The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

USGS geologist Don Swanson (in red) and his colleague, Jim Moore, view a car filled with ash deposits
from the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Swanson has longed worked at
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. See story below. Photo from USGS

HERITAGE MANAGEMENT IS A NEW MASTERS DEGREE at University of Hawai`i-Hilo, with the first graduates on Saturday at the Spring commencement ceremonies. In heritage style, this year's graduates donned Hawaiian cloaks, draped over one shoulder - the red kihei, as requested by U.H. Hilo's student government.

An environmental and cultural conservationist, Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., the President of Palau, gave the commencement address. An internationally known campaigner for sustainability, the Palau President is winner of the Pacific Champion Award for nature conservation and environmental sustainability. He was also presented the Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations. Two of his children and his brother and sister graduated from UH-Hilo.

U.H-Hilo students wore the Hawaiian cloak during
graduation ceremonies on Saturday.
Photo from Big Island Video News

During his speech to graduating students and their families, Remengesau compared the good life in Palau with the good life in Hawai`i. "The island is green and clean. The ocean is blue and clear. There is freshness in the air. The culture is alive and strong. The `ohana spirit is felt and seen. People know each other in the community. There's respect and caring in the community and the extended family ties is still strong," said the President of Palau.

"One only has to turn on the TV to see or read the newspapers about the sophistication of inner city life of big countries with big population, and the overwhelming problems faced by bigger populations and large societies. My point is there's a lot of civil unrest, terroristic attacks, city smoke, traffic jams, overwhelming pollution, to name a few. But here on the islands we see the beauty of simplicity and this should remind us that we should always be counting our blessings. We should never take these blessings for granted," advised the President of Palau.

He suggested that "Hawai`i is the perfect example of: The environment is the economy and the economy is the environment. And that's the challenge, right there for all of us. How do we protect and sustain the mother goose that lays the golden eggs? How do we promote growth while protecting our environmental assets? And never forget the environment is not just the green island and the blue ocean. It's the people, the culture, the values, the unique experiences, the `ohana spirit that nurtures and sustains this mother goose. We are learning a lot of good things from the experiences of Hawai`i, what to do, and yes, what not to do."

Palau President Tommy Esang Remengesau gave a talk on

sustainability and similarities between Palau and Hawai`i at

U.H-Hilo's commencement on Saturday.

Photo from Big Island Video News

He said that lessons learned in the Pacific are applicable to the broader world. The Palau President lauded the establishement of large marine protected sanctuaries as important to food and economic security in the future. He noted the second largest marine sanctuary in the world is around Hawai`i and the sixth largest preserve in the world is around Palau. It's the size of Texas.

The Palau President said, "Together we are doing what science is telling us - that we can not continue this rate of harvesting and exploitation of the the ocean's resources without balancing our actions with marine protection areas to ensure repopulation, rehabilitation and sustainability of our resources.

"After all, conservation is in the `Ohana spirit to think of others, our children and the next generations to come. And so we must view the ocean and the land environment not as something that we inherited from our ancestors but something that we are borrowing from our future children. This is the deep bond shared by Hawai`i and Palau. Our cultures respect nature and that is why we have survived for generations," the Palau President told the graduating students.

Among the students petitioning to graduate at U.H. Hilo were 28 in Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, 40 from Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani College of Hawaiian Language, 52 in Business and Economics and 153 in Pharmacy. There were 25 other undergraduate and graduate degrees. See the entire commencement on Big Island Video News.

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Aerial view of the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens as

seen from the southwest. This column of ash and volcanic gas reached
a height of about 18.2 km (60,000 ft). USGS photo

MOUNT SAINT HELENS' ERUPTION 37 years ago is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, the weekly column from Hawaiian Volcano Observator. It is written by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Don Swanson, who worked on Mount St. Helens before and after the 1980 eruption:

The morning of May 18, 1980, was warm and sunny in southwestern Washington. At 8:32 a.m., I was in the room with seismographs that had been established in the Forest Service building in Vancouver, 70 km (45 mi) southwest of the volcano. Suddenly, needles on the seismographs wiggled furiously.

A startled colleague and I watched in amazement as the shaking continued. We realized that something catastrophic was happening at Mount St. Helens. I ran upstairs to radio David Johnston, a friend and colleague who was at an observation post (Coldwater 2) 10 km (6 mi) north of the volcano. Receiving no answer, I raced back downstairs. Though the shaking continued, no one could see the volcano from the building.

The Forest Service ordered a fire-spotter plane to investigate. About 30 minutes later, when it left Vancouver, I was aboard. A gray columnar cloud towered above a Mount St. Helens that had lost its top, no longer rising gracefully to a peak like Mount Fuji.

The plane reached the south side of the volcano but, because of ash in the air, couldn’t go farther north. Flying east and west for the next three hours, we observed, photographed, and wondered.

We had glimpses into the deep crater, around which the upper slope of the volcano was now only a shell. Radio messages told us of mudflows down the Toutle River valley that were threatening the I-5 bridge, but we could see nothing in the valley.

Don Swanson working within Hawai`i Volcanoes National
Park. USGS Photo

Nearly half a mile wide, the column of ash and volcanic gas rose from the crater to a height of more than 24 km (80,000 ft). The margin of the column was made of bulbous cells that convected internally while rising with the column. Within the column, lightning flashed.

Eerily, above the droning of the plane’s two engines, we heard nothing from the eruption—like watching a silent movie. Every so often, we saw small flows of ash overtop the crater rim and start down the south flank before stopping.

Around noon, the ash column, which had been gray, assumed a darker color. Its intensity increased and was almost frightening to us in the plane. Looking over the west crater rim, we saw pyroclastic flows moving northward onto what became known as the Pumice Plain.

Low on fuel, we returned to Vancouver around 12:45 p.m. I was replaced by another observer and returned to the Forest Service building, certain that David Johnston had perished.

Sometime in mid-afternoon, I debriefed Harry Glicken, a young geologist who had manned Coldwater 2, where Dave spent his final night. Harry had managed to get a seat on a search-and-rescue helicopter that wended its way up the North Fork Toutle valley. He noticed that the valley was floored by a hummocky debris avalanche deposit. (Harry eventually wrote his Ph.D. dissertation about the avalanche, showing that it formed when the upper north flank of the volcano slid away, opening the crater.)

Don Swanson has studied volano details around the world,
including this tree mold. USGS photo

The changed topography and murky viewing conditions kept Harry from finding Coldwater 2, where he had spent many days before Dave replaced him the night before. We huddled on an outside balcony for the private debriefing. Tears come to my eyes now, remembering how distraught Harry had been, thinking that if he could only have found Coldwater 2, he might have saved Dave. Days later, he finally accepted that Dave died within a minute after the eruption started.

Later, I was able to call my wife in Cupertino, California. When she answered, I breathlessly blurted, “Barbara, I’m okay.” There was a long pause before a tentative, puzzled voice replied, “That’s nice.” Surprised by her lack of concern, I explained what had happened. She hadn’t had a radio or TV on all day, knew nothing of the eruption, and had been spared hours of concern.

Thirty-seven years ago. Fifty-seven dead. Thousands of lives altered. The volcano where I picnicked as a boy, and which I climbed as an adult, had turned nasty. The science of volcanology was changed forever, and today the risks from future eruptions anywhere in the world are lessened because of what happened on that fateful day.

Additional photos of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens are posted on the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory website: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/st_helens/st_helens_gallery_23.html

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AUDITIONS FOR FINIAN'S RAINBOW, produced by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network, as its annual summer musical will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 16 and 17, at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater starting at 6:30 pm. Directing the show will be Suzi Bond, with

musical direction by Walter Greenwood.

Opening on Broadway in 1947 with music by Burton Lane and lyrics by E.Y. "Yip" Harburg (who wrote the lyrics for 1939's The Wizard of Oz), Finian's Rainbow was an unexpected smash that generated one pop classic after another: How Are Things In Glocca Morra?, Old Devil Moon, and Look To The Rainbow to name but three.

Finian moves to the southern United States (the fictional state of Missitucky from Ireland with his daughter Sharon, to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief that it will grow and will change people's lives, KCF_RackCard2.jpgincluding a struggling farmer and local citizens. A leprechaun follows them, desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human. Complications arise when a bigoted and corrupt U.S. Senator gets involved, and when wishes are made inadvertently over the hidden crock.

