The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Volunteers have completed repairs on Ka`alaiki Road, above the waterfalls. Ka`u residents and visitors use the road when flooding closes Hwy 11 during heavy rains. Photo by Julia Neal

A BAND OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS has finished major improvements on the old cane haul road between Na`alehu and Pahala. The effort with $12,000 in funding for materials from County Council member Maile David began with rancher Al Galimba and farmer-rancher Phil Becker of Aikane Plantation using their own equipment. Becker, Galimba and crew worked several weeks to widen about 90 percent of about a ten-mile stretch where grass and shrubs had encroached on the old cane haul road. The project culminated in two days when Wally Andrade, Bob Taylor, Aikane and Galimba, The Nature Conservancy, Forest Solutions and Olson Trust furnished machines and manpower to clear more and to pave.

Volunteers showed up with hand tools. About 40 people participated. The total cost in materials was about $19,000. Monetary donations were promised and more are needed, said Galimba, who can be reached at 938-7472.

“Not only did the communities of Pahala and Na`alehu help, we also had volunteers from Kona, Waimea, Hilo and Honolulu,” Becker said. “Al and I thank all of the many workers and companies that made this project a success. It truly was a community project.”

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Maile David discusses her resolutions with other
County Council members.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVED two resolutions introduced by Ka`u’s Council member Maile David this week that proposed amendments to Hawai`i County’s General Plan.

David’s Resolution 258-15 relates to roadway access in Ka`u during times of flooding. David wants the county to investigate potential solutions to prevent the closure of Hawai`i Belt Road due to flooding, including improving, acquiring and maintaining alternate routes.
Resolution 256-15 calls for the General Plan to apply values, philosophy and geographical features of the ahupua`a system as a land use model to regulatory decisions and government programs, fulfilling sustainability goals and land use policies with consideration for resource management.
David affirmed that her resolutions are recommendations for the Planning Department to consider when updating the General Plan.
“This is a really cool resolution,” Planning Director Duane Kanuha said. “I think it’ll make what we end up with pretty unique in terms of planning programs and documents.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I LAWMAKERS ARE EXPLORING publicly owned utilities as an option to investor-owned utilities as the state Public Utilities Commission considers the merger of Hawaiian Electric Industries and NextEra Energy. Ka`u’s state Sens. Russell Ruderman and Josh Green and Rep. Richard Creagan join more than forty state and county leaders representing all islands – including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – in moving forward to examine the potential of public utilities owned by the people.

Rep. Richard Creagan

“Public utilities don’t need higher rates to make profits for shareholders, and as a result they tend to have significantly lower rates than for-profit utilities across the country,” said Rep. Chris Lee, Chair of the Energy and Environmental Protection Committee. “We have an obligation to explore this option, especially if it can save residents a lot more money in the long run.”
Minority Leader Beth Fukumoto-Chang said, “As Republicans and Democrats, we have differences, but we can all agree that the skyrocketing cost of electricity is detrimental to local families. Until NextERA provides a framework for customer savings, it would be irresponsible not to explore options like co-ops and other alternatives,”
In addition to state legislators from every island, Hawai`i County officials involved include Council Chair Dru Kanuha; Council member Margaret Wille, Chair of the county Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee; and Councilmember Karen Eoff, Chair of the Finance Committee.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FORMER STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Chair Mina Morita considers discussion of alternative electric utility ownership models to be “a distraction from the main issue of acquisition,” she wrote on her blog Energy Dynamics in regard to the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric Industries and NextEra Energy. Morita was PUC chair during time of `Aina Koa Pona proposing a refinery on the edge of Wood Valley and turning pasture and farm lands between Pahala and Na`alehu into a biofuel plantation. The PUC turned down the proposal twice, stating that the price of fuel would be too high.
“The electricity sector is in a period of high uncertainty with significant shifts in technology, customer preferences and the regulatory environment,” Morita wrote. “Irrespective of type of utility ownership, to navigate during this time of transformation a well-functioning electric utility will require insightful leadership, nimble and flexible strategic planning and strong analytical capacity. A particular ownership model does not guarantee any of the characteristics or qualities required for a successful energy transformation and may, in fact, hinder it with decisions based on politics rather than fact, technology and economics.

Former PUC Chair Mina Morita

Morita described alternative ownership models including municipal utilities, cooperatives and investor-owned utilities.
“A municipal, or publicly owned, utility is a government entity, established or enabled by state constitution, law or county charter,” Morita said. “Typically structured to have autonomy, a municipal utility is governed through an appointed or elected board of directors. Revenues to operate are generated by taxes and user fees assessments. Financing of infrastructure is through the issuance of municipal bonds or appropriations from state or county treasuries. … While there is explicit language about a county’s ability to manage water, sewer and solid waste, there is no mention of providing electric service. This may be the first hurdle to establishing a publicly owned electric utility. It should be noted that all risks are borne by taxpayers and ratepayers.
“Electric cooperatives are private, nonprofit electric utilities owned by the members they serve. An elected board, held accountable to and by its members, governs the business and broad affairs (not the day-to-day operations) of the cooperative. Most electric cooperatives have been initially financed by he Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Subsequent financing needs are usually obtained from the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, also a cooperative whose members are electric cooperatives throughout the county. Typically, electric cooperatives are unregulated entities as there is no shareholder/member conflict. …
“An investor-owned utility is a privately owned electric utility whose stock is publicly traded. It is rate-regulated by a Public Utilities Commission or similar type of entity and authorized to achieve (not guaranteed) an allowed rate of return. Stockholders (investors), bonds and bank borrowing are an IOU’s means to finance the business. Utility rates are set to recover costs and earn a reasonable return as profits for investors in return for the risk they bear for investing in new facilities.”
See minamoritaenergydynamics.com.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PARTICIPANTS DISCOVER Hawaiian goddesses Pele and Hi`iaka and the natural phenomena they represent on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Visitors will experience the sisters coming alive through epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this moderate one-mile walk.

Call 985-6011 for more information.

ALL COFFEE FARMERS ARE INVITED to learn Intergrated Pest Management practices at a free workshop tomorrow at Pahala Community Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hands-on activities at a coffee farm follow a potluck lunch.
Call Ann Fontes at 987-7448 for more information.

Ka`u residents are invited to join Friends of the Ka`u Libraries.
Photo by Julia Neal

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES hold their annual meeting Thursday, Sept. 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Light refreshments will be served.

The nonprofit organization’s main purpose is to support Pahala Public & School Library and Na`alehu Library. Members volunteer to help the libraries improve their services and resources.
Members participate in community events, fundraisers for the libraries and assist the libraries with their special educational programs. Residents are invited to join and learn more. The group also looks forward to former members renewing memberships. Annual fees are $5 for adults and $2 for seniors 55 and over.
One of the group’s recent projects was to collect My Coke Reward code numbers that are printed on Coke products. Sharing these reward points with the libraries turned rewards into magazine subscriptions for the libraries.
For additional information about the meeting, call Doris Davis at 928-0919 or Ann Fontes at 987-7448.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u High Trojan Rowlie Flores participated in a meet at Hawai`i Preparatory Academy Saturday. Photo by team assistant Jay-R Abalos

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK has a new centennial logo. Founded on Aug. 1, 1916, Hawai`i Volcanoes was the 15th national park established in the U.S. and celebrates its centennial anniversary next year along with the National Park Service itself, which turns 100 on Aug. 25, 2016. The logo depicts the three elements that define the park: culture, geology and biology.

Hawai`i Volcanoes new centennial logo.
Image from NPS

In the center, Halema`uma`u Crater erupts on Kilauea Volcano under a starry night sky. The ongoing eruption is characterized by a glowing lava lake and dramatic plume of gas and ash wafting skyward.
Massive, active volcano Mauna Loa, sometimes capped in snow during winter months, stands above the erupting crater, a scene visitors can see from the Keanakako`i side of Halema`uma`u.
A nene, the endemic and federally endangered Hawaiian goose, is seen in flight and is a reminder of the success of the park’s nene recovery efforts.
On the right, a Hawaiian petroglyph is reminiscent of an actual petroglyph found at Pu`uloa in the park, the largest concentration of petroglyphs in the Hawaiian islands.
On the left, the red bloom of the `ohi`a lehua symbolizes both the importance of the native `ohi`a tree found throughout the park and its significance as a sacred flower of Pele.
The stars represent the night sky that visitors can experience while in the park after dark.
For more info, see nps.gov/havo/getinvolved/100th-anniversary.htm.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hurricanes Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena continue to surround Hawai`i.
Image from NASA'S Earth Observatory

WHY RECORD-BREAKING HURRICANE Trio Swirls Above the Pacific was the title of a Live Science report yesterday on news.yahoo.com.

The story by Stephanie Pappas described it: “A parade of tropical storms traipses across the Pacific in a new satellite image showing the once-in-a-lifetime (or more than one lifetime) event. This is the first time three major hurricanes have lined up across the central and eastern Pacific at the same time, according to meteorologist Eric Blake of the National Hurricane Center.”
The story explained that the unusual event is “made more likely by the climate cycle called El Nino. She quoted Tom Evans, the acting director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center: “The reason we’re getting so many tropical cyclones in our area is that El Nino is keeping the very warm waters well north of the equator. That’s one of the main contributors to the energy found in hurricanes.”
Evans also told Pappas that El Nino interrupts trade winds and decreases vertical wind speeds that help to lessen tropical storms’ strength.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Firefighters were able to keep a house fire in Ocean View from spreading
to other properties. Photo by Jordan Anger

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE HAVE CHARGED an Ocean View woman with arson in connection with a fire Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the house she occupied.

At 9:20 a.m. Thursday, Sept., detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section charged 36-year-old Emily Smith of Ocean View with first-degree arson and third-degree assault.
The assault charge was for allegedly striking a firefighter who responded to the house on Reef Circle Mauka on Wednesday morning. He did not require treatment.
After determining that the fire was set intentionally, police arrested Smith at the scene.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

EMPLOYEES OF MULTINATIONAL SOFTWARE corporation SAP who supported and participated in the annual Aloha Run contributed half of $60,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. The company matched their donations. SAP is a sponsor of the Aloha Run.
Boys & Girls Club members also participated in an activity with SAP CEO Bill McDermott and professional golfers, World Cup soccer players and other athletes at the Fairmont Orchid. McDermott and the athletes encouraged and motivated the youths, showing how optimism, hard work and team performance can set them on paths to success.
Another recent donation to the Ka`u Boys & Girls Club totaled $5,000 from Edmund C. Olson Trust II.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Michael Gibson

KA`U LANDING’S PUBLISHER, Michael Gibson, who lived in this district in 1992 when he founded and edited the monthly and grew it into Hawai`i Island Journal, is realizing a longtime dream. He is creating an agricultural hub for education, a farmers market and community enrichment. Gibson is realizing this goal, however, up the Hamakua Coast, and the project is called Hamakua Harvest.

Gibson's Hamakua Harvest showcases products from farmers
in that area. Image from Hamakua Harvest

According to its website, the mission is to “promote and advance local farmers, enriching the region’s social fabric and promoting healthy rural lifestyles.” It says the idea was “conceived in direct response to the community’s desire to maintain its rural lifestyle based on sustainable family farms” and that the project “will provide a whole-systems, integrated agricultural hub, market and teaching model for the community at large. Its design, purpose and location ... reflect the region’s deep agricultural history and aims to demonstrate what a truly sustainable and agriculturally rich future could look like.”
The farmers market opens tomorrow in Honoka`a. See hamakukaharvest.org.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN, coming up in two weeks on Saturday, Sept. 19, is drawing an international field. Runners from Japan, Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom are competing. Runners will descend on Ka`u, with the start and finish at Ka`u Coffee Mill, from as far away as Alaska, Oregon and Alabama. Registration is open until race day for the 5K, 10K and half marathon for people of all ages. One 5K participant from Kamuela is 91 years of age. An eight-year-old and a 72-year-old will be coming from Honoka`a. There are numerous racers signed up from Pahala, Na`alehu, Ocean View and Volcano.

Events take participants into macadamia and coffee orchards as well as the rainforest on the edge of Wood Valley. Entertainment follows the race.
To sign up, see www.race360.com/21357.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u High cross country team member Chloe Gan ran at HPA last Saturday.
Photo by Jay-R Abalos

KA`U HIGH CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS participated in their first race of the season last Saturday, Aug. 29 at Hawai`i Preparatory Academy. The race was three miles long. Boys race first this year, and girls, second. Ka`u athletes are familiar with the steep hills on the HPA course. Rowlie Flores came in 160th out of 193, with a time of 28:33. Chloe Gan came in 56th out of 140 with a time of 29:44.

The runners are at Kamehameha today, with more Ka`u athletes running in this race. “The team is training hard and looking forward to the next races,” Coach Erin Cole said.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS continue their winning season. Yesterday, Ka`u won all sets when they hosted Parker. Varsity   scores were 25-12 and 25-10; JV scores were 25-8 and 25-14.
After playing three opponents at home this week, the wahine Trojans get some time off before traveling to Christian Liberty next Friday.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PARTICIPANTS DISCOVER Hawaiian goddesses Pele and Hi`iaka and the natural phenomena they represent tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Visitors will experience the sisters coming alive through epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this moderate one-mile walk.

Call 985-6011 for more information.

KA`U AG PRODUCERS ARE INVITED to Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association’s FundMatch Workshop next Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at West Hawai`i Civil Center’s Council Chambers in Kona.

The county Department of Research and Development and the state Department of Agriculture are hosting this free workshop open to agribusinesses with products containing at least 50 percent U.S. agricultural content, exclusive of added water and packaging.

WUSATA is now accepting applications for FundMatch 2016, formerly known as the Branded Program. This workshop walks attendees through the ins and outs of FundMatch, how to apply, leverage new export opportunities and more. A question and answer session follow.

Participants learn how WUSATA can offset their companies’ international marketing budgets and how WUSATA can offset overseas marketing costs, including foreign trade show exhibition and travel, advertising, in-store promotions, international product labeling modifications and more.
For more information, contact Glenn Sako at 961-8811 or Glenn.Sako@hawaiicounty.gov.

KA`U FARMERS UNION UNITED invites current and prospective members to Earth Matters Farm at the corner of Kama`oa and South Point Roads two weeks from today on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. Rep. Richard Creagan will talk about plans for the 2016 Legislature and his field trips on issues. Membership is not required to attend. Call 443-3300.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u residents can sign up through tomorrow to help Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park remove invasive weeds from the park on Friday. FHVNP Photo by Elizabeth Fien

PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO A PROPOSED solar project in the Ocean View Ranchos neighborhood is acknowledged in a document Hawai`i Electric Light Co. filed with the state Public Utilities Commission. “The residents of Ocean View Ranchos are divided on the subject of the proposed solar projects, with significant outspoken opposition,” the document states.

HELCO seeks PUC approval of overhead electric lines to connect a new
substation to existing lines. Map from HELCO application to PUC

HELCO is planning to build a substation on Kohala Blvd. near the intersection of Hwy 11 to accept power generated by a PUC-approved solar project that would cover more than two dozen heavily wooded, mostly three-ace lots in Ranchos with solar arrays. The utility is asking the PUC to approve installation of overhead high-voltage power lines, as opposed to underground lines, to connect the substation to its grid.
According to the document, “the Ocean View Substation is being built to serve the Ocean View subdivision. The area is currently developed with three-acre homesites. The proposed overhead 69kV line extension to the new Ocean View Substation will be visible from adjacent parcels and the highway. The terrain and vegetation obscure visibility for most residents of Ocean View Estates and Ocean View Ranchos. One home, across the street on Kohala Boulevard, will have a clear view of the substation and line extension.”
The document states that the substation is fully funded by the solar project developers. “During peak production, the FIT companies will produce more than 700 percent of the daytime load, and the excess energy will need to be exported to the transmission system,” the PUC filing says.
“The plan is for the Ocean View Substation construction to occur at the same time that (the solar) projects are constructed in Ocean View, starting in 2015 and completing in 2016,” the document states. “Construction of the 69 kilovolt line extension is expected to start in 2016 and be completed by the end of the third quarter 2016. (The 69kV line extension will be needed to energize the Ocean View Substation.) The (solar) projects need to be completed in 2016 in order for tax benefits to be realized for the developers.”
A public hearing on the transmission line is expected to be scheduled. According to HELCO, “whenever a public utility plans to place, construct, erect or otherwise build a new 46kV or greater high-voltage electric transmission system above the surface of the ground through any residential area, the public utilities commission shall conduct a public hearing prior to its issuance of approval thereof.”
The public can submit testimony at puc.hawaii.gov. Docket number is 2015-0229.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE SOLAR PROJECT PROPOSED at Ocean View Ranchos is receiving criticism from energy experts. According to Bret Yager, of West Hawai`i Today, the price for Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to pay for the energy produced by the project developers is higher than standard. Under the Feed-in-Tariff program whereby energy producers sell to HELCO, SPI is eligible to sell at 23.8 cents per kilowatt-hour.

