The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Wood Valley's Denny family competed in the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run, with mom Megan, 42, taking first place
in the 5K women's division. Photo by Julia Neal

THE THIRD ANNUAL KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN saw local and mainland winners this morning. The 5K winners crossed the finish line with Michael Schueller, of Benthel Park, PA taking first, Ka`u High School teacher Kevin Sun taking second, and Samson Soder, of Na`alehu, taking third.

The first woman across the line was 42-year-old Megan Denny, of Wood Valley, whose husband and two children also competed. Second was Antonida Villa, of Kailua-Kona and third was Christina Rasmussen, of Pahala.

Winner of the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run 5K was
Michael Schueller, of Pennsylvania.
Photo by Julia Neal

Miss Ka`u Coffee queens and princesses greeted the runners as they crossed the line, giving them each wooden medallion in the shape of the island.

See more complete results of the 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.
The event is sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou to raise money for the community. The start and finish is at Ka`u Coffee Mill.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION responded to an Associated Press story by Martha Mendoza and Margie Mason regarding working conditions for undocumented men aboard Hawaiian fishing boats. According to the story, foreign fishermen “are confined to American boats for years at a time,” with pay amounting to as little as 70 cents an hour.
“With no legal standing on U.S. soil, the men are at the mercy of their American captains on American-flagged, American-owned vessels, catching prized swordfish and ahi tuna,” the story said. “Since they don’t have visas, they are not allowed to set foot on shore. The entire system, which contradicts other state and federal laws, operates with the blessing of high-ranking U.S. lawmakers and officials.”

Miss Ka`u Coffee Rochelle Koi (center), Junior Miss Ka`u

Coffee Karlee Fukunaga-Camba (left) and Miss Ka`u

Coffee First Princess Casey Koi were on hand to greet

runners and present each of them with a medallion

in the shape of Hawai`i Island to remember

Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. Photo by Julia Neal

“I’m alarmed and disturbed by the conditions reported by the Associated Press,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “In addition to working on expeditiously and independently confirming the veracity of the reports, I have directed my staff to do a comprehensive review of what available tools the Coast Guard as well as the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Homeland Security have under current law to ensure the safety, human rights and dignity of these crewmen. The crews on these vessels need immediate protections, which is why we are working with the administration to develop a decisive, aggressive and appropriate response in addition to researching legislative options.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “I am deeply disturbed by the situation described in the story. It is completely unacceptable that the inhumane treatment of any workers – foreign or not – is legal under U.S. federal law. I am engaging the full range of stakeholders, including federal agencies and the industry, to determine the extent of the problem and the appropriate course of action to address it. I welcome the industry’s initial steps to respond to this unacceptable situation and am encouraged they are taking this seriously. I am committed to finding solutions that improve conditions for workers across the fleet and recognize the role industry can play in addressing this matter.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “The AP’s report that hundreds of foreign workers are being subjected to human rights abuses and inhumane conditions just off our shores is deeply disturbing. This is a problem that has been ignored for years and must be immediately addressed. We are working with major stakeholders to determine the most expedient course of action to put an end to this unacceptable situation, and protect the safety and human rights of these crewmen, making sure that fair labor standards are enforced for all workers.”
See the story at bigstory.ap.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ranny Albious

THE CURRENT EDITION OF HAWAI`I ISLAND’S MOST WANTED highlights a 39-year-old man wanted for escape, a 55-year-old man wanted for questioning in an arson investigation and a 36-year-old man wanted for abuse.

Guy Edward Silva

Officer Jason Grouns asks for help in locating 36-year-old Ranny Albious, of Ocean View, who is wanted for abuse and failure to appear. He is described as 5-foot-4, 160 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

The television program also asks for help in locating 55-year-old Guy Edward J. Silva, who is wanted on a bench warrant for contempt of court. He is also wanted for questioning in connection with investigations into arson, theft and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. He is described as 5-foot-7, 210 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and numerous tattoos. He has no permanent address but frequents the Hilo, Kona and Ka`u areas.

Jeremy Allan Ward

The 39-year-old is wanted for escape. Jeremy Allan Ward was last seen at Hale Nani correctional facility at about 8 a.m. on Aug. 27. He is described as 5-foot-5, 135 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a red heart tattoo with the name “Tanya” on the left side of his chest, tribal-style tattoos on his left lower arm, the word “FEATHER” on the back of his left upper arm and other assorted tattoos on his right arm, his back and the back of his left hand.

Police ask anyone with information about any of these individuals to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300. All information is kept confidential, and Crime Stoppers does not tape record phone calls or subscribe to caller ID.
The program airs on Na Leo TV Channel 53 on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and on Channel 54 on Sundays at 5 p.m.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED holds its upcoming annual convention for the first time on Hawai`i Island. On Oct. 14-16 at OK Farms in Hilo, the sixth annual event will be an opportunity for members of the union, the farming community and local food advocates to learn about issues such as regenerative soil, trellis farming, tropical fruit growing, the future of hemp and medicinal cannabis, and more.

Keynote speakers include U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who recently visited Ka`u farms and met with constituents; Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman, owner of Island Naturals food markets; and state Rep. Chris Lee.
For more information and to register, see hfuu.org.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers a free program tomorrow. People & Lands Of Kahuku, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain that focuses on the area’s human history.
See nps.gov/havo.

GRAND OPENING OF NIAULANI SCULPTURE GARDEN at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village is tomorrow at 4 p.m.
See volcanoartcenter.org.

LEARN ABOUT S.N.A.P., USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Monday from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Information includes how to apply.
Call 929-8571 for more information.

Artist Margaret "Peggy" Stanton offers a series of painting
workshops beginning Monday. Image from VAC

PAINTING WITH PEGGY RETURNS to Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.

Margaret “Peggy” Stanton leads an ongoing series of acrylic painting workshops for artists of all levels beginning Monday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Each class is a hands-on painting session where participants learn to approach their painting process with a new awareness and understanding of color dynamics and composition.
Stanton helps artists heighten and accentuate their own unique vision with bold colors, lines and shapes. With important tips on acrylic paints and media, artists create a painting on canvas using a more immediate and intuitive process. She guides artist on “painterly” ways to put on the finishing strokes. Stanton also offers individual instruction for artists during each session.
Cost for each Monday session is $20 or $15 for VAC members.
Students bring their own supplies and easels. Email questions to peggystanton007@yahoo.com.
Register and see the materials list and detailed class descriptions at volcanoartcenter.org.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Runners head to the trail at yesterday's Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. See more below. Image from video by Vernon Harvey.

OCT. 4 IS THE DEADLINE to finish the new Ka`u High School gym, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

According to Cook Lauer, the county is paying overtime to contractors who are rushing to finish to project.

Hawai`i County P&R Director Clayton Honma. Image from youtube

“The pending cost attributed directly to OT is approximately $97,000,” Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma told Cook Lauer. “Please understand that the county is only paying for the overtime premium (the ‘half’ in the ‘time-and-a-half’) as the contractor’s contract includes the straight-time cost component for the work.”

Several delays have caused the project to be two years behind schedule. During grading, a lava tube and burial site was discovered. County inspectors also required contractors to remove and reinstall more than 21,000 square feet of the new concrete floor.
Hawai`i County’s contract with Summit Construction is $17.1 million, and the project is at least $228,000 over budget, Cook Lauer said. The state allocated $18 million for the gym and shelter.
See westhawaiitoday.com.

Billy Barnett won the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run
Half Marathon. Photo by Peter Anderson

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN RESULTS ARE IN. Bill Barnett won the Half Marathon at the third annual event with a time of 1:39:05. He also won in 2014. Michael Sullivan followed at 1:42:27, and Alex Richardson crossed the finish line with a time of 1:55:08.

Amy Young placed first in the women’s division of the Half Marathon at 1:59:27. Gillian Wood and Jacqueline Anton ran a close race for second place, with times of 2:17:22:0 and 2:17:22:7, respectively.
In the 10K men’s division, first through third places went to Patrick Baker, 54:59; Keith Mackenzie, 58:49; and Nathaniel Hepp, 59:48.
Women’s division winners were Abigail Rothoiz, 1:01:02; Megan Lamson, 1:01:55; and Cary Aurand, 1:04:52.
Michael Schueller won the 5K with a time of 20:36. Kevin Sun came in second at 23:41, and Sampson Soder place third at 23:59. Megan Denny was the first women to finish the 5K at 27:46. Antonia Villa, 28:35, and Sheena Flores, 28:47, followed.

Vernon Harvey’s aerial footage of the event can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=9-8FsDDHTFY.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Austrian Hermann Dittrich, here with Myra Jean Sumida, won first
in his age group. Photo by Julia Neal

THREE-TIME WINNER among 60-69-year-old men in yesterday’s Ka`u Coffee Trail Run Half-Marathon is Hermann Dittrich, of Austria. Dittrich plans to live on this island until March and run in the Honolulu Marathon in December.
A vegan who runs four times a week, Dittrich comes to Hawai`i each winter and grows his own food while training. He does the same in spring and summer in Austria.

Dittrich is a retired attaché with the Austrian Army.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION is teaming up with Hawai`i County Police Department and child passenger safety advocates to promote National Child Passenger Safety Week, today through Saturday.

Children should use booster seats until they can use seat belts
correctly. Photo from Parents Central

During the week and throughout the year, Hawai`i’s child passenger safety technicians are dedicated to helping parents and caregivers learn how to correctly install child safety seats and properly buckle up their keiki, whether it’s in child safety seats, booster seats or when using the vehicle’s seat belts.

“Hawai`i’s keiki are our most precious asset. We can and need to do better to give them the future they deserve,” said HDOT director Ford Fuchigami. “Parents and caregivers can improve their child’s safety by simply using child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts properly.”
In Hawai`i, children under four years old are required to ride in a child safety seat, and children four through seven years old must ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat. Violators are required to appear in court, and if convicted, must attend a four-hour class. They may also be assessed a penalty of up to $500.
According to 2014 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 24 percent of children ages four through seven years old were prematurely moved to seat belts, and nine percent were unrestrained. Children should remain in booster seats until they are four feet nine inches tall and can use seat belts correctly without the booster seat.

HDOT Director Ford Fuchigami

Before a child can be moved from a child safety seat to a booster seat, parents and caregivers should check that the lap belt fits across the child’s upper thigh, the shoulder belt fits across the child’s shoulder and chest, the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat when his or her back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back, and the child can stay seated properly during the entire trip.

Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now advising that children ride rear-facing until at least the age of two. To educate the public about this recommendation and Hawai`i’s child restraint law, HDOT is airing public service announcements on television and in movie theaters statewide.
Hawai`i has more than 340 certified child passenger safety technicians, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, medical professionals and parents. All technicians have been trained to provide instruction on choosing the right car seat, installing it and using it correctly.
“Each county has child restraint inspection stations and community car seat checks to ensure that all children return home safe,” Fuchigami said. “Parents and caregivers should utilize these free resources to better protect their children.”
Free public car seat check events will be held on National Seat Check Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Target stores in Hilo and Kona.

For more on child safety, as well as a list of child restraint inspection stations and community car seat check, see www.kipchawaii.org or www.safercar.gov/parents.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH’S EIGHT-MAN football team hosted Pahoa yesterday. The Trojans racked up 14 points, but fell to the Daggers, who ended up with 18 points. Zachary Kai and Jacob Flores scored one touchdown each, and Kai scored with a two-point conversion.
Next Saturday, the team travels to Kohala.
Also yesterday, wahine Trojan volleyball teams went north to play Kohala. Varsity of 10, 18 and 21 fail short. Junior varsity won their first game, but then Kohala won the second and the tie-breaker, with final scores of 25-22, 3-25 and 10-15.
Hosting Hilo on Tuesday, varsity scored 17, 11, and 17 in their three games, and junior varsity scores were 8 and 9 in their best of three games match.

This week, the teams head to Konawaena on Wednesday and Kohala on Saturday.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO SECURED HAWAI`I priorities in a wide-ranging bill to improve water resources. The Water Resources Development Act of 2016 creates a program to repair high hazard dams, promote green infrastructure and support public-private partnerships. The bill authorizes over $12 billion in funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and supports water infrastructure projects across the country.

“Hawai`i residents know too well the dangers that flash floods present to life and property. It’s critical that we upgrade our water infrastructure to ensure that families are protected,” Hirono said. “I’m proud to have successfully fought for programs to keep another Kaloko Dam disaster from occurring, support projects like the Ala Wai Flood Mitigation Program and dedicate funding to maintaining rural harbors.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

LEARN ABOUT S.N.A.P., USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Monday from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Information includes how to apply.

Call 929-8571 for more information.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Committees meet Tuesday, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development at 9 a.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 9:15 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9:45 a.m.; Planning, 10:30 a.m.; Environmental Management, 1 p.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.

The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live streaming of the meetings.

Sunalini Menon Photo from Mauli Ola Festival

MAULI OLA FESTIVAL OPENS WEDNESDAY evening at Wood Valley Farm. The festival brings people together to celebrate, learn and generate new conversations about coffee, human rights and earth-friendly practices like permaculture and Leave No Trace.

A community discussion about how to improve human rights in the coffee industry takes place at 5:30 p.m. following the opening oli at 5 p.m.
Sunalini Menon, Sarah Allen, Sarah Grant and others will join the event sponsored by Barista Magazine and Ka`u Specialty, LLC.
Sunalini Menon has been in the coffee industry since graduating in food technology from the University of Madras, India in 1972. She has spent more than 40 years in coffee in the arena of coffee quality.
Sarah Allen, editor and co-founder of Barista Magazine, has been a driving force in the international barista movement from its outset.
Sarah G. Grant is an assistant professor of cultural anthropology at California State University, Fullerton. She studies the industrial grade and burgeoning specialty coffee industries in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Vietnam.
See mauliolafestival.com for more information and tickets.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

A billowy white "laze" plume is one hazard to avoid at the Kamokuna lava ocean entry site. See more below.
Photo from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

“NATURAL WATER” FROM A PRIVATE WELL would be bottled at the proposed Pahala Town Square & Hawaiian Springs Facility, said Al Kam, manager of the project proposed for the old Ka`u Sugar mill site, states a story by Tom Callis in today’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

A square marks the location of an existing well shaft opening
near a proposed warehouse at the old Ka`u Sugar mill site.
Map from Hawai`i County Planning Department

According to the story, Hawai`i County Planning Department expects to complete review of the application in October. Kam did not say when construction would take place if the project receives approval by county Planning Director Duane Kanuha.

The development would include more than 136,000 square feet in buildings with a water bottling facility, storage and retail stores, along with parking for tour buses, vans and cars along Maile Street. The largest building currently on the property is 12,000 square feet. For comparison, the buildings would cover more than three times the area of the new Ka`u gymnasium.
“We’re here to provide jobs to the state of Hawai`i,” Kam told Callis. “We’re trying to rebuild manufacturing in the state of Hawai`i.” He didn’t estimate how many jobs the facility would provide.
According to Callis, Kam is owner of Hawaiian Springs, which bottles water in Kea`au. Kam told Callis the main market for the premium product would be “the mainland and elsewhere.”
“We want an export product,” he said. “We are poised to take advantage of that.”
The Planning Department is accepting public comments on the proposal. Emails can be sent to planning@hawaiicounty.gov, susan.gagorik@hawaiicounty.gov and larry.nakayama@hawaiicounty.gov.

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KILAUEA SUMMIT’S LAVA LAKE has again risen to a visible level. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that it was 56 feet below the floor of Halema`uma`u crater this morning and rising.

Webcam captured lava spattering at Kilauea's summit this morning.
Photo from USGS/HVO

Spectators have been able to see lava spattering and upheavals of the lake’s crust several days this month as Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues its centennial celebration.

Webcam views of the lake can be seen at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

“THE PLUME IS NOT YOUR FRIEND,” Hawaiian Volcano Observatory warns in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
Referring to lava entering the ocean at Kamokuna, the article states, “This ‘laze’ (short for lava haze) plume, a byproduct of the lava-ocean interaction, is formed as hot lava boils seawater to dryness. The process leads to a series of chemical reactions that result in the formation of a billowing white cloud composed of an irritating mixture of condensed, acidic seawater steam, hydrochloric acid gas, and tiny shards of volcanic glass. Visitors should avoid this plume, as even the wispy edges of it can cause skin and eye irritation and breathing difficulties.
“Once formed, the effects of the laze plume are literally blowing in the wind. During prevailing trade wind conditions – normally greater than about 80 percent of the year – air flow from nighttime through early morning carries this noxious ocean entry plume off shore and out to sea. This is good news for coastal entry visitors who approach the lava flow field from the end of the National Park's Chain of Craters Road (the west side of the ocean entry).
“By contrast, from mid-morning through late afternoon, trade wind flow on Kilauea’s south flank carries the plume onshore and along the coast, resulting in poor air quality for National Park visitors hoping to catch the ocean entry lava show. During the along shore intervals, the chances of clearer viewing conditions are greater if visitors approach the ocean entry from the Kalapana (east) side, rather than from the west.
“Regardless of the direction the wind is blowing, visitors to the ocean entry need to be mindful of all of the hazards present at the coastal entry and should vigilantly watch for changing conditions. Enjoy the beauty, but mind the hazards—and heed all warning signs!”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/havo.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR, the Hawai`i Board of Education gave Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi an overall rating of “Exceeds Expectations” in her annual job performance evaluation.
“The superintendent and her team sets high expectations for the department and has continued to collaborate with the Board, schools and community on advancing these goals,” said BOE Chairman Lance Mizumoto.