There are parts for all ages. There are non singing roles in this cast. Primary roles include Finian, his daughter Sharon, Og the leprechaun, Woody Mahoney, town leader and Sharon's love interest, and Susan Woody's mute sister who “talks” through her dancing. There are parts for the Senator, a gospel quartet, and townsfolk, including Henry who translates for Susan, and Maude.

For more information contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

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HAUNANI'S ALOHA EXPRESSIONS entertain Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Enjoy an evening of music and hula of Haunani’s Aloha Expressions. With their handmade colorful costumes and lei, these energetic kūpuna have competed at, and won, various hula festivals. They bring to life the magic of old Hawai‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo ManuHeavenly Voices presentations. Free.

Sen. Gil Kahele, who served Ka`u and later Hilo and Puna in the Hawai`i Legislature is honored with a monument
dedicated on Hilo Bay today, Monday. See story below. Photo from Big Island Video News

INDUSTRIAL SIZED SOLAR DEVELOPERS in Ocean View are seen as “colluding with HELCO to rip off ratepayers,” headlined a leading energy blog today. Henry Curtis, of Life of the Land, who is typically supportive of renewable energy projects, criticized developers of the Ocean View project, contending that they are bypassing competitive bidding, which is required for projects that generate more than five megawatts of power. The proposed Ocean View project would be a 6.5 megawatt solar generation facility.
On his Ililani Media blog, Curtis wrote: “A Beijing developer could have submitted a proposed 6.5 megawatt solar generation facility to Hawai`i Electric Light Company, through either bilateral negotiations or competitive bidding. But in those cases, the developer would get about 11-12 cents per kilowatt-hour. Instead the developer allegedly decided to improperly segment the project into two dozen small projects, that would each individually fall under the Feed-In Tariff process, whereby the developer could get in excess of 20 cents per kilowatt-hour.
“The Public Utilities Commission has noted that the Big Island currently, and in the foreseeable future, has exceeded the State-mandated renewable energy penetration requirements,” explained Curtis. “Therefore, renewable energy projects proposed for the Big Island must reduce rates. However, this project will generate windfall profits to the developer at the expense of Big Island ratepayers.”

Ranchos residents fear their views and their peaceful neighborhood
will be disrupted by industrial solar that would cover entire lots,
replacing trees, and bring a windfall at the expense of ratepayers.

Curtis quoted the state Consumer Advocate who wrote: "it is apparent that the 26 Solar Project Owners effectively 'gamed' the FIT process in order to avoid going through the more rigorous competitive bidding framework.”
Stated Curtis, “Under the FiT scheme the owner could be paid up to ten cents per kilowatt-hour higher that under a competitively bid commercial project, thus, the owner of the segmented projects could make windfall profits.”

Curtis also referred to two dockets before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The first (2015-0229) was instituted by HELCO and requested permission for an overhead line to service the project. The second docket (2016-0224) was instituted by Ranchos residents, Peter and Ann Bosted, and is entitled “Complaint against Hawai'i Electric Company (HECO) as administrator of the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) Program and its subsidiary company, Hawai`i Electric Light Company (HELCO) for not holding the developers of a 6.5 megawatt solar project in Ocean View in compliance with the FIT Program.”
In today’s blog, Curtis highlighted some of the objections made to the PUC, including no site control, not shovel-ready, trading places in the FIT Active Queue and no geographic diversity. Curtis quoted the Bosteds as writing:
“The FiT program, launched in 2008, had noble goals of moving Hawai’i towards being independent of fossil fuels for electric power. However, as we will explain in this letter and supporting documents, the FIT project intended for Ocean View has completely confounded and disrupted the good intentions of the program. Further, this project embodies everything that has gone wrong with the FIT program.”

“A fundamental requirement for entering the FiT queue is to have control over the site where a proposed project is to be installed.” In this case, the developer had “neither owned nor leased land when the permits were applied for.” Instead the land was in escrow, explained Curtis.

Curtis also wrote “FiT proposals are supposed to be shovel-ready. Although the application dates from 2011, the project is still not shovel ready.
“The FiT Permits were traded between companies. Currently the permits are owned by 17 shell companies which are owned by another shell company named Calwaii Power Holdings, which is largely owned by SPI Solar, a company headquartered in Shanghai and registered in the Cayman Islands.
“The Public Utilities Commission has promoted the idea of geographic diversity. The Bosted Complaint contends that this idea is not being implemented.”
Curtis also reported that motions to intervene in the complaint docket made by Life of the Land and Hawai`i Ranchos Road Maintenance Corp. were rejected by the PUC. Life of the Land has been admitted into 41 PUC proceedings since 1971.

The development would put the solar installations on lots between residences, clearing the ohia and other trees that are common to the area.

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Sen. Kai Kahele at the dedication of a monument to his late father
Sen. Gil Kahele, who served Ka`u and Miloli`i.
Photo by David Corrigan, Big Island Video News.

KAHELE POINT is the name of the place on Hilo Bay where a monument to the late Senator Gilbert Kahele, who represented Ka`u, and later Hilo, was dedicated today. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources gave permission to establish a monument area on the shore facing Moku`ola, Coconut Island, through a resolution at the Hawai`i Legislature. The monument is located on the dock of the Grand Naniloa Hotel on Banyan Drive.
Kahele lobbied for the new Ka`u High School Gym and emceed former Gov. Neil Abercrombie's inauguration ceremonies, when he took them on the road, meeting the public at the Hawaiian Homes Clubhouse in Kamuela and Pahala Plantation House in Ka`u.
When the geographic lines for the legislative districts changed and Kahele could no longer represent Ka`u, nor Miloli`i where his family lived as fishermen for generations, he promised to never forget Ka`u. He became a state Senator for Hilo but continued to lobby for Ka`u initiatives.

The monument on Hilo Bay reads that it is "dedicated in memory of State Senator Gilbert Kahele, his generous aloha spirit, his love for the ocean and this special place....From a grass shack in Miloli`i, on the South Kona coast, Gil went on to dedicate 56 years of his life to public service, first in the United States Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, community development ... and finally the Hawai`i State Senate. He especially focused on assisting children, the underprivileged, the elderly and those without a voice. We are all in this together. Ha`oli Kas Mana`o."
Upon his death, Gil Kahele's son Kaiali`i Kahele took his post as Senator and won the election last fall. See the dedication ceremony for the monument at Big Island Video News.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono has a long history advocating for children's education in Ka`u and other rural places in
Hawai`i, seen here in 2007 at a Boys & Girls Club `ukulele class at Pahala Plantation House
when she was Ka`u's Representative in the U.S. House. Photo by Julia Neal

"I FACE THIS FIGHT WITH THE SAME DETERMINATION that I've fought for the people of Hawai`i. And I'll never quit, especially when things get tough," Sen. Mazie K. Hirono said today. She revealed that, “During a routine pre-operative physical for my eye surgery, my doctor discovered an abnormality on my chest x-ray. After a series of follow up tests, I have been diagnosed with kidney cancer that is also present in my seventh rib.

Sen. Mazie Hirono said today she will
fight cancer and also seek reelection.

“My treatment is being overseen by one of the preeminent kidney cancer specialists in the country at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. He has designed a comprehensive treatment plan – including surgery to remove my right kidney and an innovative, non-invasive, outpatient procedure called Cyberknife to eradicate the lesion on my rib. At the conclusion of this treatment, there will be no identifiable disease left untreated. My doctor expects I will make a full recovery from these treatments. I will continue working during my recovery, and look forward to returning to the Senate as soon as possible," said Hirono.

The 69-year old Senator who who has also served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Ka`u, said, “I appreciate your support and good wishes, and look forward to getting back to the Senate to continue fighting for Hawai`i as soon as possible.”
Hirono also wrote a letter to supporters, following her statement about her cancer treatment: "And here’s what I also want you to know: I am, without question, running for re-election in 2018. The stakes are too high and our shared values are under attack like never before. Mahalo for the honor of continuing to serve you in the United States Senate, and for your support and aloha during this time."
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released the following statement: "I send my warmest aloha, prayers and well wishes for a quick recovery to Senator Hirono as she undergoes treatment for kidney cancer. I talked with Mazie today, and she was upbeat and fearless as she takes on this fight. I look forward to seeing Mazie back at the Capitol soon to continue our work together on behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi.”
Gov. David Ige said, "Mazie is a fighter, and I know that she brings that spirit to this latest challenge. Dawn and I pray for Sen. Hirono’s full recovery and we send our best wishes to her and her family."

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EDMUND C. OLSON RECEIVED A LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION during a Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce gathering at Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo on Monday.

