Big Island ASL Users

Hawaii as the first state established new law that requires theaters to offer movies with open captioning. This deaffriendly law start on January 1 2016. Resources; Aloha State Association of the Deaf

2 Deaf residents, Jennifer and Linda gave ASL storytelling to deaf children about the Snow and Blizzard. Thelma Parker Memorial Library, the Big Island Association of the Deaf, and Toys for Tots supported a Deaf Santa Christmas at Thelma Parker Memorial Library in Waimea on December 10 2015. More than 10 Waimea- and Keaau Elementary deaf students greeted "Santa!" in American Sign language. The Deaf Santa greeted children Cupscakes  It was hosted by the Waimea Elementary school deaf class.

Sign Language interpreting will be available during the Fall Commencement ceremony. Resource  University of Hawaii at Hilo

Dear Signing Circle, We are meeting Wednesday, December 2, from 1:45-3:00 p.m at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.  We always meet on the first Wednesday of the month. Time for some carefree ASL holiday fun!  For our next meeting, you don’t have to clean your house, cook a turkey, wash dishes, buy a tree, or string any lights.  Nope, December's meeting is our Third Annual BINGO game.   Just come ready to PLAY.   Is there an ASL sign for BINGO??? As always, our only rule is to try to keep our voices turned off during Signing Circle.  This motivates us to use ASL exclusively during our time together.  We can always use pen and paper, or finger spelling, and a great deal of pantomime when we hit a speed bump.  Funny misunderstandings are always a source of widespread giggles. Anyone interested in using ASL, learning ASL, and practicing ASL are all welcome.  Some of us are hard of hearing, some are deaf, some are ...

Best everyone, For more than 2 years now I have enjoyed blogging about the latest news and events on the Big Island. For better communication,  I am looking for someone who will work with me as a volunteer video blogger helping me update the latest news of Big Island events. This position starts on 1 January 2016.  Let me know please ?  Thijs  thijsmvdberg@gmail.com 

The County of Hawaii will hold a public information meeting on Tuesday, November 17 to update residents on the dengue fever. The public information meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 17 in the Keaau High School cafeteria. Two ASL interpreters will be available there.

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Dear Signing Circle, We are meeting Wednesday, November 4, from 1:45-3:00 p.m at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea. This meeting promises many Tricks and Treats.  We are going to play with idioms.  For example, which of the following idioms mean the same thing in ASL and English?  How do you sign them? When it rains, it pours When it rains, it pours That’s the way the cookie crumbles I feel blue Putting on the dog  (How did they ever come up with that one?  ) Likewise, which ASL idoms don’t translate into English?  For instance,  TRAIN GO SORRY.   Do you know the meaning of that one?  Here is your mission- if you choose to accept it, start thinking about all of English and ASL idioms that you know. Bring your list on Wednesday. I warn you that once you start thinking about idioms it’s like eating one potato chip.  You can’t stop.  Idioms really give you a window into the soul of a culture....

There is 4th Annual Christmas Dinner on December 19 in Kailua Kona ! Interested? Please copy that to your PC, print and post please before November 7 2015 ! Hosted by Paul Tomiyasu, Diamond Head School Alumni

Hi everyone, there is an ASL social group in Kona that meets once a week to teach the public ASL and socialize. Full Life in Hilo would like to start a group like that by providing a venue. It will probably meet in the afternoon on a week day, perhaps 4pm-5:30pm. It would be 30-45minutes of learning an ASL phrase, then socializing (beverage and snacks). Questions ? Interested ? Contact please Mar Ortaleza Employment Services Coordinator Accredited Benefits Educator- Work Incentive Planner Mar@fulllifehawaii.org

Rodney Renusch behind this meeting papers Rodney Renusch is one of the residents on the Big Island and found out there is still no local deaf association that has an affiliation with NAD. NAD is the National Association Deaf that supports the rights of deaf Americans. Local deaf associations in the Mainland are an affiliation with NAD. NAD helps to build new local associations, but also teaches and provides workshops on what these associations need and visit+ there. California has deaf services such as deaf rights, deaf laws, deaf jobs, and deaf interpreters because of an affiliation with NAD. The deaf residents of the Big Island want deaf rights, deaf laws, deaf jobs, and deaf interpreters but Renusch realized that some deaf people don’t know about the ADA. We are proud of our beautiful sign language so we need to break the barriers and show our voice to the Big Island community. Renusch suggested that we establish a local deaf association; Big Island Association Deaf ...