Kathryn Matayoshi

The BOE evaluation is comprised of the following categories with Superintendent Matayoshi’s rating in each: Overall Rating, Exceeds Expectations; Overall Management Abilities, Exceeds Expectations; and

Performance Objectives and Program Accomplishments: Fully Meets Expectations.
The Board noted a number of accomplishments in Matayoshi’s evaluation, posted here. According to the BOE, Hawai`i State Department of Education continues to make progress in key systemic areas from progress on addressing the statewide achievement gap to expansion of community engagement with a focus on career and college.
“The department continues to work hard in transforming public education. This rating is reassuring feedback that we are on the right track and a reflection of the high performance and dedication of the department’s leadership team, administrators, teachers and students,” Matayoshi said. “We will continue to strive higher and remain student-focused in our decision making and planning.”
Additional HIDOE accomplishments over the past year include establishment of new offices, including the Office of Hawaiian Education and Community Engagement; implementation of “Jacob's Study,” a three-phase project that will help HIDOE compile a comprehensive space inventory of all of its facilities; expansion of the free meal and summer meals programs; reduction in open cases of Department Directed Leave and Leave Pending Investigation; securement of multiple grants, including the New Skills for Youth grant awarded to 24 states to improve career preparation systems; and launched efforts to review and revise the joint HIDOE/BOE Strategic Plan concurrently to the drafting of a state plan in response to the new federal law the Every Student Succeeds Act.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

VIDEOCONFERENCING OF HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL meetings this week is available at Na`alehu State Office Building.

Committees meet tomorrow, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development at 9 a.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 9:15 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9:45 a.m.; Planning, 10:30 a.m.; Environmental Management, 1 p.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live streaming of the meetings.

MAULI OLA FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE Wednesday through Saturday at Wood Valley Farm. The event features live music, performance, shamanism, mind/body healing, fermented foods, holistic health, land-based skills workshops, and a Coffee & Human rights circle.

For more information, see mauliolafestival.com, email malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com, or call 503-575-9098.

KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park presents a hula performance, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Halau Hula Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku’s Kumu hula Mamo Brown was formally trained in the `ai ha`a, or low bombastic style, of kahiko hula. After her `uniki, she started her own halau and carries on the kahiko tradition.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com.

Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku presents a hula performance tomorrow evening in Hawai`i
Volcanoes National Park. See more below. Photo from National Park Service

CONCERN FOR PROTECTING KA`U WATER RESOURCES is welling up from conservationists studying the plan for building a plastic water bottling plant in Pahala. Ken Sugai, who owns the house at nearby Honua`po, is addressing the issue. On The Ka`u Calendar Facebook page, Sugai wrote, “I have concerns on pumping water that took thousands of years to filter through the lava and export it out of the state for profit. It sounds like what Nestlé does. It would seem that it would affect the natural springs and watershed.”

Conservationists are concerned about a proposed
water bottling operation's effects on Ka`u Forest
Reserve, a watershed for the aquifer.

The development, which is currently under review by Hawai`i County Planning, calls for more than 136,000 square feet in buildings with a water bottling facility, storage and retail stores, along with parking for tour buses, vans and cars along Maile Street.

Sugai also said this morning that “Ka`u’s water resources are precious. It takes rain thousands of years to percolate through the volcano down to the lens to recharge the aquifer. Thinking about the value of water is like thinking about the preservation of a koa tree. A koa tree may take a hundred years to grow. The pure water of Ka`u takes much longer. People need to realize the importance of protecting this water, especially as people around the world demand bottled water as their own clean water resources are diminished.”

Regarding plastic bottles of water being shipped from Ka`u to the world, Sugai said that “it is ironic that organizations like Hawai`i Wildlife Fund spend countless volunteer hours cleaning up the plastics from the coast and that plastic bottles could be sent from Ka`u overseas, and some of it could come back as plastics in our ocean for us to clean up on our coast.”

One of HWF's Ka`u Coast Cleanups takes place this Saturday. To sign up, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

The Planning Department is accepting public comments on the proposal. Emails can be sent to planning@hawaiicounty.gov, susan.gagorik@hawaiicounty.gov and larry.nakayama@hawaiicounty.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

COMPLETING FREE APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID for college is now a completely different ball game. Families and students, for the first time, will be able to submit financial aid forms as early as Oct. 1 for the 2017-2018 school year instead of the usual date of Jan. 1.

Additionally, for the first time they will also be able to use the previous year’s tax information instead of estimating the numbers for their upcoming taxes. They can use their 2015 tax returns to complete the FAFSA.

Financial Aid Nights are scheduled at Kealakehe High School Library on Oct. 5, University of Hawai`i-Hilo Classroom Building Room 100 on Oct. 18 and Kea`au High School Cafeteria on Oct.19. Each begins at 5:30 p.m. Ka`u High School is also in the process of arranging a Financial Aid Night for students and families. The date and time have not yet been arranged.
See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa-changes.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

VOLCANO ART CENTER ANNOUNCED WINNERS of its juried exhibit Return of `Alala: Restoring The Voice of Hawai`i’s Native Forests, a statewide multimedia art competition featuring Hawai`i’s endemic crow.

Best of Show award was granted to Reyn Ojiri for his oil painting titled `Alala No. 2.

Two first-place awards were also presented in the professional category. First place in the 2-D category went to John D. Dawson for his watercolor titled Into The Forest Again, and first place in 3-D was awarded to Elizabeth Miller for her `Alala Caws and Coaxes Her World Awake, a hand-tooled aluminum and India ink wall sculpture.

Reyn Ojiri's `Alala No. 2 won Best of Show.
Image from VAC

Three awards were also granted in the hobbyist division: first place to Maria Macias, second to Lisa Komarczyk and third to Alice Hostica.

The exhibit is on display at VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park through Oct. 9. Proceeds support the Hawai`i Endangered Bird Conservation Program and celebrate the reintroduction of the `alala into Hawai`i’s forests this November. The exhibit is open to the public and free of charge; park entrance fees apply.
“Volcano Art Center wishes to express a sincere thank you to the participating artists who submitted work,” gallery manager Emily C. Weiss said. “The juried show is a terrific representation of this unique species, in many different media, by over 40 different artists. Special mahalo to the jurors: Paul Banko, Ph.D., Clifford Hague and Michelle Schwengel-Regala, who had the difficult task of choosing 43 artworks from the over 80 entries submitted to include in the exhibit.
“The community support and public outreach included in this exhibition exceeded expectations,” Weiss said.
These works plus the other 36 pieces juried into the exhibition can be viewed daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VAC has expanded the exhibit to its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, with artwork not selected by the jury on display Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., also through Oct. 9. All works are for sale with proceeds supporting Hawai`i’s endangered birds.
“VAC is proud to support this conservation effort. We welcome the public to view the exhibit in person or online at volcanoartcenter.org to find out more ways to help support the `alala,” Weiss said.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION has instructed Hawaiian Electric Companies, including Hawaiian Electric Light Co., to offer a new time-of-use program, which allows customers to manage electricity consumption to reduce monthly bills and benefit the overall grid.

Traditional electricity prices are flat and do not change based on time of day. TOU programs are designed to price electricity in a way that reflects electricity’s true costs by charging customers different rates at different times of the day, instead of a flat rate. This encourages customers to reduce electricity use during times when electricity is more expensive to produce, while allowing them to take advantage of less expensive electricity being offered at other times.

The optional TOU rates approved by the PUC offer lower electricity prices during daytime to encourage customers to use energy when solar and other lower-cost renewable sources are available. In exchange, the TOU rates are higher during the evening when the overall electricity demand is greatest (the system peak). The TOU program is the result of collaborative efforts of the utility companies and interested stakeholders, including local community groups, nonprofit organizations and renewable energy companies.

The on-peak TOU period coincides with the time of day during which the utilities typically experiences the highest volume of residential customer demand. This period has the highest TOU electricity rate, higher than the price a typical customer would be subject to under the current residential tariff. The midday period represents the time of day during which the utilities typically experience relatively lower residential customer demand and higher level of solar and other renewable generation. This midday period features the lowest TOU period rate, below what a typical customer would pay under the current residential tariff. TOU rates are intended to encourage customers to shift their demand from the on-peak evening period to the midday period and to enable more cost-effective integration of renewable energy.
The program offers open, voluntary, optional enrollment to all residential customers.
The rate structure has three distinct time periods, each with its own TOU rate: a mid-day period from 9 a.m. up to 5 p.m., an on-peak period from 5 p.m. up to 10 p.m. and an off-peak period overnight from 10 p.m. up to 9 a.m.
Another program feature is a shadow bill feature, which allows participants to compare bills under the TOU program to what they would have been under their previous residential tariff, in order to determine if the program is beneficial to them.
The two-year program duration is subject to change by the Commission.
Customers are able to opt out of the program at any time, without penalty.

The PUC instructed the utilities to file a tariff for the interim TOU program within thirty days, at which time the tariff will take effect and the program will be open for enrollment. The complete order, as well as links to the docket record, may be found at http://puc.hawaii.gov/.

Sarah Allen Photo from Mauli Ola Festival

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

MAULI OLA FESTIVAL OPENS TOMORROW EVENING and continues through Saturday, with yoga, healing arts, human rights presentations, sustainability workshops, music and more. Thursday’s events include Liko Martin speaking about Indigenous Concepts of Land and Human Rights, Sarah Allen on Empowering Women, a program examining Economics of Coffee in Hawai`i and Holly Baade’s Introduction to Sensual Sight & Shamanic Flight.

For more information and tickets, see mauliolafestival.com.

HALAU HULA ULUMAMO O HILO PALIKU under the direction of Kumu Mamo Brown performs tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

A stone and wooden ahu on Mauna Kea. Ancestral human remains have been taken to an ahu on the mountain, which
Native Hawaiian groups have deemed sacred and inappropriate for the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope.
Photo from kahea.org

ANCESTRAL HUMAN REMAINS FROM KA`U ON TOP OF MAUNA KEA have been placed there by Palikapu Dedman, the son of the late Auntie Pele Hanoa. Dedman, whose family has ancestral ties to Ka`u and particularly the Punalu`u area, told the Hawai`i Tribune Herald that he put ancestral remains on an altar on Mauna Kea this month and last September, defending the action as a traditional Native Hawaiian practice.

Palikapu Dedman Photo from Pele Defense Fund

Dedman has been involved in opposition against the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project at 13,100 feet elevation on Mauna Kea. He has long been involved in preservation of Punalu`u, South Point and native forest in Puna. He has also opposed geothermal development.

According to the Tribune-Herald, Dedman faces criminal charges for placing human remains on Mauna Kea. The story said that “he wants to show the area should be protected.”
A story in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser says that “Dedman said he plans to seek protective status for the altar as a burial site. He declined to provide details about how he got the remains but said they belong to relatives from his ancestral home of Ka`u. State law prohibits the excavation or alteration of a burial site.”
According to the story, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources “has investigated Dedman’s actions and forwarded its findings to the Hawai`i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for review.”
The stories also state that the Office of Mauna Kea Management reports no known burials at any of the telescope sites, following archaeological surveys.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com and staradvertiser.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

“I AM ADAMANTLY AGAINST THIS WATER BOTTLING PROPOSAL,” said marine biologist and South Kona resident Megan Lamson in reference to the proposed Pahala Town Square & Hawaiian Springs Facility. Plans submitted to Hawai`i County Planning Department include buildings that would cover more than three times the area of the new Ka`u gymnasium, along with parking for tour buses, vans and cars along Maile Street.
Lamson studied the waters at Honu`apo for her master's thesis at University of Hawai`i and works on coastal cleanup and anchialine pond projects in Ka`u.

Megan Lamson, left, and CNN reporter Kyung Lah survey debris

at Ka`u's Kamilo Beach. Image from cnn.com

“Water is life,” Lamson said. “It is part of the public trust and needs to be protected and respected as such. The recent proposal of building a water bottling facility in Pahala is a horrible idea for Ka`u or anywhere on Hawai`i Island! It would create a massive human health issues for employees and local residents, and poses numerous potential environmental and cultural threats.

“Not to mention, bottled water is an environmental nightmare in and of itself. It renders water more costly than gasoline and increases our dependence on fossil fuels, like petroleum, to create the single-use plastic vessels. Worldwide, the majority of plastic bottles are not recycled, and they can create serious problems for wildlife when they end up in our oceans, forests and waterways.
“A water bottling facility would steal water from our aquifer/watershed and ship it to some off-island customer. It would rob us of a resource that deserves to be protected for future generations. It is a very bad idea and should be opposed wholeheartedly.”

A Ka`u Coast Cleanup takes place this Saturday. To sign up, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
The Planning Department is accepting public comments on the water bottling plant proposal. Emails can be sent to planning@hawaiicounty.gov, susan.gagorik@hawaiicounty.gov and larry.nakayama@hawaiicounty.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

“KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS” was Hawai`i County Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth’s advice to Ka`u residents at Ocean View Community Center yesterday. His office is helping Hawai`i Island homeowners and landowners resolve squatting situations.

Mitch Roth and Maurice Messina discuss squatters with Ka`u
residents at Ocean View Community Center.
Photo by Ron Johnson

According to Roth, three situations make houses vulnerable to squatters: the property is going through foreclosure, it has been foreclosed, or it belongs to an absentee landlord.

He said owners who are not living on their properties or are away for lengthy periods are required by law to have an on-island representative who can speak for them about their properties when they are absent. Such a person could be contacted to find out if people at the house have been given permission to be there. Representatives can be anyone on the island, including neighbors and realtors, who he said may be willing to offer the service for a small fee.
Roth’s legal assistant Maurice Messina is making a list of homes with squatters and talking to lawyers for bank-owned properties, encouraging them to maintain the equity of homes by keeping them from being damaged by unwelcome people.
Roth and Messina said an amendment to the state’s nuisance abatement laws is helping. The Legislature earlier this year passed HB1561, which makes trespassing a nuisance violation that permits authorities to remove perpetrators.
However, “in order for police to make a case, someone has to want the people out,” Roth said. He said residents are often unwilling to file a complaint for fear of retribution. Residents at the meeting also said police are often not willing to file a report.
Roth also said neighbors can videotape actions at suspect properties. Such evidence could be used to build a case against the squatters.
Roth also advised residents to make sure that police reports filed are listed as “Criminal” rather than “Miscellaneous Public” to reduce the amount of time it takes for his office to receive them from the Police Department.

For help with squatters, call 961-0466, or email maurice.messina@hawaiicounty.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. HAS PROPOSED to increase base rates by 6.5 percent. According to the utility, this is the first such request in nearly six years. Funds would be used to help pay for operating costs, including expanded vegetation management focusing on albizia tree removal, as well as system upgrades to increase reliability, improve customer service and integrate more renewable energy.
Life of the Land Executive Director Henry Curtis said his organization and Puna Pono Alliance filed a joint letter to the PUC saying that they would file a joint motion to intervene.

“We are very concerned about high rates,” Curtis said. “We also favor a plan that allows for far greater levels of on-site generation and rooftop solar.”

Rate reviews are required by the Public Utilities Commission every three years. If approved, a typical residential bill for 500 kilowatt-hours on Hawai`i Island would increase by $9.31 a month to $171.16. The proposed rate change will be reviewed by regulators and would likely not take effect until the summer of 2017 at the earliest.