According to West Hawai`i Today reporter Bret Yager, SPI did not respond
to several inquiries about its proposed solar project in Ocean View Ranchos.
Image from SPI

Stephen Holmes, a retired former energy and sustainability coordinator for the City and County of Honolulu, told Yager, “You should be under 16 cents per kilowatt hour for a project of that combined size. They (SPI Solar) are breaking a large megawatt-scale project into smaller Feed-In Tariff projects, so ratepayers are not able to benefit from better pricing. The PUC should have rejected this.”
Marco Mangelsdorf, president of Hilo-based ProVision Solar and director of the new nonprofit Hawai`i Island Energy Cooperative, told Yager, “The Feed-In Tariff unfortunately turned into something of a fiasco with companies — some local and others from the mainland — making a very nice return on investment at the expense of the rest of us.”
According to Mangelsdorf, because the price of commercial and utility-scale solar energy has dropped significantly, utilities now can close deals with solar developers at rates lower than SPI’s.
“FIT has been a boon for the developers who have been able to bring projects online quickly, and a boondoggle for the rest of us,” Mangelsdorf said. “We end up subsidizing that.”
Former Public Utilities Commission chair Hermina Morita told Yager, “The purpose of FIT was to encourage smaller projects, not as a loophole for larger projects, which would have been negotiated under different terms.”
Yager also reported that although the PUC has approved SPI’s applications, agreements with HELCO to buy the electricity have not yet been executed.
“It’s a crummy deal,” Holmes told Yager. “I think the Public Utilities Commission should revisit the whole thing.”
See westhawaiitoday.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KILAUEA VOLCANO’S STATUS CHANGES are discussed in the current issue of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Volcano Watch. Last week marked the one-year anniversary of when the June 27th lava flow began erupting from Pu`u `O`o on Kilauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone. At that time, it was considered by HVO scientists to be an imminent threat to Kaohe Homesteads residents in Puna.

“On Sept. 4, 2014, HVO increased the USGS Volcano Alert Level for Kilauea Volcano from watch to warning as the flow advanced to within 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) of the Kaohe Homesteads boundary,” HVO scientists wrote. “Since early July, the lava flow had been advancing an average of 250 m (820 ft) per day.

On Sept. 12, 2014, the leading edge of the June 27th lava flow burned
through thick forest less than 220 yards from Kaohe Homesteads.
Photo from USGS

“When the warning notification was issued, lava was just emerging from the third set of ground cracks that the flow had poured into along the East Rift Zone about 13 km (eight mi) from Pu`u `O`o. At the average rate of advance, HVO scientists projected that the lava flow could reach the Kaohe Homesteads within five to seven days, if it stayed within the rift zone’s ground crack system.

“Instead, lava escaped the cracks and flowed along a northerly path on the west and north boundaries of Kaohe Homesteads. The flow eventually advanced in fits and starts another eight km (five mi) into the middle of Pahoa town by late October 2014, and then to the outskirts of Pahoa Marketplace in late December 2014 through March 2015.
“During this time, the flow fronts were only a few hundred meters (yards) from homes, businesses and power and communication lines, so HVO kept the Volcano Alert Level for Kilauea at warning.
“A series of breakouts from the lava-tube system near Pu`u `O`o in early 2015 spawned many surface flows far upslope of Pahoa, which eventually helped to break down the tube system only six km (four mi) from the vent. With no lava moving through the lower part of the tube, surface flows near Pahoa Marketplace became completely inactive by March 13.
“With the active parts of the June 27th lava flow far from inhabited areas and moving very slowly, they were no longer considered to be an immediate threat to people and property. So, HVO decreased the USGS Volcano Alert Level to watch on March 25, 2015, where it remains today.
“The volcano watch and warning alert levels might sound a lot like notices issued by the National Weather Service for hazardous meteorological events, including the parade of tropical storms and hurricanes that have approached Hawai`i this summer. That’s because the USGS adopted these familiar terms to create a similar standardized notification system for volcanic activity in the United States. A full description of the USGS Volcanic Activity Alert-Notification System is provided in a USGS Fact Sheet, available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/fs2006-3139.pdf.
“This notification system was formalized in 2006 to include Volcano Alert Levels that inform people on the ground about a volcano’s status –normal, avisory, watch, and warning. For Kilauea, the current watch level means that an eruption is occurring but poses limited hazards to people and infrastructure on the ground. For a volcano that is not erupting, it means that the volcano is showing elevated signs of unrest with the potential of eruption increased but not certain.
“The notification system also includes an Aviation Color Code to inform the aviation industry (especially flying aircraft) about a volcano’s activity, with a particular focus on volcanic ash – green, yellow, orange and red. Kilauea’s color code today is orange, which means an eruption is underway with no, or minor, volcanic-ash emissions. Thus far, the color code has not changed from orange during the June 27th lava flow activity.

“USGS volcano notifications are issued by all five U.S. volcano observatories, including HVO, based on analyses of data from monitoring networks, direct observations and satellite-based sensors. You can receive all or some of these notifications via email by subscribing to the USGS Volcano Notification Service at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/. We encourage island residents to sign up for this free service and to stay informed about the status of Hawaiian volcanoes!”

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Faya is on the Hawai`i State Noxious Weed List. Photo from NPS

TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE to sign up for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Project taking place Friday Sept. 11. Volunteers remove invasive faya plants in the park from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register at forest@fhvnp.org or 961-5012.

OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE Department meets tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

VOLCANO WINERY'S HARVEST FESTIVAL is a week from today on Sunday, Sept 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The third annual event benefits Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Live music, heavy pupus, souvenir wine glass and vineyard tours are included in the price of $40 for adults over 21 and $20 ages 2 – 21. Buy tickest at 967-7772 or volcanowinery.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

The number of yellow tang in West Hawai`i waters has increased in Fish Replenishment Areas as well as open areas.
Photo from wikipedia

SUCCESS OF WEST HAWAI`I’S Fish Replenishment Areas is considered in the current issue of Environment Hawai`i. The state established FRAs in 1999, creating areas where collecting fish for the aquarium trade is prohibited.

According to William Walsh, an aquatic biologist with the state Department of Land & Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources in Kona, the FRAs were also established “to serve as a model for the application of a Marine Protected Area network in Hawai`i more generally.”
Walsh reported mixed results for the FRAs. He said FRAs “have more fish than areas where fishing occurs but “even in open areas, the number of yellow tang have increased by 10 percent. Overall, he said numbers of yellow tang, which accounts for 84 percent of aquarium take, have increased from 2.3 million in 1999-2000 to 4.8 million today.
Kole, which make up eight percent of the take for aquariums, have increased from 4.4 million to 7.7 million.
However, the number of Achilles tang, the third most popular fish taken for aquariums, has been going down in most areas, “although there has been a small spike recently in protected areas,” Walsh said.
The number of saddle wrasse is “going down in all areas, protected or not,” Walsh said. However, instead of being caused by overfishing, Walsh said it was due to “natural fluctuation.”
See environment-hawaii.org.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

VOLCANO ART CENTER IS ONE of several nonprofit organizations participating in Foodland’s Give Aloha program through Sept. 30. Foodland directs its charitable giving to organizations that are important to its customers through the annual program.

Customers are invited to make donations up to $249 to participating Hawai`i nonprofit organizations at checkout. Individuals must use their own Maika`i card to make a donation. Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will match a portion of each donation made with a Maika`i card. Donations made without a Maika`i card will not be matched.
The Western Union Foundation has donated $50,000 to add to Foodland’s gift of $250,000 to Hawai`i nonprofit organizations participating in the program this year, bringing the total gift that will be given to all participating organizations combined to $300,000.
At checkout, use the code 77000 for Volcano Art Center.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FORMER STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Chair Mina Morita sees Hawai`i lawmakers’ recently announced exploration of publicly owned utilities as an option to investor-owned utilities as “just lots of big talk and just more studies,” she wrote on her blog at minamoritaenergydynamics.com.

A graph from Mina Morita's blog compares various utility ownership models.

“These people have very little understanding how much it will cost, where to start and what it will take to run an efficient and financially viable electric utility during a technological disruptive period. As these politicians spew their ‘beliefs’ – and that's just what it is, rhetoric not based in critical analyses or an understanding of utility operations or regulation – they create an unstable regulatory environment and business climate which has the potential to send up red flags and wreak havoc on HECO's ability to finance its operations with or without the merger.”

Morita responded to lawmaker’s announcement last week about their plan. The group of lawmakers includes Ka`u’s state Sens. Russell Ruderman and Josh Green and Rep. Richard Creagan.
Morita asked, “It’s so easy for you just to say no to the merger, so have you mapped out a serious alternative strategy to reach the 100 percent renewable portfolio standard objective? If so, how much is your alternative strategy going to cost? As the public ownership option and dissolution of the franchise are solely in your hands, what would be the timeframe for such a proposal? What would be the opportunity cost for switching to a new ownership model? Other than the Hawai`i Island Energy Cooperative, what other nonprofits have been formed to seriously look at cooperative models for Moloka`i, Lana`i, Maui and O`ahu? If none, what will it take to form a credible nonprofit to move forward, and again, what would be the opportunity cost? Do you understand that in these alternative models all risks is transferred to the electricity customer and taxpayer? How do you feel about that? Or, what matters most, how do your constituents, who will be carrying 100 percent of the risk, feel about that? And, the threshold question, are you willing to put state or county’s money where your mouth is? Who is going to upfront the money for a serious look at cooperatives? ...
“Politicians and the governor need to let the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission, as the regulator, and the Consumer Advocate, whose statutory duty is to represent the interest of Hawai`i’s ratepayers, … do their jobs in evaluating the application and all the questions and responses to come to an evidence-based decision that is in the public interest.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Cyril Pahinui, here with Peter Moon, is leading an effort to record
Hawai`i's musical history. Photo from Cyril Pahinui

CYRIL PAHINUI AND THE NA`ALEHU THEATRE invite Ka`u residents to become a part of Hawaiian music history by joining his hui to collect the untold story of the Hawaiian Music Renaissance, No Ka Poli Mai No O Waimanalo, Straight From the Heart of Waimanalo. Pahinui is a familiar face in Ka`u, having taught at Ka`u High School and at music workshop in the district.

Building on the success of Let’s Play Music - Slack Key with Cyril Pahinui and Friends Part I, Pahinui’s hui has begun production of part two of this series, to be followed by monthly web episodes that will bring together Hawai`i’s best musicians to share their story and their music.
By contributing to this kickstarter campaign, Ka`u residents help preserve the story of Hawai`i’s pivotal musical generation from the 1970s and ‘80s and make it possible to create some amazing new music, kanikapila style.
“The timing of this project is critical, as recognized through the passing of Dennis Kamakahi shortly after the completion of Let’s Play Music Part I. We cannot begin too soon to record and capture these treasured performers and their beloved music,” Pahinui said. “The question is how big can we make it? Although our goal is $65,000, we have an angel investor who has committed to match up to $115,000 if we can raise it. So every dollar counts and is sincerely appreciated.”
Only 18 days remain for the group to reach its goal. See www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyrilpahinui/lets-play-music-cyril-pahinui-and-friends-part-ii.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE Department’s meeting scheduled for today at 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center is cancelled due to the Labor Day holiday. The next training will be on Oct. 5.

Ka`u artists are invited to learn how nature can inspire them. Today is the deadline
to sign up for the Sept. 19 program. NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE to register for Inspiration Hike – Artists in the Park at Kahuku when artists appreciate the beauty of the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and learn how nature can inspire them to connect with their own creativity.
Local artists show how to witness nature’s handiwork and see the magic within the landscape. This program requires advance registration and is limited to 15 people. It is an interactive, moderately easy 1.5-mile hike and program offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 19.
Call 929-8075 to sign up.

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE to sign up for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Project taking place this Friday Sept. 11. Volunteers remove invasive faya plants in the park from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register at forest@fhvnp.org or 961-5012.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND INVITES Ka`u residents and visitors to sign up now for its annual Get the Drift & Bag It Ka`u Coast Cleanup. Volunteers meet HWF staff at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20 to carpool to Kamilo for this International Coastal Cleanup event. Register at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Although Tropical Storm Jimena is well north of Hawai`i, the storm will pull moist air up from the south, creating hot and humid conditions this week. Map from NOAA

MORE HAWAI`I PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL graduates in the Class of 2015 hit college-ready benchmarks in all four areas of the ACT college entrance exam — English, Math, Reading and Science — than in the year before.

Deputy Superintendent Stephen Schatz
Photo from Hawai`i DOE

The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2015 report released by ACT notes a two percentage point overall improvement in college readiness across all subjects for Hawai`i’s Class of 2015, which included 11,957 Hawai`i high school public and private students — a record, with an estimated 93 percent of the state’s graduating class taking the ACT exam.

Public school graduates saw a one percentage point increase in meeting all four college-ready benchmarks. Hawai`i’s public school system tests all of its juniors in ACT. Per subject, public school students improved in all areas: plus three percentage points in English and Reading, plus one percentage point in Math and plus two percentage points in Science. Each percentage point represents 103 seniors.
“The improvements affirm our focus on supporting all students for success after high school,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said. “A sustained focus on college and career readiness is showing results for our students. We’re very pleased to see steady progress.”
The composite score (the average score for all four exams) for Hawai`i public school graduates in 2015 showed a modest increase to 17.5 from 17.3. It’s lower than the national composite score of 21.0, but the national rate remained flat from 2014 to 2015, while Hawai`i showed growth.
“Affording all Hawai`i’s public high school students the opportunity to take the ACT provides useful information for charting individual college plans,” Deputy Superintendent Stephen Schatz said. “We are always looking at ways to improve how we teach our students. In taking a national exam of this magnitude, we can measure college preparedness and improvements to our college and career programs in our schools.”

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TROPICAL STORM JIMENA IS PASSING far north of Hawai`i, but forecasters say its swirling winds will pull tropical moisture into the state from the south, making for more hot and humid weather through the week. At 11 a.m., Jimena was 545 north-northeast of South Point.

“After it gets west or northwest of us is when the potential for heavy rainfall will increase,” National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Burchard told Craig Gima, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “There’s a bit of a tail of convergence that will extend from Jimena to the southeast with lots of moisture.”
Unusually warm ocean temperatures surrounding Hawai`i will cause hot and humid weather through the end of October, Burchard said.
See staradvertiser.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sen./Dr. Josh Green

FAST SERVICE IS THE CRITERIA doctors should uses when choosing a company to transport patients from Hawai`i Island to O`ahu for emergency care, Ka`u’s state Sen. and Dr. Josh Green said. “I never favor one over the other based on costs,” he said in an Associated Press story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. “I have to make sure the patient doesn’t have a tragic outcome.”
The high cost of emergency air transport from islands with limited health care services to O`ahu is the focus of the story. Two companies provide air transport on Hawai`i Island. According to the story, the price on AMR Air Hawai`i would be about $20,000, with a base rate of $14,000 per flight and $25 per mile. The story reported that a Hawai`i Life Flight bill from Hilo to O`ahu in December 2013 came to almost $71,000. Its base rate was about $16,000, and mileage, about $54,000.

Hawai`i Life Flight’s rates skyrocketed after merging with AirMed Hawai`i in 2010, AMR’s general manager Speedy Bailey said.
A spokesperson at the Association of Air Medical Services, based in Virginia, said high rates make up for low reimbursement rates from most patients.

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NEXTERA ENERGY AND HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO. have spent millions on consultants, advisors and other third parties working on the companies’ merger, Duane Shimogawa, of Pacific Business News, reported. So far, the total is more than $21 million.

Amounts spent include $8.1 million to Citibank; $6.65 million to law firm Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, of New York; $1.1 million to communications firm Joele Frank, of New York; $1 million to financial services firm Blackstone Holdings, of New York; $832,000 to law firm Morihara Lau & Fong, of Honolulu; $565,000 to public relations and political consulting firm SKDKnickerbocker, of New York and Washington, D.C.; $513,000 to Concentric Energy Advisors, of Boston; $405,000 to law firm Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, of Honolulu; $230,000 to public relations firm Bennet Group Strategic Communications, of Honolulu; and $149,000 to auditors Ernst & Young.

See bizjournals.com/pacific.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Friends of the Ka`u Libraries invite members and prospective members
to their membership meeting Thursday.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES’ annual membership meeting will be held this Thursday at 6 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Light refreshments will be served.

Friends of the Ka`u Libraries is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to support Pahala Public & School Library and Na`alehu Public Library to help them improve their services and resources.

“We participate in community events, plan fundraisers for the libraries and assist the libraries with their special educational programs,” President Ann Fontes said. “You are invited to join us and learn more about us. For former members, we are looking forward to your renewals. We hope to recruit new members as well.”

Annual membership fees are $5 for adults, $2 for seniors 55 and over and $100 for life members.