Dear Signing Circle, We are meeting Wednesday, October 7, at 1:45 p.m -3:00 at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea. At our meeting this month, we are going to celebrate harvest time!  Brush up on your signs for fruits and vegetables.  Is there a sign for taro? As always, our only rule is to try to keep our voices turned off during Signing Circle.  This motivates us to use ASL exclusively during our time together.  We can always use pen and paper, or finger spelling, and a great deal of pantomime when we hit a speed bump.  Funny misunderstandings are always a source of widespread giggles. Anyone interested in using ASL, learning ASL, and practicing ASL are all welcome.  Some of us are hard of hearing, some are deaf, some are speaking, but we all share a love of ASL and a good sense of humor. Beginners and experts enjoy the Circle.  It's just a casual opportunity to learn cool new signs, make new friends, and re-connec...

Come on! Join the fun !  When: October 3rd 2015 Let's enjoy our Saturday afternoon. Meet visitors and drink a cup of coffee. Where: Starbucks at Prince Kuhio Plaza Mall, 111 East Puainako Street, Hilo  Time: 1 pm - whenever Hearing people also welcome! Take your family and friends to this unique event, please!  Hosted by H. Sagucio 

Hosted by Hannah & Ron 

Hosted by H. Sagucio

Hosted by H. Sagucio

Come on! Join the fun !  When: September 4th 2015 Let's enjoy our Friday night. Meet people and drink a cup of coffee. Where: Starbucks at Prince Kuhio Plaza Mall, 111 East Puainako Street, Hilo  Time: 7 pm - whenever Hearing people also welcome! Take your family and friends to this unique event, please!  Hosted by H. Sagucio 

Dear Signing Circle,  We are meeting Wednesday, September 2, at 1:45 p.m -3:00 at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.   Did you notice that many kids went back to school recently?  Hard to believe!  In the spirit of “Back to School”,  at Signing Circle, we are going to play a game called “What have you learned lately?”  To prepare for the game, think about your recent activities.  Have you visited a new place?  Tried a new sport? A new hobby?  A new recipe?  A new App?  A new video game?  Learned some new signs?  We will have fun putting on our Sherlock Holmes hats and finding out. "Back to School" As always, our only rule is to try to keep our voices turned off during Signing Circle.  This motivates us to use ASL exclusively during our time together.  We can always use pen and paper, or finger spelling, and a great deal of pantomime when we hit a speed bump.  Funny misunde...

Dear Signing Circle, We are meeting Wednesday, August 5, at 1:45 p.m -3:00 at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea. Did you notice that many kids went back to school yesterday?  Hard to believe!  In the spirit of “Back to School”,  at Signing Circle, we are going to play a game called “What have you learned lately?”  To prepare for the game, think about your recent activities.  Have you visited a new place?  Tried a new sport? A new hobby?  A new recipe?  A new App?  A new video game?  Learned some new signs? We will have fun putting on our Sherlock Holmes hats and finding out. As always, our only rule is to try to keep our voices turned off during Signing Circle.  This motivates us to use ASL exclusively during our time together.  We can always use pen and paper, or finger spelling, and a great deal of pantomime when we hit a speed bump.  Funny misunderstandings are always a source of widesprea...

Dear Signing Circle, We are meeting Wednesday, July 1, at 1:45 p.m at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea. Happy Summer Time! Last month we were discussing Deaf Expo. In 2016, Deaf Expo will be July 6-8 in Las Vegas at the Paris hotel. Registration is Free! Has anyone gone to Deaf Expo before? Come share your experience at Signing Circle.   On another subject, some ASL teachers/tutors had a meeting online and shared the following: 1. Students should keep their eyes on the face of the signer because most meaning is conveyed from facial expression.  Learners should watch the hand movements in their peripheral vision. To develop our ASL facial expressions we can play the Near or Far game and the Yes/No Questions or Wh- Question game 2. Vague or incorrect handshapes and movements need ongoing attention.  Play the Handshape game often.   3. Students often confuse signs for related concepts such as late/later; yet/already. ...

Dear Signing Circle,  We are meeting Wednesday, June 3, at 1:45 p.m at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.  To kick off summer, we are going to play a fun game to learn more ASL signs about places.  Start imagining, "If you could send someone to somewhere fun, where would you send them?"   Members of the Circle will ask you Yes/No questions to see if they can guess the place.  If you don't know the ASL sign for the place, you can always spell it.  Hopefully, someone in the Circle will know the sign(s).      In our last meeting, we were discussing the experience of the Late deaf and others who wrestle with tech aids and devices for hearing.  Please bring any names that you can recommend to those seeking device professionals on the Big Island.  Moreover, if you know anyone in the Deaf community who would like to work as an ASL tutor to help members strengthen their ASL skills, please bring their contact ...