According to HELCO, bills reflecting new rates, if approved, would still be lower than a year ago.
As part of the current review, HELCO is proposing benchmarks to measure its performance in key areas, such as customer service, reliability and communication for the rooftop solar interconnection process and to link certain revenues to that performance.
Among increased operating costs driving the rate change is an extensive vegetation management and tree removal initiative. Since 2014, HELCO has spent $14 million on tree trimming and removal, concentrating on areas where falling albizias threaten utility equipment and highways. The tree removal program reduced impacts of recent tropical storms, resulting in fewer outages and faster power restoration than when Iselle hit the island.
HELCO has also spent more than $14 million over the past six years improving customer service systems, developing technical solutions to integrate more private rooftop solar, replacing and upgrading equipment to improve efficiency and reliability and developing detailed plans to achieve the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy. The company said it “has absorbed a large portion of these increased costs in the years between rate cases without passing them on to customers.”
HELCO has increased its use of renewable energy from 35 percent in 2010 to 49 percent today, using wind, hydroelectricity, solar and geothermal to replace imported oil. The company reduced its use of oil by 13 percent over the same period.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Child car seat inspections come to Ka`u
Tuesday. Image from PID Foundation

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS is Saturday. Originally scheduled for Sept. 3, the event was postponed due to possible tropical storm conditions. The event at Na`alehu Park includes a parade along Hwy 11.

For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

KA`U PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS can make appointments for free car seat inspections.

Pahala Community Center offers the service on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event is an alternative to driving to inspection sites at Hilo and Kona Target stores this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call 961-9395.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Pa`u riders and horses return to Na`alehu Saturday to celebrate Ka`u Plantation Days.
See more below. Photo by Ron Johnson

BAY CLINIC IS ONE OF 14 HAWAI`I HEALTH CENTERS that will receive a total of $753,064 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support health information technology enhancements. The clinic’s allocation of $66,682 is part of more than $87 million provided by HHS to 1,310 health centers in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Pacific Basin. The funding will support health IT enhancements to accelerate health centers' transition to value-based models of care, improve efforts to share and use information to support better decisions and increase engagement in delivery system transformation. This is the first significant investment directly awarded to health centers to support the purchase of health IT since 2009.

“Health centers across Hawai`i provide high-quality health and wellness services that our communities depend upon,” Gabbard said. “Yet, in Hawai`i and in states across the country, remote locations, lack of funding and staff shortages make it difficult to keep up with rapidly changing healthcare technology. Investing in our local health centers will increase information sharing, improve electronic healthcare record systems and expand access to comprehensive, quality care for people in every county across the state.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE PROPOSED PAHALA WATER BOTTLING PLANT has drawn more discussion. Ken Sugai, who owns the house at Honu`apo, pointed to a 2014 Hawai`i Supreme Court decision regarding a Kaua`i water bottling company. The decision drew upon Hawai`i’s Public Trust Doctrine in Article 11 of the Constitution. It states, “For the benefit of present and future generations, the state and its political subdivisions shall conserve and protect Hawai`i’s natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the state.

David Minkin

“All public natural resources are held in trust by the state for the benefit of the people.”

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Kaua`i Planning Commission after a lower court ruled that the commission “exceeded its jurisdiction” when it denied Kaua`i Springs, Inc. its permit to operate.
In a story in The Garden Island newspaper, attorney David Minkin told reporter Chris D’Angelo that the Supreme Court decision “means that, especially when water’s at issue, that every agency that has some duty or responsibility has to take a look at it from the constitutional perspective of the Public Trust Doctrine.
“You just can’t punt it and say, ‘Not my kuleana.’ You have to look at it. You have to evaluate it. You have to get information. And if you’re left with a question in the back of your mind that you don’t have enough information, it’s not the department, in this case the Planning Commission, it’s not their duty to go out and track down and get information.
“ Instead, the applicant — in this case, Kaua`i Springs — must present the appropriate information.”
The court’s ruling “basically shifts the burden,” Minkin said.
On The Ka`u Calendar Facebook page, Mariah Penelope Aguilar posted about the use of spring from Ka`u for a bottling plant. “I would be worried that if they create a company, they might close out wells that are free,” she said.
Jimbeaux Black, of Na`alehu, posted, “To come onto the edge of a desert, tap into the watershed for bottled profit packaged in plastic is not sustainable on so many levels. Water is being bought and stolen, in all parts of the world. This is not good for Ka`u’s future. Very shortsighted. Water is life.”
Hawai`i County Planning Department is currently reviewing the Pahala water bottling plant proposal and accepting public comments. Emails can be sent to planning@hawaiicounty.gov, susan.gagorik@hawaiicounty.gov and larry.nakayama@hawaiicounty.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Help David Benitez remove fountain grass
in Ocean View. Photo from NPS

VOLUNTEERS ARE INVITED TO WORK with Ocean View Community Association and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park staff to remove invasive fountain grass from roadsides in Ocean View on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is a highly flammable bunch grass native to North Africa. This fire-promoting plant spreads quickly and is one of the few invasive species that can colonize young lava flows that would otherwise serve as natural firebreaks. In August 2005, this noxious weed contributed to the spread of a 25,000-acre wildfire that forced evacuation of Waikoloa Village. Fountain grass aggressively chokes out native plants and increases fire potential in natural areas. It is a problem for all districts around the island, especially leeward areas.
Volunteers will meet Ocean View Community Center at 9 a.m. Bring lunch, water, a hat and sunscreen.
For more information, call Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park ecologist David Benitez at 985-6085, or email david_benitez@nps.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Keiki and adults are invited to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger

on National Public Lands Day. NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK invites everyone to lend a helping hand on National Public Lands Day this Saturday as it celebrates 100 years of protecting native ecosystems. It’s a fee-free day, and while all park visitors can enjoy the park at no charge, NPLD volunteers will receive a free pass to use on another day of their choosing.

Join volunteers for Stewardship at the Summit from 8:45 a.m. to noon. Meet NPLD coordinator Jane Field at Kilauea Visitor Center, then head into the rainforest to remove invasive Himalayan ginger from the summit of Kilauea. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, sunscreen, raingear, snacks, and water. Loppers/gloves provided. No advance registration required.
While pretty and fragrant, Himalayan ginger (also called kahili) 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 and makes it impossible for the next generation of forest to grow. This inedible ginger species crowds out many native plants, including pa`iniu (a Hawaiian lily), `ama`u fern, and others.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u state Sen. Russell Ruderman performs with El Leo
ate Wood Valley Farm tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

ACTIVITIES AT MAULI OLA FESTIVAL at Wood Valley Farm tomorrow include morning and afternoon yoga sessions, Gilberto Baraona’s introduction of a new coffee variety and a Korean Natural Farming Workshop with Drake Weinert.

An evening concert begins with music by El Leo, featuring Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman, followed by Kalapana Awa Band, Jeff Peterson and Liko Martin.
See mauliolafestival.com for more information and tickets.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND’S annual “Get the Drift & Bag it Ka`u Coast Cleanup is Saturday from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or text 808-769-7629 for more information.
To date, HWF and volunteers have removed over 192 tons of marine debris from the shores of Hawai`i Island.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS is Saturday at Na`alehu Park. A parade, with horses and riders representing the Hawaiian islands, begins at 9 a.m. along Hwy 11.

For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u Plantation Days at Na`alehu Park begins with a pa`u parade on Hwy 11. See more below.
Photo by Ron Johnson

A FINAL RULE TO CREATE A PATHWAY for reestablishing a formal government-to-government relationship with the Native Hawaiian community has been published by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The final rule sets out an administrative procedure and criteria that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior would use if the Native Hawaiian community forms a unified government that then seeks such a relationship with the United States.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell

“This final rule provides the Native Hawaiian community with the opportunity to exercise self-determination by reestablishing a formal government-to-government relationship with the United States,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said. “Throughout this two-year rulemaking process, thousands of voices from the Native Hawaiian community and the public testified passionately about the proposal. Today is a major step forward in the reconciliation process between Native Hawaiians and the United States that began over 20 years ago. We are proud to announce this final rule that respects and supports self-governance for Native Hawaiians, one of our nation’s largest indigenous communities.”

The rule builds on more than 150 federal statutes that Congress enacted over the last century to recognize and implement the special political and trust relationship between the United States and the Native Hawaiian community. It also considered and addressed extensive public comments during the rulemaking process, which included public meetings in Hawai`i and the mainland United States.

Native Hawaiians have not had a formal unified government since the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai`i in 1893. In 1993, Congress enacted the Apology Resolution, which offered an apology to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the United States for its role in the overthrow and committed the federal government to a process of reconciliation. As part of that reconciliation process, in 2000, DOI and the Department of Justice jointly issued a report identifying as its lead recommendation the need to foster self-determination for Native Hawaiians under Federal law.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz

The decision to reorganize a Native Hawaiian government is one for the Native Hawaiian community – not the federal government – to make as an exercise of self-determination. If a formal government-to-government relationship is reestablished, it could provide the community with greater flexibility to preserve its distinct culture and traditions. It could also enhance their ability to affect its special status under federal law by exercising powers of self-government over many issues directly impacting community members.

“This is an historic step towards doing what is right and just for Native Hawaiians,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “For far too long, Native Hawaiians have been the only federally recognized native people without a government-to-government relationship with the United States. Generations of Hawaiians and allies have worked to restore this relationship, and this rule is one of the most significant developments in making this a real possibility. Although the rule establishes formal procedures for a Native Hawaiian government to establish its governmental relationship with the United States, it leaves the Hawaiian community with the authority and responsibility to reorganize its governing entity. President Obama’s leadership and personal commitment to Hawai`i was evident in the level of community engagement conducted by his administration and essential to ensuring this path forward for Native Hawaiians.”

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “For decades, many in the Native Hawaiian community have fought for the same rights and treatment as indigenous groups across the United States, like Native American tribes and Alaska Natives. The Department of Interior announcement today simply places the decision-making authority solely within the hands of Native Hawaiians to determine what, if any, government-to-government relationship they choose to have with the U.S. federal government. I had the great honor of working as a legislative aide to Sen. Akaka, who dedicated so much of his life to creating this opportunity for our Native Hawaiian community. I look forward to continuing to engage and work alongside our Native Hawaiian brothers and sisters as they determine their path forward.”

The rule, along with Frequently Asked Questions and other supporting documents, is available for review at www.doi.gov/hawaiian.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A 3.2-magnitude quake shook Ka`u this morning.
Photo from USGS/HVO

DID YOU FEEL IT? An earthquake rattle Ka`u’s sloped of Mauna Loa at about 9:30 a.m. According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the minor earthquake was centered 8.8 miles from Kilauea’s summit. Originally listed at magnitude 3.0, a seismic analyst later increased it to 3.2.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

TWENTY AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS will be donated by Big Island Toyota to Hawai`i Island nonprofits as part of the Be a Lifesaver Hawai`i campaign effort. Each recipient organization will also receive free lifesaving bystander chest compression only CPR and AED training at its facility as part of the AED donation. Deadline for submitting applications/nominations is close of business on Oct. 15.

Hawai`i Island nonprofits can apply to receive free AEDs.
Photo from American Red Cross

Winning nonprofits will be notified no later than Oct. 20 of their selection by the Be a Lifesaver Hawai`i committee and will be invited to attend a special presentation at Big Island Toyota’s main showroom in Hilo on Oct. 27.

Applications can be mailed or delivered in person to Big Island Toyota, Attn: Calvin Koga, 811 Kanoelehua Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720.
Contact Lisa Rantz at 932-3636 with any questions.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Dr. Thomas Jaggar
is on holiday for two weeks. Photo from KDEN

“A WALK INTO THE PAST,” Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network’s Living History program, is taking a two-week break. There will be no shows on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. The program will resume on Oct. 11 and will repeat every Tuesday, with performances at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. At that time participants can meet Dr. Thomas Jaggar, portrayed by Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger, and find out what drew him to the edge of Kilauea to study volcanoes. Meet at Kilauea Visitor’s Center to be escorted to Whitney Vault, home of the original seismograph.

Hershberger is a playwright-director-actor-entertainer best known for this long-running and critically acclaimed presentation.
The performance is free; park entrance fees apply. Donations are gratefully accepted.
For more information, call 982-7344, or email kden73@aol.com.

A FREE LEGAL CLINIC COMES TO KA`U tomorrow. The Senior Counsel Division of Hawai`i Bar Association, in coordination with Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc., provides legal information at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center, 96-3126 Puahala Street in Pahala, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Topics include law on estate/probate/trust, criminal, no-fault/insurance, environmental, immigration, employment/labor, landlord/tenant, personal injury, civil rights and Hawaiian rights.

CELEBRATE KA`U PLANTATION DAYS tomorrow at Na`alehu Park. A parade, with horses and riders representing the Hawaiian islands, begins at 9 a.m. along Hwy 11.

For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

Mishka performs tomorrow. Photo from
Mauli Ola Festival

MAULI OLA FESTIVAL CONTINUES through tomorrow evening at Wood Valley Farm.

Saturday workshop topics include fermented foods, soil microbes and permaculture.
An evening concert features music by Malian, Drew Daniels, David Kai, Dread Ashanti, Love Eternal, Mishka and Youssoupha Sidibe.
For more information and tickets, see mauliolafestival.com.

TOMORROW IS A FEE-FREE DAY at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Entry fees are waived on National Public Lands Day.
Kīlauea Military Camp invites the public to experience how KMC supports America’s troops by utilizing any of its facilities and services.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Learn about `ohi`a lehua tomorrow at Kahuku. See more below. Photo from NPS

INTERNSHIPS ARE NEXT FOR GRADUATES of a pilot health care program offered at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center. Nine students graduated yesterday after finishing a year of online classes that prepared them to become community health workers. Students also read textbooks that are used in classes at Maui and Kapi`olani Community Colleges. Graduates will offer outreach and health assessment to the community and refer patients to medical providers.

Subjects included medical terminology, emergency response, CPR, first aid and caregiving for the elderly. The students also studied HIPAA, the federal law that protects personal medical information and recognizes the rights to relevant medical information of family caregivers and others directly involved in providing or paying for care.

Ka‘ū’s County Council member Maile David celebrated with Jessie Marques,
at right, and graduates, including Donna Kekoa. Photo by Ron Johnson

Students took three courses in six-week sessions. Graduates were required to complete final exams with scores of 80 percent or higher.

Resa Salmo, a student from Volcano, said that community health workers provide “a little bit more trust” to residents who need medical attention but hesitate to seek it.
Ka`u High graduate Stacyn Lopez, activities director at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo, said the program was a great opportunity. Lopez said she has been working with Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. Executive Director Jesse Marques since she was eight years old.
Other graduates are Betty Jo Adams, Krystalyne Gascon, Sunshine Kahapea, Donna Kekoa, Daniel Mokiao, Nicole Moore and Mahealani Taganas.
Ka`u Hospital has agreed to participate in the internship program, along with Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi and Hilo Medical Center.
Funding for the program came from several sources, including the state Department of Health Family Health Services, a Hawai`i County grant-in-aid and Alu Like. Marques said a second program may be offerd based on success of internships and employment of graduates.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

LAURENCE CAPELLAS’ PORTRAIT IS TO BE DISPLAYED Ka`u High School’s new gym, according to a group of Ka`u residents who lobbied to name the gym for the principal of long ago. Capellas led the effort to start football, build the pool and much more during his tenure from 1946 to 1959.

Noel Kawachi with a photo of Laurence Capellas.

A letter written and signed by several Ka`u residents during their efforts stated that Capellas “was the type of person who could envision what could be possible and inspire others. … His leadership and influence went way beyond the walls of the school. The town we have today carries on the foundations inspired and established because of this man who worked tirelessly for others. Mr. Laurence Capellas recognized that confidence-building, decision-making, character-formation happened in and out of the classroom.”
The plan is to present a large, framed photo of Capellas with a plaque on opening day when the photo will be on a stand draped with a maile lei. After the opening, the county will place it on the wall.
Opening may be as early as October.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Those are questions Hawaiian Volcano Observatory answers in the current issue of Volcano Watch regarding the rise and fall of Kilauea’s summit lava lake.
“In early September 2016, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring instruments on Kilauea began recording increased rates of inflation and slightly elevated shallow earthquake activity,” the article states. “These changes indicate a higher rate of magma accumulation within the volcano’s summit magma reservoir.
“This magma accumulation is also reflected – quite visibly for visitors at the Jaggar Museum Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park –by periodic, and sometimes rapid, rises of the lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater. When the lake level is high, vigorous spattering on the lake surface creates a dazzling display, especially after dark, when the incandescent lava lights up the night sky.
“Longtime volcano watchers have likely noticed that Kilauea’s summit lava lake rises and falls in concert with summit inflation and deflation. During the last half of 2015, the lava lake level generally fluctuated between about 40 and 70 meters (131 – 230 feet) below the rim of the vent on Halema`uma`u Crater’s floor.
“Throughout 2016, the lava lake level has typically varied between 20 and 40 meters (66 –131 feet) below the vent rim. That is, until early September, when the increased rate of inflation resulted in higher lake levels.