“We hope to see you at this at meeting,” Fontes said. “Invite potential members to come, too.”

For additional information, call or Fontes at 987-7448 Doris Davis at 928-0919.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ENTERTAINMENT FOR KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN, on Saturday, Sept. 19, has been announced. Taiko Drummers will send off the 5K, 10K and half marathon racers after Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder opens the morning at Ka`u Coffee Mill with a chant. An `ukulele group will perform. Hannah’s Makana `Ohana hula group and Kumu Sammy Fo and her dancers will perform. Emcee is Kamehameha High School volleyball Coach Guy Enriques. A silent auction includes many certificates for dinners, events and gifts, including items made of teak.

Sammi Fo

Racers and walkers of all ages can sign up at www.race360.com/21357. All races begin and end at Ka`u Coffee Mill, 96-2694 Wood Valley Road. Race courses wind through coffee and macadamia orchards, eucalyptus and ohia tree forests and cattle-grazing pastures. The half marathon climbs to an elevation of 3,100 feet.

This is the second Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. It is sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou to raise money for its community endeavors.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets Thursday at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The public is invited.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS HOLDS ITS FIRST organizing meeting this Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The meeting scheduled for Aug. 24 had to be cancelled due to Hwy 11 being closed by flooding at Kawa. Everyone interested in helping the Oct. 17 event be successful is invited.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

OCEAN VIEW RANCHOS SOLAR PROJECT personnel meet with residents this Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. SPI developer Ian Craig and project director Dominic Lopez will answer questions and give a presentation.
Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Creagan and County Council member Maile David are expected to attend.
Organizers are instituting a three-minute time limit for each person who wishes to testify.
For more information, call 939-7033.

CREATIVE NON-FICTION WRITING is the topic at a workshop this Saturday Sept. 12 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Nancee Pace Cline’s workshop helps participants tell their stories as histories of their hearts and hearths. She is the author of Queen Emma’s Church in Kealakekua: Crossroads of Culture.
Fees are $50 for VAC members and $55 for non-members. Register at 967-8222.

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

HOME HEALTH AID IS NEEDED for a wheelchair-bound woman in Pahala. Call Cindy at Nurses Pro-Care Hawai`i Mondays through Fridays at 933-9933.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park personnel will work to control silk oak in the Hilina Pali area later this month. Photo from NPS

A SECOND ROUND OF ARRESTS took place this morning on Mauna Kea, where Thirty Meter Telescope opponents continue their vigil. Eight people were arrested at a camp across the road from Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, according to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. Seven women and one man were arrested for being present in the restricted area, outlined in the emergency rule passed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and signed by Gov. David Ige. All of those arrested were transported by the Hawai`i County Police Department to Hilo for booking.

Eight opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope who were occupying structures
across from Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station were arrested
this morning. Photo from MKVIS

This is the second law enforcement action on Mauna Kea since the enactment of the 120-day-long emergency rule, which, according to DLNR, is intended to establish safe conditions on the mountain for protestors, observatory workers and visitors. During an earlier round of enforcement on July 31, six people received citations, and seven people were arrested.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK announced upcoming flight plans for September and October:

Tuesdays for the months of September and October, depending on weather and project needs, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 3,000- and 7,000-foot elevation;
Sept. 9 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., along the park and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates boundary for fence construction;
Sept. 17 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., from the summit Kilauea to Mauna Loa at about 9,000-foot elevation for fence inspection;
Sept. 21 and 25 (less than two hours each day; exact time to be determined) to transport camp supplies and equipment between Hilina Pali and Pepeiao Cabin to control silk oak;
Sept. 21 between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa at about 9,000 ft. elevation;
Sept. 24 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa at about 9,000-foot elevation; and
Oct. 6 between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 3,000- and 7,000-foot elevation.

Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
Management of the park requires use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources and to maintain backcountry facilities.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Mina Morita

MINA MORITA, FORMER STATE Public Utilities Chair, discusses her opposition to the state’s newly adopted 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2045 on her blog, minamoritaenergydynamics.com.

“I have a strong point of view that Hawai`i’s Renewable Portfolio Standard should be pragmatic and practical, not one based in aspiration. …” Morita wrote. “One hundred percent renewable is an easy sound bite; its implementation is not.”
Morita described three ways to define 100 percent renewable – literally, pragmatically and as an inspiration (not aspiration).
“If we are to define 100 percent renewable literally, it just means that 100 percent of our electricity needs will be generated from renewable resources,” Morita said. “It does not acknowledge that the generation of electricity is just one part of a larger, complex system, nor does it acknowledge the cost, equity and accessibility issues. The electricity system is an equation governed by physics and economics. 100 percent renewable literally only addresses one part on one side of the equation.
“Defining 100 percent renewable through a pragmatic lens helps us to take a systems approach to reach that goal by assessing all parts of the energy system that will lay the foundation to move toward a 100 percent renewable goal cost-effectively and methodically to reduce risk to improve our chances for a successful transformation. …
“When one defines 100 percent renewable as an inspiration, it requires us to think about energy differently, to redesign how we live and do business more efficiently and sustainably to achieve that goal. I chose inspiration over aspiration because to inspire connotes instigation and innovation, whereas aspire just means hope and dreams to me. We must be inspired to do and implement, not just talk and dream.
“Unless there are major technical and cost breakthroughs in the near future, 100 percent renewable is a journey that many of us will not see accomplished in our lifetime. However, we can lay a solid foundation for the next generation by combining pragmatism and inspiration to articulate Hawai`i’s 100 percent renewable target.
“Failure is not an option in this endeavor. Because of the significant infrastructure investments that need to be made, Hawai`i has only one chance to get it right, or it’s going to be a very expensive energy transformation done on the backs of those who can least afford it.”

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Clare Connors Photo from Davis Levin
Livingston

HAWAI`I’S U.S. SENATORS SUPPORT President Obama’s nomination of Clare Connors to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai`i. Connors was among those recommended by U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and the Federal Judicial Selection Commission. The Federal Judicial Selection Commission, which included seven members, three appointed by each senator and a chair jointly agreed upon, reviewed more than 30 applications for the position.

“Clare Connors is an excellent choice to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Hawai`i,” Schatz said. “Her broad experience and legal knowledge make her an outstanding replacement to fill this important vacancy. With her deep background in public service, I am confident she will serve the federal court and Hawai`i well. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure a speedy confirmation process.”  
Hirono said, “Clare’s judicial experience and deep community ties make her a strong candidate to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai`i. Throughout her professional career, Clare has demonstrated a clear commitment to public service. Her legal background spans both criminal and civil work and includes trial experience. Hawai`i deserves a full and active bench in the U.S. District Court, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure a smooth confirmation process.”
Connors is a trial attorney who began her legal career in 2001 with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2002, she served as a clerk for the Honorable Judge David Ezra, in his capacity as a federal district court judge. She returned to Hawai`i to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney. She continues to practice law as an associate at Davis Levin Livingston in Hawai`i.   A graduate of Punahou School, Connors has a bachelor of arts degree from Yale College and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. She has served on the faculty of the William S. Richardson School of Law as a Lecturer in Law for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic. In 2014, she was appointed to be a Lawyer Representative for the District of Hawai`i to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and previously served as a Lawyer Delegate to the Hawai`i District Conference.
The U.S. District Court judge position becomes available following Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway’s retirement from active service on Nov. 6.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Friends of the Ka`u Libraries support public libraries
in Na`alehu and Pahala. Photo from HSPLS

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES’ annual membership meeting is tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Light refreshments will be served. Current and new members are invited to learn about the Friends’ work to support libraries in Na`alehu and Pahala.

For additional information, call Ann Fontes at 987-7448 or Doris Davis at 928-0919.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee’s meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS HOLDS ITS FIRST organizing meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Everyone interested in helping the Oct. 17 event be successful is invited.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

OCEAN VIEW RANCHOS SOLAR PROJECT personnel meet with residents Friday at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. SPI developer Ian Craig and project director Dominic Lopez will answer questions and give a presentation.
For more information, call 939-7033.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaualendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u Multicultural Society holds its first organizing meeting for next month's Ka`u Plantation Days today. Everyone interested in making the event a success is welcome to attend. See details below. Photo by Julia Neal

COMING TO THE DEFENSE of Thirty Meter Telescope opponents are several Office of Hawaiian Affairs board members, according to a story by Tom Callis in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

Kamana`opono Crabbe

Bob Lindsey, the elected OHA trustee for Hawai`i island, told Callis he expects “vigorous discourse” on how to deal with the issue. The story also reports that OHA CEO Kamana`opono Crabbe “said before the meeting that he was concerned about native rights being violated and plans to speak with the Department of Land & Natural Resources about the continued arrests.”
Crabbe told Callis, “What we need to do as OHA is work with the government to, one, respect our rights as indigenous peoples, and if we cannot come to that understanding, then we as OHA, we have to do what’s in the best interest of our people and communities.”
Eight were arrested Wednesday morning for violating an emergency rule that limits access to the mountain.
Following the arrests, OHA issued a statement that it “strongly condemns this morning’s arrests on Mauna Kea and again urges the state to cease further enforcement action and arrests until legal questions relating to the Mauna Kea emergency rules are properly resolved. It is our understanding that the individuals were arrested this morning while they were in the act of pule, or prayer. Native Hawaiians have constitutionally protected rights to reasonably engage in traditional and customary practices, and regulations cannot eliminate the exercise of these rights. We hope for a resolution that ensures our beneficiaries’ rights are protected instead of violated.”

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THE PROPOSED SOLAR PROJECT that would cover largely wooded lots in Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos and neighboring subdivisions is receiving islandwide coverage ahead of tomorrow’s public meeting at Ocean View Community Center at 6 p.m.

Bret Yager reported in West Hawai`i Today that one homeowner told him the project turns his neighborhood into a light industrial area.
Oahu-based Solar Hub Utilities submitted applications for the project in 2011 and 2012. SPI, which is based in California and China, later purchased the project. While the applications were approved, agreements from Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to buy the electricity have not yet been executed, according to Yager.
Richard Creagan, Maile David and Virginia Isbell will be there, according to organizers. Mayor Kenoi may also attend. There will be an opportunity for people to speak for three minutes each.
See more on Ka`u News Briefs, Sept. 6, 2015.
See westhawiitoday.com.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Cathartus quadricollis
Photo from Bug Guide

WANTED FOR BEETLE STUDY: feral/unmanaged coffee and coffee/mac nut farms.

Researchers are looking for a feral/unmanaged coffee farm as an experimental plot to observe flat bark beetle, Cathartus quadricollis, predation on coffee berry borers. Thirty-six coffee tree branches will be sleeved, and after the experiment is over, they will be clipped to collect and process the beans.
Also needed are farms that grow both coffee and macadamia nuts (at least 20 trees on-site) for the study. Macadamia nut trees must be accessible enough to clip sticktights within a 15-foot range. Only sticktights will be picked for this study.
For more information, contact Eva Brill, of USDA ARS PBARC, at eva.brill@ars.usda.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ YESTERDAY SPOKE on the Senate floor in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, President Obama’s agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program.
“  A President of the United States once said of his nation’s enemy that we cannot ‘wish away the differences between our two societies and our philosophies,” Schatz said, “but we should always remember that we do have common interests, and the foremost among them is to avoid war.’ In pursuing that cause, he said, ‘We will be prepared to protect our interests and those of our friends and allies. But we want more than deterrence. We seek genuine cooperation. We seek progress for peace.’
“It was President Reagan who seized the opportunity during the Cold War and President George H.W. Bush who carried it forward. Together, they achieved commitments from the United States and the Soviet Union — enemies through and through — to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons, bringing us ever closer to a world free of the threat of nuclear annihilation.   It ingrained in us a tradition of pragmatism — the idea that even with countries we deeply distrust and whose behavior we abhor, we cannot ignore the opportunity to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
“The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that the United States negotiated with Iran and the other members of the P5+1 preserves that tradition to “seek progress for peace.”   
“This deal is not perfect, as the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee so ably explained. We had to make concessions. That is because it was negotiated between sovereign countries pursuing diplomacy, not unconditional surrender.

Sen. Brian Schatz

“I hear complaints about one provision or another, and some of those criticisms are valid. But we do not have the luxury of sending our negotiators back to Vienna. If we do that, things will fall apart.   Every ambassador from the P5+1 has made clear that the multilateral sanctions that brought Iran to the table will be upended.   We would be isolated diplomatically, Iran’s nuclear program will be unconstrained, and Iran would get most of its money, too.  
“Of course, we could levy harsh unilateral sanctions ourselves. And that may be emotionally satisfying to many. But they won’t bite. They did not when Iran went from only 300 centrifuges to more than 18,000, and they won’t now.  
“The question in this debate is whether to approve the deal or to dump it. There is no door number three.   But we don’t need to feel resigned because, as a deal, it is quite a good one. Experts in the nonproliferation space almost unanimously affirm that it is a strong deal.  It blocks each one of Iran’s pathways to the bomb and places its nuclear program under strict international supervision.  …
“The other concern — and I think this is a valid one — is that this deal should not be overstated in terms of its impact on our priorities and alliances in the region. It is important on the nuclear issue, but in October we will have many of the same challenges in the Middle East that we have in September.   Iran is still the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, and nothing in this deal will deter us from working to contain Iran’s regional aspirations, including its support of Hamas and Hezbollah. But our efforts can now occur with a nuclear-armed Iran off the table.   …
“Even as we work to restrict Iran’s nuclear ambitions, we will continue to thwart Hamas and Hezbollah.   We are committed to cooperating with Israel on intelligence and security at the highest levels ever and continuing to ensure that Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge is protected.   …
“We do not underestimate or understate the challenges that we have and the role of our military in shaping events for the better.   But in this instance, with eyes wide open, we ought to pursue peace first.  ”
See the full speech at schatz.senate.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee’s meeting today at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.

Ka`u residents interested in joining Friends of the Ka`u Libraries' efforts
are invited to today's membership meeting. Photo by Julia Neal

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES’ annual membership meeting is today at 6 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.

For more information, call Ann Fontes at 987-7448 or Doris Davis at 928-0919.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS HOLDS ITS FIRST organizing meeting for the October event today at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

THE RICH GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF KAHUKU is the subject of a free, guided, easy-to-moderate hike Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcanic features and formations and identify many parts of Mauna Loa’s Southwest Rift Zone. They learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku.

Enter the Kahuku unit on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.
For more information, call 985-6011.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Stewards of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's rainforest take a break on historic Crater Rim Trail, one of the focal areas for Stewardship at the Summit, which is seeking volunteers for programs through December. Photo from NPS

PRESERVE HAWAI`I’S RURAL COMMUNITIES, a group of Ocean View-area residents who oppose a proposed 26-lot solar project in subdivisions makai of Hwy 11 as well as similar projects in other areas, has a new website at phrc.us.

Christine Gallagher's home of 36 years could be surrounded by solar arrays.
Photo from PHRC

“We are supportive of renewable energy, but this farm will consist of 1.6 acres of solar panels on 26 lots, 18 of them in the Ranchos, and a new substation,” the website states. “The entire area, mauka and makai, will be affected by issues including fire safety, toxic waste disposal, forced industrialization of the communities, destruction of natural and cultural resources, (and) night light pollution.
“The Project will result in radical and irreversible changes on both sides of Highway 11.
“HELCO has said that the solar farm will not lower energy costs in the community.
“New Hawai`i Revised Statute §205-2:6 was rushed through the Legislature. It does not require Environmental Impact Statements or community input for large solar installations on agricultural land.
“Please join us in opposing this unwanted and dangerous solar farm.”
A meeting with the project’s developer Ian Craig and director Dominic Lopez is scheduled for 6 p.m. today at Ocean View Community Center. According to PHRC member Christine Gallagher, meeting organizers expect representatives from Hawai`i Electric Light Co., County Council member Maile David and state Rep. Richard Creagan to attend. Mayor Billy Kenoi may also attend.
Residents wishing to testify will each have three minutes to do so.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

IS UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR in Hawai`i Island’s future? The first utility-scale solar array and battery storage system designed to supply power to the grid in the evening is being planned on Kaua`i, where Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative has signed a power purchase agreement with SolarCity for electricity from the project.

The project is believed to be the first utility-scale system in the U.S. to provide dispatchable solar energy, meaning that the utility can count on electricity being available when it’s needed, even hours after the sun goes down.