Last year Ed Olson gave Trust for Land
$2 million toward its land preservation
efforts. Yesterday, he received the
SBA's Makana Ho`oko No Ke Ola
award. Photo from TPL

The Makana Ho`oko No Ke Ola award was given for Olson's preservation of agricultural lands and support of cultural and environmental heritage in Hawai`i. Olson was key to the preservation of the Ka`u Coast from Honu`apo to Kawa and Punalu`u. At the request if community members, he bought Ka`u Coast land that was for sale and could have been developed. He held the land until government, nonprofit groups and private donors could come up with money to purchase and preserve it. He has also helped with the preservation of the rodeo grounds in Na`alehu.
The 86-year old entrepreneur owns 8,000 acres in Ka`u including such historic places as Makanao which is stewarded by Demetrius Oliveira and his `ohana. On land owned by Olson is one of two known hula heiau in the state. Olson made an arrangement for its conservation and restoration through the Edith Kanakaoli Foundation. Olson also provided a large endowment to Trust for Public Land which has worked to preserve coastal lands in Ka`u.
Olson built Ka`u Coffee Mill, grows his own coffee along Hwy 11 and around his mill and is working on a hydroelectric plant in Wood Valley. He provides affordable farm lots for local farmers and is one of the top funders of the Ka`u Festival. Olson has made numerous donations to Ka`u Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club Ka`u High School and many other community efforts in Ka`u. He owns homes in Pahala and Wood Valley.
The SBA award also honors successful business owner who "has had an extraordinary impact and created a strong legacy of supporting economic vitality, small business growth, and exemplifies the best practices in business and community," says a statement from SBA.

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A CAR CHASE TO APPREHEND A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE led to damaging two cars and arresting four people in the HOVE subdivision of Ocean View. The saga began with two teams from a bail bond company responding to information on the whereabouts of a wanted fugitive, Jerrilynn Rego, who was at large in Ocean View.
According to information given to the police, the first team of bail bond agents, driving a small SUV, were looking for Rego and were stopped on the side of the road, when their quarry drove by in a white Chevrolet truck. Accompanied by a female passenger, Rego passed them at the intersection of Reef Parkway and Ohia. The bail bondsmen in the SUV recognized her and gave chase, while communicating their whereabouts to their second bail bonds team in a Mercedes Benz. Police were later told that this allegedly high-speed chase lasted about 15 minutes before Rego allegedly backed her truck into the front bumper of the SUV driven by the first team of bail bondsmen, then drove away.

Police in Ka`u found that a car chase between bail bondsmen
and a fugitives led to a crash. Four arrests were made.
Photo by Ann Bosted

While turning left onto Tradewinds Blvd., Rego’s truck ran off the road, damaging her left front tire. The tire began smoking so she had to stop. One of the bail bondsmen followed, captured and held Rego. According to information supplied to the police, the woman who had been riding with Rego, grabbed a tire iron and began threatening the bail bondsmen. One of the bail bondsmen then apprehended Rego, searched her, and took money from her. It is alleged that the bondsman also threw Rego to the ground, hand cuffed her and sprayed her with mace. It is also alleged that the female passenger grabbed the money from the bondsmen and gave it to another person, who fled the scene.
Meanwhile, the police had been summoned to the scene. Upon arrival they found that Rego had cuts on her right cheek, and her face was irritated by the spray. The police took possession of Rego’s truck, and after they obtained consent from Rego and her passenger to search the truck, they found marijuana, a scale and Ziploc packets. The police also took possession of the bail bondsman’s SUV, which they used for evidence in the reconstruction of the vehicle collision. Police have since released the SUV.
Rego was arrested for warrants and discharge of sureties, and transported to the Kona cellblock. She has since been released on bail. Rego’s female passenger was arrested for hindering prosecution, terroristic threatening and promotion of a detrimental drug and released pending further investigation.

Kickoff party for Ka`u Coffee Festival is this Friday at
Pahala Plantation House at 6 p.m, featuring a Puerto Rican band.

Two bail bond agents were arrested for reckless endangering, reckless driving, assault and conspiracy to commit theft and both released pending further investigation. Police are seeking a male, who was assisting the bail bond company, for information as well as the outstanding no-bail warrant. The pending investigations will be routed to the Prosecutor’s Office.

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AUDITIONS FOR FINIAN'S RAINBOW, produced by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network, as its annual summer musical will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 16 and 17, at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater starting at 6:30 pm. Directing the show will be Suzi Bond, with musical direction by Walter Greenwood.

HAUNANI'S ALOHA EXPRESSIONS entertain Wednesday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Enjoy an evening of music and hula of Haunani’s Aloha Expressions. With their handmade colorful costumes and lei, these energetic kūpuna have competed at, and won, various hula festivals. They bring to life the magic of old Hawai‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu Heavenly Voices presentations. Free.

Rough waters today led to dangerous conditions for swimmers along the Ka`u Coast, with the rescue by
helicopter of two swimmers with assistance of a water rescue man in the ocean near Punalu`u.
This image is of a stormy ocean at South Point. Photo by Peter Anderson

A HELICOPTER RESCUE NEAR PUNALU`U plucked two teenagers and a lifeguard from rough waters on Wednesday around noon. Three swimmers were off Ninole Horseshoe and drifted out to sea.

Helicopter rescue
near Punalu`u

Big waves started rolling in. One swimmer made it to shore and ran toward the Punalu`u lifeguard stand, on the way dialing 911. A rescue person in the water helped the helicopter crew to hoist them into the air, one at a time, delivering them back to shore. There were no injuries.

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Former FBI Director Robert Mueller
is the special council named by
the Department of Justice to
investigate the Russian interference
with the U.S. election

"A VICTORY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE" is how Sen. Mazie Hirono characterized today's appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate the possible connections between Russian operatives and Pres. Donald Trump's campaign. She wrote that Americans "have demanded the truth about Russia’s goal to undermine our democracy and the Trump team’s ties to these efforts. As someone who has been calling for a special counsel for months now, I applaud the selection of former FBI Director Robert Mueller who has a reputation for independence and a dogged pursuit of the truth. I hope that Director Mueller’s investigation will be truly independent and free to follow the facts wherever they lead. The American people deserve no less.” Mueller was FBI Director under George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He is a Republican known for skills in sorting through complex evidence in such investigations the 911 tragedy. He as also served as a prosecutor and federal attorney in California, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.. He is a Viet Nam War veteran.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono and her mother Laura. Photo from Sen. Hirono

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO UNDERWENT SURGERY on Wednesday to remove a cancerous kidney. She sent this message. "Got out of surgery and doing okay! Thank you everyone for the well wishes."

When announcing the situation yesterday, she said she has a good recovery plan and expects to continue her work and run for re-election.

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NET NEUTRALITY, which prevents internet service providers form withholding internet speed from customers or blocking certain content, depending on how much customers pay, is a hot topic with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Brian Schats. The FCC meets Thursday to review the landmarkrules established on net neutrality. Said Gabbard, "Trump-appointed chairman Ajit Pai is bent on overturning this popular regulation. We need to keep the internet free and open to all people. Anything less is corporate censorship sponsored by a government agency, and unfortunately, that’s what the big ISPs and their friends in the FCC want. More corporate profit, more restricted access for users, and the ability to take customers private browsing data to turn over to advertisers for a profit."
According to Gabbard, "With a boom in internet technology, it’s hard enough keeping our laws and regulations up to speed to protect consumers. Overturning net neutrality takes us in the wrong direction. She provided a link to "Sign our petition today to show the FCC that our rights to privacy and information aren’t up for auction."

Declared Gabbard, "The American people made their preference clear in 2015, flooding the FCC website with over four million public comments in favor of net neutrality, which the commission established. Just last year, a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling. Now under new Republican leadership, the FCC’s attempt to pull that regulation out from under the public is a brazen ploy to give corporations yet another advantage over consumers.
"We can’t allow the FCC to stifle consumer choice in the name of protecting the largest internet service providers’ profits. Net neutrality must remain."

Sen Brian Schatz, the lead Democrat on the Senate subcommittee overseeing FCC matters, is outspoken in his effort to preserve net neutrality. He claims Trump's new chief of the FCC is attempting to destroy the internet itself. Schatz told CNET that the "internet is working because it's free and open and there's no discrimination." Without the existing rules, "ISPs could trat content differently based on commercial interests or even ideology," Schatz said. "If they go through with this there will be no guarantees in terms of the law that an ISP wouldn't block, throttle, prioritize or otherwise mess with your content."

A comment period for new rules for the internet begins May 18.