On Sept. 10, Kilauea's summit lava lake rose to within 16 feet
of the vent rim. Photo from USGS/HVO

“On Sept. 10, the summit lava lake rose to within five meters (16 feet) of the vent rim but dropped the next day with the onset of summit deflation. Since then (as of Sept. 22), the lava lake level has fluctuated between 10 and 28 meters (33 – 92 feet) below the rim, rising and falling with periods of inflation and deflation – and thrilling park visitors who happen to see the lake during one of its high stands.

“Like those visitors, HVO staff enjoy the beauty of Kilauea’s lava lake activity. But, as scientists, we also ponder what it means.
“It’s impossible to know the exact outcome(s) of a pressurized magma reservoir. We have, however, identified possible scenarios based on recent observations and past similar events.
“For example, given long-term trends and current conditions at Kilauea, we expect summit inflation and elevated earthquake activity to continue. With inflation, we also anticipate periodic high lava lake levels – possibly with lava overflowing the vent rim and spreading across the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, as happened in April-May 2015.
“Intermittent rockfalls in the summit vent are also expected. Rocks falling from the vent walls and into the lava lake can initiate explosions that send spatter (clots of molten lava), solid rock fragments and bits of volcanic glass (ash, Pele’s hair, Pele’s tears) flying into the air. During past explosions, spatter and solid rocks up to a meter (yard) or more in size have been thrown onto the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. These hazardous explosions occur suddenly and without warning – as recently as Sept. 19 – one reason why Halema`uma`u has been closed to the public since Feb. 2008.
“If a lava lake explosion occurs under southerly wind conditions, tiny particles of volcanic glass and pulverized rock could be blown toward Jaggar Museum and other viewing areas. This could result in a ‘dusting’ of Pele’s hair and gritty ash at park overlooks.
“The summit vent continues to emit sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases that produce poor air quality downwind from the lava lake. But closer to the vent, along the Halema`uma`u Crater rim, gas concentrations are potentially life-threatening – the main reason why this area remains closed to the public.
“Inflation of Kilauea’s summit reservoir increases the chance of magma intruding into the volcano’s south caldera or upper rift zones. Such an intrusion would likely result in a rapid drop in the summit lava lake and could cause new breakouts of lava, like the 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption. If the magma supplied to Pu`u `O`o increases, changes in the 61g lava flow and Kamokuna ocean entry could occur.

“HVO scientists closely watch Kilauea for any signs of an intrusion – changes in deformation and seismicity – that might precede a new breakout of lava. HVO’s monitoring instruments are programmed to rapidly alert us –day and night – to sudden changes on the volcano.
“It’s an exciting and interesting time on Kilauea – for both the public and the scientists who study the volcano. If you’re unable to visit in person, you can still follow the lava lake’s rise and fall through HVO’s daily updates and recent photos posted at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less) walk.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ATPAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Retired police officer Bobby Gomes led yesterday's Ka`u Plantation Days pa`u parade Grand Marshal.
Photos by Darlyne Vierra

PA`U RIDERS AND HORSES GRACED Hwy 11 in Na`alehu yesterday at the opening of Ka`u Plantation Days. Retired police officer Bobby Gomes, of Pahala, served as Grand Marshal.
Festivities, including music and food, followed at Na`alehu Park, with displays of photos and artifacts from Ka`u’s sugar era. Ka`u Sugar closed down 20 years ago.
Ka`u Multicultural Society organized this year's event, with leadership from Darlyne Vierra and Liz Kuluwaimaka.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Colors represent various Hawaiian Islands.

“THE PRESIDENT TOOK OFFICE VOWING to strengthen the relationship between the United States government and tribal governments around the country, including the Native Hawaiian population,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said at a press briefing on Friday. His remarks followed the Department of Interior’s release of a new rule establishing a way for Native Hawaiians to have a government-to-government relationship with the federal government if they choose to form a unified government.

“Next week the White House will convene the Tribal Nations Conference here in Washington, D.C.,” Earnest said. “This is something that the President has prioritized, and he’s regularly appeared at this conference as a demonstration of the priority that he has placed on improved relations between the federal government and tribal governments.
“The President obviously does have his own personal connection to the Native Hawaiian population and the rich cultural heritage of the Native Hawaiian people. The President got to experience a little of that when he traveled to Hawaii a few weeks ago. And the President believes that that cultural heritage isn’t just worthy of our respect, it’s also worth protecting. And that's the reason that, in designating the marine monument out there, the policy was careful to ensure that local populations could continue to engage in their ancient traditions.

Keiki rode their horses through Na`alehu.

“So I think this also – I would put this in the category of the kind of policies the President is hopeful the next president will pursue. But there’s a lot of progress that we’ve made in terms of strengthening the relationship between the federal government and a variety of tribal governments. But there’s more work to be done.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG CHIN joined 35 other attorneys general who filed an antitrust lawsuit against the makers of Suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction, over allegations that the companies engaged in a scheme to block generic competitors and cause purchasers to pay artificially high prices.

A horse strikes an imposing pose.

Suboxone is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat heroin addiction and other opioid addictions by easing addiction cravings. No generic alternative of the film is currently available.

Chin said, “Helping addicts recover from the deadly effects of opioids is a top priority here and in other states. This week, I had commented on the legal authority in Hawaii to prescribe Suboxone for the purpose of opioid detoxification or maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. Unfortunately, the makers of this drug have capitalized on this serious public health crisis and raked in huge corporate profits.”
Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals, now known as Indivior, is accused of conspiring with MonoSol Rx to switch Suboxone from a tablet version to a film that dissolves in the mouth in order to prevent or delay generic alternatives and maintain monopoly profits. The companies are accused of violating state and federal antitrust laws.

Miss Ka`u Coffee 2016 winners celebrated Ka`u Plantation Days. Left

to right are Miss Ka`u Coffee 2016 Rochelle Koi, Miss Ka`u Coffee

Second Princess Jami Beck, Miss Peaberry Chazlynn Pua-Queja

and Junior Miss Ka`u Coffee 2016 Karlee Fukunaga-Camba.

According to the lawsuit, when Reckitt introduced Suboxone in 2002 (in tablet form), it had exclusivity protection that lasted for seven years, meaning no generic version could enter the market during that time. Before that period ended, however, Reckitt worked with MonoSol to create a new version of Suboxone – a dissolvable film, similar in size to a breath strip. Over time, Reckitt allegedly converted the market away from the tablet to the film through marketing, price adjustments and other methods. Ultimately, after the majority of Suboxone prescriptions were written for the film, Reckitt removed the tablet from the U.S. market.

The attorneys general allege that this conduct was illegal “product hopping,” where a company makes modest changes to its product to extend patent protections so other companies can’t enter the market and offer cheaper generic alternatives. According to the suit, the Suboxone film provided no real benefit over the tablet and Reckitt continued to sell the tablets in other countries even after removing them from the U.S. market. Reckitt also allegedly expressed unfounded safety concerns about the tablet version and intentionally delayed FDA approval of generic versions of Suboxone.

As a result, the attorneys general allege that consumers and purchasers have paid artificially high monopoly prices since late 2009, when generic alternatives of Suboxone might otherwise have become available. During that time, annual sales of Suboxone topped $1 billion.

The last haul cane truck brought the parade to a close.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A FEDERAL FUNDING RESOLUTION FOR ZIKA research and protection includes $1.1 billion.
“We appear to have a deal on Zika that will help us to address this dangerous disease,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “This is especially important for Hawai`i because we have one of the mosquitoes that carries the virus. This disease is now well established in the United States, with thousands of cases reported in Florida and the U.S. territories. Our critical public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are in desperate need of funding to combat Zika. It’s time we finally move forward with providing the CDC with the resources it needs.”
Schatz has been a voice on the need to pass Zika funding. Earlier this month, he sent a letter signed by 27 Senate colleagues, including Sen. Mazie Hirono, to House Speaker Paul Ryan urging him to bring the Senate-passed bipartisan Zika funding bill up for a vote in the House.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

After the pa`u parade, festivities continues at Na`alehu Park.

THE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL POWER ACT, which would help connect victims with legal representation. In response to a pervasive lack of legal assistance for domestic violence survivors, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and colleagues today introduced the bill last week. Studies have shown that survivors who can afford or access a lawyer successfully obtain restraining orders in 83 percent of cases, compared to 32 percent without a lawyer.

“The frequency of domestic violence is more prevalent than most realize – nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S.,” Gabbard said. “This staggering statistic will not change and could become worse if we don’t empower survivors with the support they need to move forward. In Hawai`i, 575 domestic violence survivors seek support from local programs and services every single day, and too often, their needs go unmet. The POWER Act will give domestic violence survivors in Hawai`i and across the country access to affordable legal services as well as the protection that is often needed for themselves and their families.”

Among Plantation Days musicians were
and Demetrius Oliviera and friends.

The POWER Act would require each U.S. Attorney’s office to annually host a public event supporting pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence. The U.S. Attorneys would report to the Department of Justice, which will then compile a single report to Congress each year summarizing the events and discussing their effectiveness.

A companion bill passed with unanimous support in the Senate.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAIIAN ADZE PRODUCTION & Lithic Block Quarries on Kilauea are topics at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday. Archaeologist Caleb Houck shares his knowledge about the lithic block quarries on Kilauea volcano. Learn how Hawaiians crafted finely grained basalt rock into adze following the 1790 summit eruptions, why these particular rocks were prized by Hawaiians and how archaeologists discovered these abandoned quarries centuries later.
The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support park programs.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ATPAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

The Nature Conservancy, which manages the Kamehame hawksbill turtle preserve below Pahala, receives
donations from Hawaiian Springs, the company planning a water bottling plant in Pahala, according to
www.hawaiiansprings.comPhoto by David Rayner

HAWAIIAN SPRINGS, WHICH IS PLANNING a water bottling plant in Pahala, “is a proud supporter of many local community and charitable events and serves on the Corporate Council for the Environment for The Nature Conservancy in Hawai`i,” according to its website, www.hawaiianspringswater.com. “Further, Hawaiian Springs donates a portion of its proceeds from bottled water sales to The Nature Conservancy each year in its effort to build awareness and support for the preservation of native Hawaiian endemic species – many of which are threatened with extinction.” The Nature Conservancy manages preserves of pristine forest and watershed in the mountains of Ka`u as well as the Kamehame hawksbill turtle nesting site below Pahala on the coast.

A green sea turtle basks at what appears to be an abandoned hawksbill

turtle nest at Kamehame, managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Photo by Will Olsen/Hawksbill Recovery Project

In the 1981 Overview of Water Resources Pahala-Na`alehu, author John Mink stated that “the southern portion of the Ka`u District has profited from a long history of water resources investigations.” Mink reported that runoff rarely reaches the coast, “and infrequently do stream channels in the wet mountain area carry a sustained flow for more than a few days. Rain quickly infiltrates into highly permeable soil and rock formations and ultimately percolates to deep aquifers, even though often temporarily arrested by perching ash beds.”

Regarding source sustainability, Hawaiian Springs states on its website that the aquifer in Kea`au from which it draws water for its bottling plant there has a recharge rate of 1.38 billion gallons per day, according to the Hawai`i Commission on Water Resource Management. “It’s enough pure water to supply all the bottled water consumed each year in America in 7.3 days!” the company states. “Think that’s crazy, how about all the world’s yearly bottled water consumption in less than a month! Now that’s sustainable!
"With an approved sustainable use rating of 740 million gallons per day, Hawaiian Springs’ source (the N.E. Mauna Loa system) is the most robust in Hawai`i and one of the healthiest in the world. In fact, the overall Big Island aquifer system has a sustainable use rate of 2,431 mgd – that’s over 3.4 trillion liters of pure artesian water each year!” Hawaiian Springs states on its website.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO AND FELLOW SENATE DEMOCRATS unveiled a measure to increase access to support at-risk Hawai`i youth. The Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act would create a competitive grant program to expand access to fact-based, community oriented education and support programs that promote sexual health for young people who have been disadvantaged by underlying structural barriers and social inequity.

“Politicized and agenda-driven sex education fails too many at-risk and disadvantaged young people,” Hirono said. “Better access to education will translate into better decisions that will help young people improve their health, enhance their futures and gain confidence that their communities understand, accept, and support them.”
The YASHS act would authorize the Health and Human Services Secretary to award competitive grants for programs that expand access to sexual health services for marginalized youth, including young people of color, immigrant youth, LGBTQ youth, youth in foster care, homeless youth, youth in juvenile detention, and others.
These grants would help organizations bridge barriers to information and access – from discrimination, to a lack of knowledgeable providers, a perceived lack of confidentiality, and transportation and other costs. These barriers can contribute to health challenges and disparities, including high rates of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, unintended pregnancies, and other issues.
The YASHS Act would also ensure that no federal funds are provided for programs that withhold health-promoting or life-saving information about sexuality-related topics, that are inaccurate or ineffective, or are inconsistent with the ethical imperatives of medicine and public health.
“Despite ongoing attacks in states across the country to keep young people from accessing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, we at Planned Parenthood continue to provide life-changing sex education programs that deliver information and resources about relationships, sexuality and sexual health,” said Carole Miller, Chief Learning Officer at Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands. “We applaud Sen. Hirono for her tireless work to ensure today’s youth have access to comprehensive and medically accurate sex education, and we stand with her as she introduces legislation that will support our efforts and those of our partners to address the needs of our most vulnerable youth and at the same time help us to build safer, healthier communities for all.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard speaks with Service Academy students.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is currently accepting nomination request letters from individuals in Ka`u and throughout Hawai`i’s Second Congressional District to the U.S. Service Academies for the classes entering in the summer of 2017. The deadline for completed files is Oct. 31.

“Each year, I have the honor of nominating Hawai`i’s best and brightest to attend our nation’s prestigious Service Academies,” Gabbard said. There is no greater privilege than to serve our country in uniform, and I encourage anyone in the Second Congressional District who is qualified and interested to submit their application for a nomination.”
The Service Academies include the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO; the Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD; West Point Military Academy at West Point, NY; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.
Coast Guard Academy admissions are based on a nationwide competition and do not require Congressional nominations.
Potential candidates must have reached their 17th birthday and not passed their 23rd birthday on July 1 of the year they would enter the academy; be a U.S. citizen; have graduated from high school; be unmarried; have taken the ACT and/or SAT; and meet stringent entrance requirements of their preferred academy.
Applications can be submitted to Ryan Joslin, Office of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, 300 Ala Moana Blvd Room 5-104, Honolulu, HI 96850.
For more information, see http://bit.ly/2cmt6Jp, or call Gabbard’s Hawai`i office at 808-541-1986.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u High's cross country team members, with coaches Erin Cole
and Kevin Sun, are halfway through their season.
Photo from Erin Cole

KA`U HIGH CROSS COUNTRY TEAM has been training Monday through Friday and racing 5K (3.1 miles) on Saturdays. The team raced on a bright sunny day at Kamehameha school on Sept. 10. The athletes enjoy this course and came in with some good times: Brennan Nishimura 23:07, Kyle Calumpit 23:49, Rowlie Flores 27:12, Daryl Moreira 29:38, Sheena Flores 28:29 and Chloe Gan 29:24

The whole team, including coaches Erin Cole and Kevin Sun, ran in the Ka`u Coffee Trail run and found the trail to be challenging and fun.
A race on Saturday, Sept. 24 was at HPA. Teams from other islands as well as the mainland participated. The weather was typical for Waimea, with a light mist, hot sun, cool shade and a breeze. The infamous HPA hill was daunting as always, and our team ran hard. Brennen Nishimura finished at 25:10; Kyle Calumpit, 26:00; Rowlie Flores 26:47; and Daryl Moreira 28:19.
After the race, the team enjoyed a Yoga for Runners class with Stacy Lanterman at Hawaiian Healing Yoga.
The team is halfway through the racing season. The next races are at Waiakea at 3 p.m. on Oct. 1, Kea`au at 10 a.m. on Oct. 8 and BIIF Championships at HPA on Friday Oct. 21. 2 p.m. HHSAA Championships take place at HPA on Oct. 29 at 8:30 a.m.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Native Hawaiians used rock from Kilauea's summit to make tools.
Poster from NPS

ARCHAEOLOGIST CALEB HOUCK SHARES HIS KNOWLEDGE about Hawaiian adze production and lithic block quarries on Kilauea tomorrow at After Dark in the Park.

The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support park programs.