KIUC is expanding it current solar system to include a utility-scale solar array
and battery storage system. Photo from KIUC

The 52 megawatt-hour battery system will feed up to 13 megawatts of electricity onto the grid to lessen the amount of conventional power generation needed to meet the evening peak, which lasts from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. By using the solar energy stored in the battery instead of diesel generators, KIUC will reduce its use of imported fossil fuels and also cut its greenhouse gas emissions.
Under terms of the 20-year contract, KIUC will pay Solar City a lower rate than the current cost of conventional generation and only slightly more than the cost of energy from KIUC’s two existing 12-megawatt solar arrays, whose output is available only during the day.
“KIUC has been investigating energy storage options for more than two years, and price has always been the biggest challenge,” said David Bissell, President and CEO of KIUC. “This is a breakthrough project on technology and on price that enables us to move solar energy to the peak demand hours in the evening and reduce the amount of fossil fuel we’re using.”
Jon Yoshimura, Director of Policy and Electricity Markets for Solar City, said, “Solar City is excited to bring the first dispatchable solar storage system to the island of Kaua`i. Hawai`i has been and continues to be at the forefront of new technology and research for solar and storage. This solution will allow for more efficient load balancing and will reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based power.”
KIUC has requested an accelerated timetable for approval by the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission. To qualify for federal investment tax credits that will substantially reduce the cost of the project, construction work must begin by April 2016 so the project can be in commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2016.
Solar City was the contractor on KIUC’s first 12-megawatt solar array, which went into commercial operation in September 2014 and supplies about five percent of Kaua`i’s electricity.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Abnormally warm waters are contributing to coral bleaching
in Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

RESEARCHERS ARE SEEING EVIDENCE of a long predicted, severe coral bleaching event in Hawai`i for August-October 2015. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology are collectively monitoring the extent of coral bleaching from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands/Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument to the main Hawaiian Islands.

Warmer water temperatures can result in coral bleaching, and Hawai`i is seeing warm ocean waters due to El Nino weather conditions. When water is too warm, corals expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, causing the coral to turn completely white.
According to NOAA, when a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE Departments of Agriculture holds its annual meeting in Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa next week. The meeting, hosted by NASDA President and Hawai`i Chairman of Agriculture Scott Enright, will focus on a theme of “Agriculture’s Traditions, Agriculture’s Future.” During the opening session, Enright will launch NASDA’s new five-year strategic plan. Dr. Dennis Gonsalves, who was responsible for the development of a genetically engineered papaya that saved the state’s valuable papaya industry, will also make remarks during the opening session. Additional speakers for the meeting include USDA Under Secretary Michael Scuse and former Hawai`i Attorney General Margery Bronster.
During the meeting, NASDA members will vote on over 20 policy amendments (changes to permanent policy) and action items (specific action requests supported by existing policy). These items demonstrate the diverse portfolio of state Department of Agriculture responsibilities from child nutrition to antimicrobial resistance to environmental protection.
Complementing the theme of agriculture’s traditions and future, tours will focus on Hawai`i’s unique coffee industry and the state’s innovative green energy development at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i. The state’s unique agricultural products will also be on display with exotic fruit tastings and products from Hawai`i Seal of Quality agricultural producers.
According to GMO-Free Hawai`i, the group is considering holding a protest on the highway in front of resort on Sunday at the Sheraton Kona Resort. See GMOFreeHawaiiIsland on Facebook.

Stewardship leader Jane Field lops Himalayan ginger, one of the world's
top 100 invasive species. Photo from NPS

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT SEEKS volunteers for programs scheduled through December.

Programs begins at 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m. on Sept. 18 and Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day); Oct. 2, 17, 23 and 30; November 6, 13, 21 and 28; and December 4, 9, 18 and 26.
Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native species from growing. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kilauea Visitor Center at 9 a.m. on any of the scheduled dates. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate. Park entrance fees apply.
Volunteers have dedicated more than 5,000 hours of their time and have restored more than 25 acres of native rainforest within the national park since 2012. Countless Himalayan ginger, faya, strawberry guava and other invasive, non-native plants that threaten the native understory have been removed. In their place, once-shaded `ama`u and hapu`u tree ferns have re-emerged, and pa`iniu, kawa`u and other important native plants are returning to the stewardship plots.

Hikers head for the summit of Pu`u o Lokuana. Photo from NPS

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I Volcanoes National Park offers free programs this weekend. The Birth Of Kahuku is the topic of a free, guided, easy-to-moderate hike tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcanic features and formations, identify many parts of Mauna Loa’s Southwest Rift Zone and learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku.
Pu`u o Lokuana is a short, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Participants learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u.
For more information, call 985-6011.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ana Cariaga, left, with Edwina, Jessica and Molly Akana, manage a Hawaiian Kingdom voting booth at the Olson Trust
Building today in Pahala. Photo by Julia Neal

NO SHOW AT THE HAWAI'I RANCHOS SOLAR MEETING last night by representatives of the solar project planned for Ranchos was the situation at the meeting in Ocean View. The gathering turned into an educational session and rally on how to stop the industrial solar installations from being placed within the neighborhood. State Rep. Richard Creagan told the group that he was proud of what they have done, how they "stepped up to the plate."

Ranchos residents are concerned that native trees
will be bulldozed for industrial solar farms.
Photo from phrc.us.

The complex situation includes approvals already gained by solar project developers from the state Public Utilities Commission and approvals yet to be considered by the county and PUC, including one to allow high voltage lines into the neighborhood.
Creagan said he, other legislators and Gov. David Ige are planning to look at revising laws that allow unintended consequences like industrial solar being installed in a residential setting. Laws allowing solar projects on land zoned ag didn't take into consideration that residential areas with ag zoning could be used to cobble together separate lots into an industrial project over numerous parcels, he explained.

Creagan said the price of the electricity to be sold to Hawaii Electric Light Co. is too high, doesn't benefit ratepayers, and violates the spirit of the law to make electricity less expensive. The location at Ranchos is far away from the electrical load requirements of more populated areas. There is already more electricity than can be used, coming from the windmills at South Point, he noted. He said the project "could be seen as defrauding ratepayers and the people of Hawai'i. We are very hopeful that PUC will see that this is not in the public interest."
Reasons for no show given by the representatives of those planning the project, according to attendees at the meeting, were missed plane and heavy rains on road from Kona.
The organizers against HOVE industrial solar have set up a website Preserve Hawai'i's Rural Communities to deal with this and broader issues affecting ag neighborhoods. See phrc.us.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAIIAN KINGDOM VOTING took place at polling sites set up around the state today. In Ka`u voting by Hawaiians is at the Olson Trust Building in Pahala and at Ocean View across from the swap meet location near Malama Market, until 5 p.m.
According to documents at the Pahala polling place, the 2015 National Elections are to select Noble and Representative Legislators of the Manakau Kanawai and a Prime Minister for the Lawful Hawaiian Government of the Hawaiian Islands. Organizers of the The Lawful Hawaiian Government state in their presentation that "On March 13th, 1999, at Punalu`u on the island of O`ahu, Indigenous Aboriginal Kanaka Maoli elders from throughout the Hawaiian archipelago sat in an assembly representing the legislative offices of the Hawaiian Kingdom government.
"In an exercise of their perfect human rights, their goal was to remanifest and reinstate their inherent sovereign Lawful Hawaiian government which had been suspended in an act of war and treaty violation by armed forces of the United Staes of America under the direction of a President Minister Plenipotentiary in the year 1893." Those elected vow to work on sovereignty, land, human rights and health and welfare issues for Native Hawaiians.
Up for election is one Prime Minister candidate named Henry Maile (write-ins are allowed). Candidates for Representatives for District 7, which includes all of Ka`u, are Dwayne T. Kuilipule, Jansen J.K. Kuilipule, Sam M Keli`iho`omalu, Jonas I. Solliday, Preston Alan Ku`ilipule and John Kalu`ulu.

New Book Bag nets a bag of books,
shown by treasurer DD Daivs, Pres.
Ann Fontes and VP Linda Morgan.
Photo by Julia Neal

See more at www.thelawfulhawaiiangovernment.org.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES have announced a way to grab a free bag of books through their fundraiser, selling their new book bags with new logo for $7 each.

During the annual meeting this weekend, President Ann Fontes was reelected and other officers named. Sandra DeMoruelle is vice president, Linda Morgan is secretary and Doris DD Davis is treasurer. Directors are Trish Gerbo, Myra Jean Sumida, and Deborah Lynn Dickerson.
The bag of books promotion raises money for the organization when book lovers buy the $7 book bag at Na`alehu Library or Pahala Library. Bring the book bag to one of the organization's events like Pahala Plantation Days on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House on Saturday Oct. 17 and fill the bag with free books.
Another fundraiser is the Friends of the Library of Hawai`i's Links to Literacy Golf Ball Drop. See www.friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org.
A recent fundraiser came from the estate sale from the late Millicent May, of Discovery Harbour who supported Friends of Ka`u Libraries. A check was presented to Friends of Ka`u Libary at the annual meeting. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

MILOLI'I OPELU PROJECT ORGANIZERS ARE OFFERING TO HOST Ka'u school children for field trips to Miloli`i and also will come to Ka`u schools. Sponsored by Pa`a Pono Miloli`i, this week, they taught school children at Miloli`i about the ʻōpelu, feeding, harvesting and

Pa`a Pono Miloli`i with Keala Figueroa.

drying. Visiting were Kehau Springer and Kalaionamoku Luka Mossman of Conservation International as they demonstrated dissection, and gonad identification as well as fish tagging. Reservations for one day workshops and school presentations are available beginning Oct. 1. Email paaponoinc@gmail.com for registration and information forms. Also see Pa`a Pono Miloli`i on Facebook.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

PAHALA PLANTATION DAYS COMMITTEE met this week to plan the Saturday, Oct. 17 annual event with the 2015 theme For the Good Times. The next organizing meeting will be Sept. 23 at Pahala Community Center and Oct. 7 at Pahala Plantation House.
Organizer and Ka'u Multicultural Society President Darlyne Vierra said Plantation Days, in its fifth year, begins with the the arrival of the sugar cane truck and pa'u parade of horses and riders bedecked in lei, colors and costumes representing each island.
The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Pahala Community Center and will travel down Maile Street to Old Pahala Clubhouse, with emcee Clyde Silva. Derrick Andrade will drive a decorated sugar cane truck that hauled sugar from the fields to the mill in Pahala until the plantation closing in 1996. A mounted pa'u court with queen Lorilee Lorenzo will follow. Walkers and riders will include representatives of the many ethnic groups who built the agricultural community of Ka'u, which has evolved from sugar plantations to ranching, macadamia and coffee orchards and food and tea farms. Educational groups such as Friends of Ka'u Libraries and Ka'u Rural Health Community Association will participate, Community groups and those wanting to honor their family roots are invited to carry the colors of a Hawaiian Island. Call Liz Kuluwaimaka to join the parade at 339-0298.

A sugar truck from the days before the plantation closed in 1996,
will lead Ka`u Plantation Days Parade at 9 a.m. on Oct. 17.
Photo by Julia Neal

Following the parade will be presentations, entertainment and food on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House. Na'alehu Hongwanji will offer its famous sushi. The history of ranching and dairy will be presented in the Plantation Carriage House. The contribution of the Japanese sugar communities whose sons fought in World War II will be presented by veterans now in their 90s. Food, educational, and arts and crafts booths are available. Call Yvonne Ke at 929-9834.
For the first time, Samoan dancing and music will be featured, along with music from South Side Serenaders and other entertainers. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder will open the entertainment with a chant and her halau will perform as will Hannah Makana hula dancers.
Organizers are hoping to put together a traditional Social Box for public dancing and games like greased pole climbing, three legged races and tug of war, as well as native games presented by the Hawaiian Civic Club. Also helping will be O Ka`u Kakou. For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pd

Registration is still open for the second annual Ka`u Coffee Trail Run coming up on Saturday. Photo from Taylor's Treasures Photography

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO EXPLAINED her support of President Obama’s international agreement to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program on the Senate floor Thursday. “I’d ask my colleagues to set politics aside and focus on the facts,” Hirono said. “The fact is, this agreement is the best option we have to stop Iran from getting a bomb.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

“First, we’ve reached this agreement with the backing of our international partners, including China and Russia. I met with the ambassadors of these countries and asked them point blank — would they come back to the table to negotiate a new deal? The answer was no. The UK ambassador to the U.S. also said no. I’d remind my colleagues that after decades of U.S. unilateral sanctions, it was the weight of international sanctions that forced Iran to the table. We need our partners to make this deal work, and our partners have committed that if we choose this path they will be there.
“Second, the terms of the agreement, implemented effectively, cut off Iran’s ability to create a bomb. Their uranium stockpiles will be all but eliminated. We’ll have unprecedented oversight over the entire nuclear supply chain.
“The U.S intelligence community has indicated that it will gain valuable new insights through this agreement. We’ll have veto authority over what goes into Iran, and we know what has to come out of Iran.

“These unprecedented oversight provisions have the support of arms control experts, nuclear scientists, diplomats, military and intelligence leaders who believe that this deal will make the difference.
“Finally, this agreement isn’t about trust. The deal requires verification that Iran is cooperating before sanctions are lifted. If Iran cheats, we can snap back sanctions with international support.
“We can initiate military operations if need be.
“Let me repeat: the deal before us doesn’t prevent the U.S. from taking military action if needed.
“This agreement is not perfect. However, rejecting this deal means risking our international cooperation, our security and our ability to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
“Based on the facts before us, this agreement deserves our support. Let’s put the politics aside. I urge my colleagues to support the agreement.”

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Trojans begin the second half kicking
to the Daggers. Photo from KHPES

KA`U HIGH’S EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL TEAM won in a fiercely fought battle Thursday when they met Pahoa at Kea`au Field. The game was originally scheduled for yesterday but was moved to accommodate other changes. The Trojans led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter. Pahoa took over the lead 22-26 at halftime and kept it until Ka`u tied the game 48-48 with only one minute remaining. Then, with only four seconds left, Evan Manoha ran two yards for a touchdown. Final score, 54-48.
The Trojans dedicated their win to Kobie Bivings, a classmate who lost his battle with cancer last week. Josh Pacheco, of Big Island Now, said Manoha “dug deep in memory of his friend.”
Manoha told Pacheco, “Every time we needed that score, I just tried to focus and play hard for our classmate that passed, because he could’ve been out here with us.”
Coach DuWayne Ke told Pacheco that Bivings “was a good boy. He loved playing football, but he couldn’t be on the field. That was the hardest part about it all.”
On Twitter, a tweet from Ka`u High after the game read “For Kob.”
See bigislandnow.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, WAHINE TROJANS traveled from Ka`u High to Christian Liberty Academy Friday. Junior Varsity won 25-15 and 25-16. Varsity’s match went three games, with Ka`u taking the second game 25-18 after CLA overcame them in the first game 27-25. CLA finished off with a third game score 25-15.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists remembered a colleague in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“During the 1950s, a decade of major change in volcano monitoring, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was moving from the mechanical into the electronic age, and staff were needed who could fulfill the requirements of the new technology,” the scientists wrote.
“In late 1958, George Kojima was hired by HVO, initially to work with equipment for analyzing volcanic gases. But these early days of modernization were not a time only for specialists. No matter what the job or when it had to be done, George was there. Wet tilt surveys, done in the middle of the night, working on seismic instrumentation, precise leveling along roads and remote parts of Kilauea Volcano, gas sampling—George did all these things, and much more.

George Kojima, c. 1959, analyzing volcanic gases
using HVO's mass spectrometer. Photo from USGS

“As HVO’s seismic network grew, George became an integral part of building, expanding, and maintaining seismic equipment. This job proved to be a perfect intersection of person, interests, requirements, and technology, especially because the seismic network was still, to a large extent, designed and developed locally.
“In a career that spanned five decades, George was the epitome of a dedicated and reliable colleague, known for his helpful manner and hearty laugh. As scientists learning about volcano monitoring rotated into and out of assignments at HVO, George was one of several threads that held the observatory together.
“George understood how things worked, or should work, and how things went together. An innovator and inventor, he could fix anything. He was also an insightful, resourceful, caring, and diligent person.
“Through the 1960s, radios replaced miles and miles of cable stretched across the volcano to bring data from remote sites back to the observatory. This greatly expanded the electronics component of George’s work, which required, and provided opportunities for, innovation.
“HVO scientists remember field missions in the shadow of a volcanic plume, when they struggled with the electronics for sending data back to the observatory. With little more than a screwdriver, a couple of strands of wire, and electrical tape (much like the television character MacGyver), George repeatedly resurrected the reassuring hum of radio transmission.
The scientists describe another of Kojima’s innovations that resulted in a United States patent for an Annunciator System, filed in 1968. “This system was able to discriminate among the durations of elevated seismic signals coming from various stations on the Island of Hawai`i. It automatically activated upon sustained volcanic tremor and swarms of small earthquakes that indicated a likely eruption, but would not activate on individual small earthquakes that are otherwise common in Hawai`i. Eventually, this annunciator system was connected to the HVO alarm system that would notify scientists in the observatory of the changing activity. It also led to an automated 24/7 volcano monitoring capability that provided telephone notifications of earthquake swarms and tremor to HVO scientists when they were not at the observatory.