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FRIENDS OF KA`U LIBRARIES is asking for volunteers and bake sale items for the Ka`u Coffee Festival, Saturday, May 27 at Pahala Community Center. Anyone wanting to help out can drop off baked goods at Pahala and Na`alehu Libaries on Friday, May 26th during their regular schedules. Acceptable items include cookies, pies, small loaves of banana/fruit breads, cup cakes, muffins, should be packaged and priced fro 50 cents to $2 each.

Volunteers for sales at the Ka`u Coffee Festival are needed from 7:30 a.m. in shifts until 4 p.m.

Call or e-mail to confirm a time to volunteer, phone 929-9244 or 987-7448 or email friendsofkaul@gmail.com.

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KICKOFF PARTY AND OPEN HOUSE FOR THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL is this Friday, May 19 at Pahala Plantation House beginning at 6 p.m. El Leo, the Puerto Rican band will play music along with Sen. Russell Ruderman, who is back from the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature. Also playing are the Back Yahd Bruddahs, with Ti Chun, Makana Kamahele and Sheldon Salmo. The event is free.

KA`U COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST is Sunday May 21 at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The annual Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest is part of the Ka`u Coffee Festival and offers cash prize. Entries are accepted in pupu, entree and dessert categories and all recipes are made with Ka‘u coffee. Free coffee tasting and meet Miss Ka‘u Coffee. Find contest entry info at www.kaucoffeemill.com or call 808-928-0550.

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www.kaucalendar.com

Eucalyptus trees above Pahala on Kamehameha Schools land, could be cut and hauled to Pepeekeo
to burn in Hu Honua electric plant being refurbished at the old sugar mill.
Photo by Julia Neal

EUCALYPTUS TREES ABOVE PAHALA MAY BE HARVESTED FOR ENERGY, according to a plan submitted to state and county governments for the Hu Honua power plant project in Pepeekeo. The plan mentions that the Hu Honua hui made "a due diligence review of plantation forestry operations and reviewed several relevant resources and information, including the Road Easement documentation for the Pinnacle and Pahala properties, Hawai`i County Grading Permit and Grubbing Permit terms and conditions, and Exemption from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for the construction of two engineered stream crossings at the Pinnacle property, in order to conclude that timber harvest and other forest management activities are feasible in the context of environmental regulations and operational constraints."

The proposal also states that a law firm was retained "to evaluate land use and regulatory compliance issues associated with the future harvest and haul operations from the Pinnacle and Pahala properties to supply Hu Honua with feedstock from existing timber lands, and concluded that it did not find any permitting requirements that would prohibit Hu Honua to continue forestry operations on the Pinnacle and Pahala properties."

The eucalyptus groves are above Pahala on Kamehameha School lands. The trees would be felled and trucked up the Hamakua Coast to Hu Honua, which is rebuilding the old Pepeekeo power plant from sugar industry days. It has been dormant since 2003.

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PROPERTY TAX HIKES are up for debate, with Mayor Harry Kim going before the County Council today to explain the proposed 6.5 percent increase on all properties except for affordable rental housing.

Mayor Harry Kim when he presented the 6.5 percent property tax

hike proposal to the County Council.Photo by David Corrigan.

See the mayor's presentation today at Big Island Video News

To fund the $400 million budget, with a $20 million shortfall, the mayor explained the administration decided that "After all different options were reviewed, that the best, in regards to fairness to all, was across the board 6.5 percent" property tax hike. "There were so many things in the budget that are beyond our control," said the mayor, pointing to legislative directives and increases in union wages, as well as retirement benefits. Pay raises account for $8 million, said the mayor, those pay hikes negotiated statewide by unions representing the firefighters and other government employees.
On the revenue side, said the mayor, county representatives asked the state legislature to try to encourage a fairer and better distribution of the Transient Accommodations Tax to the counties. He said the county suffer a $2 million shortfall in the TAT that it provided by the state to the county this coming year.
The mayor said he understands the 6.5 percent property tax increase will not be well received by most people. He noted that there are 17 tax bases for state and only three are under control of the county. About 71 or 72 percent of county income is from property taxes, he explained.
He said the county was $20 million short for next year's budget, even after county departments made cuts. Anticipating a shortage in income, the mayor said, "Department by department, the first instructions to all of them was 'cut.' The second time around it was again, 'cut."
He said, however, he would not support any furloughs or removal of county positions. "If money was not an issue, as I told the police chief, we could easily double the police department forces and still be short." He pointed to Ka`u and Puna. "The shortage of police officers there is not disputed. It is well known. We do wish we had the money to give to the police department to increase the services there."

Mayor Kim said he could not cut positions or furlough workers in
his budget considerations. Photo by David Corrigan. See the mayor's
presentation at Big Island Video News

The mayor told the County Council that said the county "can defend, comfortably, the entire budget as a good one in regards of choices that have to be made."
One department where an increase was allowed was for the transit system - with an addition of $600,000 to the budget for necessary expenses. The mayor noted that he made a personal plea to the mayor of Honolulu who will ship by late June "five to seven buses for our use. These are buses that they rotate out of their fleet." He said Honolulu has a "tremendous maintenance program and those buses would not be put on the road unless they were good, and the only thing that we have to pay for is the transportation of the buses to this island." He said Honolulu County has been "very kind and gracious in giving us all that they can."
Kim emphasized that most department budgets have been cut including the budget of the mayor's office. Cuts are small because budgets are small, he said. He gave and example of what he called a small cut in a $400 million budget. The county deleted its $12,000 membership to the National Association of Counties.
See more of the mayor's presentation at www.bigislandvideonews.com.

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STATE TEAM OF THE YEAR: NextEra-Hawaiian Electric Merger Evaluation Team, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is the winner, Gov. David Ige announced today.

"This dedicated 15-member team worked tirelessly to process and analyze more than a hundred thousand pages of information in their review of the proposed $4.3 billion merger between NextEra and the Hawaiian Electric Companies. In each and every instance, they upheld the division’s mission to protect and advance the interests of Hawai‘i’s regulated utility consumers."

The merger of Florida-based NextEra and Hawaiian electric Companies, which includes the utility for this island, did not go through, after much evaluation by the state and counties and consumer groups.

Team of the Year was one of the titles given in the state Employees of the Year competition. The individual Employee of the Year is a school custodian, Lowell Spencer who works for the Department of Education. Manager of the Year is Mark Patterson, corrections manager with the state Department of Human Services.

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KICKOFF PARTY AND OPEN HOUSE FOR THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL is this Friday, May 19 at Pahala Plantation House beginning at 6 p.m. El Leo, the Puerto Rican band will play music along with Sen. Russell Ruderman, who is back from the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature. Also meet Rep. Richard Creagan, Chair of the Agriculture Committee for the state House of Representatives. Meet Miss Ka`u Coffee Jami Beck and her court. Taste Ka`u Coffee and meet the farmers. The event is free.

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KA`U COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST is Sunday, May 21 at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The annual Ka‘u Coffee Recipe Contest is part of the Ka`u Coffee Festival and offers cash prize. Entries are accepted in adult and student divisions, in pupu, entree and dessert categories and all recipes are made with Ka‘u coffee. Free coffee tasting. Meet Miss Ka‘u Coffee. Find contest entry info at www.kaucoffeemill.com or call 808-928-0550.

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Visitors from coffee growing regions from Puerto Rico to India, Colombia and Papua New Guinea celebrated
with Ka`u Coffee farmers, their families and the band El Leo at the kick off party Friday for the
2017 Ka`u Coffee Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

2017 MISS KA`U COFFEE COURT began making appearances on Friday night with the kick off party for the ninth annual Ka`u Coffee Festival at Pahala Plantation House.
The event was attended by coffee farmers, local families and visitors from places around the world including China, Canada, Russia and other famous coffee growing regions, Colombia, Puerto Rico, India and Papua New Guinea. Puerto Rico and Hawai`i are the only two coffee growing regions in the U.S.