MAKE A HAWAIIAN BROOM Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Rangers teach how to make a useful pulumi ni`au, brooms fashioned from midribs of coconut leaves.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

`Iwi, prominent in Patrick Ching's Hidden Valley, is one of several endangered native species
that are vulnerable to diseases spread by mosquitoes. Image from Volcano Art Center

ELIMINATING MOSQUITOES STATEWIDE for the survival of native birds and the health of people is discussed by two University of Hawai`i scholars in an opinion piece this morning in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Alan Titchenal, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S. work at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Sam Gon, of The Nature Conservancy

Concerning humans, they write: “In many parts of the world, mosquitoes transmit serious diseases ranging from malaria to the Zika virus. In Hawai`i, there is a particular concern about Zika, as well as other mosquito-borne diseases including dengue fever, yellow fever and Chikungunya. There are many very serious public health concerns related to these mosquito-borne diseases and if they became established here in Hawai`i, the impact to the tourist industry could be devastating.”
They point out that the International Union for Conservation of Nature meeting held recently in Honolulu took up “preservation of Hawai`i’s rapidly vanishing species of endemic birds.” Strategies discussed included eradication and bioengineering mosquitoes to prevent them from carrying various diseases.

They wrote, “For most of us, it is easy to relate to the risks of these diseases to humans. However, Hawai`i’s native bird species have been devastated by mosquito-borne diseases for over 150 years.”

The authors reviewed history of mosquitoes and birds in Hawai`i, writing that “both the mosquito-borne avian malaria and avian pox have contributed to the extinction of 38 endemic Hawaiian birds. Of the remaining 32 endemic species, 21 are considered to be threatened by these diseases that are expected to lead to their extinction in the near future. While forest birds in Hawai`i evolved over millennia, mosquitoes have only been here for 200 years.”
The article points out that The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i cultural advisor Sam Gon noted during the conservation meeting that the ancient Hawaiian Kumulipo creation chant refers forest birds as elders, here before “the major Hawaiian gods.” He said endemic Hawaiian birds are to be “revered, respected and cared for.”
In the Advertiser opinion piece this morning, the U.H. writers stated that “genetic technologies have the potential to eradicate mosquitoes and the diseases that they deliver to people and birds without the drawbacks of pesticides. These include the release of sterile male mosquitoes, the use of bacteria that can prevent viruses from being carried by mosquitoes, and controversial gene-drive technology that could completely eradicate mosquitoes from Hawai`i.”
They concluded with the question, “How much longer can we make the forest birds wait? How many more bird species can we allow to be lost?” For more, See staradvertiser.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

TROPICAL STORM ULIKA, the first tropical storm to form in the Central Pacific this hurricane season, was straddling 140 W Longitude, some 1100 miles east-southesast of the Big Island this morning. Ulkia is expected to turn from moving east to moving northwest toward the Hawaiian Islands later this week. At latitude 1140 North Ulika is sporting

winds near 50mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected but weakening on a tract toward the Big Island. The path of Ulika was being monitored by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu until the storm moved east over the 140 longitude line. The National Hurricane Center will be responsible for mapping and advisories until Ulika moves back into Central Pacific waters.

HAWAI`I’S PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE EXCEEDING the nation in gains on the Advanced Placement Program Exams over the year prior. In a report released yesterday, the AP results for Hawai`i students who were tested last May show increases in the number exam takers, exams taken and scores of 3 or higher.

“In just one year, between 2015 and 2016, the number of AP Exams in Hawai`i that were scored 3 or higher increased by 7.5 percent,” said Scott Hill, a vice president at the College Board, which administers the AP Program. “That significant increase is a testament to the hard work and commitment of Hawai`i’s students, parents, teachers and education leaders, all of whom deserve commendation for this great achievement. We will continue to partner with Hawai`i educators to ensure that all students ready for the challenge of AP are able to access those opportunities.”

Since 2012, the number of exams taken by Hawai`i public school students has increased by 26 percent (from 6,669), and the number of passing scores increased by 29 percent (up from 2,599).
“Growth is crucial for our public schools, and these results show promising system-wide improvement as we continue to raise the rigor and prepare our students for post-high school endeavors,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “These gains also reflect the hard work and professional development being done by our educators to prepare for and teach these college-level courses. Their dedication to their craft and students is evident in these positive results.”
The AP provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams.

Kathryn Matayoshi

Students taking AP Exams also qualify for AP Scholar Awards, which recognizes exceptional achievement on the exams. For SY 2015-16, 616 students from 33 HIDOE schools earned AP Scholar Awards.

Ten students from six HIDOE schools qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of 4 or higher on a five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more exams.
Twenty-six students at 23 HIDOE schools qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
Sixteen students at 26 HIDOE schools qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least a 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
Three hundred seventy-four students at 31 HIDOE schools qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher.
Since 2012, Hawai`i has received grants from the U.S. Department of Education to subsidize test fees for low-income students. Funding has increased year-over-year with HIDOE receiving $114,168 in 2015.
“These grants have been a tremendous help in making sure that we are able to provide college and career readiness opportunities for all of our students. For many of them, earning college credits at no cost in high school will help with the financial burden associated with completing a post-secondary degree,” Matayoshi said.
The push behind providing opportunities for more students to take AP courses and exams is part of a range of recent transformational efforts to increase students’ college and career readiness. The results include strong increases in college enrollment, enrollment in early college programs at the high school level, as well as significant declines in college-level remediation in English and Mathematics.

Sen. Brian Schatz

For more information about AP courses and participation at HIDOE schools, see hawaiipublicschools.org.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SIGNED the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act into law. The bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz will enhance and integrate native tourism, empower native communities, and expand unique cultural tourism opportunities in the United States.

“I’m incredibly proud to have worked with our native communities on this legislation, and I’m pleased the president has signed it into law,” Schatz said. “This new law gives our native communities a real opportunity to grow their local economy and share their history and culture with the rest of the world.”
The NATIVE Act requires federal agencies with tourism assets and responsibilities to include tribes and native organizations in national tourism efforts and strategic planning. It will also provide Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native and American Indian communities with access to resources and technical assistance needed to build sustainable recreational and cultural travel and tourism infrastructure and capacity, spur economic development and create good jobs.

Make a pulumi ni`au tomorrow. Photo from NPS

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

MAKE A HAWAIIAN BROOM tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Rangers teach how to make a useful pulumi ni`au, brooms fashioned from midribs of coconut leaves.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u District Gym opens a week from today with the cutting of maile lei. Photo by Julia Neal

THE NEW KA`U GYM & DISASTER SHELTER opens to the public with the traditional cutting of the maile lei and dignitaries coming to the Pahala campus a week from today on Wednesday, Oct. 5. The start time is 10 a.m.

Politicians, contractors and community members wielded golden shovels
to break ground for the gym on Oct. 3, 2012.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Maka Andrade is the project manager for the project under the county Department of Parks & Recreation. Ground broke on Oct. 3, 2012 to begin construction with retired police officer Bobby Gomes and Father Martin Mwanshibula, of Pahala’s Holy Rosary and Na`alehu’s Sacred Heart Catholic Churches, officiating.

Golden shovels were held by many, including the contractors, Principal Sharon Beck, then Gov. Neil Abercrombie, former County Council member Guy Enriques, then County Council member Brittany Smart, Mayor Billy Kenoi, the late state Rep. Bob Herkes and the late state Sen. Gil Kahele, who at the time represented Ka`u.

Bobby Gomes spoke and invited the Father Martin Mwanshibula

to bless the site.

Herkes said during the ceremonies that he worked on funding in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Even though the concept was approved, he explained, the Department of Education ranked it 42nd on its priority list. He asked the mayor if the county would own and manage the building in order for faster construction. Kenoi agreed, and the county agreed to take it.

School principal Beck said during the groundbreaking that in 2012, the dream of the gym was more than seven years in the making. She explained that it was difficult to play regulation games with the low ceiling and confined space in the old gym. The new gym will have multiple courts. She and other public officials acknowledged Kamehameha School volleyball coach Guy Enriques for lobbying for the gym and also for the tournaments and sports camps he could bring there.
One of the largest gyms at one of the smallest public schools in the state, the gym is the largest building built in Ka`u since the sugar mill in Pahala, which was torn down almost two decades ago.
The gym was funded in part through government money for a disaster shelter for the region. Gov. Abercrombie released more than $17 million for planning and construction in September 2011, following lobbying from all of Ka`u’s public representatives.
See more in future Ka`u Calendar News Briefs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u Coffee Mill hosted a talk story with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
last month. Joining Gabbard left to right are Ed Olson,
Sammi Stanbro, Troy Keolanui, Lisa Wright
and Randy Stevens. Photo by Ron Johnson

FOLLOWING HER TALK STORY AT KA`U COFFEE MILL and tour of farms in Ka`u and other districts on Hawai`i Island, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard introduced legislation today to help fight the macadamia felted coccid. The invasive species is destroying macadamia trees and threatening the domestic macadamia nut industry at large. Since the insect was introduced to Hawai`i in 2005, it has cost the local macadamia nut industry millions every year, threatening the vitality of one of Hawai`i’s most important crops. The Macadamia Tree Health Initiative would authorize highly sought research and development to help fight the invasive insect and establish an Areawide Integrated Pest Management plan in affected areas to help manage the invasive pest in a sustainable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.

“The macadamia felted coccid is one of more than 4,300 invasive species that threaten our agriculture industry in Hawai`i and across the United States. In Hawai`i alone, this pest costs our local farmers, landowners and agriculture industry millions of dollars a year and puts hundreds of local farms, thousands of local workers and the future of one of our most important crops at risk,” Gabbard said. “As I visited multiple farms on Hawai`i Island last month, I heard story after story of how this tiny invasive insect is destroying farms and threatening the livelihood of communities like Kona, Ka`u and Hilo. Very little is known about this invasive pest, making it difficult for our agriculture workers to fight back. The Macadamia Tree Health Initiative will authorize much needed research and development and establish a comprehensive management plan to help our local agriculture industry combat these invasive, harmful insects.”

Macadamia felted coccids on nut husks.
Photo from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture

Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation applauded Gabbard’s efforts: “Federal funding is desperately needed to find a solution to controlling the macadamia felted coccid which has severely impacted the Hawai`i macadamia growers. The initiative can be a game changer in our farmers’ fight against this devastating pest.”

John Cross, land manager for the Edmund C. Olson Trust II, said, “The Edmund C. Olson Trust II is a grower of over 1,100 acres of macadamia orchards on the island of Hawai`i and a part owner of Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, a processor of several million pounds of nuts grown by the trust and many dozens of independent growers around the island. We truly appreciate Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s proposed Macadamia Tree Health Initiative. The invasive macadamia felted coccid is an especially damaging pest to many growers on Hawai`i Island. The health and wellness of our trees translates into a healthy industry able to keep our employees and their families with good jobs. Further, healthy trees also assure consumers that Hawaiian-grown macadamia nuts will continue to be the finest macadamia products for many years to come. This bill will help not only our farm but that of the 16,000 acres of other growers and processors that combined produce some 50 million pounds of nuts each year.”
Martin E. Ramirez, Director of Farming Operations at Royal Hawaiian Services with offices in Pahala and Hilo, said, “The threat to the macadamia orchards in Hawai`i from the macadamia felted coccid is real and potentially devastating. The plan to develop and disseminate the best science-based tools for treating MFC will make the Macadamia Tree Health Initiative exactly what the industry needs.”
Last year, Gabbard introduced the Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act to support long-term sustainable solutions to many pest management problems and reduce invasive species impact on agriculture and the environment. The bill would help farmers in Hawai`i and across the country fight invasive species like the coffee berry borer, fruit flies and macadamia felted coccid. AIPM systems reduce reliance on a single pest management tactic, reduce risks to human health and the environment, and increases economic benefits for farming communities across the nation.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

VA Inspector General
Michael Missal

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO CALLED FOR CONTINUED ACTION after Veterans Affairs Inspector General Michael Missal released an inspection report on a six-point plan the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System undertook to improve patient wait times for VA medical services.

The VA first pledged to implement the plan at Hirono’s 2014 field hearing, which shed light on the long wait times and other obstacles Hawai`i veterans face seeking care. Since the 2014 hearing, average wait times for new primary care patients shrank from 43 to seven days in FY 2015. However, the report also recommended that VAPIHCS must continue efforts to “enhance the availability of and access to a comprehensive network of care and services.”
“Although the VA has made important progress in improving patient care in Hawai`i, it’s clear we have more work to do,” Hirono said. “I will continue to hold top officials accountable until every veteran in Hawai`i gets the quality of care they deserve.”
Hirono requested the inspection as part of her continuing efforts to address issues raised by Hawai`i veterans about VA health care and benefit services. As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Hirono has brought top VA officials to Hawai`i to hear directly from veterans and held veterans roundtables in every county. In the wake of this report, the senator will continue to travel across the state to solicit feedback from our veterans on how to continue improving access to VA services.
Hirono has successfully championed legislative solutions signed into law to address health care access, housing and other obstacles that Hawai`i veterans face.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER invites Ka`u residents to free dinner tomorrow and every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bring a can; have a meal. Donations are accepted c/o OVCC.
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.

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

A Kohola, false killer whale, beached itself at Ka Lae yesterday. Photo by Nohea Ka`awa

A KOHOLA THAT BEACHED ITSELF at Ka Lae yesterday later died.

According to Nohea Ka`awa, who witnessed the tragedy, false killer whales rarely beach themselves, “though it is the second finding here in Ka`u within a short amount of time. They usually beach themselves only when severely sick and do it as an aid to stay afloat so that there’s no struggle to breathe. Should they be stranded in the ocean while sick, they could die of drowning. In this situation, the tide was on the rise, and winds picked up, making it difficult to assist in any way as she stressed while injuring herself on the reef. She died at around 10:40 a.m.”

Rodney Kuahiwinui measures the Kohola.
Photo by Nohea Ka`awa

Ka`awa reported that a NOAA employee and two Hawai`i Division of Conservation & Resources Enforcement officers documented the incident and that NOAA decided to have the whale transported to O`ahu for further testing and to find out the exact cause of death. Rodney Kuahiwinui took measurements and transported the whale from Ka`u to be moved off island.

“For myself and many cultural practitioners of our Hawaiian traditions, the function of the Kohola within our ecosystem is highly respected,” Ka`awa said. “The Kohola and Palaoa is mentioned in our Kumulipo: ‘Hanau ka palaoa noho i kai,’ Born is the whale living in the ocean.
“These Kupuna are messengers who speak of the condition of our oceans. Whales are Kinolau (manifestations) of Kanaloa (Deity of the deep Ocean). Kanaloa is our ancestor where deep knowledge is acquired through our conciousness and unconciousness. I carry a direct lineal tie to this Akua! My last name is Kaʻawa (ʻawa, kavakava) which too is yet another Kinolau of Kanaloa. My ancestors were known as dream interpreters and would be sought out by our Ali`i to aid transcribing. “When this Kohola died, those present could feel her death within their na`au. It was bittersweet! As kanaka, we have a lot of Kuleana to our Mother Earth. Without her, our survival is no more. It is my hope that NOAA will treat this Kohola with the respect that they would the death of one of their family members. If not, she should be returned to Ka`u (where she chose to die) so that proper protocol can be performed.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Nurse Practitioner Megan Lewis, center, joins Dr. Dexter Hayes,
left, and Nurse Practitioner and Clinic Manager Susan Field.
Photo from Ka`u Hospital Rural Health Clinic

KA`U HOSPITAL RURAL HEALTH CLINIC celebrates the return of nurse practitioner Megan Lewis, who worked at the clinic last fall. She joined the permanent staff on Sept. 1 and sees patients Tuesday through Friday. In addition to her nurse practitioner skills, Lewis is certified to give PUC physicals. Ka`u Hospital Administrator Merilyn Harris said, “Patients really love her.”

Susan Field, the Nurse Practitioner and Clinic Manager with Ka`u since 2013, serves the community on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, “helping to ensure that our patients have access to care when they need it,” said Harris.
Harris also reported that Dr. Dexter Hayes announced she will leave Jan. 9 “to pursue a year of adventure. Dr. Hayes has been with us for six years and has decided to take some well-deserved time for herself to travel, visit friends and family and enjoy her passion for diving vacations.”
Dr. Carey Gear will complete a year-long commitment to Ka`u Hospital on Nov. 30. “We have appreciated his service to our community over the past year and wish him the very best,” Harris said.
Meanwhile, Ka`u Hospital is recruiting for another permanent physician to join the clinic team. There will be no interruption in services, and “we look forward to continuing to be your local source of medical care for you and your family,” Harris said.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I WILL RECEIVE $18.6 MILLION TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds will be used to protect public health and improve water quality in Hawai`i. These funds, awarded to the state Department of Health, include a $10.3 million grant for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and an $8.3 million grant for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
The funds will be used to provide loans to counties for upgrades to drinking water and wastewater facilities. The funding will also be used to modernize aging water systems and make facilities more energy and water efficient.
In 2014, the EPA found the state Department of Health failed to spend its drinking water funds in a timely manner. Since then, the EPA and the department have worked together on a corrective action plan. As a result of that plan, the EPA is now awarding all 2016 funds and continues to work with the state Department of Health to ensure they remain in compliance.
“This new funding represents the progress the EPA and the Hawai`i Department of Health have made to restore Hawai`i’s eligibility to receive these kinds of federal investments,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This significant funding will help modernize our water systems and ensure we have safe, clean drinking water for generations to come.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

UNUSED FEDERAL MONEY FOR DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION has led to less funding.