“As HVO’s seismic capabilities grew, George eventually specialized in seismic electronics and became widely recognized for his expertise. He trained scientists and technicians visiting from foreign countries and carried HVO’s technology beyond the U.S. to monitor volcanoes in the Northern Marianas Islands and in Indonesia. After retiring in 1990, he helped with the international volcano monitoring summer training programs conducted by the University of Hawai`i at Hilo’s Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes.
“In early August, after a brief struggle with cancer, George, a native of Kaua`i and a U.S. Army Korean War veteran, passed away.
“Looking back, we remember and honor George Kojima’s work and his central place in the evolution of volcano monitoring. Although current monitoring technologies have advanced far beyond those used when George retired, his contributions to the science of volcanology and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will not be forgotten.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U RUNNERS AND WALKERS can still sign up for Saturday’s Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. Fees through tomorrow are $55 for the Half Marathon, $45 for the 10K and $35 for the 5K. Rates are $20 higher on race morning. High school team members can sign up for any race for $10.

Runners will receive a massage, lunch and a race goodie bag, including a T-shirt and more, race organizers say.

Invite your friends and family to cheer you on and enjoy local food, live music and a Silent Auction.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County government meetings on Wednesday via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building. In Kona, County Council meets at 9 a.m., Planning Committee at 2 p.m. and Finance Committee at 2:30 p.m.

Agendas and live streams of the meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

An Experimental Watercolors workshop takes
place Saturday. Photo from VAC

PATTI PEASE JOHNSON INVITES Ka`u artists to register for her Experimental Watercolors workshop on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Each student will create three to five separate 8×8-inch watercolor paintings on hot press paper using pre-broken glass as a catalyst to spark creativity. Fees are $60 and $54 for VAC members plus a $10 supply fee per person. Beginner and intermediate artists are welcome.

For more information or to register, see volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

UHANE POHAKU NO MOKU O HAWAI`I, a nonprofit that works with challenged youth though agriculture and traditional Hawaiian skill building, sponsors a roast pork dinner featuring music by Mark Yamanaka on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House. Yamanaka is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winner famous for his songwriting and falsetto.

Donation is $25 per person. Call 315-7032 for reservations.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Coral bleaching is occurring throughout the Hawaiian archipelago due to high ocean temperatures compounded by El Nino.
Photo from Hawai`i DLNR

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF LAND & NATURAL RESOURCES encourages residents to help reduce stressors and help promote recovery of reefs during the current period of coral bleaching. High ocean temperatures compounded by an El Nino event have a strong likelihood of causing mass coral bleaching across Hawai`i. Last summer saw the first documented event of mass bleaching across the entire archipelago, and reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands experienced their third and worst reported mass bleaching event to date.

Superintendent for Papahanaumokuakea

Marine National Monument, Athline Clark

“Being extra careful to not damage corals, preventing pollution inputs and using pono fishing practices can help corals to recover from this bleaching event,” DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said.

Case emphasized that Hawai`i’s coral reefs are the foundation of a healthy ocean. “If we fail to protect them and lose them, it could have tremendously negative impacts not only on the overall ocean ecosystem but on Hawai`i’s economy,” she said.
Despite the mortality of bleached corals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, NOAA Superintendent for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Athline Clark remains hopeful. “With the Monument’s fishing restrictions and healthy herbivore populations (fish and other animals that keep algae in check), there’s hope that reefs in the NWHI will repopulate,” Clark said. “The NWHI serves as a natural reference site to help us to understand how reefs that are not exposed to human influences can possibly recover faster than those in the populated islands of our archipelago.”
The state encourages people to report and document coral bleaching to the volunteer Eyes of the Reef Network at www.eorhawaii.org and send images of coral bleaching to rrcpcoordinator@gmail.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

PUBLIC BRIEFINGS ON THREE health care state initiatives are scheduled this month. The initiatives are meant to improve insurance coverage, health care access and coordination of care. The public briefing will cover the following: 

The state’s proposed waiver from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, developed with input from the Affordable Care Act Waiver Taskforce, which seeks to preserve Hawai`i’s Prepaid Health Care Act while also complying with the federal health care law. 
A plan to improve behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety and excessive alcohol consumption by incorporating screening and treatment for behavioral health needs with innovations in workforce, telehealth, training and incentives. This plan is being developed in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division and the Department of Health. 
The state’s No Wrong Door plan, which seeks to help individuals and their caregivers receive person-centered counseling to access health-related long-term services and supports. The No Wrong Door network will include state agencies and private nonprofit agencies that provide support to seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

Hoary bat is Hawai`i's official land mammal.

Meetings are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on  Sept. 21 in  County Council Chambers at West Hawai`i Civic Center and on Sept. 25 at University of Hawai`i-Hilo’s College of Hawaiian Language Performing Arts Hall at  200 West Kawili Street  in Hilo.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

WIND TURBINE COMPANIES’ interactions with nene and hoary bats has come up in a proposal from a firm generating wind energy on Maui. According to an Associated Press story in today’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, SunEdison wants to raise the number of unintended deaths of the two endangered species when they interact with the turbines.
The story quotes company spokeswoman Crystal Kua saying, “No Hawaiian hoary bats were recorded in the area of the proposed wind turbines during studies conducted in the summer of 1999 or fall 2004.” She said experts now know the species is present there, either foraging or just passing through, throughout the year.
The company wants the number of bats permitted to be killed to be raised from 14 to 80 in exchange for an investment of about $3.45 million to help protect bats and other endangered species that could be hurt by the project.
The company also wants to increase the number of nene that can die over the next 17 years from 30 to 48.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGES the public to participate in a nationwide prescription drug take-back initiative being sponsored in Hawai`i by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the state Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety’s State Narcotics Enforcement Division.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, members of the public may turn in unused, unneeded or expired prescription medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following collection sites for safe, anonymous disposal: Ka Waena Lapa`au Medical Complex parking lot at 670 Ponahawai Street in Hilo and Kona police station parking lot at 74-0611 Hale Maka`i Place.
Tablets, capsules and all other solid dosage forms of medication will be accepted. New or used needles and syringes will not be accepted.
Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.
Having unused and expired medicine increases the risk of prescription drug abuse and accidental poisoning. Proper disposal also helps reduce the risk of prescription drugs entering a human water supply or potentially harming aquatic life.
For more information about the drug take-back program, see www.dea.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD JOINED Hawai`i’s senators in voting for Pres. Obama’s Iran Nuclear Agreement. “If the United States walks away from this deal, we won’t walk back into the world as we know it today,” Gabbard said. “We will instead walk into a world of uncertainty, with Iran likely gaining billions of dollars from an unraveled sanctions regime, while continuing down their superhighway toward a bomb. The unprecedented constraints, intelligence and IAEA oversight access gained with this deal will fall by the wayside. This would lead us to the strong likelihood of necessitating military action against Iran now, in order to temporarily destroy its nuclear program, and deal with the long-lasting consequences of such an attack, including the immeasurable costs to our nation.  

“This deal is far from perfect, so I remain committed to taking the necessary supplementary actions to prevent Iran from being able to develop a nuclear weapon or the means to deliver such a weapon. My vote today is a commitment to remain vigilant in enforcing Iran’s compliance to this deal. My vote today is a commitment to ensure that while Iran may be permitted a civilian nuclear program, it will never be allowed to produce highly enriched uranium or weapons grade plutonium. My vote today is a commitment to support our longtime ally and friend, Israel, by strengthening both its defensive and offensive capabilities. Finally, my vote today is a commitment to ensure that the United States remains in the best possible position of strength today, tomorrow and every day after.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS meetings Wednesday. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building. In Kona, County Council meets at 9 a.m., Planning Committee at 2 p.m. and Finance Committee at 2:30 p.m.
Agendas and live streams of the meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

Kellen and Lihau Paik are Kupaoa. Pboto from NPS

KUPAOA PRESENTS A FREE HAWAIIAN music concert Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Kellen and Lihau Paik have been performing as a duo for about 10 years. As life-long students of Hawaiian language, they enjoy composing and performing their own original songs, in addition to the time-honored favorites that are loved by all. They describe Kupaoa as a lasting, permeating fragrance, and it is the couple’s hope that their music will linger with listeners, infusing their hearts and minds.

Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 985-6011.

GET THE DRIFT & BAG IT by joining Hawai`i Wildlife Fund’s Ka`u Coast Cleanup this Sunday. Volunteers meet staff at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to Kamilo for this International Coastal Cleanup event.
Register at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2105.pdf.

Humpback whales and other marine mammals will have quieter waters to explore with the U.S. Navy agreeing to end its sonar testing program in key habitats of the Pacific, including the coast of Hawai`i Island. Photo from NOAA

RAISING MONEY FOR KA`U PROJECTS is a focus of the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run this Saturday, which is open for 5K, 10K and half marathon participants. Sponsoring organization `O Ka`u Kakou representative Nadine Ebert said that among the planned activities supported by entry fees are home and yard improvements for kupuna, the annual keiki fishing tournament and Christmas party, senior bingo three times a year and Punalu`u Pond and Hwy 11 roadside cleanups. `O Ka`u Kakou also provides scholarships in the Ka`u community for higher education.

The Ka`u Coffee Trail Run begins and ends along Wood Valley Road above Pahala at Ka`u Coffee Mill, which will be open all day with smoothies and other treats for participants and fans. Entertainment will include Debbie Ryder’s Halau Hula O Leonalani, an `ukulele group called Ka `Ukes, Sammi Fo’s Kahokukauahiahionalani halau and Hannah’s Makana `Ohana of hula dancers. Taiko drummers will open the entertainment.
A silent auction of arts and crafts, dinners, massage therapy, gift baskets from Volcano Winery, orchids from Akatsuka Gardens, gift certificate for auto detailing from Kama`aina Motors, Fair Wind snorkel cruise, Jack’s Diving Locker SCUBA tour, items from Bamboo & Teak, and more.
Race packets are available on race day from 6 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. Race day registration closes at 6:30 a.m. For more information, see race360.com/21357.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Waters surrounding Hawai`i Island are protected from the Navy's
sonar and explosives testing. Map from Earthjustice

THE U.S. NAVY HAS AGREED to end its controversial sonar testing program in key habitats of the Pacific. The court settlement will protect critical areas with high concentrations of marine mammals, as well as waters that are vital for their reproduction, feeding and migration.

A federal court yesterday entered an order settling two cases challenging the U.S. Navy’s training and testing activities off the coasts of Hawai`i and Southern California, securing long-sought protections for whales, dolphins and other marine mammals by limiting Navy activities in vital habitat. The settlement stems from the court’s earlier finding that the Navy’s activities illegally harm more than 60 separate populations of whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions.

For the first time, the Navy has agreed to put important habitat for numerous populations off-limits to dangerous mid-frequency sonar training and testing and the use of powerful explosives. The settlement aims to manage the siting and timing of Navy activities, taking into account areas of vital importance to marine mammals and areas in which small, resident populations are concentrated.

Many of the conservation organizations who brought the lawsuits have been sparring legally with the Navy and the National Marine Fisheries Service — the agency charged with protecting marine mammals — for more than a decade, demanding that the Navy and Fisheries Service comply with key environmental laws by acknowledging that the Navy’s activities seriously harm marine mammals and taking affirmative steps to lessen that harm.

Under the agreement, the Navy is prohibited from using mid-frequency active sonar and explosives for training and testing activities on the eastern side of Hawai`i Island and north of Moloka`i and Maui, protecting Hawaiian monk seals and numerous small resident populations of toothed whales including the endangered insular population of false killer whales and Cuvier’s beaked whales.

Spotted dolphins inhabit waters off Hawai`i Island. Photo by Robin W. Baird

The Navy is also prohibited from exceeding a set number of major training exercises in the channel between Maui and Hawai`i Island and on the western side of Hawai`i Island, limiting the number of times local populations will be subjected to massive use of sonar and explosives associated with major training exercises.
Navy surface vessels must use “extreme caution” and travel at a safe speed to minimize the risk of ship strikes in humpback whale habitat.
“We can protect our fleet and safeguard our whales,” said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “This settlement shows the way to do both, ensuring the security of U.S. Navy operations while reducing the mortal hazard to some of the most majestic creatures on Earth. Our Navy will be the better for this, and so will the oceans our sailors defend.”
David Henkin, an attorney for the national legal organization Earthjustice, who brought the initial challenge to the Navy’s latest round of training and testing, said, “If a whale or dolphin can’t hear, it can’t survive. We challenged the Navy’s plan because it would have unnecessarily harmed whales, dolphins and endangered marine mammals, with the Navy itself estimating that more than 2,000 animals would be killed or permanently injured. By agreeing to this settlement, the Navy acknowledges that it doesn’t need to train in every square inch of the ocean and that it can take reasonable steps to reduce the deadly toll of its activities.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Dr. Virginia Pressler

MORE THAN HALF OF ADULTS and adolescents who participated over the past five years in a substance abuse treatment program and completed a six-month follow-up survey had remained clean, reporting no substance use in 30 days prior to the follow-up, according to Hawai`i Department of Health’s recently released 2015 Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services Report. The majority had managed their lives well without any arrests, hospitalizations and emergency room visits since they had been discharged from the treatment programs.

The report was released to coincide with National Recovery Month, a nationwide recognition of various alcohol and drug treatment programs and initiatives focused on recovery efforts.
“One of the Hawai`i Department of Health’s foremost priorities is to make the recovery efforts visible, give a voice to those who have recovered and inspire others in the community to see how valuable these programs have been,” said DOH Director Virginia Pressler, M.D. “We may all know a friend, neighbor or relative who may be bound by alcohol and drug abuse. These are encouraging statistics for all of us in Hawai`i.”
Over the past five years, from 2010 to 2014, Hawai`i invested an average of $17 million in state and federal funds each year to address alcohol and drug abuse. In 2014, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division provided funding for 24 agencies at 52 sites to provide treatment for adults, and 10 agencies at 107 sites to offer services for adolescents. In the five-year period, there was a 26 percent increase in sites for adolescents and a 16 percent increase in sites for adults.
DOH is now in the planning stages for transition and case management services as a next step in the treatment and recovery process to fill the community’s need.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U HIGH BOWLERS OPENED their season last Saturday with the boys posting wins over Hilo High 3-0. High scores were 151 for Titan Ault, 115 for Travis Taylor and 105 for Mark Galacio.
Ka`u girls lost to Hilo 0-3. Kealakehe won their games against Ka`u 0-3.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Ceremonies to honor ancestors take place each evening during Ho`okupu Hula
No Ka`u Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U Cultural Festival organizers have announced entertainment for the event on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3 on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House.

Entertainment both days begins with an opening pule at 4 p.m. Ka`imia Na`auao Kahiko/Ka`u School of Arts and Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan take the stage at 5:45 p.m., followed by a Kukui Ceremony (Honoring our Ancestors) at 6:30 p.m., Kamehameha School with Kumu Hula Kimo Kekua at 7 p.m., Makanau at 8 p.m., Halau Hula O Leionalani with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at 8:45 p.m. and Keaiwa at 9:30 p.m.
On Satuday, Inoue `Ohana Band from Japan performs at 4:30 p.m. followed by Kahoku Kauahiahionalani with Kumu Hula Sammy Fo at 5:30 p.m., Kukui Ceremony (Remembering our Ancestors) at 6:15 p.m., Ho`omaika`i Hula Halau with Kumu Hula Shona LamHo at 6:30 p.m., Times 5 at 7:30 p.m., Halau Hula O Ke Anuenue with Kumu Hula Glen Vasconcellas at 8:30 p.m. and Los Borinquen’os at 9:30 p.m.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in tomorrow’s Hawai`i County Council meetings via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building. County Council meets at 9 a.m., Planning Committee at 2 p.m. and Finance Committee at 2:30 p.m.
Agendas and live streams of the meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

KUPAOA PRESENTS A FREE HAWAIIAN music concert tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 985-6011.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_Sept2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

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.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

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.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

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.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

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.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

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.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_Sept2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are closely monitoring recent signs of unrest on Mauna Loa, the largest active
volcano on Earth.In this 1985 aerial photo, Mauna Loa looms above Kilauea's summit caldera at left center and nearly obscures
Hualalai in the far distant upper right. Photo from USGS

THE TSUNAMI ADVISORY ISSUED yesterday following an 8.3-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile that sent 3 ft. and 2.3 ft.tsunami waves into Hilo and a .9 ft. tsunami wave into Kawaehaie, before dawn this morning, has been cancelled. The earthquake prompted Hawai`i Civil Defense officials to warn people to stay out of the ocean when small tsunami waves were expected to arrive at around 3 a.m. today. Though beach parks remained officially open, small sea level changes, possible surges and unusual currents were expected to persist for several additional hours in some coastal areas.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has cancelled the tsunami advisory issued yesterday.

According to Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, wave heights as of 7:34 a.m. across the state were below advisory levels and continuing to diminish.