Miss Ka`u Coffee 2017 Jami Beck along with Jr. Miss Ka`u Coffee

Calaysa Koi, Miss Ka`u Coffee Peaberry Jazmynn Navarro,

Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower Evalynn Ornelas and First

Ka`u Coffee Flower Lilianna Marques. Photo by Julia Neal

Entertaining was the Puerto Rican band El Leo, which includes state Senator Russell Ruderman whose territory includes most of the coffee farms in Ka`u. Also performing was Da Backyahd Braddahs with Ti Chun, Makana Kamahele and Howard Salmo.
Miss Ka`u Coffee attendees included Pageant Director Trini Marques and Miss Ka`u Coffee 2017 Jami Beck along with Jr. Miss Ka`u Coffee Calaysa Koi, Miss Ka`u Coffee Peaberry Jazmynn Navarro, Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower Evalynn Ornelas and First Ka`u Coffee Flower Lilianna Marques. Also attending were 2015 Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda and 2016 Miss Ka`u Coffee Rochelle Koi.
Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba invited everyone to attend the events this week, including the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest on Sunday, Ka`u Star Gazing at Makanau on Monday, Ka`u Mountain Water System Hike On Wednesday and Thursday, the all day Ho`olaulea with music, coffee tasting and buying, food and much more on Saturday and Ka`u Coffee College next Sunday.
Miss Ka`u Coffee and her court will appear at numerous events throughout the week and the coming year, including parades and visits to schools, farms and community gatherings.
See www.kaucoffeefest.com for more on events all this week.

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Ka`u Coffee Festival volunteer Helena Sesson and
Miss Ka`u Coffee 2015 Maria Miranda.
Photo by Asia Sesson

KA`U COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST is open for entries in the pupu, entre and dessert categories with adult and student divisions. First prizes are $100 each. All recipes must include Ka1u Coffee and must be brought to Ka`u Coffee mill by 10 a.m. They will be judged on creativity, taste and presentation.
Each contestant is limited to one entry per category. See www.kaucoffeefestival.com and www.kaucoffeemill.com.
The public is invited to view the judging of the creations and to taste them. Emcee of the event is Makana Kamahele. Prizes are provided by the Edmund C. Olson Trust.

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REJECTING ALL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE DONATIONS is what Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard promised on Friday. Concerning her campaign donations, she released a statement saying: "From the day I was elected to Congress, I promised myself I’d never allow money to influence the decisions I make on behalf of the people who elected me to serve them. Furthermore, I’ve refused to accept contributions from industries like Wall Street banks, Big Pharma, Tobacco, Liquor, and, more recently, Defense. However, from here on out, I've made the decision not to accept money from any political action committees.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard promises to take no PAC money.

"Here’s the bottom line: we cannot allow the future of our nation and our politics to be driven and shaped by special interests. Citizens United has exposed a major problem for the future of our country—there is far too much dark money influencing our politics. Our policies and our future must be driven by the American people and their interests.
"I believe in the power of the people and our ability to take action toward a brighter future. When we are informed, involved, and working together toward a common goal, we are more powerful than any special interest group. This is why we need to get corporate money and lobbyists out of politics and elevate the voices of the people of our country," stated Gabbard.

New exhibit includes Iwa Leads the Way. Image from VAC

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WORLDWIDE VOYAGE, HAWA`I SHARES ITS CULTURE WITH THE WORLD, is a new exhibit that opens Saturday, May 20 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It presents the navigational story of the Hokulea Malama Honua

worldwide Vooyage, told through photographs, cultural items and art inspiref by the voyage.

The exhibit continues through July 2 and consists of r a colleciton of mounted photographs, cultural items and art curated by Gary Eoff. The Polynesian Voyaging Scociety shares the exhibit with Volcano Art Center.

Ka`u High School held its first graduation in the new Ka`u District Gym on Friday night. Photo by Pam Taylor

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL, WITH 39 GRADUATES, held the ceremonies Friday night for the first time in the new Ka`u District Gym.
Co-Valedictorians Chole Gan and Jenny Mauricio Henriques encouraged the class to reach for their goals and dreams. Na`alehu School Principal Darlene Javar gave the Commencement Address with inspiration for a successful and happy future.

Valedictorian Janny Mauricio Henriques, Student Body President Pete

Dacalio and Co-Valedictorian Chloe Gan. Photo by Pam Taylor

Ka`u High School Principal Sharon Beck named scholarship winners:
Destiny Beck and Tristan Davis received Harry McKee honors. Charisma Felipe received Na Wahi Pana O Ka`u and Foodland Shop for Higher Education Scholarships.
Chloe Gan received scholarships from American Association of University Women, Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship, F. Keohnen Ltd. Scholarship, Harry McKee Scholarship, Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Outstanding Student Award, UH Hilo-Hawai`i Scholars Award and University of Portland President's Scholarship.
Alkysha Gustafson-Savella received a Shoreline Community College Scholarship and Jenny Mauricio Henriquez received a UH Hilo-Hawai`i Scholars Award and University of Virginia Award.

Na`alehu School Principal Darlene
Javar gave the Commencement
Address. Photo by Pam Taylor

Travis Taylor received a UH- Hilo Hawai`i Scholars Award and Trevor Taylor received a Citizen Scholar Award from Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association, Department of Education and the Honolulu Star Advertiser newspaper.
The Class of 2017 Award Recipients are: Pete Dacalio for Athletics, Chloe Gan for Scholastics, Jenny Mauricio Henriquez for Leadership, Jacob Maygra for Literacy & Artistic Performance and and Travis Taylor for Information Technology.
The Principal, vice Principal Deisha Davis and Athletic Director Kalae Namohala presented the diplomas. Graduates are:
Sheanale Agpaoa, Dayse Andrade, Titan Ault, Joanne Baruelo, Destiny Beck, Benly Bolaoen, Jamal Buyuan, Jessica Coss, Pete Dacalio, Jr., Tristan Davis, Cedrick Felipe, Charisma Felipe, Jacob Flores, Jr., Cedrick Freitas, Sheri Lynn Freitas, Chloe Gan, Daniel Garo, Benjamin Gouveia, Alysha Gustafson-Savella, Ismarjan Guzman, Layna Haina, Julia Ka`awa, Jameson LeMaire, Javier Lobos Paz, Janny Maruicio Henriquez, Jacob Maygra, Yokko Nagel, Joven Padrigo, Chadwick Pajimola; Kathryne Patara, Brittney Perry, Ka`ala Petrill-Abrojina, Arjhell Salmo-Grace, Lomon Silk, Taylor Silva, Richard Souza III, Travis Taylor, Trevor Taylor and Kalamakoa Waiwai`ole.

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CONDEMNING THE $460 BILLION ARMS DEAL WITH SAUDIA ARABIA was the Saturday statement from Rep. Tuslsi Gabbard, who represents Ka`u in Congress. The congresswoman said she opposes President Donald Trump Administration’s arms sale—$110 billion immediately and $350 billion over the next 10 years—because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has "a devastating record of human rights violations at home and abroad, and a long history of providing support to

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard opposes the Arms deal with Saudi Arabia. See more
at www.bigislandvideonews.com.

terrorist organizations that threaten the American people." Gabbard contended that "Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest sponsor and propagator of the extremist Wahhabi Salafist ideology that fuels terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda. Based on Saudi Arabia’s history and track record, there is a significant likelihood these weapons will be used against innocent civilians or end up in the hands of terrorist groups."

CIA Director Mike Pompeo gave the
Saudi Prince an award for excellence
in intelligence and contribution to
peace.

Gabbard declared that "Saudi Arabia has spent hundreds of billions of dollars spreading their extreme Wahhabi Salafist ideology around the world, creating fertile ground for terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaeda to recruit, while simultaneously providing direct support to terrorist groups who pose a direct threat to US interests and who are fighting to overthrow the Syrian government.

Gabbard asked Secretary of
Defense James Mattis to end
U.S. participation in Yemen war.

"The hypocrisy in the Trump administration’s actions toward Saudi Arabia began in February 2017 with the newly-appointed CIA Director Mike Pompeo presenting Saudi Crown Prince bin Nayef with the George Tenet Award in recognition of Prince bin Nayef’s ‘excellent intelligence performance, in the domain of counter-terrorism and his unbound contribution to realise world security and peace.’ This hypocrisy continues now as the Trump administration talks tough against ISIS and terrorism, while selling weapons to, supporting, and praising a country that beheads dissidents, oppresses women, persecutes religious minorities, atheists, and LGBT people, and is the greatest supporter of terror groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS in the world
Gabbard pointed to her bill H.R. 608, the bipartisan Stop Arming Terrorists Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from using taxpayer dollars to provide weapons, cash, intelligence, or any support to armed militants who are allied with al-Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist groups. It would also prohibit the U.S. government from funneling money and weapons through other countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, which, she says, "are directly or indirectly supporting terrorists."
Gabbard also sent a letter to Secretary Mattis urging an end to the United States’ military participation in Yemen’s civil war, "where 19 million people need emergency support and which has never been authorized by Congress." She called for a Congressional briefing on the White House’s strategy in Yemen.