According to a Honolulu Star-Advertiser story this morning by Sophie Cocke, “The failure of several state agencies to maximize their use of federal funds became a charged issue during this year’s legislative session, which ended in May. In addition to the Health Department’s troubles (see story above), the state Department of Transportation’s Highways Division was also criticized for its federal funding backlog, which peaked at $940 million in 2010. The Transportation Department reduced this to $676 million this year and has a goal of cutting the amount to $450 million by 2018."
Cocke also reported on a Hawaiian Home Lands backlog of $55 million in unspent federal housing funds for Native Hawaiians. “DHHL had been receiving about $13 million a year in federal funding under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 for housing for Native Hawaiians and Hawaiian homelands. Federal officials withheld funding in the 2016 federal fiscal year due to DHHL’s failure to spend down the funds,” she reported.
See more at staradvertiser.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Noe Noe Kekaualua Photo from VAC

NOE NOE KEKAUALUA PRESENTS `OHE KAPALA, bamboo stamping, tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Volcano Art Center Gallery’s porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National park.

Aloha Friday free cultural events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai`i, Department of Research and Development and Hawai`i Tourism Authority.
Park entrance fees apply.

HAWAIIAN ADZE PRODUCTION HIKE takes place Saturday at 11 a.m. at Kilauea Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Ranger Jay Robinson leads an easy, hour-long hike among the abandoned adze quarry at the location.
Most visitors have no idea this area was showered by large basalt rocks erupted from Kilauea during its summit eruptions of 1790 or that Hawaiians coveted the rocks for stone tools (adze).
Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection and a snack are recommended. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Almost two tons of debris were cleaned from the Ka`u Coast at Kamilo Point last weekend, including a large derelict fishing net.
See more below. Photo by Dr. Drew Kapp/UH Hilo & HawCC

A MORNING BLESSING AND EVENING OPEN HOUSE AT THE NEW KA`U DISTRICT GYM & SHELTER will welcome the public next Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Mayor Billy Kenoi and the County of Hawai`i invite the public to the blessing and opening at the gym, adjacent to Pahala High & Elementary School at 10 a.m. The open house will be at 5 p.m. to give the public the opportunity to tour the facility. Students at Ka`u High & Elementary School have been getting a peak at the new 43,000 square foot facility, some of them having their photos taken inside. There are three basketball and volleyball courts, activity room, workout room, a kitchen, offices, locker rooms, storage space for disaster relief organizations, and meeting spaces.
"The facility will provide a safe haven for Ka`u residents in the case of a natural disaster or compromised air quality," says a statement from the county. The project was funded by the State of Hawai`i, constructed by the County of Hawai`i, and will be cooperatively managed by the Department of Parks & Recreation for both school and public use."
Nona Makuakane is the Recreation Director of Pahala for the county and in charge of the new gym. She and her assistant Elijah Navarro also operate the Pahala Community Center & Park, county athletic field, tennis court and outdoor basketball court in Pahala.

Nona Makuakane and Elijah Navarro will manage the new gym.

The new Pahala office for the county Department of Parks & Recreation will be inside the new gym. and will be the place for community to reserve space for activities. Unlike the community center, parties will not be entertained for the gym. They will remain at the community center. Community organizations and others can apply for special events to be considered. School sports competition and practices will have priority over other events.

County Council member Maile David said she plans to attend the morning session and encourages everyone to come.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KAMILO POINT CLEANUP RESULTS from last weekend are in. At the International Coastal Cleanup event on Saturday, 75 people helped to remove around 3,765 pounds of marine debris from along a one kilometer stretch of coastline in a matter of hours, including a one-ton large derelict fishing net bundle and 101 bags of miscellaneous non-net debris items.

Derelict fishing net bundle on the Ka`u Coast.
Photo by Megan Lamson/Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

Baby hawksbill turtle struggles in the plastics.
Photo by S. Breining/HWF

In total, 11,705 pieces of marine debris were collected, tallied and removed (97.6 percent plastic). The group also helped three Honu'ea hawksbill hatchlings found struggling in the swash line. The one shown here was returned to the ocean with help and guidance from the Hawai'i Island Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery Project team member after it was given a blessing. According to the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, this is the second time this endangered species has been recorded at Kamilo. "However, we are unsure at this time if the nest was nearby or they washed ashore with the plastics," said a statement from the organization.
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund cleanup coordinator Megan Lamson said, “Many thanks to Take 3 for the Sea Ambassador Tim Silverwood and Nurdle in the Rough’s Kathleen Crabill for your help with this event, Mahalo to Don Elwing for setting up your education and awareness art display at the park before we started the event. A special mahalo goes out to Mike, Ken, Trice, Zach, Terry, Don and the rest of the drivers of the 4WD vehicles. Thanks to Dr. Drew Kapp for bringing your huge group of geography students from UH-Hilo and Hawai`i Community College, too! "

Megan Lamson holds up a recycle bin from Los
Angeles, found on the Ka`u coast. Tim, of Take 3
for the Sea, holds up a small plastiglomerate.
Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

Funding for this cleanup was provided by a NOAA Marine Debris Program grant. Hawaii Kombucha donated a keg of lilikoi kombucha for volunteers to share and enjoy. Documentary footage was filmed about the health of the ocean and cleaning up the coast.

Lamson encoraged the Ka`u community to join in the next cleanup, and until then to help reduce the marine debris footprint by doing the 6Rs: Reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse (single-use plastics), "rethink and respect our mother earth!"
She also encouraged Ka`u residents to attend Hawai`i Wildlife Fund's 20th anniversary ho`olaule`a on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo. Adult tickets are $30 each or two for $50 and can be purchased at wildhawaii.org in advance. Tickets will be $35 at the door.

For more details regarding the celebration or to make a donation to the silent auction, contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or meg.HWF@gmail.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Gabbard receives Friends of National Park award
from Clark Bunting, President and CEO of
National Parks Conservation Association, and Craig
Obey, Senior Vice President Government Affairs.

TULSI GABBARD IS A CHAMPION FOR NATIONAL PARKS. Ka`u's representative in the U.S. Congress earned the title when she recently received a 100% score from the National Parks Action Fund. The Action Fund, affiliated with National Parks Conservation Association, evaluated park-related votes taken by the House and Senate in the 114th Congress and tracked a variety of issues affecting parks, including clean water and wildlife protections, funding levels for the National Park Service. See more at Rep. Tulsi Gabbard received a 100% score for her pro-parks voting record.
“For 100 years, the National Park Service has worked to share the diverse beauty, natural resources and history of our country through our awe-inspiring national parks. From breathtaking Haleakalā National Park on Maui and fiery Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island, to the incomparable story of Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Molokaʻi, each of our national parks has a story to share. As we celebrate this centennial year of our National Parks Service, I will continue working to ensure our national parks are protected for generations to come," said Gabbard.”
Gabbard also received the Friend of the National Parks Award in the 113th Congress for her record of support for national parks.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAIIAN ADZE PRODUCTION HIKE takes place Saturday at 11 a.m. at Kilauea Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Ranger Jay Robinson leads an easy, hour-long hike around an abandoned adze quarry. The site was covered in large basalt rocks erupted from Kilauea during its summit eruptions of 1790. Hawaiians covet the rocks for stone tools (adze).
Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection and a snack are recommended. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Explore Pu`u o Lokuana during a free, guided hike tomorrow.
See more below. Photo from NPS

HAWAIIAN YELLOW-FACED BEES yesterday became the first bees in the U.S. placed on the Endangered Species List. Seven species of the bee which live in many of the eco niches around the islands were given endangered status following an application submitted in 2009 by the Xerces Society, which helps protect invertebrates.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conducted studies. Matthew Shepherd, of the Xerces Society, wrote Friday that “the USFWS decision is excellent news for these bees, but there is much work that needs to be done to ensure that Hawai`i’s bees thrive. There is only one genus of bees that is native to the Hawaiian Islands, Hylaeus, commonly called yellow-faced bees because of colored markings on their faces. These bees are often found in small patches of habitat hemmed in by agricultural land or developments. Unfortunately, the USFWS has not designated any ‘critical habitat,’ areas of land of particular importance for the endangered bees.”

Hawaii`'s native yellow-faced bees are now protected.
Photo by Karl Magnacca, University of Hawai`i

Xerces recognized work of researcher Karl Magnacca, who has spent years studying Hawai`i’s bees and provided evidence for these listings. Photographer John Kaia captured images that “have done much to lift these bees out of obscurity,” wrote Shepherd.

On Xerces.org, the organization states its mission is to “protect nature’s pollinators and invertebrates, which play a vital role in the health of the overall ecosystem.”

Threats to the seven species of Hawaiian include the present or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of their habitat by urbanization, land use conversion, nonnative plants and animals; predation by nonnative ants and the western yellow jacket wasp; inadequate habitat protection; small population sizes; and competition with nonnative invertebrates such as the European honeybee. These threats are ongoing and, in some cases (such as some nonnative species) are considered irreversible. Fire is also a potential threat to the habitat of these species in some locations.
On March 23, 2009, FWS received five petitions from the Xerces Society requesting that FWS list seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees as endangered and designate critical habitat for the species. FWS determined that emergency listing was not warranted at that time. On June 16, 2010, FWS published a 90-day finding that indicated the listing may be warranted. After reviewing all available scientific and commercial information, FWS on Sept. 6, 2011 determined that listing the bees as endangered throughout their range was warranted. However, Kevin Foote, of Pacific Islands Fish & Wildlife Office, announced that listing the bees “is not possible at this time due to higher priority actions to amend the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.”

Following Friday’s announcement, FWS spokesman Brent Lawrence said, “Pollinators play such an important role. Listing these species as endangered will certainly help draw attention to the threats that have brought them close to extinction, and it also allows us to begin the process of bringing about recovery.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Dr. Clifford Kopp at the crest of Hwy 11 in Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park.

AFTER REACHING NA`ALEHU ON WEDNESDAY, Dr. Clifford Kopp hit the mid-point of his 500-mile walk around Hawai`i Island, with an aim to bring light to the issue of unsheltered homelessness in Hawai`i County.

The 500-mile trek began on Friday, Sept. 23 and is Kopp’s fifth walk in less than a year. Adding an additional 200 miles to previous walks, Kopp said the number is more closely aligned with how many unsheltered women and children he believes are on the island.
“According to my accounts, half the homeless on our island are women and children. They don’t deserve the way they are treated,” Kopp said. “There is probably nowhere else in the country where women and children who are unsheltered are as ignored as they are in our county. I am walking to raise awareness for them.”
Earlier this year, the Kailua-Kona dentist outlined an idea for 12- and 48-bed concepts that would provide shelter needs to 300 people in West Hawai`i. Kukuiola Village would offer a practical way of sheltering the homeless before providing services to transition into more permanent living situations.
Kopp began his 16-day journey in West Hawai`i, walking the island clockwise. He is now about to embark on his second loop of the island, totaling an additional 200 miles from previous walks conducted in December/January, January/February, March and June. He will conclude his current walk on Oct. 8 as he travels on that day from an area about nine miles out of Hawi to his home in Kailua-Kona.
“I’m walking most of the time, not feeling well. The only thing that gets me though it is knowing the travesty that’s happening on our island, where the people who have done nothing wrong are being treated so poorly,” Kopp said. “Keeping them in mind allows me to keep walking mile-after-mile, even when I don’t think I have it in me.
“You could never do this type of walk if it was for a personal reason, but you can do it with an understanding of the number of good people being absolutely ignored by the government.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK will use aircraft this month as it continues its centennial celebration. Park management requires flights to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and maintain backcountry facilities.

On Oct. 6 and 8 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., crews will shuttle equipment and camp supplies to Napau Campground for resource surveys/
On Oct. 17 and 20 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., crews will shuttle equipment and camp supplies to Keauhou, `Apua Point, and Halape campgrounds for invasive Guinea grass control work and hawksbill turtle monitoring project.
During the week of Oct. 17, two flights between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. will monitor petrel from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa at about the 9,000-ft. elevation.
In addition, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kilauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted for funding to combat Zika, a virus
spread by mosquitoes. Photo from Hawai`i Department of Health

KA`U'S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD VOTED to pass the bipartisan Continuing Resolution and the Water Resources Development Act to fund the government and combat the Zika virus.

“For months, Congress failed to answer the calls for help from communities in need across the nation,” Gabbard said. “After more than seven months of delay, we also passed a $1.1 billion package to combat the Zika virus in states across the country. As we saw in Hawai`i with the rapid spread of dengue fever earlier this year, a disease carried by the same Aedes aegypti mosquito as the Zika virus, many of our communities are under-equipped to handle and control the spread of these dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses. This funding will help to support mosquito eradication efforts, lab testing, education and outreach, vital healthcare services, research and more, and will reimburse state and local health departments that have taken on much of the financial burden of this public health pandemic.”

Gabbard voted in favor of the CR to fund the federal government through Dec. 9, which includes more than $200 million for Hawai`i military construction and and the Zika. It maintains current levels of funding for programs included in last year’s omnibus bill, including Native Hawai`i Education Act grants, through Dec. 9.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ron Ebert

HULA, FIREFIGHTERS AND HAWAIIAN MONARCHS were honored in September as Pahala Volunteer Fire Captain Ron Ebert won third in the Kupuna Kane Hula competition in Kona.

Ebert, of Punalu`u, danced He`eia, a surf hula. Ebert said he dedicated the hula to King Kalakaua, a volunteer firefighter. According to Ebert, Hawaiian monarchs were firefighters dating back to King Kamehameha III, who started volunteer fire departments in Hawai`i in 1850. All succeeding monarchs participated, Ebert said.
The kupuna hula competition is more than three decades running, sponsored by Hawai`i County Office of Elderly Services.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

EXPLORE PU`U O LOKUANA TOMORROW from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u on this free, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR KAHUKU `OHANA DAY is Monday. Keiki 17 and younger and their families can help the park’s natural resources staff restore native forest by planting native trees in the Kahuku Unit on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring lunch, snacks, water, a re-usable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, long pants and shoes.
Call 985-6019 to register.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists discuss Ka`u's Kamakai`a Hills in the current
current issue of Volcano Watch. See more below. Photo from USGS/HVO

LAST WEEK’S INCLUSION OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN BEES on the federal Endangered Species List is supported by Ka`u’s state Sen. Josh Green.

Ka`u's state Sen. John Green supports inclusion of Hawai`i's
yellow-faced bees on the Endangered Species List.
Photo by John Kaia from the Xerxes Society

“Federal authorities confirmed what many of us have been concerned about for some time: The decimation of several species of bees in Hawai`i,” Green said. “Why is this important? First of all, bees are critical pollinators that sustain many parts of our agro-ecosystem. Bees also function as the ecological canary in the coal mine, serving as a crucial indicator of the health and development of people. Dead bees suggest toxic exposure to our children.
“Efforts to decrease the use of toxic pesticides have fallen on deaf ears for years in our state. Now we see the result of that negligence.
“I'm calling on the governor to take immediate action to assess all possible ways to protect these pollinators, and us, from reckless spraying.
“I’ll also be pursuing legislative solutions (as in past years) to protect both people and critical species from the effects of man-made agrochemicals.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY monthly test of the statewide outdoor siren warning system, coordinated with the test of the live audio broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:45 a.m.

The siren test is a steady, one-minute tone on all sirens. The steady tone is used to alert the public to any emergency that may pose a threat to life and property. Besides natural hazards, the Emergency Alert System could be used for terrorist incidents or acts of war.
Contact the county civil defense/emergency management agency to report siren operations issues at 935-0031.
When the siren signal is sounded, tune to any local radio or television station for emergency information and instructions broadcast by emergency management agencies. Participating stations will carry a detailed explanation of what the sirens mean, as well as other related information, during the monthly test.
Tests of outdoor warning sirens and the Emergency Alert System are conducted simultaneously, normally on the first working day of the month, in cooperation with Hawai`i’s broadcasting industry. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located in the front section of telephone directories.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Hirono holds up a bottle of HC&S sugar as an example
of industries negatively affected by trade agreements.
Photo from Office of Sen. Hirono

THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED by Congress until it is renegotiated, Sen. Mazie Hirono and others told the Obama Administration. In a letter to the Administration, the senators outlined TPP’s fundamental flaws and the need to fix them before Congress votes on the agreement, which is the biggest trade agreement ever negotiated.

