the Kahuku expansion of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, preservation of Kamehame turtle preserve below Pahala and conservation of native forests in Ka`u. She is now director of state Department of Land & Natural Resources. The Nature Conservancy, which has its islandwide headquarters at Honu`apo, will participate in the World Conservation Congress.
Follow the World Conservation Congress planning, and see how the organization is presenting Hawai`i as a venue at www.worldconservationcongress.org.
The organization is based in Switzerland.
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Many classrooms at Ka`u schools will have ceiling fans as part of HDOE's
heat abatement program. Photo from KHPES

AS PART OF ITS HEAT ABATEMENT PROGRAM at public schools, Hawai`i Department of Education plans to install ceiling fans in seven classrooms at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary and 21 classrooms at Na`alehu Elementary. Ceiling fan installation was targeted for classrooms that are not air conditioned, do not already have ceiling fans and are used for student instruction. Working with the state Legislature to fast-track the schools that need relief most, HDOE’s heat abatement effort prioritizes schools that require cooling strategies, which may include air conditioning.

According to HDOE, the goal is to reduce classroom temperature to a 76-degree set point using several options, including solar-powered vents, high efficiency skylights that allow light into the classrooms without the heat generated by electric lights, increased insulation in roofs and walls to reduce the amount of heat gain, and painting roofs with heat-reflective, fluid coating systems instead of the basic black or gray materials.
For classrooms where these efforts don’t bring down the temperature sufficiently, air conditioning and supplemental cooling is planned.
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Sen. Brian Schatz

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION has awarded $8,610,632 in federal grants to support Native Hawaiian education. The grants, which include funding for every county in Hawai`i, will support eleven education projects to improve academic achievement, strengthen early childhood literacy and readiness programs, assist homeless families and foster mentorship and academic support programs.

“These funds will help expand and strengthen Native Hawaiian programs in Hawai`i, at all levels of learning, from pre-K through college,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “The 11 programs supported by these grants address the unique educational needs of Native Hawaiian students by using culturally relevant materials and curricula. In Hawai‘i, we have seen how these Native Hawaiian education programs can make a real difference in student achievement. That’s why I am working to make sure we continue to make investments in Native Hawaiian education programs and give more students a better shot at success.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “Native Hawaiian traditions are a core part of our state’s identity, and each new generation of students should have the opportunity to learn in a culturally-appropriate way. This funding ensures that organizations that provide Native Hawaiian focused learning programs have the resources they need to improve achievement of Native Hawaiian students, reach rural communities and expand Hawaiian language and cultural education.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “By providing support for Native Hawaiian education, we are making an investment in the next generation of Native Hawaiians. I recently traveled across Hawai`i and visited with students, parents and teachers whose lives have been impacted greatly by the Native Hawaiian Education Act’s grants and programs. This funding will continue to build and strengthen important education partnerships between families, schools, and communities while preserving the rich and unique culture, language and values of Hawai`i’s native people.”
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PRE-REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN through Oct. 15 for Ka`u Rural Health Community Association’s fifth annual Floating Lantern Celebration. Floating lanterns for inscribing messages and decorating are limited to 100 registrations. Tax-deductible donations go toward a college scholarship fund for students enrolled in health career programs.

The event at Punalu`u’s Medicine Pond takes place on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be taiko drummers, a gi gong demonstration, hula halau, local musicians and a powerpoint presentation dedicated to loved ones, friends, family and caregivers.
For more information, call 928-0101 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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JAZZ IN THE FOREST CONTINUES with two performances on Sunday, Sept. 20 at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Featured artists will be the Divine Divas of Jazz with Volcano Art Center’s Jazz Ensemble. The concert series offers an extraordinary opportunity to hear the highest caliber jazz – anywhere – up close and personal. An area has been set aside for dancing.

Tickets for the 4:30 p.m. matinee are $15 for VAC members ($20 non-members) and for the 7:30 p.m. evening show are $20 for VAC members ($25 non-members). Ticket holders will be able to purchase Volcano Red Ale and Mauna Kea Pale Ale from Mehana Brewing Company & as well as wine before each performance.
Tickets are available for sale at volcanoartcenter.org, VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village, VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and at Basically Books in Hilo. The last day to purchase is Friday, Sept. 18. After that, tickets will be sold at the door if they are not sold out. Tickets will be held at Will Call on the day of the show or can be picked up at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus Administrative Office through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS won their matches against Hawai`i Academy of Arts & Science yesterday. Scores were 25-19 and 25-13 for Junior Varsity and 25-20 and 25-18 for Varsity. The Trojan wahine host Honoka`a Friday at 6 p.m.

FAMILY READING NIGHT is tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA`U meets tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Call 929-9731 or 936-7262 for more information.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION board meets tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE CENTER features a screening of and panel discussion about the film Waste Land. The event at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village begins at 7 p.m. Guest hosts are Ira Ono and Recycle Hawai`i’s Paul Buklarewicz.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

Operation Christmas Child distributes shoebox gifts to children worldwide.
Photo from Samaritan's Purse

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD holds a kick-of event Saturday, Sept. 26 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Assembly of God. Pastor Devon Rachae, of Grenada, will be guest speaker.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, “a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world,” according to its mission statement. OCC collects and distributes shoeboxes full of age-appropriate toys, hygiene items and school supplies to children in need around the globe.
Free shoeboxes and supplies will be available at the event. Contact OCC West Hawai`i Area Coordinator Cindy Eilerman at 301-707-2328 or cynriccol@yahoo.com for more information and to reserve boxes for groups.

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