Star Gazing from Makanau is Monday,
as part of the Ka`u CoffeeFestival.
Photo by Andres Richard Hara

today. This arms deal will enable Saudi Arabia to use U.S.-made weapons in their war crimes against Yemeni civilians in a brutal civil war, and continue perpetuating
human rights atrocities at home and abroad," Gabbard concluded.

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PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU - Sunday, 9:30 am. to noonat the Kahuku Unite of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free, guided 2.5 mile hike covers rugged terrain and human history of the area.

KA`U COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST - 11 a.m. Sunday at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Entries due by 10 a.m.

Prizes in adult and student categories for recipes using Ka`u Coffee. Public welcome to the judging and tasting. Ka`u Coffee Mill on Wood Valley Road.

KA`U STAR GAZING at Makanau on Monday evening, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.. An event of the Ka`u Coffee Festival. See www.kaucoffeefest.com. Call 928-5050.

www.kaucalendar.com

Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower Evalynn Ornelas shows off entries for the annual Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST drew a wide variety of creations on Sunday at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Hungry observers enjoyed them, including Ka`u Coffee Festival Emcee Makana Kamahele, Junior Miss Ka`u Coffee Calaysa Koi, who served as a student judge for both adult and student divisions; Miss Ka`u Coffee Peaberry Jayzmynn Navarro; and Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower Evalynn Ornelas.

Infused Ka`u Coffee Fried Wontons won the Student Entree
category, the creation by Tiare Wong Yuen.
Photo by Julia Neal

In the Student Division, Tiare Wong Yuen won first in the Pupu category for her Infused Ka`u Coffee Fried Wontons. She also won first in Desserts with her Ka`u Coffee Latte Cake. Melia Okimoto won first place for the student Entree dish, with her Ka`u Coffee Chicken.

In the adult division, Peggy Kilkenny won first place in the Dessert category with her Ka`u Coffee Latte Cheesecake and also first in the Entree category with her Ka`u Coffee Enchiladas. First in the Pupu category was a Ka`u Coffee Marlin Dip.

All of the first place winners received a $100 prize from the Edmund C. Olson Trust II.

See the complete list of winners in the Tuesday Ka`u News Briefs and also in the The Ka`u Calendar print newspaper for June.

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Miss Ka`u Coffee Peaberry Jazmynn Navarro displays
dessert entries for the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest.
Photo by Julia Neal

STARGAZING AT MAKANAU is Monday's Ka`u Coffee Festival Event. Reservations can be made at Ka`u Coffee Mill or by calling 928-0550. The event involves not only an introduction to Ka`u's stars, but a visit to the Makanau historic site and a discussion on its history. The heiau area is stewarded by the Demetrius Oliveira family of Pahala.

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THE DIRECTORY 2017 FOR KA`U is now online. The Directory is a partnership between Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and The Ka`u Calendar Newspaper. It serves as a business and resource guide for the Ka`u District and includes maps of the communities and photos by such celebrated photographers as Peter Anderson.

The Directory is online for Ka`u

The Directory raises funds for scholarships for Ka`u students in higher education. It also helps to fund other Chamber activities, such as the annual Beauty of Ka`u Art Show.

The Directory is distributed annually through 7,500 print copies at no cost to residents and local businesses.

The 2017 cover for The Directory is a quilt which won the popular vote at the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Art Show last fall.

The Ka`u Chamber of Commerce scholarship application deadline is June 1 and higher education students and those beginning higher education can apply. See www.kauchamber.org.

To read The Directory online, click on the top or bottom of each page on the website.

THE NEW HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY WEBSITE is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, written by HVO scientists:

In 1998, a U.S. first-class postage stamp cost 32 cents and a gallon of gas in Hawai`i set you back about $1.50. Apple unveiled the iMac, Google was founded, and Pokémon was released in the U.S. for Nintendo® Game Boy.
Fast forward to 2017. Email and paying bills online have all but replaced the need to mail a letter for 49 cents. The price of gas has doubled, but it's now possible to opt for an electric car and never go to the pump. And amazingly, many people carry a pocket-sized computer (a smartphone) with the capability to search the Internet for whatever they want, any time of the day—or to just play Pokémon GO.
Why compare 1998 to 2017? It’s related to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website, which was initially launched in March 1998. Not much changed over the course of 19 years—until last week, when an extensive makeover of the website was rolled out.
The changes to HVO’s website are much more than "skin" deep—its “bones” are completely different.

What you now see on your computer or mobile device is supported by a powerful database that houses both informational content and nearly all volcano monitoring data that stream into HVO from hundreds of instruments throughout Hawai`i. This new structure allows for a more efficient and consistent website, with simplified maintenance that leads to fewer broken links.
Written sections were added and expanded to explain the eruption history of many Hawaiian volcanoes. But the real stars of the new website are the interactive maps that display earthquake and monitoring data.

A comparison of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory homepage in 1998 (left), the year the website was originally launched, and in 2017 (right), following an extensive makeover to make the website more interactive, mobile-friendly, and easier to maintain. Check out HVO’s new website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/.

On HVO’s old site, you could only see data from seismometers and a few deformation instruments on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The new map interface allows access to more data types, and you can view near-real-time data streams across all our monitored volcanoes by clicking on the instrument symbols. The maps can be reached via “Earthquakes” in the website menu bars, or via the "Monitoring" tab in sub-menus on the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcano pages.
Sharing results of monitoring and scientific study is a primary goal of HVO scientists. Kīlauea Volcano's Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption was in its 15th year when HVO’s first website was launched and the Internet made it easier to share information about it.
With the advent of the HVO website came detailed daily updates of Kīlauea eruptive activity. Field photographs were regularly posted (and even back-dated to 1997) on the website, and in 2000, scientists began posting maps of the East Rift Zone lava flows. Through HVO’s website, the eruption of Kīlauea reached a growing and devoted worldwide audience.
Advances in technology and volcano monitoring capability led to more enhancements to the website.

In 2003, HVO scientists built a powerful volcano-monitoring data analysis and visualization tool called "VALVE." By 2006, deformation data (tilt and GPS) that record the up-and-down movement (inflation and deflation) of Kīlauea's summit and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater were made available on the HVO website. Webcam images were then added steadily—Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in 2004, Mauna Loa in 2005, Halemaʻumaʻu in 2008—with a dedicated webcams page created in 2009.
In 2011, the hard-coded HTML pages for images, videos, and Volcano Watch articles were transitioned into a database. Although what you saw on your computer didn't change dramatically, the database made it much easier to post, manage, and archive information. In the same year, HVO launched its first interactive map (VolcWeb) to display earthquake monitoring data for Hawaiian volcanoes. The 2017 website map improves and enhances the information that is available, especially for mobile devices.
Conceptualization for the redesign of HVO’s website began six years ago. The longstanding history and large audience for HVO's online presence were carefully considered in the development of the new website. Its architecture allows for continual and easier improvements, which are ongoing and will take into account how users interact with the website.
"Change is rarely easy, and it takes time to adapt to something new," explain the Volcano Watch scientist. "We hope that once you explore HVO’s new website and learn the pathways to your favorite content, you’ll find gems along the way and enjoy learning more about Hawaiian volcanoes. Feedback about the website is welcome at askHVO@usgs.gov."

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www.kaucalendar.com

Ka`u Coffee created many desserts, pupu and entrees at yesterday's Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest.
See more photos and complete results below. Photo by Julia Neal

PROTECTIONS ON AMERICANS' PRIVACY are proposed by Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Rep. Scott Perry. Both founding members of the Fourth Amendment Caucus, they introduced legislation today to permanently codify privacy protection. Last month, the

Peggy Kilkenny's Ka'u Coffee Trei Chicken

Sushi Cake. Photo by Julia Neal

NSA announced it is ending its collection of Americans' Internet communications that merely mention identifying terms for foreign targets, but are not to or from those targets, also known as "about" surveillance. The legislation introduced today would permanently codify this policy change into law. Gabbard and Perry, both veterans of the Iraq War, also co-chair the Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus.
Said Gabbard, "For years, the NSA has been collecting phone and online communications from everyday Americans across the country, defying the rights and liberties granted to us under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. The 2008 FISA Amendments, specifically Section 702, has led to massive government-led exploitation of personal privacy through the collection of American citizens' emails. We need serious reforms that balance the protection of our civil liberties and rights through our constitution, and also keep the American people safe. The NSA recently announced that they would stop collecting our emails and electronic communications under Section 702, but what is to say that it won't start up again? Our legislation will keep our country from backtracking on this progress by permanently codifying this policy change and banning this privacy-invading collection from taking place again."
Said Perry, “The NSA recently changed policy to prohibit the collection of electronic communications sent or received by American citizens that merely mention a foreign target of surveillance. This practice has long been used as an end-around the Fourth Amendment, and we commend the NSA for aligning their collection efforts with the Constitution. The legislation ensures that this important win for the American people cannot be reversed under future administrations. I thank Congresswoman Gabbard for her continued efforts on this issue and look forward to seeing this bill move quickly.”