“Although we hear that every new trade deal is supposed to ‘level the playing field’ for workers, these agreements end up doing the opposite,” Hirono said. “This is particularly true for Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company workers who will lose their jobs after illegal subsidies on Mexican sugar irreparably damaged our domestic sugar industry. Congress should not consider an agreement as massive and far-reaching as the TPP until it has been renegotiated to ensure it protects American jobs, raises American wages and safeguards the environment.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U’S KAMAKAI`A HILLS ARE THE TOPIC of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s current issue of Volcano Watch.
“Visitors to the Jaggar Museum and Ka`u Desert in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, struck by the appearance of three dark, symmetrical volcanic cones on the western slope of Kilauea Volcano, often ask ‘what are they?’ and ‘why are they there?’” the article states.
“The cones are the Kamakai`a Hills. Their Hawaiian name means ‘the eye of the fish,’ possibly because the cones, each dimpled with a cup-shaped crater, reminded early Hawaiians of the eyes on prized fish, such as ulua.
“The Kamakai`a cones are merely the largest of a series of vents, including older, more eroded cones, spatter ramparts and large ground cracks, that spewed lava clots and blocks of older rock for short periods. Multiple eruptions have originated along this three-mile long ‘mini-rift’ over a period spanning at least 500 years.
“The two largest eruptions, each probably lasting weeks to a few months, produced far-travelling flows and rootless lava shields similar to those that have grown around Kilauea’s East Rift Zone Pu`u `O`o vent over the last three decades. The big Kamakai`a cones developed during explosive phases of the eruptions, producing fields of volcanic bombs, rubbly scoria and spatter. The largest bombs in these ejecta beds exceed one meter (three feet) in diameter.

Kamakai`a Hills are between Pahala and Volcano Village.
Map from Google

“Unusual eruption products at the Kamakai`a Hills correspond with a form of lava that has no equivalent elsewhere on Kilauea –pasty pahoehoe with a distinctively stretched ‘skin’ that resembles the grain one might find on pieces of old driftwood. This lava is also chemically distinctive.
“Preliminary analyses of the lava indicate that at least some of it contains much more silica than ordinary Kilauea basalt. In fact, it is similar to basaltic andesite, a type of lava abundant in the Coast Range of Oregon and northern California. This suggests that the magma beneath the Kamakai`a Hills was stored for a long time before it erupted to the surface, which allowed it to evolve to a greater degree than lava found anywhere else on Kilauea. Such chemical evolution might also explain its explosiveness.
“Initial efforts to establish the ages of the Kamakai`a Hills lava were based on palemagnetism – measurements of ancient orientations of Earth’s magnetic field preserved in the basalt. That study concluded that the Kamakai`a flows were older than the Footprints Ash from the A.D.1790 explosive eruption, which marked the onset of historically recorded eruptions at Kilauea.
“However, current investigations of the Kamakai`a Hills show that two flows are younger than the 1790 Footprints Ash. These flows probably erupted sometime between 1790 and 1823, when the first Euro-Americans visited the volcano. Reverend William Ellis, leader of that first expedition, commented that he observed ‘smoking chasms’ in the vicinity of the Kamakai`a cones – highly suggestive of recent volcanic activity there.
“Geologists also recently discovered sets of fossil human footprints in the Footprints Ash deposit within the Kamakai`a Hills. This significantly extends the area in which people are known to have been moving immediately following the 1790 eruption.
“To explain why the Kamakai`a Hills exist requires combining several critical strands of research, including geophysics, structural geology and geochemistry. Findings from a study presently underway at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will likely revise the known geologic history of Kilauea's Southwest Rift Zone.
“The Kamakai`a Hills are positioned where the Koa`e Fault System, which National Park visitors can easily view along the Hilina Pali Road, merges with Kilauea's Southwest Rift Zone. They terminate westward at a bend in the rift zone near Pu`ukou, a site of ongoing shallow earthquake activity.
“Seismicity over the past few decades suggests that magma periodically intrudes from Kilauea’s summit reservoir southward to the Koa`e Fault System, then bends to follow the Southwest Rift Zone into the area beneath the Kamakai`a Hills. Pu`ukou could act as a ‘log jam,’ causing long-term storage of the trapped magma beneath the Hills.
“Repeated eruptions in the Kamakai`a Hills might occur because occasional intrusions of fresh magma drive the older, more evolved magma to the surface. Continuous southward sliding of Kilauea’s seaward slope might also keep the Kamakai`a Hills corridor open and volcanically active.
“Past events provide important insights into Kilauea’s future. Knowing this, we certainly expect that eruptions of unusual character are likely to break out again in this remote and interesting area on the volcano.”

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Committees meet Tuesday, with Public Safety & Mass Transit at 9 a.m.; Finance, 10:30 a.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 1 p.m.; Planning, 1:30 p.m.; Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability, 2 p.m.; Environmental Management, 2:30 p.m.; and Governmental Relations & Economic Development, 4 p.m.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live streaming of the meetings.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Masses of tropical moisture place Ka`u under a flash flood watch through tomorrow afternoon.
Map from NOAA

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR KA`U and Hawai`i Island. The National Weather Service reported that abundant moisture and an upper level disturbance could trigger heavy rains and thunderstorms until 6 p.m. tomorrow.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE NEW YORK TIMES PUBLISHED A MAUNA KEA THIRTY METER TELESCOPE cultural and scientific story this morning. Entitled Under Hawai`i’s Starriest Skies, a Fight Over Sacred Ground, Dennis Overbye’s story examines how the clash of values developed between astronomy supporters and Native Hawaiians against the project.

Thirty Meter Telescope is the topic of a New York Times
story today. Image from TMT

“To astronomers, the Thirty Meter Telescope would be a next-generation tool to spy on planets around other stars or to peer into the cores of ancient galaxies, with an eye sharper and more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, another landmark in humanity’s quest to understand its origins,” Overbye wrote. “But to its opponents, the telescope would be yet another eyesore despoiling an ancient sacred landscape, a gigantic 18-story colossus joining the 13 telescopes already on Mauna Kea.”

Kealoha Pisciotta, president of Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, which is against the project, takes a different view. “This is a very simple case about land use,” she told Overbye. “It’s not science versus religion. We’re not the church. You’re not Galileo.”
According to Overbye, Pisciotta used to work at an observatory on Mauna Kea with hopes of becoming a cosmologist, but she “became disenchanted when a family shrine disappeared from the summit and the plans for the outriggers (smaller telescopes at Keck Observatory) impinged on a cinder cone.”
“Cinder cones are burial sites,” Pisciotta told Overbye. “It’s time to not let this go on.”
Overbye quoted from a report by sociologist Peter Adler commissioned by the Moore Foundation, which has contributed large sums to the project. “Should TMT decide to pursue a Mauna Kea site, it will inherit the anger, fear and great mistrust generated through previous telescope planning and siting failures and an accumulated disbelief that any additional projects, especially a physically imposing one like the TMT, can be done properly,” Adler wrote.
That anger was apparent on the day groundbreaking was scheduled. “Like snakes you are. Vile snakes,” Overbye reported Joshua Lanakila Mangauil saying to those gathered for the event. “We gave all of our aloha to you guys, and you slithered past us like snakes. For what? For your greed to look into the sky? You guys can’t take care of this place.”

See nytimes.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Kealoha Pisciotta

KEALOHA PISCIOTTA, known for her opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope (see story above), is challenging Richard Onishi as Ka`u’s state representative in the November election.

The Green Party candidate’s platform includes creating a model for a regenerative economy. “Hawai`i Island, and especially District III, has a unique and diverse population with a blend of many ethnicities, cultures and lifestyles, and also a range of rural and urban centers,” Pisciotta says on her website. “Our economy is dependent on the natural beauty, health and wellbeing of the land. I believe we have much to offer our island and state by promoting and protecting our island way of living.

“State House District III is uniquely suited for initiatives that improve the residents’ quality of life while increasing food and energy security for the entire island. With large tracts of arable land, connectivity to commercial areas and one of the state’s most significant tourist attractions, the district offers those intent on living a sustainable lifestyle the opportunity to thrive. Support at the state level for programs that increase residents’ capacity to grow food, raise livestock, catch water and generate power in sufficient volumes for sustainability is an important first step.
“Policies that help expand this core farming community’s productivity, allowing it to also feed its urban neighbors and the more than one million national park visitors that pass through the area each year, will evolve the district’s self-sufficiency achievements into a thriving, regenerative economy.”

Pisciotta’s also has plans for creating what she calls a just economy for Hawai`i, creating educational models that strengthen communities and “raising the standard of Aloha always and in all things.”
“There’s a lot state government can do to ensure that Hawai`i lives up to its reputation as the Aloha State, and emphasizing the interrelationship of all things as a core social value is the place to begin,” Pisciotta says.
See kealohapisciotta.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Proxima Centauri is the sun's closest stellar neighbor.
Chart from NASA

A PLANET LARGER THAN EARTH has been found circling our nearest stellar neighbor, the star Proxima Centauri, astronomer Lew Cook reported in the October issue of Stars Over Ka`u. Proxima means closest to earth.

“Astronomers using European Southern Observatory’s telescopes in Chile have discovered what can only be a planet orbiting the closest star to Earth,” Cook wrote. “This planet orbits this star every 11.8 days. Eleven days! That’s a short year. Newton’s laws of gravitational motion require this to be very close to the star, so you would think it would be extremely hot there. It would be, if the star were a sun-like star. But it is not! Proxima is small, cool and dim, only putting the planet at a “comfortable” distance, in the Goldilocks zone (because the temperature is ‘just right.’ Is there life on this planet? No one around here (Earth) knows!
“If you could stand on its surface, you’d see its star – its sun shining dimly, but about four times as large as our sun. But even in the daytime, Alpha and Beta Centauri could be seen in a clear sky from Proxima’s planet.”
See kaucalendar.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Hawai`i County Council member
Margaret Wille

IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE PRINCIPLES is the topic of a bill to be discussed by Hawai`i County Council’s Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability tomorrow at 2 p.m. Margaret Wille’s Bill 242 requires an affirmative finding of consistency with the goals of long-term environmental, cultural and economic wellbeing by the Planning Department and Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions prior to any approval of an application, determination or advisory recommendation.

The goals are set forth in the Hawai`i Revised Statutes, the Hawai`i County Charter and the Hawai`i State Constitution.
Ka`u residents can participate in this and other meetings this week. Other committees meeting tomorrow are Public Safety & Mass Transit at 9 a.m.; Finance, 10:30 a.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 1 p.m.; Planning, 1:30 p.m.; Environmental Management, 2:30 p.m.; and Governmental Relations & Economic Development, 4 p.m.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live streaming of the meetings.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u High students helped break ground for the new gym
four years ago today. Photo by Julia Neal

GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE KA`U DISTRICT GYM & SHELTER took place four years ago today. It opens Wednesday, with a blessing at 10 a.m. and a community open house at 5 p.m. See flyer below.

The size and diversity of the new facility is in direct response to comments gathered from the community, said Mayor Billy Kenoi. “The Ka`u District Gym & Shelter has been designed to expand athletic and recreational opportunities, serve as a destination for community events and emergency shelter during natural disasters.”
Releasing funding for the gym was one of former Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s first actions for Ka`u as governor.
Releasing the funding was also one of the first efforts by Ka`u County Council member Brittany Smart. She asked the governor to release the funds the first time she met him after the election. The late Sen. Gil Kahele and Rep. Bob Herkes also helped with funding.
Acquisition of money for the gym followed an effort led by former County Council member Guy Enriques, in cooperation with the Pahala School principal. Enriques, who runs volleyball tournaments on the mainland each summer and takes local students to volleyball events across the country, said he hopes to bring volleyball tournaments to Pahala.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Jackie Pualani Johnson as Queen Lili`uokalani.
Image from NPS

JACKIE PUALANI JOHNSON PRESENTS Lili`uokalani at Washington Place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The one-woman show features the last monarch of Hawai`i, with material taken directly from writings of Queen Lili`uokalani, her family and other historical sources.

$2 donations support After Dark in the Park programs; park entrance fees apply.

ADVOCATS OFFERS A FREE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 895-9283 to sign up.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

The public is invited to learn about na pa`ahana hula (tools of hula) tomorrow.
See more below. Photo from NPS

THE PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL SOLAR FARM IN OCEAN VIEW is the target of two spokesmen for nonprofit organizations, who have applied to the state Public Utilities Commission for permission to participate in a formal complaint against Hawaiian Electric Light Co. and its parent company, Hawaiian Electric Co. One organization is an environmental watchdog. The other maintains private roads at Hawaiian Ranchos where most of the solar farm is planned. They question the proposal to build 27 two-acre solar installations among homes in Ocean View.

Life of the Land’s Henry Curtis, Vice President for Consumer Issues, applied to be an intervenor, as did Mats Fogelvik, President of the Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corporation, which maintains 52 miles of private roads in the Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos.

Henry Curtis

If their applications are accepted by the PUC, they will become important players and advocates in supporting a complaint against the solar developers. Intervenors can ask questions of other intervenors and participants (discovery) and can supply evidence, including expert witnesses, before the PUC.

The complaint asserts that the utilities failed to enforce many rules related to the Feed-in-Tariff project, which resulted in a utility-scale project being built in a residential subdivision to circumvent the Power Purchase Agreement requirement. The complaint asserts that HECO and HELCO did not hold the solar developer, SPI Solar, to its commitment to complete the project in nine months. The project is now four years overdue and has not begun.
SPI Solar and its shell companies did not apply to the PUC for intervenor status.
They were granted participant status in an earlier docket in which HELCO applied to the PUC for approval for an overhead transmission line. That docket is now on hold while the more recent docket, triggered by a formal complaint by Ranchos residents Peter and Ann Bosted, is resolved. The Bosteds are not represented by an attorney.
“We are grateful for their support,” Ann Bosted said. “Henry Curtis is a very well respected and expert energy professional with masses of experience. He strongly sympathizes with our complaint. He could win this thing in his sleep.
“Mats knows a lot about power – he built a hydro power plant with his dad, an electrical engineer. Mats is also very well respected in the Ocean View community and generously gives his time and expertise,” she added.
In his motion to intervene, Curtis wrote: “Life of the Land asserts that every energy project has positive and negative economic, environmental, social, cultural, geographic, greenhouse gas, taxpayer and ratepayer impacts, and Life of the Land is concerned with the impacts, externalities and unintended side-effects of energy projects and programs.
“Life of the Land firmly believes that developers must get support from the local community for their projects; that it is not in the public interest to intrusively industrialize rural areas so that urban areas can have power.

Mats Fogelvik

“We intend to present a proactive case, supported by expert witnesses and exhibits, as needed or required, once the issues in this proceeding are resolved.

“Life of the Land strongly supports the investigation of the segmented Ocean View project,” added Curtis.
The second motion to intervene, submitted by Fogelvik, states: “HRRMC has a substantial and continuing interest in the proposed solar project, as the project’s construction and maintenance will impact the subdivision’s private roads and entrances, and the financial well-being of the HRRMC membership and the community organization.”
Fogelvik explained that in 2013 HRRMC hosted a community meeting with the then developer, Pat Shudak, that was followed by a two-year hiatus.
“The maintenance of HOVR’s system of private roads is expensive,” Fogelvik said. “It costs $80,000 to resurface one mile of road. If this utility-scale, industrial installation is allowed to advance, the roads will be badly worn by the heavy traffic. The dues will have to increase, or the owners of solar sites will have to increase their contributions. Since the solar sites are all owned by shell companies, in turn owned by an international company registered in the Cayman Islands, HRRMC may face insurmountable difficulties in getting dues paid in a timely fashion. The developer has expressed an intention to sell or ‘flip’ the project when it is completed. The HRRMC is not set up for this kind of debt-collecting challenge.
“Many resident property owners have … decided to sell and move if the project goes forward. This may result in abandoned homes and land, and unpaid road maintenance dues. This is a very real problem in Ocean View. Indeed, over 630 Ocean View residents have signed a petition against the project.
“HRRMC represents the interests of the majority of the 1,227 property owners in HOVR. The HOVR community will have to live with industrial installations scattered among residential homes, unless the relief sought in this docket is granted. The HRRMC is concerned about the high cost of electricity from this project, the illegal size of the project, and the ‘gaming’ of the FIT program, as are other members of the Hawai`i’s public.”
Fogelvik added that HRRMC is concerned about “the developer’s true motivations in pursuing this project.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Shelee Kimura Photo from HECO

ENERGY STORAGE TESTING BY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO., the parent of Hawaiian Electric Light Co., is ramping up on O`ahu. Successful testing of banks of batteries and a new flywheel system could lead to installing storage systems here. HECO announced this week that it will launch a pilot project with Amber Kinetics, of California, involving installation of a flywheel at the utility’s Campbell Park site.