Hawai`i County Civil Defense issued an all clear for the island effective at 8 a.m. this morning. All beach parks are open.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

FLASH FLOODING AT KAWA shut down Hwy 11 yesterday evening between Punalu`u and Honu`apo. Ka`u was under a flash flood warning for several hours
Hwy 11 at Kawa Flats was closed, according to Hawai`i Police Department announcements, from 7:29 p.m. to 11:14 p.m.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

AN ELEVATED MAUNA LOA ERUPTION ADVISORY has been issued by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Scientists have elevated Mauna Loa’s Volcano Alert Level from NORMAL to ADVISORY. This change in status indicates that the volcano is showing signs of unrest that are above known background levels, but it does not mean that a Mauna Loa eruption is imminent or certain.
According to HVO, its seismic stations have recorded elevated rates of shallow, small-magnitude earthquakes beneath the summit, upper Southwest Rift Zone and west flank of Mauna Loa for at least the past year. During this same time, HVO monitoring instruments have measured ground deformation (inflation) on Mauna Loa that is consistent with recharge of the volcano’s shallow magma storage system. Together, these observations indicate that Mauna Loa is no longer at a background level of activity.

Based on these changes in activity, and in accordance with the USGS Volcanic Activity Alert-Notification System (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php), HVO raised the Volcano Alert Level for Mauna Loa to ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW. The Volcano Alert Level is a four-tiered system that uses the terms Normal (background levels), Advisory, Watch, and Warning (highest threat) to inform the public about a volcano’s status. These alert levels are issued in conjunction with Aviation Color Codes, which provide information about volcanic-ash hazards to the aviation industry. The codes are Green (background), Yellow, Orange, and Red (eruption imminent).

HVO's network of continuously recording equipment
detects changes in Mauna Loa. Map from HV

An ADVISORY/YELLOW status is declared when one or more volcano monitoring parameters is above the background range of activity, which is the current situation on Mauna Loa. Progression toward an eruption is by no means certain, but the volcano is closely watched to track how the unrest develops.
“It’s possible that the increased level of activity at Mauna Loa could continue for many months, or years, without leading to an eruption,” Tina Neal, HVO’s Scientist-in-Charge, said. “It is also possible that the current unrest could be a precursor to the next eruption of Mauna Loa. But at this early stage, we cannot determine precisely which possibility is more likely.”
HVO previously maintained an ADVISORY/YELLOW status for Mauna Loa following increased rates of ground deformation during the rapid inflation of the volcano in 2004-2005. That period of inflation, similar to deformation currently observed, did not result in an eruption. When the inflation slowed to background levels in early 2010, the status of Mauna Loa was returned to NORMAL/GREEN.
The most recent eruption of Mauna Loa, which began on March 25, 1984 and lasted just over three weeks, was preceded by up to three years of increased earthquake activity. But, in contrast to pre-1984 activity, the energy released by recent earthquakes remains comparatively low.

HVO continues to closely monitor Mauna Loa and will notify Hawai`i County Civil Defense, the National Park Service and other emergency managers, as well as the public, if significant changes are detected.
In response to the status change, HVO is now posting weekly Mauna Loa updates on the HVO website (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/maunaloastatus.php). It is possible to receive these updates via email by signing up for HVO notices through the free USGS Volcano Notification Service (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/).
“The alert level change at Mauna Loa reminds us that it is an active volcano that will erupt again someday, so we should be prepared,” said Frank Trusdell, an HVO geologist who has extensively studied and mapped Mauna Loa. To facilitate public awareness and preparedness, HVO has posted on its website “Frequently Asked Questions about Mauna Loa” (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloa/FAQ_Maunaloa/). Current monitoring data for Mauna Loa is also posted on the HVO website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloa/current/currentmonitoring.php.
For more information about Mauna Loa, other active Hawaiian volcanoes and recent earthquakes in Hawai`i, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov or email askHVO@usgs.gov.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THIS IS NATIONAL CHILD PASSENGER Safety Week. Ka`u parents and caregivers can learn how to correctly install child safety seats and properly buckle up their keiki, whether it’s in car seats, booster seats or when using the vehicle’s seat belts, at events in Hilo and Kona on Saturday.

Hawai`i’s Child Passenger Restraint Law requires children less than four years of age to ride in a child safety seat. Children four through seven years old must ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now advising that children ride rear-facing until at least the age of two.
Violators are required to appear in court. If convicted, violators are required to attend a four-hour class and may be assessed a penalty of $100-$500, depending on the number of offenses.
“We can and need to do better to protect our keiki,” HDOT Director Ford Fuchigami said. “Get your car seats checked. Even if you think your child is safe, check again. Statistics show that 59 percent of car seats are misused.”
Inspections will be conducted by certified child passenger safety technicians who have been trained to provide instruction on how to choose the right car seats, how to install them and how to use them correctly.
Inspections are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Target in Hilo and Lanihau Center on Palani Road in Kona.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I’S SEASONALLY ADJUSTED unemployment rate for August was 3.5 percent, down from 3.7 percent in July, the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations announced today. The last time rate was at or below 3.5 percent was in March 2008 when it was 3.4 percent. Statewide, 649,350 were employed and 23,700 unemployed in August for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 673,050. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in August, down from 5.3 percent in July.
Both initial claims and weeks claims decreased by 266 or -18.2 percent and 2,220 or -22.9 percent respectively for unemployment benefits compared to one year ago.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

`O KA`U KAKOU’S FUNDRAISER, the second annual Ka`u Coffee Trail Run, is Saturday at Ka`u Coffee Mill above Pahala. Race packets are available on race day from 6 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. Race day registration closes at 6:30 a.m., with the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon starting at 7 a.m. Entertainment and activities are available for runners and their friends and families cheering them on.
For more information, see race360.com/21357.

Ka`u residents are invited to Get the Drift & Bag It during a Hawai`i
Wildlife fund coast cleanup Sunday. HWF Photo by C. King

GET THE DRIFT & BAG IT by joining Hawai`i Wildlife Fund’s Ka`u Coast Cleanup on Sunday. Volunteers meet staff at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to Kamilo for this International Coastal Cleanup event.

Register at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for Sunday’s Jazz in the Forest: Evening of the Jazz Divas at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
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).
See volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets one week from today, on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The focus will be on the shoreline setback policy, the land use policy map and “easy fixes” to the Draft CDP. The meeting is open to the community, and public testimony is welcome.
The meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22 to make final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 27.
See kaucdp.info for more.

For tickets, call Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at 315-7032 or 649-9334.

E PILI KAUA PA`INA is two weeks from today. The fundraiser is for Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, a nonprofit that works with challenged youth though agriculture and traditional Hawaiian skill building. The evening features entertainment by Mark Yamanaka and a roast pork dinner on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Donation is $25.

For tickets, call Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at 315-7032 or 649-9334.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_Sept2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Thirty Meter Telescope opponents have agreed to remove structures erected at right, near Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station.
Image from MKVIS

THIRTY METER TELESCOPE OPPONENTS and the Department of Land and Natural Resources reached an understanding on Mauna Kea to remove a large tent across from the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. On Wednesday, officers from DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement posted the tent as an illegal structure. In discussions yesterday with DLNR leadership, an opponent leader agreed to remove the tent and to “lighten their presence” on the mountain. According to DOCARE, officers will continue to monitor for the removal of illegal structures on the mountain.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

BIG ISLAND-BASED GVS TRANSMEDIA ACCELERATOR has won a $50,000 prize from the U.S. Small Business Administration, one of three awarded to Hawai`i organizations. Founded in 2014, GVS Transmedia Accelerator is a partnership between Global Virtual Studio, the Hawai`i Strategic Development Corp., Hawai`i County and GTA Development Fund. GVS aims to empower Hawai`i-based creative entrepreneurs and help them launch original transmedia franchises.

“We are pleased to see the state’s investment in innovation gaining national recognition,” Gov. David Ige said. “These accelerators … demonstrate that Hawai`i’s innovation community is active throughout the state and across various industries.”
Accelerators are components of a healthy startup environment. They help drive entrepreneurship and attract investment by assisting entrepreneurs in developing their businesses and raising venture capital through mentorship and networking.
Luis Salaveria, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said, “The SBA awards recognize the important role venture accelerators play in launching startups and are evidence of Hawai`i’s ability to compete as an innovation hub at a national level.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer

ALOHA `AINA DEBUTS on Hawai`i Public Radio this Monday, Sept. 21. Every weekday at 8:18 a.m. through Dec. 18, Aloha `Aina airs on HPR-1 during NPR’s news magazine Morning Edition. An encore broadcast is planned on HPR-2, with the second 13 weeks starting in January 2016.

The series, comprised of 65 approximately two-minute segments, explores the roots and historical endurance of the values of aloha `aina, commonly translated as love of the land. Commentary is provided by noted Hawaiian scholars and leaders, such as Puanani Burgess, Sam `Ohu Gon, Davianna McGregor, Jonathan Osorio and Walter Ritte. The series is researched, written and narrated by Julia Steele. The series will be archived on hawaiipublicradio.org.
Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer, president and CEO of The Kohala Center, said, “When we first sat down with HPR a year ago, our goal was to help listeners — all listeners — deepen their reverence for the land and natural resources that sustain us. With the words ‘aloha `aina’ gaining heightened prominence in local, and even global, discourse and consciousness in recent months, the timing of such an exploration couldn’t be better. We’re excited and truly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Hawai`i Public Radio to bring this series to the people of Hawai`i and the world.”
HPR’s President and General Manager Michael Titterton said, “The Kohala Center brought all the necessary elements with their proposal. They share our commitment to community enrichment and, as a research organization, they have the credibility to shape a rigorous and thoughtful exploration of the connection between indigenous wisdom and our modern relationships with the natural environment. Aloha `Aina is the perfect complement to our earlier series Mahalo `Aina, which illustrated the importance of healthy Hawaiian forests.”
Beamer said, “Here in Hawai`i, we are surrounded by a unique and incredible natural and cultural landscape, but what does it really mean to engage, to connect, to develop an intimate kinship with the environments and ancestral knowledge that have nourished and sustained these islands for centuries? Our hope is that this series, and the voices who contributed their mana`o to it, will invite listeners to deepen their understanding of aloha `aina and inspire them to incorporate these values into their everyday lives.”

Ka`u residents can find HPR-1 at KAHU 97.1 FM.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Alex Wegmann Photo from DLNR

A NON-TOXIC PREDATOR BAIT experiment on Lehua Island is considered a success  as the initial step toward creating Hawai`i’s first predator-free island.

Lehua is 17 miles west of Kaua`i, just off the northern tip of Ni`ihau. State, federal and nonprofit partners conducted helicopter application of non-toxic bait that they hope will ultimately lead to use of rodent bait to eliminate Lehua’s rat population. Invasive rats are the primary predator of three federally listed and/or endangered and threatened candidate seabird species that could establish breeding colonies on Lehua. Newell’s shearwaters, Hawaiian petrel and the Band-rumped storm petrel may have been nesting there prior to the introduction of rats and rabbits. Rabbits have been eradicated from the island.
Joshua Atwood, the invasive species coordinator with the Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, explained, “This was a trial run; a chance to fly a helicopter over Lehua and drop non-toxic bait onto the island. This is the same formulation we’d use in a rodent-control project, except it didn’t have rodenticide in the mix at all. This will give us a better understanding of where rodents are on Lehua and now they interact with the food web and threaten the endangered birds.”
Leading the research is Island Conservation, whose mission is to prevent extinctions by removing invasive species from islands. Alex Wegmann, the nonprofit’s Hawai`i Program manager, said, “On Lehua, we have the opportunity to create the largest predator-free habitat for threatened and endangered seabirds anywhere in Hawai`i. Lehua is roughly 360 acres and when it becomes predator-free it can serve as critical breeding and nesting habitat for the three endangered seabird species, as well as for others.”
The results of this week’s aerial application will provide guidance for the potential development of a project to use a rodenticide to control Lehua’s invasive rat population. The project would be at least one year out.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Kua O Ka La charter school hosted yesterday's Hiki No on PBS.
Image from PBS

MOLOLI`I’S KUA O KA LA charter school hosted Hiki No last night, the first statewide feature and news TV program in the country written, shot and edited by students. Shown on PBS, Miloli`i students introduced stories from around the state, ranging from students interacting with peace leader Desmond Tutu, of South Africa, to a girl facing her eating choices after learning she has diabetes. The show kept coming back to Miloli`i and its history with shorts on the lava flow that destroyed the old Hawaiian village, the tsunami that washed the historic church out to sea and back, the charter school location at the community pavilion with a Native Hawaiian Library and powered by solar, Pa`a Pono Miloli`i cultural and environmental projects and Elvis Presley’s filming Girls, Girls, Girls at Miloli`i. See the show at pbshawaii.org.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Ka`u keiki can join Camp `Imi-Possible next month.

`IMILOA ASTRONOMY CENTER is seeking Ka`u junior explorers and innovators in grades K-3 for Camp ‘IMI-Possible’s Fall intersession program, slated for Oct. 5-9. Students will be immersed in a weeklong adventure of exciting science experiments, hands on activities, and art projects.

Throughout the five days of activities, keiki will explore Maunakea from its base on the floor of the ocean to its summit window on the farthest reaches of the Universe. The camp runs from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop off is available as early as 7:30 a.m. with pick up by 4:15 p.m. Lunch and snacks are not included, so participants should pack a snack and healthy lunch so they can keep up with each day of exploration.
Enrollment for the intersession program is open, but space is limited. Tuition for the program is $225 for members and $250 for non-members. Financial aid is available.
Applications and information can be found at www.imiloahawaii.org/183. Submit completed applications and payment to the front desk.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

RACE DAY REGISTRATION for the second annual Ka`u Coffee Trail Run is available tomorrow until 6:30 a.m. at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Race packets are available from 6 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. for entrants in the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon that start at 7 a.m.
For more information, see race360.com/21357.

Halau I Ka Leo Ola O Na Mamo performs tomorrow.
Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park presents hula tomorrow. Loke Kamanu and `ohana present All Things Hula from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Na kumu hula Pelehonuamea Harman and Kekoa Harman with Halau I Ka Leo Ola O Na Mamo perform from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Free; park entrance fees apply.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND HOLDS a Ka`u Coast Cleanup on Sunday. Volunteers meet staff at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to Kamilo for this event, part of the International Get the Drift & Bag It.
Register at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE for Sunday’s Jazz in the Forest: Evening of the Jazz Divas at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village ends today. If not sold out, tickets will be available at the door.
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).
See volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015/swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Runners head through coffee tree fields and into the forest during this morning's Ka`u Coffee Trail Run.
Image from video by Vernon Harvey

KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN saw worldwide competition today with Half Marathon winner Kevin Stover finishing in 1 hour, 37 minutes and 44 seconds. Half Marathon women’s winner is Elda Carreon, who finished in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 41 seconds.

Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda, with former Queen Amery Silva and
current First Princess Joyce Ibasan, reigned over the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run.
Photo by Kalikoweo

After a week of heavy rains with road closures, waterfalls pumping and streams overrunning their banks in Wood Valley and all around race headquarters at Ka`u Coffee Mill, event emcee Guy Enriques said, “We were blessed today. We had the right amount of clouds, right amount of sun, right temperature.”
Enriques said that many of the runners in the inaugural event last year, who returned, were very impressed with improvements, calling courses “more fun and more challenging.” He said the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run is one of the more challenging half marathons in the state. “The 5 and 10 Ks are also tough.”
He said that despite the downpours earlier this week, “we were able to send the runners into the rainforest. The good weather yesterday, overnight and this morning dried things out. It was just a perfect day.”
With a break in the weather, a slew of people of all ages showed up early this morning to expand the number of racers from the 137 who pre-registered. Racers came from as far away as Austria, Germany, France, Japan and Alabama.

Ed Olson

Ka`u Coffee Mill founder Ed Olson said, “We had a very good crowd and happy everyone turned out. Mr. Weatherman cooperated with us 100 percent, A very successful day.”
Ka`u Coffee Trail Run raises money for the community group `O Ka`u Kakou. Entertaining were local hula groups and musicians. Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda started the race and was accompanied by First Princess Joyce Ibasan and 2014 Miss Ka`u Coffee Amery Silva.
See a Phantom Drone Helicopter video of the race by Vernon Harvey, of Ocean View, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXqHWIHqwFM.
Here are the times for the winners in the adult divisions.
Half Marathon winner is Kevin Stover in 1 hour 37 minutes, 44 seconds. Second is Topher Fast, 1 hour 57 minutes, 24 seconds. Third is Mike Sibalsky in 2 hours, 29 seconds.
Winner of the Men’s 10K is Michael Webster in 52 minutes, 59 seconds. Second is John Swanson in 54 minutes, 56 seconds. Third is Kyle Sullivan in 57 minutes, 20 seconds.
Winner of Men’s 5K is Danilo Padilla, 23 minutes 39 seconds. Second-place finisher is TJ Kuhn in 25 minutes 46 seconds. Third is Mark Wasser, 26 minutes, 45 sec.
Winner of the Women’s Half Marathon is Elda Carreon, 2 hours, 10 minutes, 25 seconds. Second is Vicki Daniel, who won last year. She came in this year in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 38 seconds. Third is Sally Marrack in 2 hours, 21 minutes, 37 seconds.
Winner of the Women’s 10K is Meggie Olson in 1 hour, 2 minutes, 48 seconds. Second is Abigail Rotholz, 1 hour, 4 minutes, 43 seconds. Third is Mona Lichtblau in 1 hour, 5 minutes and 2 seconds.
The Women’s 5K winner is Hope Saxtun who finished in 26 minutes and 41 seconds. Second is Megan Denny, 27 minutes, 32 seconds. Third is Jesse Gunnels in 28 minutes, 19 seconds. There were other age divisions. See more in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL VOTED not to reprimand Mayor Billy Kenoi for inappropriate use of his county-issued purchasing card. Kenoi’s use of his pCard for personal purchase came to light through an investigation by West Hawai`i Today reporter Nancy Cook Lauer.