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Peggy Kilkenny's Ka'u Coffee Chili Cheese Enchiladas
Photo by Julia Neal

PRES. DONALD TUMP'S ETHICS PLEDGE is called into question by a letter to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, penned by Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Edward Markey and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. The hui requests "information about the ethics rules that Stephen Bannon, President Trump's Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor, is required to follow with regards to communications with his former employer, Breitbart News Network."

According to the four senators, "Under federal ethics regulations and President Trump's ethics executive order, Mr. Bannon is prohibited from communicating with his former employer to avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest," says a statement from the Senators.

"However, Mr. Bannon has publicly admitted to communicating with Breitbart since assuming his White House role, raising concerns about his continued interactions with his previous employer.

“It appears,” wrote the senators, “that Mr. Bannon's communications with Breitbart are in violation of the Ethics Pledge.”

Outlined in Trump's own Executive Order 13770, the pledge bars administration appointees from participating in matters related to their former employers. Additional OGE regulations also require executive branch employees to “avoid an appearance of loss of impartiality in the performance of...official duties.” These regulatsions, "Mr. Bannon flouted by reportedly providing preferential access to his former employer," states Hirono and colleagues.

Breitbart News," and whether his actions were consistent with those standards. The letter follows a previous inquiry sent last month by the senators to Mr. Bannon, asking him directly address concerns about his compliance with ethics regulation. Mr. Bannon has yet to respond, said Hirono her hui.

Jr. Miss Ka`u Coffee Calaysa Koi is one of three judges at the
Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest. Photo by Julia Neal

The senators ask OGE to provide a comprehensive overview of "relevant laws, precedents, executive orders, and legal opinions regarding Mr. Bannon's role as Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to the President and his relationship and communications with Breitbart News," and whether his actions were consistent with those standards. The letter follows a previous inquiry sent last month by the senators to Mr. Bannon, asking him directly address concerns about his compliance with ethics regulation. Mr. Bannon has yet to respond, said Hirono.

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U.S. HELPING WAR VETS RETURN TO CIVILIAN LIFE is the purpose of a bill that Democrat Sen. Mazie Hirono and Republican Sen. Mike Rounds introduced on Monday. Both are members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and their Veterans To Enhance Studies Through Accessibility Act would reimburse veterans for cost of approved tests and allow GI Bill payments to be carried forward for education.

Under current law, veterans are required to use a full month of their Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to be reimbursed for licensing, certification and national tests, such as those required to be an athletic trainer, fire fighter or medical technician.

Emcee Makana Kamahele and multiple Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest
winner Peggy Kilkenny. Photo by Jesse Tunison

“Last year over 6,000 Hawai`i students pursued their educational goals through the Post-9/11 GI Bill and many want to enter high-demand science, technology, engineering, and math careers which often require paying for various tests, professional licenses, and other credentials," said Hirono. “As a cosponsor of the law creating the Post-9/11 GI Bill, I am proud to join Senator Rounds in introducing this commonsense bill to improve the way it reimburses these expenses for current and future generations of veterans and their families.”

“Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and they should be able to fully use the benefits they’ve been promised when they enter into civilian life,” said Sen. Rounds. "Our bill will make sure vets aren’t forced to exhaust a full month of GI bill benefits for a low-cost test or certification in order to pursue a successful career in a competitive job market. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to advance this legislation.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) and Susan Brooks (R-Ind.) earlier this year. It is supported by The American Legion and the Association of the United States Navy.

Melia Okimoto's Moa Kope - Ka`u Coffee Chicken
Photo by Julia Neal

THE ANNUAL KA`U COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST has announced its official results from Sunday's event at Ka`u Coffee Mill:

Student Division,:

Pupu 1st- Tiare Wong Yuen with her Ka'u Coffee Infused Won Ton

Pupu 2nd- Melia Okimoto with her Sweet n' Salty Ka`u Coffee Pops

Entrée 1st- Melia Okimoto with her Moa Kope ( Ka`u Coffee Chicken)

Dessert 1st- Tiare Wong Yuen with her Ka'u Coffee Cup Cake

Dessert 2nd- Melia Okimoto w/ Ka'u Coffee Latte Cake

Elgon Villanueva's Ka`u Coffee Garlic Furikae Wings
Photo by Julia Neal

Adult Division:

Pupu 1st- Austin Kilkenny with his Ka`u Coffee Smoke Marlin Coffee Dip

Pupu 2nd- Elgon Villanueva with his Ka`u Coffee Garlic Furikake Wings

Pupu 3rd- Peggy Kilkenny with her Ka'u Coffee Trei Chicken Sushi Cake

Entree 1st- Peggy Kilkenny with her Ka'u Coffee Chili Cheese Enchiladas

Entree 2nd- Austin Kilkenny with his Ka`u Coffee `Ohana Comfort Beef Stew

Entree 3rd- Elgon Villanueva with his Ka`u Coffee Perfectly Perked Pahala Pork Tenderloin

Dessert 1st - Peggy Kilkenny with her Velvety Ka'u Coffee Latte Cheesecake minis

Dessert 2nd -Austin Kilkenny with his Ka`u Coffee Caramel Apple Macchiato Bars

Dessert 3rd- Victoria Gooderham with his Chocolate Eclairs with Ka`u Coffee Cream.

Dr. Jay Griffin, new member
of the Public Utilities Commission

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THE NEW PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEMBER is Dr. Jay Griffin. According to Gov. David Ige, Griffin will serve on the three-person Public Utilities Commission staring in June to fill the seat left vacant by Tom Gorak.
Ige said in a statement that he was excited to find a talented individual who has “demonstrated expertise and is aligned with our commitment to a 100 percent clean energy future.”
Griffin, who has been active in energy policy for two decades, is an Assistant Researcher at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii. He previously served as chief of policy and research for the PUC, where he led staff and consultant teams in analyzing state energy policy decisions, according to the governor’s office.

PUC Chair Randy Iwase welcomed Griffin back to the commission, saying that the PUC has many major issues to handle, including electric rate cases and renewable energy projects. “They’re going to take a lot of work,” he said, adding that Griffin will be a great asset.

Griffin attended Duke University and graduated in December 2000 with two degrees - a Masters in Environmental Management and a Masters in Public Policy. In 2001 he hired on as a session staff member for Mina Morita of Kauai, who was a State Representative at the time. Griffin also worked as an intern for her in 2003. He became a conservation organizer for the Sierra Club Hawai’i Chapter in 2001. In 2002 he was a graduate student at UC Santa Barbara, before becoming an energy policy analyst at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA. At Rand, Griffin worked on a strategic energy plan for Israel’s natural gas sector and an assessment of a nationwide renewable portfolio standard for the U.S. Improving Cost-Effectiveness and Mitigating Risks of Renewable Energy Requirements.
Griffin received a Ph.D. in Policy Analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School. His wrote his thesis on “
In 2009 Griffin became an Assistant Specialist at the Hawai`i Natural Energy Institute, working on research projects analyzing the integration of renewable energy sources into electricity grids, energy policy, and energy-economic modeling.

The Hawai`i Natural Energy Institute was established by the State Legislature in 1974. It is an independent research facility housed at the University of Hawai`i, Mānoa. For several years HNEI has worked closely with HECO to assist in the integration of higher levels of intermittent (variable) power into the grid.
In 2012, at the request of the then-PUC Chair Morita, Griffin took a leave of absence from HNEI to serve as the Chief of Policy and Research at the PUC. He returned to HNEI in July, 2016.
Griffin has won numerous awards, written for various publications and made a host of presentations relating to energy and costs.
Griffin’s interim appointment to commission is effective June 5. It is also subject to Senate confirmation.

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The estuaries, and fresh and anchialine ponds of Kāwā, will receive restoration assistance from Hawai`i

Wildlife Fund, local families and community groups in Ka`u with funding from the county.

Photo by Julia Neal

ESTUARY AND FISHPOND RESTORATION at Kāwā is the aim of the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, which received approval for funding last week from the County Council Finance Committee. The $13,200 in matching funds is supported by Ka`u's County Council member Maile David, who also serves as chair of the Finance Committee. The money comes from The Two Percent Fund - officially known as the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Fund. Final approval will be needed from the full County Council for the funds to be released.

