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| Students and teachers of the Miloli`ihipu`u Virtual Academy meet the crew members of the Hokule`a and Hikianali`a Polynesian Voyaging Society Canoes at Miloli`i during a stop at the remote Hawaiian coastal village this week. Photo from Polynesian Voyaging Society |
For Miloli`ihipu`u, students meet at the Miloli`i Pavillion on the shoreline and take classes online and with their mentors. They learn without a school building, gym or cafeteria, getting much of their exercise in the ocean, on hikes, and field trips, and learning Hawaiian language and arts along the way.
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| Polynesian Voyaging Society canoe at Milloli`i this week. Photo by Peter Anderson |
"The program goal is to meet kids where they are and provide remediation if needed." The program promises to provide opportunities for face to face instruction and social interaction; engage and connect students at camp and with their broader community; and provide parents with quarterly workshops on "how to help their keiki."
"In the Miloli`i site the staff and volunteer community provide project hands on activities for the kids. We have a school garden, we do multi media classes, Hawaiian culture with Hula, oli and olelo. We also provide the kids physical opportunities like volleyball and basketball. We take the kids on field trips around the island and provide snacks and support in Miloli`i," the facebook page says.
The voyage of the Hokule`a and Hikianalia through the Hawaiian Islands is called Malama Hawai`i and is the beginning of a worldwide voyage called Malama Honua. The worldwide voyage begins with sailing to Tahiti in May of 2014.
According to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, "The mission of Hōkūle‘a’s Worldwide Voyage is to navigate toward a healthy and sustainable future for ourselves, our home – the Hawaiian Islands – and our Island Earth through voyaging and new ways of learning. Our core message is to mālama (care for) Island Earth – our natural environment, children and all humankind."
Maps and the sailing plan for the Malama Hawai`i and Malama Honua voyages, along with video, photographs and reporting on the sailing in the ocean and the interacting with communities can be viewed at the Polynesian Voyaging Society's website http://hokulea.org.
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NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS receiving money directly from County Council members’ contingency funds was defended yesterday by Ka`u council member Brenda Ford. She was arguing against a measure before the council that would bar council members from providing direct funding to non-profits in their district. Each council member currently receives $98,877 a year and can spend that money to help their districts through county agencies or direct funding of non-profit organizations.
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| Crew chants Hokuli`a Ha`a coming into Miloli`i this week. Photo from Polynesian Voyaging Society |
According to a story by Nancy Cook Lauer in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, Hilo council member Dennis Onishi argued for the ban, noting that nonprofits can apply to agencies for grants, rather than to council members.
The story reports Ford saying “We have been given a certain amount of money for our district to help the people in our district. This bill prevents me from helping the most needy in my district.”
Margaret Wille, the attorney and council member from Kohala, defended the council members providing money to their district nonprofits and said the council members do provide the oversight for expenditures of the funds.
Contingency funds are far less than they were last year. In his budget, Mayor Billy Kenoi reduced them from $300,000 a year to $100,000 year. They were reduced a few thousand more to provide funding to continue the Ocean View interactive center where Ka`u people can watch council and commission proceedings and testify during county council and other meetings, the Tribune Herald story noted. The issue involved many hours of debate and decision-making was delayed, the newspaper reported. See more at http://hawaiitribune-herald.com.
KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE scholarships are announced. The winner is Tyler Amaral, with his essay entitled A World Without Computers? Not in My Community. Amaral receives a $350 scholarship and the other winners receive $250 each. "They are all winning essays," said Ka`u Chamber president Dallas Decker. Ka`u Chamber first vice president and scholarship chair Lee McIntosh reports the following winning students: Tyler Amaral of Na`alehu, a Ka`u High School graduate who will attend Hawai`i Community College in Hilo this fall; Kayla Andrade, of Na`alehu, a sophmore at University of Hawai`i at Manoa; Leah Velasco Cariaga, of Na`alehu, a Ka`u High
The story reports Ford saying “We have been given a certain amount of money for our district to help the people in our district. This bill prevents me from helping the most needy in my district.”
Margaret Wille, the attorney and council member from Kohala, defended the council members providing money to their district nonprofits and said the council members do provide the oversight for expenditures of the funds.
Contingency funds are far less than they were last year. In his budget, Mayor Billy Kenoi reduced them from $300,000 a year to $100,000 year. They were reduced a few thousand more to provide funding to continue the Ocean View interactive center where Ka`u people can watch council and commission proceedings and testify during county council and other meetings, the Tribune Herald story noted. The issue involved many hours of debate and decision-making was delayed, the newspaper reported. See more at http://hawaiitribune-herald.com.
KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE scholarships are announced. The winner is Tyler Amaral, with his essay entitled A World Without Computers? Not in My Community. Amaral receives a $350 scholarship and the other winners receive $250 each. "They are all winning essays," said Ka`u Chamber president Dallas Decker. Ka`u Chamber first vice president and scholarship chair Lee McIntosh reports the following winning students: Tyler Amaral of Na`alehu, a Ka`u High School graduate who will attend Hawai`i Community College in Hilo this fall; Kayla Andrade, of Na`alehu, a sophmore at University of Hawai`i at Manoa; Leah Velasco Cariaga, of Na`alehu, a Ka`u High
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| Ka`u Chamber Scholarship Winner Tyler Amaral |
graduate who will begin University of Hawai`i-Hilo studies this fall; Radhika Dockstader, of Na`alehu, a sophmore at UH-Hilo; Donald Garo Jr., of Pahala, a Ka`u High graduate who will be a freshman at HCC-Hilo this fall; Amber Leigh V. Hondonero, of Na`alehu, a graduate of Ka`u High who will begin studies at HCC and UH-Hilo this fall; Benjamin Houghton, of Ocean View, a Ka`u High graduate who will attend HCC this fall; Gregory Kirk Javar, Jr., of Pahala, a Ka`u High graduate who will attend UH-Hilo this fall; Marley Strand-Nicolaisen, of Na`alehu, a graduate of Ka`u High who will attend UH-Hilo this fall; Tiana Pascubillo, of Na`alehu, a graduate of Ka`u High who will attend HCC-Hilo this fall; and Louise Vivien B. Santos, of Pahala, a graduate of Ka`u High who will attend UH-Hilo this fall.
Here is the winning essay by Tyler Amaral:
A World Without Computers? Not in My Community Imagine a world where there are no computers, television, smart-phones, or anything electrical. Think about it, there would be no way to do the things people love to do, there would be no email, no YouTube, nothing to do with the Internet. How would people react? Thankfully, there are electronic devices, for now. But, what happens when they break? Who will be able to fix them? This is where my plan comes in. My plan will definitely help the town of Kau, by going to college to study computer and fix computers. With this information, I would love to teach people in my community how to use computers successfully and hopefully they will learn to love using computers. I would also like to offer a free or really cheap computer workshop so I can fix computers for everyone. I know that some may not be able to fix their computers because most of the stores charge a very high price. Hopefully this business will also make money as well.
The reason why I chose computers as a passion is because a lot of things are becoming computerized and if you don't know how to use computers, then it will be very difficult to find a job. Another thing is that computers can be used for a variety of different purposes from doing research to writing a report to watching a movie. Keeping in touch with people all over the world using email and "skype."
The reason why I chose computers as a passion is because a lot of things are becoming computerized and if you don't know how to use computers, then it will be very difficult to find a job. Another thing is that computers can be used for a variety of different purposes from doing research to writing a report to watching a movie. Keeping in touch with people all over the world using email and "skype."
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| Ka`u residents can take their computers almost everywhere. |
Since I like computers a lot, I decided to focus on that as a senior project. For my senior project, I needed to spend a minimum of 40 hours on something, and I figured that I could spend that much time fixing computers. So, after that I decided that, I had to figure out a good project so I would get approved. After thinking, I saw that a lot of people did not own computers in my community, so I decided that I would donate computers to the needy families of Kau. As of February 25, 2013, I was able to donate five computers, free of cost, to families that need them. These families vary in ethnicity, age, and yet, they all still need computers, because computers are universal. I donated a tower to the local youth group, and four complete systems (tower, monitor, cables, keyboard, mice) to four local families in Hawaii. One of those families is living in a bus. Another family is living with a grandmother in a foster home situation.
Other than that, I also plan to help set up weekly programs to help teach people about computers. I would generally like to teach a class of intermediate/high school age students and the senior citizens. I chose those two groups because the students are the right age to learn and retain information regarding computers. I chose the elderly because they might like to use their computers to keep in touch with their families via email and videoconferencing. I would like to teach the intermediate/high school age students basic computer skills such as maintenance, fixing, and maybe even simple web design. I would like to teach the elderly basic things such as running programs, email, and maybe even basic computer maintenance.
I will also continue to donate regularly to the needy families of Hawaii. I will also love to work at the local elementary or high school as a computer technician, which I believe I am able to handle since I have completed my senior project.
Other than that, I also plan to help set up weekly programs to help teach people about computers. I would generally like to teach a class of intermediate/high school age students and the senior citizens. I chose those two groups because the students are the right age to learn and retain information regarding computers. I chose the elderly because they might like to use their computers to keep in touch with their families via email and videoconferencing. I would like to teach the intermediate/high school age students basic computer skills such as maintenance, fixing, and maybe even simple web design. I would like to teach the elderly basic things such as running programs, email, and maybe even basic computer maintenance.
I will also continue to donate regularly to the needy families of Hawaii. I will also love to work at the local elementary or high school as a computer technician, which I believe I am able to handle since I have completed my senior project.
See other winning student essays in upcoming news briefs and in The Ka`u Calendar newspaper. To comment on this story go to https://www.facebook.com/kaucalendar
KAHUKU PALM TRAIL BY GPS & COMPASS is the program for keiki of all ages at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At least one adult family member or adult group leader must accompany the children. Enjoy a free lunch and participate in cultural craft demonstrations. Bring a refillable water bottle and sturdy hiking shoes. Registration is required for this free event. Call 985-6019. 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.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
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