In her testimony on a resolution introduced by Kohala Council member Margaret Wille, Jesse Marques, of Pahala, said, “I understand and respect the difficult task that the County Council members have regarding Mayor Kenoi’s inappropriate use of the pCard. I also understand and respect the law and due process relative to the circumstances.

Maile David

“What I don’t understand is that in spite of this matter being turned over to the Department of the Attorney General, which is an enforcement agency, to conduct its investigations, make a determination of any violations of the law, holding Mayor Kenoi legally and also publicly accountable for inappropriate use of the pCard, why is the County Council ignoring the law and due process and prematurely introducing this resolution? By introducing this resolution, it bypasses the due process for which the Department of the Attorney General investigation and determination has not been rendered. …
“To me this resolution raises more questions about the council’s understanding and respect of the law and due process and the purpose of this resolution.”
Ka`u’s County Council member Maile David agreed with testifiers who said it is not the council’s role to reprimand the mayor. “From the beginning my position has always been this is a jurisdictional matter,” David said, “and I respect the law, and I respect that our job, as legislators, is to uphold that process. …

“I feel (the resolution) affects the due process that the mayor - regardless if he’s the mayor or a regular citizen - he’s entitled to due process. So, just discussing all of these issues and all of these matters today, I’m really concerned about the harm to due process that he’s entitled to.
David said the council should focus on its role of “creating laws to benefit our community.”

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS continued their winning ways yesterday in Honoka`a. Junior varsity scores were 26-24 and 25-13. Varsity won in three games, 25-22, 15-25 and 25-14.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U HIGH’S EIGHT-MAN football team hosts Kohala today at 2 p.m. The game, originally set for Na`alehu Park, has been moved to Pahala Field. It will also be the Senior Game.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE about your `ohana as you were growing up in Hawai`i? Write an essay in a letter format and enter to win in the third annual Letter to My Parents Contest.

The contest is open to Hawai`i residents ages 15 to 22 years who would like to express their experiences and feelings towards their parents or legal guardians. Participants are encouraged to submit work illustrating examples from personal life, reflecting family relationships and interactions. Suggested topics include:

What do my parent(s)or guardian(s) mean to me?
What would I like to do for my parent(s)?
How have my parents’ experiences and influence affected or shaped the person I am today?
How can I improve relationships in my `ohana?

Submit entries to www.LetterToMyParents.com by Oct. 23. Entries can be in any language used in the state, but an English translation is required. Contestants 17 years old and under must submit a parental/guardian consent form.
Finalists will be selected and will be invited to present their letters during the final presentation to judges scheduled on Sunday, Nov. 22.
For more information, contact Rose Churma or Toshiro Obara at 808-358-2868 or info@lettertomyparents.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND HOLDS a Ka`u Coast Cleanup tomorrow. Volunteers meet HWF staff at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to Kamilo for this event, part of the international Get the Drift & Bag It.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST: Evening of the Jazz Divas offers two shows tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. If not sold out, tickets will be available at the door. 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).
For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Removal of invasive ginger opens up space for native plants such as `ohelo. Participants can help during Stewardship at the Summit
on National Public Lands Day this Saturday. See story below. Photo from NPS

KA`U RESIDENTS COMPETING IN THE KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN finished in high places on Saturday. Susan Field, of Punalu`u, the nurse practitioner at Ka`u Hospital and karate teacher, took first in the Half Marathon among women in age group 50-59. Cliff Field, the Ka`u Hospital physician and karate sensei, who lives at Punalu`u, took first in the half marathon for men 50 - 59. Randy Kai took first in the 5K for men 70 - 79. Maggie Olson was the overall women’s winner in the women’s 10K. Don Zimbeck took 1st in the 10K men’s 70-79 division. Robin Stratton took first in the women’s 5K for ages 50-59.

And they're off! Runners start their treks through coffee fields and forests
at yesterday's Ka`u Coffee Trail Run at Ka`u Coffee Mill.Image from video
by Vernon Harvey at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXqHWIHqwFM.

Here are other Ka`u winners.
In the Women’s 10K: ages 30-39 Lindsey Paulekas 3rd place; 50-59 Joanne Gallaher 3rd place.
In Men’s 10K, ages 30-39 Michael McGee 2nd place.
In the Women’s 5K: Megan Denny 2nd place overall and Maiki Cofer 3rd place. For ages 30-39, Karen Dusenbery 3rd place.
In the Men’s 5K ages 19 and under Justin Denny III 2nd place; ages 40-49 Justin Denny 2nd place, John Poetzel 3rd place; and ages 50-59 Fred Strehler 3rd place.
The second annual Ka`u Coffee Trail Run was held at Ka`u Coffee Mill on Wood Valley Road yesterday and raises money for the community group `O Ka`u Kakou.
See a Phantom Drone Helicopter video of the race by Vernon Harvey, of Ocean View, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXqHWIHqwFM. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I COUNTY WINDWARD Planning Commission will consider two Ka`u contested case proceedings concurrently during its meeting Wednesday. One case filed by Arrow of Oregon/Hawai`i, LLC involves an application for an amendment to a Special Permit that was approved to allow a cinder and rock quarry operation on 5.003 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The amendment would add 8.009 acres for a total of 13.012 acres of land. The properties are located northwest of Mahimahi Drive between Lurline Lane and Liliana Lane Ocean View.
According to the meeting agenda, David and Laura Rodrigues filed a contested case regarding the application for a Special Permit to allow a cinder and rock quarry operation on the 5.003 acres of land located on the northeast and southeast corners of Kailua Boulevard and Lurline Lane.

Support Ka`u libraries by purchasing tote bags.

The meeting takes place at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo at 9:30 a.m. Statements from the public are accepted.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

RAISE MONEY for Ka`u Libraries by purchasing a tote bag at Pahala or Na`alehu Library. Come to Ka`u Plantation Days on Saturday, Oct. 17 and fill up the bag for free with books. Price is $7 per bag.

Hours at Pahala Public & School Libarary are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Hours at Na`alehu Library are Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists explain how they determine alert levels in the current issue of Volcano Watch. HVO changed the Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Code for Mauna Loa Volcano from NORMAL/GREEN to ADVISORY/YELLOW on Thursday. The change reflects HVO’s determination that the volcano is showing persistent signs of low-level unrest. It does not mean, however, that an eruption is imminent or certain.

“This decision followed many months of a higher than normal rate of earthquakes and ground deformation as magma accumulated in shallow storage reservoirs, pressurizing and stressing its summit and upper rift zones,” the article states.
“What do these Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes mean, and how does HVO decide to change them?
“The USGS Aviation Color Code system has roots in Alaska. During the 1989-90 eruption of Redoubt Volcano near Anchorage, the Alaska Volcano Observatory determined that airlines needed a shorthand way of understanding threats posed by a restless or erupting volcano. So, USGS developed a simple, four-color scheme similar to a traffic light to convey the message.
“In this way, pilots, dispatchers and air traffic controllers would not need to sift through long text descriptions to evaluate their risk of flying near or downwind of a volcano: GREEN meant all clear; YELLOW meant the volcano is restless, be aware; ORANGE meant pay very close attention, the situation may be escalating or there may be volcanic ash up to about 25,000 feet above sea level; and RED meant danger, you may need to reroute or cancel the flight!

“For a number of years, this color code system was only used in Alaska where each year one or two eruptions send potentially dangerous ash into trans-Pacific jet flight routes.

HVO raised Mauna Loa's alert level last week. Graph from USGS HVO

“Then, in 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey’s five volcano observatories adopted a single system of communicating volcanic threats across the nation. As part of this unified approach, USGS added the terms NORMAL, ADVISORY, WATCH and WARNING to reflect the danger primarily to people and infrastructure on the ground. These Volcano Alert Level terms were chosen in part to mirror those used by NOAA’s National Weather Service for severe storms and flood.
“Most often, the Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Codes terms move together. Thus, the two-word USGS Volcanic Activity Alert Notification System — for example, ADVISORY/YELLOW — came to be.
“Assigning alert levels and color codes requires that we can measure the activity level of a volcano — from quiet to full-bore eruption. This, in turn, requires that the volcano be monitored around the clock with seismometers, cameras, satellites and other instruments that can detect signs of magma moving underground or lava and ash actively erupting. With such infrastructure in place, we can, over time, define a background state of typical activity (NORMAL/GREEN) so that sustained departures from background are caught in the act (YELLOW/ADVISORY).
“Alert level changes are announced in a USGS Volcanic Activity Notice which explains the reasoning and what to expect next with as much precision as possible. As has been the case for Kilauea, sometimes the alert level designation stays the same for many years. For other volcanoes with different styles of eruption, changes may occur quite often.
“While the decisions to change Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes may seem a bit mysterious, any ambiguity or inconsistency reflects the fact that we still have much to learn about how volcanoes work. Not every eruption, even at our well-studied Hawaiian volcanoes, follows exactly the same pattern. Each episode of unrest and eruption —or unrest without eruption — adds to a growing body of knowledge that helps scientists to issue more accurate warnings.
“In summary, the USGS Volcanic Activity Alert-Notification System communicates the degree and, in some cases, the time frame of a particular volcanic threat. With this information, public safety and emergency managers, individuals and families and businesses can take appropriate and timely steps to keep our communities safe.”

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

KA`U HIGH SENIOR EVAN MANOHA scored one for the team in the fourth quarter of Senior Night’s losing battle hosting Kohala. He also added two points on the conversion, making the final score 8-30. Other seniors honored yesterday were Kamaehu DeRamos, John Kaawa-Kaluau, Isaac Kailiawa, Evan Manoha, Trieson Pascubilio, Duane Santiago, Kalamakoa Waiwaiole and Gregory Ysawa.

Teammates wore yellow ribbons in memory of senior Kobie Biving. The Trojans also signed a Number 21 jersey – his Pop Warner number – for his parents.

The Trojans host Pahoa Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK invites everyone to volunteer and help protect the native Hawaiian rainforest on National Public Lands Day this Saturday, Sept. 26. Everyone gets in for free, and volunteers will receive a free pass to use on another day of their choosing.

In honor of National Public Lands Day, the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States, the park is offering the Stewardship at the Summit program from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants meet volunteers Paul and Jane Field at Kilauea Visitor Center, then head into the forest to remove Himalayan ginger from the summit of Kilauea.

Invasive ginger crowds out native plants in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from NPS

While pretty and fragrant, Himalayan (also called kahili) ginger is one of the most invasive plants in the park and on earth. It is listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as one of the 100 World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species. The park strives to protect the rainforest habitat of native birds and plants, but Himalayan ginger takes over the native rainforest understory, making it impossible for the next generation of forest to grow, and it crowds out many native plants, including pa`iniu (a Hawaiian lily), `ama`u fern and others. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, sunscreen, raingear, snacks, and water. Loppers/gloves are provided. No advance registration required.

For more information, see nps.gov/havo or call 985-6011.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST: Evening of the Jazz Divas offers two shows today at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. If not sold out, tickets will be available at the door. 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).
For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22 to make final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 27 due to addition of another meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The focus then will be on the shoreline setback policy, the land use policy map and “easy fixes” to the Draft CDP. The meeting is open to the community, and public testimony is welcome.

See kaucdp.info for more.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ocean View woodworker Mats Fogelvik won Best of Show at Hawai`i's Woodshow with Roots of Inspiration. See story below.
Image from show catalog provided by Ann Bosted

Ka`u CDP Steering Committee will review land use maps on Thursday.
Map from meeting background information

A meeting originally scheduled for tomorrow at Na`alehu Community Center to make final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 27.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT for Ka`u and all of the Big Island until 6 p.m. today. National Weather Service reported that abundant moisture upstream of the island will support heavy rain. Periods of heavy rain and saturated soils from recent rainfall will increase the risk for flash flooding.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Residents should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A flash flood watch covers Ka`u and all of Hawai`i Island.
Map from NWS

KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN has released the final results for all competitors, with 38 runners in the half marathon, 37 in the 10K and 79 in the 5K. The race, sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, was held Saturday at Ka`u Coffee Mill and drew people from around the island and across the ocean. The eldest finisher, who participated in the 5K 90-plus division, was Bill Spangrud, of Waimea, who is 91.

Here is a list of local participants, including their placements, age groups and times.

Half-marathon: 11. Shawn Mishler 50-59 Volcano 2:28:26; 12. Alex Wood 50-59 Volcano 2:30:03; 18. Suz Field 50-59 Pahala 2:41:12 12:18; 33. Sharlee Cotter 50-59 HVNP 3:15:03; and 38. Eldridge Naboa 30-39 Na`alehu 4:32:43.

10K: 7. Meggie Olson 20-29 Na`alehu 1:02:48; 9. Michael Mcgee 30-39 Na`alehu 1:04:30; 14. Jacob Gross 30-39 Volcano 1:08:19; 19. Cliff Field 50-59 Pahala 1:12:34; 20. Don Zimbeck 70-79 Ocean View 1:13:08; 24. Lindsey Paulekas 30-39 Na`alehu 1:14:35; 30. Anne Farahi 30-39 Volcano 1:29:21; and 35. Joanne Gallaher 50-59 Ocean View 1:36:12.

5K: 4. Mark Wasser 30-39 Volcano 26:46; 5. Megan Denny 40-49 Pahala 27:32; 12. Justin Denny 19-under Pahala 32:20; 15. Amy Kuhar 20-29 Volcano 33:52; 24. Maiki Cofer 30-39 Ocean View 37:53; 26. Justin Denny 40-49 Pahala 38:26; 27. John Poetzel 40-49 Ocean View 38:35; 35. Tanya Henderson 30-39 Volcano 41:25; 37. Robin Stratton 60-69 Ocean View 41:37; 40. Corey Maesaka 40-49 Volcano 42:23; 44. Fred Strehler 50-59 Na`alehu 44:36; 49. Alida Gandy 60-69 HVNP 46:17; 50. Molly Denny 19-under Pahala 47:49; 57. Bryan Everett 30-39 Volcano 52:13; 58. Asia Addlesberger 30-39 Volcano 52:18; 59. Meghan Jerolaman 30-39 Volcano 52:19; 60. Kieran Maesaka 19-under Volcano 52:28; 61. Raymond Gandy 60-69 HVNP 53:38; 66. Kayo Munnerlyn 40-49 Pahala 1:02:33; 70. Lisa Archuletta 60-69 Ocean View 1:04:00; 71. Kuulei Kekuewa 30-39 Volcano 1:08:42; 73. Janet Schleifer 60-69 Na’alehu 1:09:10; 74. Karen Dusenbery 50-59 Na`alehu 1:09:11; 77. Irma Ockerman 60-69 Volcano 1:12:55; and 78. Joanna Florence 30-39 Hilo 1:19:54;
For full results, see okaukakou.org/trail-run-family-day.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Mats Fogelvik

PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER MATS FOGELVIK, Ocean View, won Best of Show at Hawai`i’s Woodshow held at Honolulu Museum of Art’s School Gallery. The winning piece was a hall table titled Roots of Inspiration that Fogelvik created to resemble a bridge on Maui. He used wood from about seven species of trees, including koa. The piece retails at $10,900.

The show is sponsored by Hawai`i Forest Industry Association to celebrate the art of woodworking and the positive role of forests in our culture, economy and ecology. About 48 artists entered more than 100 pieces.
Fogelvik has an outstanding reputation among discerning decorators for his furniture. When not creating wood masterpieces, he volunteers as President of Ranchos Road Maintenance Corporation.
Born in Sweden, Fogelvik said he grew up in an Arts & crafts family. “We still have a living tradition of woodworking in Sweden,” he said, “and I was surrounded by old and new furniture in my youth. I have a rich inspirational source to draw from in the Scandinavian heritage and traditions. I am attracted to simplicity, beauty and function in a form.