Shelee Kimura, vice president of corporate planning and business development for Hawaiian Electric, said in a statement: “Energy storage is essential to reach a 100 percent renewable energy future, optimizing the use of Hawai`i’s abundant but variable solar and wind energy.”
The company is also working on behavior-based demand response tools and other energy monitoring at public schools and other locations.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SHARK INCIDENTS PEAK AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, and Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources advises ocean users to use extra caution this month.
DLNR quoted Mary Kawena Pukui: “Pua ka wiliwili nanahu ka mano” – When the wiliwili tree flowers, the shark bites.
“October is the month with the greatest number of shark bites,” Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator Bruce Anderson. “We recommend ocean users exercise a little more caution this month especially, and also through the end of the year. The chance of being bitten by a shark in Hawaiian waters is always extremely small, but does increase a bit during this time frame.”

October is peak season for shark attacks.
Photo from DLNR

According to DAR data, from 1980 through 2015 there were 122 unprovoked shark bites in Hawaiian waters. Twenty-six of those, or 21 percent, occurred during the month of October, with well-known victims such as Michael Coots in 1997 and Bethany Hamilton in 2003 suffering loss of limb. So far, no October bite has been fatal.

In October 2012 there were two bites; in October 2013, three; in October 2014, four; and in October 2015, three. “The three bites last October were all around O`ahu, off different coasts of the island, and took place over a span of 20 days,” Anderson said. “Two were very serious, with victims losing part of a limb. It was an unprecedented spike, but like nearly every spike in shark incidents, the most likely explanation is just chance.”
University of Hawai`i researchers, funded in part by DAR, have confirmed the fall spike and offered a possible explanation, at least in part. About 25 percent of the female tiger sharks in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands migrate to the main islands in the fall to give birth. The increased number of sharks in near shore waters, combined with their need to feed to replenish lost energy stores, may increase the likelihood of a bad encounter with a human.
“The best thing ocean users can do to minimize their risk of shark bites is to utilize beaches with lifeguards, stay near other people, and don’t go too far from shore,” Anderson said. “Also, avoid murky water and areas near stream mouths.”

More safety tips can be found at the division’s shark website, hawaiisharks.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u District Gym & Shelter opens tomorrow.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO VISIT THE NEW Ka`u District Gym & Shelter tomorrow. A blessing takes place at 10 a.m., and an open house begins at 5 p.m. The 43,300 square foot structure has three basketball and volleyball courts, a kitchen, offices, locker rooms storage space and meeting spaces. It will provide a safe haven for Ka`u residents in case of a natural disaster or compromised air quality.

LEARN ABOUT NA PA`AHANA HULA, implements that accompany traditional hula and `oli (chant), tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Pele Kaio, kumu hula of Unulau and instructor at Hawai`i Community College, will teach about the important tools used in this complex art.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

NATURAL PEST CONTROL AND CONTAINER GARDENING are topics tomorrow at 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Public Library. Master gardeners discuss how to control garden pests without chemicals and offer helpful tips for small-scale gardening. Free.
Call 939-2442 for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School students join residents and dignitaries for this morning's
blessing and opening of Ka`u District Gym & Shelter. Photos by Ron Johnson

“FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THE FUTURE OF KA`U” is how Hawai`i County Mayor Billy Kenoi described the new Ka`u District Gym & Shelter this morning. When Kenoi introduced retired police officer Bobby Gomes to bless the facility, he described Gomes as representing “the best of Ka`u, the best of Hawai`i Island.” Gomes invited Pahala Holy Rosary Church’s Father Martin Mwanshibula to help him with the blessing. Both were present for the groundbreaking four years ago on Oct. 3, 2012.

Principal Sharon Beck thanked everyone involved in the project. She said she had been working toward a new gym since 2007. The old gym did not meet sports standards, and other schools were not able to play there, she said. The 43,300 square foot gym has three basketball and volleyball courts, auxiliary sports facilities, a certified kitchen, meeting spaces and shelter facilities. It will be managed by Hawai`i County Department of Parks & Recreation for both school and public use.

Mayor Billy Kenoi greets students and residents at the gym.

“Enjoy this gym forever, Punalu`u resident and volleyball Coach Guy Enriques said. Enriques, who launched the campaign for the new gym when he was Ka`u’s County Council member, said it is one of the best facilities in the state. “This is yours,” he said when addressing the crowd, which included current students at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School and many Ka`u residents. He described meeting with the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye at the White House when Inouye told him to build a “shelter that looks like and gym, and I’ll get you the money” for it. He said the result is evidence that “the country really works; the politics really works.”

Ka`u’s Hawai`i County Council member Maile David related the event to the opening of Konawaena High's gym, where she graduated. She said she knows how it feels for the community to have such a facility.

Bobby Gomes and Father Martin Mwanshibula
bless the facility.

Joanna Herkes, widow of state Rep. Bob Herkes, who fought for the facility, said her husband never missed a Ka`u High graduation ceremony, “and they were always inspiring. This gym is inspiring.” The Class of 2017 will be the first to graduate in the new building.

Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Creagan remembered Kenoi crossing the Ironman Triathlon finish line. Today, “you brought this gym across the finish line,” he said.
After the speakers, Trojans were able to try out the court, throwing baskets and serving volleyballs. Those who made baskets or hit targets on the volleyball courts got to keep the balls they used.

Delighted keiki head through the gate to the gym's front door.

Emcee at the opening was comedian Augie T. Other speakers included Will Okabe for Gov. David Ige, Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman, state Sen. Kaiali`i Kahele (son of the late Sen. Gil Kahele) and Laurence “Cappy” Capellas, Jr., son of the late principal, for whom several residents are working to have the facility named after. Principal Capellas and Rep. Herkes were honored with portraits gracing the gym’s lobby.

Ka`u residents are invited to an open house at the gym today at 5 p.m.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE has cancelled a flash flood watch that was set to expire at 6 p.m. A moist air mass and an upper level disturbance threatened to trigger heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U KAPAPALA KOA CANOE FOREST DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN is the topic of a meeting Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

The forest is the state Department of Land & Natural Resources’ only officially recognized forest for development of koa canoe resources.
The draft plan seeks to preserve and use the resource, which consists of more than 1,200 acres adjacent to Ka`u and Kapapala Forest Reserves.
Hawai`i Forest Institute worked with the Hawai`i Forest Industry Association, Department of Land and Natural Resource Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Imi Pono and the Three Mountain Alliance to develop a draft plan for bringing youth to the forest for cultural and environmental education. The goal is to involve youth through cooperative programs with the state Department of Education, University of Hawai`i and other schools and educational institutions.
The plan includes a background of the cultural, geological and biological characteristics of the Kapapala Forest Management Area, a vision for future youth educational opportunities through input from stakeholders, a summary of resources and needs and a list of projects directed toward realization of the vision.

Principal Sharon Beck thanked everyone involved in the project,
which she said has been a hope since 2007.

Christopher Phillips, of Hawai`i Public Radio, described the forest as “a cultural and educational resource and link between land and sea, past and present. … Enthusiasm for the project can be felt in across communities of Ka`u beyond. It is the hope that this forest reserve can teach us all about the cultural importance of native forests, traditional stewardship and the importance of sustainable living.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U’S U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES are celebrating Filipino American History Month.

Ka`u's former County Council member and volleyball
Coach Guy Enriques worked with politicians
for funding of the $18 million project.

“This month, we celebrate the vibrant culture, hard work and strong values of the Filipino American community,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “For generations, Filipinos have made Hawai`i and the United States their home. From labor to business to arts and education, Filipinos have helped write the history of our state and our country.

“Some of the most significant contributions came from the more than 200,000 Filipinos who fought alongside American service members during World War II. Far too many of them have still not received the basic veterans’ rights they earned. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, we must continue our efforts to honor those brave Filipino veterans and their families by finally giving them the benefits and recognition they deserve.”

Students tried out the courts, making baskets and serving volleyballs.

Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced a bipartisan resolution that acknowledges the key role Filipino Americans play in shaping our country.

“This resolution pays tribute to the wide-ranging contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our country,” Hirono said. “Nearly 200,000 Filipino Americans, including Filipino World War II veterans who fought for the United States, enrich communities across Hawai`i every day. To honor them, we must see through the effort to award these veterans the Congressional Gold Medal and ensure that their eligible family members apply for the Obama Administration’s program to reunite with their parents and other relatives in the United States.”

The new Home of the Trojans hosted many speakers this morning,
including Ka`u's County Council member Maile David.

Hirono has long advocated for the Filipino American community. In July, the Senate unanimously passed legislation authored by Hirono to award Filipino World War II veterans the Congressional Gold Medal. After years of advocacy by, the Obama Administration announced last May 2016 that it would create a parole program to reunite the families of Filipino World War II veterans. Hirono is now working with veterans groups and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure that eligible family members apply for the program. Hirono also successfully prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from taking funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to pay for other projects.

“For centuries, Filipino Americans have made exceptional contributions to U.S. businesses, culture and arts, government, technology, sports, health care, military and more,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “In Hawai`i, Filipino Americans have been integral to our history, from driving our plantation-based economy in the early 20th century to becoming leaders across every industry in our state. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month and the many positive contributions the Filipino community has made, we must also continue to fight for issues like family reunification and honoring our Filipino veterans. Three hundred and five members of Congress have supported my bill to award our Filipino World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal, and I am continuing to work with my colleagues and our Filipino community to get this bill passed before the end of the year. With just 18,000 Filipino WWII veterans alive today, time is truly of the essence to honor these courageous men with the long overdue recognition they deserve.”

Attendees passed by portraits of Rep. Bob Herkes and former
Principal Laurence Capellas.

The 2010 census showed that Filipinos surpassed Japanese as Hawai`i’s largest ethnic group. The total population of Filipinos was 342,095, of which 197,497 were full Filipinos, and the total population of Japanese was 312,292, of which 185,502 were full Japanese. An American Community Survey showed that Filipinos overtook Japanese between 2007 and 2008.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

LEARN ABOUT THE S.N.A.P. PROGRAM and how to apply tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Pahala Community Center. The purpose of USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is to put healthy food within reach.
For more information, call 929-8571 or 933-6030.

St. Jude's hosts Oktoberfest Friday.

OKTOBERFEST IS FRIDAY at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. The event features bratwurst, sauerkraut, boiled potatoes, dessert, beverages and music by the Last Fling Band. Tickets for $8 per person, $15 for two or $20 for family are available at the door, which opens at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds help with community service programs.

Call 939-7555 for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Lava stalactites are visible hanging at right in Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's newly released footage
of volcanic activity at Kilauea's summit lava lake. Screenshot from USGS/HVO

DRAMATIC FOOTAGE OF KILAUEA’S ERUPTION is available from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The 11:14-minute video filmed between July 24 and July 31 features activity at the summit lava lake and HVO scientists studying the activity. They filmed in a hazardous area that has been closed to the public since the vent opened in March 2008. During filming, they wore respirators to avoid breathing noxious gases.
USGS video producer Stephen Wessells told Caleb Jones, of the Associated Press, that when rocks break from the vents wall and fall into the lake, “there’s a big gas release, this big kind of bubble burst, and it will hurl fragments of molten lava … up onto the crater rim.”
Such an event occurred at a location just a week after the crew filmed there.
“It was a very sobering moment,” HVO geologist Janet Babb told Jones.
“It was the greatest shooting experience of my life,” Wessells said. “It was just spectacular.”

To view the footage, click here.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Activities for students and residents will soon be available
at the new Ka`u District Gym. Photo by Ron Johnson

ACTIVITIES ARE GEARING UP at the new Ka`u District Gym on Pahala’s school campus. The gym opened yesterday, and Hawai`i County Department of Parks & Recreation announced plans for various activities for children and adults.

For students, the department will offer age group basketball, age group and exponent track & field and after-school activities and events.
A recreation room will feature tables for ping pong table, pool and fooseball. Xbox games will also be available.
Adults will be able to participate in volleyball and basketball. A weight room will also be open to adults as well as high school students. All users must sign a waiver/release form and sign in at the Recreation Office daily prior to use.
Times and dates have not been announced.
For more information, call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

All grade levels improve in 2016. Graph from HIDOE

HAWAI`I’S STUDENTS CONTINUE TO MOVE in the right direction in meeting higher expectations for college and career readiness. In its second year of administering a new, more rigorous testing standard, the state Department of Education this week released Smarter Balanced Assessments test scores in English Language Arts/Literacy and mathematics. First administered in spring of2015, the test is aligned to Hawai`i Common Core standards and replaced the Hawai`i State Assessments in math and reading.

“The second year of results show incremental improvements, and our second year of data provides a solid foundation for comparisons moving forward,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Our schools are invested in the higher standards of this test, and we hope to build on our momentum each year to ensure that our students are prepared for college, careers and community life after high school.”

Kathryn Matayoshi

The results show that 51 percent of students tested met or exceeded the achievement standard in ELA, up three percentage points from the previous year. In math, 42 percent of students tested met or exceeded achievement standards, up one percentage point from the previous year.

The scores reflect the percentage of students who meet or exceed achievement standards. More than 90,000 students took the SBA, and Hawai`i had a 98 percent participation rate, up one percentage point from the previous year.
SBA tests measure how well students are developing the skills needed for success in college or the workplace. On the basis of their 11th grade scores, 5,756 of this year’s public high school seniors already qualify for college-level classes. At 256 colleges and universities in ten states, including the University of Hawai`i System, students can use their SBA scores to be exempted from placement exams and to enroll directly into entry-level college courses, eliminating the need for remediation. These 256 colleges and universities represent 78 percent of the higher education institutions where members of the graduating class of 2015 enrolled.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

INTERESTED IN KA`U COFFEE PRODUCTION? An upcoming workshop focuses on the latest processing equipment, coffee berry borer control, crop nutrition, subsidy programs and legislative updates.
The workshop takes place at Pahala Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
RSVP to Laura Diaz at laura@ldomarket.com, 928-8188 or 408-306-5596.

Kaipo AhChong Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER INVITES EVERYONE ages 15 and up to tropical flower arranging workshops with Hawaiian cultural practitioner Kaipo AhChong tomorrow and on the first Friday of November from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village is the site for the workshops.

Tropical agriculture farmer and member of Halau Na Kamalei, AhChong shares his skills in this hands-on workshop. Explore color and texture in three dimensions with tropical flowers. Each class will result in an arrangement to take home and enjoy. Or, extend your Aloha to a friend or loved one with an arrangement you assembled yourself.
Choose from an array of flowers like anthuriums, orchids, ti leaves, ginger and Heliconia, to name a few.
Cleaned tropical flowers are provided, and the class fee is $45.
Call 967-8222 to register.

TICKETS FOR TOMORROW’S OKTOBERFEST at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View are available at the door. Prices of $8 per person, $15 for two or $20 for family include German food and music by the Last Fling Band. Doors for the event that supports community service programs open at 5:30 p.m.
Call 939-7555 for more information.

Tom Peek

TOM PEEK PRESENTS WRITING ON THE WILD SIDE Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Class fee is $75, or $65 for VAC members.

Hone your writing skills, explore your creative mind, and discover your unique voice in a new writing workshop with the popular Big Island writing teacher and award-winning novelist. Social media correspondents, bloggers, storytellers, journal writers and poets will find Peek’s stimulating techniques and exercises empowering.
In his newest workshop, Peek offers a wealth of knowledge that writers can use in everyday social media sharing, including journaling and blogging. Writing on the Wild Side will help writers create prose that people actually want to read.
Previous students have found Peek’s workshops to be engaging, informative and practical.
Learn to silence your inner critic and unleash your expressive potential in this fun, fast-paced and provocative writing workshop. Open to all levels and genres. No writing experience is necessary.
Peek has taught his popular workshops since 1991. A writer for over three decades, his work includes an award-winning novel, newspaper stories and commentaries, university publications, magazine articles, national park exhibits and award-winning video productions.

Noreen Naughton Photo from NPS

Call 967-8222 to register.

NOREEN NAUGHTON OFFERS A PAINTING WORKSHOP SATURDAY. One of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s current artists-in-residence, Naughton will talk about her process of discovering the subject and how she arrives at abstraction while painting out in the park. She will also discuss creative process and how it works for her.

The free workshop takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the lobby of the `Ohi`a Wing between Kilauea Visitor Center and Volcano House.
Registration is required. Call Laura Schuster at 985-6130 or email laura_c_schuster@nps.gov.

Park entrance fees apply.

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