Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015

Hawai`i's population of band-rumped storm-petrels is being considered for listing as an endangered species. See story below.
Photo from The Crossley Guide to Eastern Birds.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR is proposing to create an administrative procedure and criteria that the Secretary of the Interior would apply if the Native Hawaiian community forms a unified government that then seeks a formal government-to-government relationship with the United States. Under the new proposal, the Native Hawaiian community — not the federal government — would decide whether to reorganize a Native Hawaiian government, what form that government would take and whether it would seek a government-to-government relationship with the United States.

“The United States has a long-standing policy of supporting self-governance for Native peoples, yet the benefits of the government-to-government relationship have long been denied to Native Hawaiians, one of our nation’s largest indigenous communities,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said. “Today’s proposal is testament to the Obama Administration’s strong support for our nation’s Native peoples’ right to self-determination.”

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell

The proposal, which takes the form of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, builds on more than 150 federal statutes that Congress has enacted over the last century to recognize and implement the special political and trust relationship between the United States and the Native Hawaiian community. The NPRM comes on the heels of a public comment period as part of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking process that began last year and included public meetings. More than 5,000 members of the public submitted written responses to the ANPRM, and, DOI reported, they overwhelmingly favored creating a pathway for re-establishing a formal government-to-government relationship.
“We’ve listened to the feedback we received during the public meetings and in writing and worked to improve the proposal to reflect those comments,” Jewell said. “We appreciate the many voices on this topic and look forward to hearing from the public on this proposal.”
If a government-to-government relationship is re-established, it can provide the community with greater flexibility to preserve its distinct culture and traditions and special status under federal law that enables the community to exercise powers of self-government over many issues directly impacting community members, according to DOI.
The Native Hawaiian community has not had a formal government since the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai`i in 1893. In 1993, Congress enacted the Apology Resolution, which offered an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the United States for its role in the overthrow and committed the federal government to a process of reconciliation. As part of that reconciliation process, in 2000 the DOI and the Department of Justice jointly issued a report identifying as its lead recommendation the need to foster self-determination for Native Hawaiians under federal law.
Today’s proposal is available for review at doi.gov/ohr, and public comments on it will be accepted for the next 90 days. Members of the public are encouraged to read the proposal and provide comments in writing by email to part50@doi.gov, on www.regulations.gov (docket no. DOI-2015-0005), or by U.S. mail to the Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, Room 7228, 1849 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20240. The public is also encouraged to participate in teleconferences on the proposed rule, a schedule of which is available at doi.gov.

  Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “The Native Hawaiian community’s ongoing work toward self-determination takes a significant step forward today, and I applaud the Obama administration for its commitment to this effort.”
  Sen. Brian Schatz said, “Native Hawaiians have the right to reorganize a government that they determine is best for them. ... I urge Native Hawaiians and other interested individuals to stay engaged and to contribute their comments and concerns as the process moves forward.”
  Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “Many indigenous groups in the U.S. have the right of self-determination, and today’s announcement acknowledges that that right also belongs to the Native Hawaiian people, one of the largest native communities in the country. ... I encourage all interested parties to submit their comments to DOI ... to ensure a collaborative final ruling.”

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Chris Minnich

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION plans to prioritize career education by adding rigor and value to programs preparing high school graduates for high-skilled, high-demand jobs.
Using economic development data and partnerships with community employers, DOE will design more rigorous career readiness pathways that span secondary and postsecondary levels, culminating in credentials for students.   The Council of Chief State School Officers is facilitating this work, which pursues recommendations made in Opportunities and Options, a report of CCSSO’s Career Readiness Task Force.   The report encourages states to make high school programs more responsive to the labor market by enlisting the employer community as a lead partner, significantly raise the threshold for quality career pathways in secondary schools and make career preparation matter to schools and students, in part by expanding accountability systems to emphasize career readiness.

“This opportunity to dig deeper in advancing career pathways will complement the great work that is being done in our high school academies across the state,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said. “We want to provide the supports that will allow students to reach their full potential and expand on the successful programs that have carried them into the workforce after high school.” 

Chris Minnich, executive director of CCSSO, said, “The task force recommendations were an important start, but states now must make them a reality. In this global economy, we must prepare all kids to have an option in a career pathway as well as continued academic pursuits by the time they graduate from high school.”
For all states, CCSSO will develop an online resource center to provide strategies, case studies, self-assessment tools, communications materials and models of best practice.
Hawai`i is among a group of 17 states that announced a commitment to develop and execute a detailed plan to implement the task force recommendations. That includes making career readiness a higher priority in state accountability systems by incorporating a more robust set of career-focused indicators that measure and value successful completion of meaningful pathways, work-based learning experiences and credentials.
CCSSO launched its Career Readiness Task Force in the Spring of 2014 to increase the rigor in career education to meet expectations of the current labor market.

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Holei is found on Hawai`i Island and Maui. Photo from Native Plants Hawai`i

FACING THREATS FROM HABITAT LOSS and degradation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to add 49 species from Hawai`i to the Endangered Species Act. The Service will not be designating Critical Habitat areas for these species at this time due to insufficient information.

These plants and animals are at risk of extinction due to invasive, non-native species, recreational activities, small population size and threats from erosion, landslides and fire. “The listing of these species will not only boost ongoing conservation efforts to address these threats and prevent extinction, but will improve the ecological health of the islands,” the Service said. “This will have long-term benefits for all Hawaiians.”

The 49 species occur in 11 different habitat types, with 48 of them occurring nowhere on Earth except Hawai`i. One bird species proposed for listing – the band-rumped storm-petrel – occurs in Japan, Hawai`i, the Galapagos and subtropical areas of the Atlantic. The Service is proposing to list only the Hawai`i population.
“These species are facing tremendous challenges with shrinking habitat and the onslaught of invasive species,” said Kristi Young, the Service’s acting field supervisor for the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. “Implementing an ecosystem-based approach to the proposed listing allows the Service to better prioritize and focus conservation and recovery actions in Hawai`i.”
For a complete list of the species in this proposed listing, see fws.gov/pacificislands.
The proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register tomorrow. Comments and information can be submitted electronically at the eRulemaking portal www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-R1-ES-2015-0125, which is the docket number for this rule.
Written comments and information can also be submitted by U.S. mail to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-2015-0125; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. The Service is accepting comments through Dec. 1.

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TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE at the door to hear Mark Yamanaka play Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Donation is $25, raising funds for Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, the nonprofit that is opening safe house for girls in Pahala on Oct. 1. The evening also includes a roast pork dinner.

For tickets, call Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at 315-7032 or 649-9334.
The nonprofit also sponsors Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u Cultural Festival this Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The festival includes music, hula, crafts, food and cultural workshops. Open to the public with no fees both nights.
See www.hookupukau.com.

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