“I believe a lot of furniture nowadays is ‘over designed.’ There is a fine balance between beauty, function and sculptural value in a piece, and I am not afraid of using old, well-proven designs in my work to achieve that. It doesn’t take much of a change, or detailing, to add the ‘personal touch’ to a piece. Too much, and the balance is thrown off.”
Hawai`i’s Woodshow continues through Friday, Oct. 11.

See more of Fogelvik’s work at fogelvik.com and facebook.com/fogelvik.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Thirty Meter Telescope opponents' hale remains standing after DLNR removed
a tent erected next to it. Image from DLNR video

OFFICIALS CONFISCATED A TENT  last night that Thirty Meter Telescope opponents had erected across from Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. It was the third law enforcement operation by Department of Land & Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources under a 120-day emergency rule passed in June by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Nineteen officers from DOCARE, with support from four Hawai`i Police Department officers and a ranger with the Office of Mauna Kea Management, conducted the operation.
DOCARE officers disassembed, loaded and took as evidence the large tent. In an understanding reached last week, protesters agreed to vacate the tent. A written warning notice was posted to it last Wednesday. Officers confiscated it after its rightful owner failed to claim it and take it down. A hale adjacent to the tent was not removed.
Unlike two previous law enforcement operations, no one was arrested during this third sweep. Officers did not spot anyone camping in the restricted area.
According to DLNR, law enforcement operations on Mauna Kea can happen at any time. The emergency rule prohibits camping in the restricted area between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HO`OMALU KA`U, THE LOCAL NONPROFIT whose major goal is to build Ka`u Heritage Center, holds its first free Native Dryland Plants Workshop on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kahuku Park pavilion in Ocean View. The workshop is designed to educate local residents, especially lot owners throughout Ka`u, about the environmental and cultural values and uses of native Hawaiian dryland plants, many of which have grown here for thousands of years.

Ho`omalu’s Secretary/Treasurer Wendy Vance said, “For too many new owners of raw land, the first thing that is suggested to them is that they bulldoze their properties in preparation for building. The question then becomes, 'What should we plant?' We’re advising that many of the plants now growing there are extremely well-suited to Ka`u’s climate and environment and can be used to great effect as landscape features.

“Bulldozing is, of course, an effective way to clear land, but selective bulldozing is the key. We would very much like to encourage identifying and inventorying what's growing on your lot before clearing, and then planting native plants.”
Participants receive Ho`omalu’s recently published booklet, Native Plants of the Ka`u Dryland Forest, a catalog of 15 native species found on the 15 acres in Manuka that were donated to Ho`omalu in 2011 for the purpose of building a Ka`u Heritage Center.
Workshop presenters showcase several dryland species in their plant forms as well as in artifacts and discuss their cultural values and historical uses. There will also be a session about la`au lapa`au, medicinal uses of selected dryland species, and another session on propagation techniques that participants can use to grow plants on their land. Potted native plants will be available for purchase.

For more information about the booklet, the workshops and Ho`omalu Ka`u, call 929-8526, email hoomalukau@gmail.com, or contact them at PO Box 384, Na`alehu HI 96772.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

RANGERS SHARE THE TRADITIONAL ART of `ohe kapala, bamboo stamping, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
For more information, call 985-6011.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Visitors admire the newly restored Herb Kane mural, A Pantheon of Volcano Spirits, in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's Jaggar Museum. See story below. NPS Photo by Stephen Geiger

REGENERATIVE AND DIVERSE AGRICULTURE in Hawai`i received the attention of all four U.S. legislators from Hawai`i when Hawai`i Farmers Union United recently went to Washington, D.C. The organization’s president Vince Mina reported that elected officials are excited about the “quality and quantity of nutrient rich food being available” for the Hawai`i community.

Vince Mina and his daughter Kahaulani
Photo by Julia Neal

While in D.C., Mina chaired the National Regenerative Agriculture Local Food Committee meeting, hosting USDA and National Resources Conservation Services senior advisors to the director of agriculture. He also met with Elanor Starmer, USDA’s “Know Your Food, Know Your Farmer” initiative coordinator. Bianca Moebius Clune, of the newly formed Soil Health Division of NRCS, “gave inspired and enlightening reports on this growing trend in agriculture that has captured the imagination of millennials who are choosing agriculture as a career choice while also supporting us elder agriculturists with honing our skills in advocating for what will serve the best and highest interest of our farms and community,” Mina reported.

Mina said, “Hawai`i is taking the lead in raising the awareness on a national level for future support of programs on a local level in alignment to our mission and goals.”
HFUU presents its first annual Natural Farming Syposium Oct. 1 – 3 at UH-Manoa’s Komohana Research & Extension Center in Hilo.
Email easthawaii@hfuuhi.org to register.
For more on the local chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United, call Pres. Greg Smith, of Earth Matters Farm, at 939-7510. See the statewide website at http://hfuuhi.org.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A COLORFUL WALL MURAL of Hawaiian deities painted by Herb Kawainui Kane has been restored at Jaggar Museum in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Thanks to an $8,000 grant by Tourism Cares, a $1,600 donation and 32 hours of service by the nonprofit Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the artwork titled A Pantheon of Volcano Spirits is once again bright and colorful. The mural depicts volcano goddess Pelehonuamea, her brother and shark god Kamohoali`i, rival demigod Kamapua`a and other Hawaiian deities affiliated with volcanoes.
The mural captivates millions of park visitors who visit Jaggar Museum.
The mission of Tourism Cares is to preserve and enhance the travel experience for future generations. FHVNP’s mission is to support the park in the protection, preservation and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

A grant will provide solar power and a potable water system
for Native Hawaiian residents of Miloli`i.
Photo by Kaiali`i Kahele

NATIVE HAWAIIAN RESIDENTS of Miloli`i will soon have solar power for electricity, refrigeration and cooking and a solar distillation kit to procure safe drinking water. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week awarded one of nine High Energy Cost grants to help reduce energy costs for residents in remote rural areas where the cost of producing electricity is extremely high.

The nonprofit Heritage Ranch, Inc. received $896,450 to provide equipment and technical assistance for a solar energy network that will serve 255 native Hawaiians in Miloli`i. The community has no utility-provided electricity and no potable water. Residents pay high rates to have fuel and water delivered.
“The High Energy Cost Grant Program is one more approach USDA is taking to deliver cleaner, more cost-effective energy sources across the country,” Vilsack said. “Energy conservation programs like this help improve the environment by reducing carbon emissions and the use of fossil fuels. In addition, when businesses and families spend less on fuel and electricity, they have more money to invest in local businesses. The grants we are announcing today will help create jobs and benefit entire rural communities.”

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Ope`ape`a migrated from North America to Hawai`i.
Photo from Forest and Kim Starr

BATS MIGRATED TO HAWAI`I from North America at least twice in the last 10,000 years. While isolated in the archipelago, the flying mammal became the Hawaiian hoary bat, the ope`ape`a. These are among the findings that researchers Kristina Montoya-Aiona and Corinna Pinzari are presenting on the endangered species and newly anointed official land mammal for the state.

The presentation takes place at 7 p.m. at Lyman Museum in Hilo next Monday.
According to the researchers, recent studies in bat genetics are opening the doors to better understand the Hawaiian bat.
Montoya-Aiona will introduce the basics of bat biology, ecology and behavior across the islands. Pinzari will share the latest findings. Both work with the Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit/USGS Kilauea Field Station.
Lyman Museum is at 276 Haili St. and open 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday. For information, call 935-5021 or see www.lymanmuseum.org.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS has awarded $2,118,174 in two grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program to help curb veterans’ homelessness in Hawai`i.

“Today, far too many veterans are living on the streets while struggling to find affordable housing,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “Our commitment to those brave men and women in uniform does not end when they separate from the military. We have to continue to fight on their behalf so that when they come home, they come home to a roof over their heads. These funds will help those homeless veterans find a path toward stable housing.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “As we address the serious issue of homelessness, it is imperative that we keep our commitment to helping our service members and families in need. Partnerships between the federal government and nonprofit organizations, including the SSVF grant program, are critical to addressing the challenges that veterans and their families face in finding a stable home. SSVF is one of our greatest tools in the effort to end veteran homelessness.”
The grants are awarded under the SSVF program, which supports outreach, case management and other flexible assistance to prevent Veteran homelessness or rapidly re-house Veterans who become homeless. The grants awarded to Hawai`i were a part of a $300 million renewal of crucial services throughout the country.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

TODAY IS NATIONAL VOTER Registration Day. Ka`u residents can register online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov, by mailing a completed Wikiwiki Voter Registration to the County Clerk’s office or in person at the County Clerk’s office.

“Voter participation in Hawai`i has been declining since 1959, and in the last few elections, our voter participation rates have been among the lowest in the country, with just half of registered voters actually turning out to vote,” U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “Our nation is founded on the principles of an active, engaged democracy, and we are at our best when the diverse voices of our nation are heard through our citizens exercising their right to vote.
  “As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ‘Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting.’”
For more information on registering and voting in Hawai`i, see www.hawaii.gov/elections or call the Voter Hotline at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683).

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

WE THE POWERFUL WORKSHOPS are coming to Ka`u next month. On Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center and from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center, Keanu Young, assistant coordinator of Hawai`i State Legislature’s Public Access Room, explains how to influence state laws. PAR is the Legislature’s non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

Topics covered include tips and techniques on effective lobbying, testimony and communicating with legislators. Young explains the legislative process, deadlines and power dynamics. He also describes easy to use tools available on the Legislature’s website, capitol.hawaii.gov.
For more information and to register (helpful but not required) call 974-4000, ext. 7-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

`Ohe kapala demostrations take place tomorrow.
Photo from NPS

RANGERS SHARE THE TRADITIONAL ART of `ohe kapala, bamboo stamping, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

For more information, call 985-6011.

UHANE POHAKU NA MOKU O HAWAI`I will hold a community meeting on its vision for its work in Ka`u. The meeting is tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.

The Ka`u leaders of the nonprofit organization are Debbie and Kawehi Ryder, of Pahala. Among the organization’s activities in Ka`u are an annual cultural festival, Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u, which attracts halau and Hawaiian musicians from around the state and Japan. This year it will be on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3, with a Mark Yamanaka performance and fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 1 to start off the festival.

Uhane also works with at-risk youth around the state, including growing and processing mamaki tea from Wood Valley.

For more information, call 315-7032.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meeting will be held this Thursday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Topics will be shoreline setback policy, the land use policy map and “easy fixes” to the Draft CDP. The meeting is open to the community, and public testimony is welcome.
Background information prepared to inform and guide the meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-22-2015-steering-committee-meeting-1.
A meeting originally scheduled for today at Na`alehu Community Center to make final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 27.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

It's currently unclear if a tropical disturbance southeast of Hawai`i will strengthen or impact the islands. See story below.
Maps from Weather Underground

UNCERTAIN FUTURE: HOW MANY KA`U COFFEE FARMERS WILL KEEP THEIR FARMS? This is the subject of a public meeting this Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Called A Public Meeting for the Future of Coffee Growers, its purpose is to explain the 20-year history of the farmers who planted coffee for a new economic future when the sugar plantation shut down in 1996. The farmers said they also plan to talk about risks to their future land security, as the land is in escrow to be sold to a new owner.
“In the past 20 years, small groups of farmers turned failed sugarcane plantations above Pahala into coffee farms – and revived the local economy with award-winning beans,” their flyer states.
“Now it is unclear how many of these Ka‘u farmers can continue to tend to their fields.
“A Colorado Company, Resource Land Holdings, has formed Ka‘u Mahi, LLC. It’s about to buy the land with these coffee farms – and our growers will face new challenge. Among other terms, Resource Land Holdings has proposed to:

Raise rental rates, possibly to a price at which some farmers could be unable to continue;
Possibly take ownership of the coffee trees, which the farmers planted, many of them two decades ago.

“The farmers ask the community: ‘If you care about Ka‘u coffee and its role in our community, please join us to discuss an economic analysis of these changes on our farmers, as well as recommendations for moving forward.’”

Many Ka`u Coffee growers face an uncertain future, with land where they planted trees in currently in escrow.

Farmers are inviting government and non-government organization leaders and anyone interested in helping this industry that has brought economic success to Ka‘u Coffee-growing families and the Ka‘u community at large. For more information, contact Ka‘u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba at 928-8558.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Computer models show a tropical disturbance turning before reaching Hawai`i.

TROPICAL DISTURBANCE 96-C, which was located about 800 miles southeast of Hilo as of 8 a.m., is moving very slowly to the north-northwest.

The track and potential impacts of TD 96-C are extremely uncertain at this time, but National Weather Service reports show heavy thunderstorm activity with favorable conditions for organization of the system to take place sometime during the next one to four days. Probability of it become a tropical storm is 70 percent, according to NWS. While it is currently tracking in the direction of Hawai‘i, most computer models show it changing direction before reaching the islands.
“We are working in tandem with NWS to keep a close watch on TD 96-C and are coordinating closely with local emergency management and civil defense agencies to ensure they are prepared for any potential impacts the storm may bring to our state,” Administrator of Emergency Management Vern Miyagi said. “The public should monitor media channels for the latest updates on storm development over the next several days.”
NWS models indicate timing of any impacts affecting the state to arrive sometime early next week. Due to the close proximity to the state and high degree of uncertainty associated with TD 96-C, NWS will be tracking the storm very closely to provide the most up-to-date information to local emergency managers.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Kathryn Matayoshi

HAWAI‘I DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION and Health are issuing detailed guidance to parents, schools and health aides in an effort to prevent heat illness as the state continues to face record high temperatures.

Letters will be sent home to parents providing recommendations to help students prepare for hot days. Schools will also receive guidance to identify heat illness-related symptoms and action steps should a student or staff member become ill.
“It was important to collaborate with public health professionals to offer sound advice to schools on how to better deal with the extreme heat teachers and students have been experiencing in classrooms,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said.
Dr. Virginia Pressler said, “The Department of Health is happy to have been able to provide expertise and assistance on developing this important guidance for teachers and students. We believe working together to better inform parents and school personnel will help prevent heat illness cases.”
In addition to parent letters, posters that identify symptoms and treatments will be posted in every classroom, health room and school office.
Since August, HIDOE has been working on emergency measures to help cool schools experiencing high temperatures due to the unusually hot weather. These measures include installation of portable air conditioners and electrical fans. Last week, HIDOE announced a partnership with Hawai‘i 3R’s to raise funds toward cooling schools. That effort is ongoing. Learn more at http://hawaii3rs.com/uncategorized/cool-schools-2015/.

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO TOOK to the Senate floor this week to speak in opposition to legislation that would restrict women’s health care. The Republican measure failed 54-42.

Sen. Mazie Hirono defended women's health care on the U.S. Senate floor.
Photo from Office of Sen. Hirono

“Women should not be subjected to medically unnecessary, financially taxing, and just plain cruel treatment at the behest of Republican lawmakers,” Hirono said. “If my colleagues truly wanted to improve women’s health care, they would fund Title X programs, bolster the Maternal and Child Health Block grant and support the Affordable Care Act.
“We have no business attempting to legislate a private, constitutionally protected right using unsubstantiated science and hyperbole. In fact, numerous courts have found similar laws by states to be unconstitutional.
“We need to move on from these votes for show and get back to the real work of the Senate.
“I am calling this bill what it is – an unnecessary, unwarranted, and likely unconstitutional intrusion into women’s private health care decisions.
“Meanwhile, time is running out to reach an agreement to keep our government open, and we can’t afford another shutdown. We need to pass a clean Continuing Resolution.
“I ask my colleagues to join me in focusing on legislation to improve the lives of every single American. “We need legislation that increases access to education, promotes job growth, strengthens our national security and keeps America vibrant.”

Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

The Enduring Wiliwili continues through Sunday, Oct. 4.

THE ENDURING WILIWILI continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit features artwork of Andrea Pro, Margaret Barnaby, Lisa Louise Adams, Kathy Molina and John McCaskill, who together make up the Pacific Island Printmakers. Wiliwili is one of Hawai`i’s threatened species, a flowering tree that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
The Enduring Wiliwili is on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 4. Free; park entrance fees apply.
For more information, call 967-7565.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai‘i’s presentation of its vision for its work in Ka`u today at 5 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
Debbie and Kawehi Ryder, of Pahala, are the Ka`u leaders of the nonprofit organization. Uhane Pohaku works with at-risk youth around the state, including growing and processing mamaki tea from Wood Valley.

The organization also presents Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u the annual cultural festival that attracts halau and Hawaiian musicians from around the state and Japan. This year it is on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3, with a Mark Yamanaka performance and fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 1.

For more information, call 315-7032.

One topic at tomorrow's Ka'u CDP Steering Committee meeting
is proposed land use policy maps. Map from Ka'u CDP

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Topics are shoreline setback policy, the land use policy map and “easy fixes” to the Draft CDP. The meeting is open to the community, and public testimony is welcome.

Background information prepared to inform and guide the meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-22-2015-steering-committee-meeting-1.

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