Skyler Tiogangco  I was born Hearing Impaired and I began wearing hearing aids at 10 months old ... I always loved Music ... My Mother would play the music loud so I could hear and we would dance ... Growing up, kids would always tease me saying, "Deaf Boy, you can't dance you cannot hear the music. But my mom would say "You can hear a little and you can feel the music." So one day I went to watch my friends hula and decided this is something I would like to learn.  I learn by using first my eyes and my Na'ao ... my Heart to feel the music..I love people and I use sign language to talk with my deaf friends and in hula we use our hands to tell a story to everyone. I love dancing and getting a chance to dance in the Merrie Monarch tells me that I can do anything my heart wants to do ... Mahalo and my mother says, "With Jesus, anything is possible. Thank God he has blessed us so much ... And thank you to my Kumu Emery and Aunty Debbie and my family and my f...

Dear Signing Circle, We are meeting Wednesday, May 6, at 1:45 - 3 pm at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea. Some interesting statistics have come to light about how many folks experience significant hearing loss.  In the research, they are called “late deaf”. Among 18-44 years old, 20% of the population are late deaf, between 45-64, 30% are late deaf, from 65-74, 40% are late deaf, and after 75, 50% are late deaf. Interestingly, most late deaf deny and hide their hearing loss for an average of seven years before trying hearing aids and cochlear implants.  Even after seeking technological support, most express serious frustration with the technological tools. Many late deaf report withdrawing from friendships and the workplace into self-imposed isolation.  They feel like a burden on others because they repeatedly ask, “What? What?”  Soon, friends, co-workers, and family members dismiss them, “Never mind, I’ll tell you later” and later n...

Dear Signing Circle, It's no joke!  We are meeting next Wednesday, April 1, at 1:45-3:00 at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.  Bring a good joke to sign, or how about sharing a time when you mixed up two signs leading to hilarious results.  Also, warm up your facial expression muscles and your intuition.  We have a fun activity planned to put both to the test.   As always, our only rule is to try to keep our voices turned off during Signing Circle.  This motivates us to use ASL exclusively during our time together.  We can always use pen and paper, or finger spelling, and a great deal of pantomime when we hit a speed bump.  Funny misunderstandings are always a source of widespread giggles. Anyone interested in using ASL, learning ASL, and practicing ASL are all welcome.  Some of us are hard of hearing, some are deaf, some are speaking, but we all share a love of ASL and a good sense of humor.  Beginners a...

Julian Beymer is deaf 4-year old preschooler. His mother, Grace Beymer from Kailua-Kona is looking for more education options for him.  For more information visit: Visit please :  article on Hawaii Tribune Herald Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald 

Dear Signing Circle, We are meeting next Wednesday, March 4, at 1:45-3:00 at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.  Warm up your facial expression muscles and your intuition.  We have a fun activity planned to put both to the test.  Also, at last month's meeting Owen and Linda said that they had some games that we could try.  We would love to have you introduce them to the Circle.    Has anyone heard if they are offering any ASL classes or workshops soon?  Will any ASL classes be held at the new community college on the West Side or up in Honoka'a?   As a reward for your efforts, we will have fun playing a great game that involves, signing, guessing, and working together to form perfectly matched pairs, triads, and quads.  As always, our only rule is to try to keep our voices turned off during Signing Circle.  This motivates us to use ASL exclusively during our time together.  We can always use pen a...

Dear Signing Circle, Wow, where did January go?  2015 seems to be speeding along.  It's time for our first Wednesday of the month get together. We are meeting next Wednesday, February 4, at 1:45-3:00 at the Food Court at Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea.  Your assignment, should you accept it, is to bring one question that starts: How do you sign _____________________in ASL?  As a reward for your efforts, we will have fun playing a great game that involves, signing, guessing, and working together to form perfectly matched pairs, triads, and quads.    As always, our only rule is to try to keep our voices turned off during Signing Circle.  This motivates us to use ASL exclusively during our time together.  We can always use pen and paper, or finger spelling, and a great deal of pantomime when we hit a speed bump.  Funny misunderstandings are always a source of widespread giggles. Anyone interested in using ASL, learning AS...

Job Opening at Waimea Elementary: For more information, please contact Angela Nagata at angele001@mac.com  The ideal candidate would: Already know sign but if not fluent be capable of learning sign with the intent of becoming fluent Patient with children who have multiple disabilities Physically be able to run with children Physically be able to sit on the floor to work with children Work with the teacher to develop lesson activities and behavior plans. Be able to implement plans and receive feedback. Work 7-3:30 Angela also mentioned that they are also seeking volunteers.  Source: Nancy Oppenheim

There is for the first time a Deaf Santa Christmas at Waimea Elementary School. More than 10 Waimea- and Keaau Elementary deaf students greeted "Santa!" in American Sign language.  For more information visit: Visit please :  article on West Hawaii Today Newspaper Source: West Hawaii Today