The property is owned by Hawai`i County and was purchased with state and federal funds after a long wait. Edmund C. Olson Trust II purchased most of the coastal lands from Kawa to Punalu`u and held them for years to protect this portion of the Ka`u Coast from development. The land at Kāwā had been listed on the real estate market and advertised as the last bay to buy for development, with easy access from Hwy 11.

The county, Trust for Public Land, Olson Trust and other community organizations worked towards its preservation. It is a popular surfing, fishing and camping spot for local residents, with a huge inventory of archaeological sites and native plants and animals including rare shrimp, nesting hawsksbill turtles and birdlife.

Kawa is popular for surfing, fishing, camping, but is also an important native species and archaeological site.
Photo by Julia Neal

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is led in Ka`u by Megan Lamson who grew up here and received her graduate degree from University of Hawai`i- Hilo, studying the marine life of nearby Honu`apo. The organization helps restore anchialine ponds and organizes regular expeditions along the Ka`u Coast to clean up trash, some of it shipped to Honolulu to burn for electricity.

In its proposal, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund says it will help "restore the estuary and fishpond located at the southern end of Kāwā, remove harmful invasive species from various bodies of water located on the property, in collaboration with Kuleana `ohana and community groups from the Kaʻū and Puna districts to achieve these goals, which enhances and solidifies the community component of this project.”

The Ka`u Council member called for community collaboration to steward Kāwā, saying that several community groups have offered assistance.

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Ab Valenci and his Halau Hula
Kalehuakiekaiu will begin the
annual Ho`olaulea at the Ka`u
Coffee Festival.
Photo by Dinno Morrow

ALL DAY ENTERTAINMENT AT THIS SATURDAY'S KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL has been finalized for the Pahala Community Center grounds, beginning at 9 a.m. Emcee is Makana Kamahele and the event opens with Ab Valencia and Halau Hula Kalehuakiekaiu.

At 10 a.m., enjoy Harry Evangelista and tui Masania. At 10:30 a.m. watch the Coffee Cherry Picking Competition and listen to Calvin Ponce and Hands of time. At 11 a.m., Hanah's Makana `Ohana Halau performs, followed by Cuppa Joe. At noon meet the Miss Ka`u Coffee Court, with Queen Jami Beck.

AT 12:30 p.m. see Halau Hula O Leonalani with Kumu Debbie Ryer, followed by Demetrius Oliveira and the band Keaiwa. At 1:45 p.m., its Back Yahd Braddahs, with Bolo at 2:15 p.m., Larry Dupio Band at 2:45 p.m., Sammi Fo and Halau Kahokukauahiahionalani at 3:30 p.m. At 4:15 p.m. listen to Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones, followed by Foggy.

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THE HIGH COST OF HOUSING has put Hawai`i at the top of the list of states with the highest mortgage debt per capita, according to a report released today by the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. An Analysis of Consumer Debt: How does Hawai`i Compare with the Nation? examines various consumer debt categories.

Chief State Economist Dr. Eugene Tian noted that the high mortgage debt may also have negative impacts, including less consumers spending on other goods and services by home owners, increasing rental payment for renters, and the leakage of mortgage payment to out-of-state financial institutions.
The following are some of the highlights of the report:
Hawai`i’s total consumer debt per capita increased from $51,810 in 2005 to $67,010 in 2015, ranking it second highest in the nation.
For mortgage debt per capita, Hawai`i has been steadily increasing in the state rankings, from the sixth highest state in 2005 to the highest state in 2015.
Hawai`i ranks low among states for auto loans per capita, while defaults for those with auto loans are close to U.S. average.
Hawai`i residents have relatively high credit card debt. Hawaii ranked fourth in the nation in 2010 and 2015 for credit card debt per capita.
Hawai`i ranks the lowest in the nation for per capita student debt.
For the other debt category (home equity lines of credit, consumer cards, and consumer-financed debt), Hawaii leads the nation for the average amount per capita at $5,300. This partially reflects Hawaii’s high residential real estate values and the home equity loan balances supported by these high values.
The report is available at: dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/reports_studies (Income/Consumption)

According to the report, Hawai`i’s home ownership increased 10 percentage points from 46.9 percent in 1970 to 56.9 percent in 2015 while the U.S. home ownership increased less than one percentage point from 62.9 percent to 63.8 percent during the same time period. The fact that a Hawaiian homeowner must borrow more heavily to afford the high cost of homes, means the average borrower has a high percentage of mortgage debt. The report states that “77 percent of our debt is from mortgage debt.”

PLAY KONANE, Wednesday, May 24, 10 a.m. to noon, Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes Natinoal park.

COFFE TALK, Friday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National park. Informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka`u Coffee, tea and pastries available for purchase.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meeting, Friday, May 26, 5 p.m. Hawaiian Ranchos office.

The Directory is online for Ka`u

www.kaucalendar.com

The twenty-fifth anniversary of Hurrican Iniki falls into this hurricane season. Image from NOAA

A NORMAL TO ABOVE-NORMAL HURRICANE SEASON IS PREDICTED in today's outlook by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The analysis for June 1 to Nov. 30 predicts a 40 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 40 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 20 percent chance of a below-normal season. Five to eight tropical cyclones are predicted to affect the Central Pacific, which includes the Hawaiian Islands. An average season has four to five tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.
This marks the first season in which the Ka`u Regional Gym will serve as the area's disaster shelter. The nearly $20 million complex was built, in part, with federal money to construct the gym to also serve as a certified regional shelter.

According to NOAA, the 2017 hurricane "outlook reflects the possible transition to a weak El Nino during the hurricane season, along with a prediction for near-or above-average ocean temperatures in the main hurricane formation region, and near-or weaker-than-average vertical wind shear in that same region," said Gerry Bell, PhD., NOAA;s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center. He noted that "If El Nino develops, it may become strong enough to produce an above-normal season."

The new Ka`u Districty Gym is serving as a hurricane shelter for the first time this season,
which begins June 1. Photo by Julia Neal

El Nino decreases the vertical wind shear over the tropical Central Pacific, which favors the development of more and stronger tropical cyclones. El Nino also favors more westward-tracking storms from the Eastern Pacific into the Central Pacific.

According to NOAA, the Central Pacific basin may also be shifting toward a longer-term period of increased tropical cyclone activity, in response to changes in global sea surface temperatures patterns in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which historically last anywhere from 25 to 40 years.

"The 2017 hurricane season marks the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Iniki, which brought life-changing impacts that have lasted more than a generation," said Chris Brenchely, director of NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center. "Considering the devastation we saw from Iniki, as well as the more recent impacts from Hurricane Iselle and Tropical Storm Darby, I remind everyone that now is the time to make sure you and your family are prepared for hurricane season. Become weather-ready by signing up for weather alerts, developing and practicing a family emergency plan and building an emergency kit before hurricane season begins.

Anna sent gulches raging up Wood Valley road in 2014.
Photo by Julia Neal

"We all need to plan and prepare right now for the upcoming hurricane season, which could become the third above-normal season in a row," said Bell. "Make sure your structure will withstand the tremendous force of a hurricane. Know where you will go and what you will take with you should an evacuation be necessary. Ensure that you have adequate insurance. practice your plan, ensure you have a way to get the latest official forecast and emergency information, and assemble the supplies you might need. Dong these things now will endure we will all be weather-ready and disaster resilient well before the storms threaten."

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STOP ARMING SAUDIA ARABIA is Ka`u' member in the U.S. House of Representative's statement to constituents today, taking on Pres. Donald Trump's arm deal with the kingdom. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, "The news the past few days has been tough. For so many in Manchester, what began as just another day, ended in a horrific tragedy as a terrorist set off a bomb killing innocent civilians at a concert hall. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. Today, we are getting reports out of the Philippines that an ISIS-linked attack has taken the lives of 21 souls. This highlights yet again how critical it is for us to work together to defeat these terrorists, and the ideology fueling their terror."

Gabbard contends that "It's impossible to talk seriously about this issue without acknowledging that just a few days before this terrible attack, President Trump signed a $460 billion, ten year arms deal with Saudi Arabia—a brutal theocracy that oppresses its own people, and has spent billions of dollars exporting their extreme Wahhabi Salafist ideology around the world—the very same ideology fueling terror groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard opposes arms deal between the Trump Administratio
and Saudi Arabia's rulers. Photo from Wikipedia

The Congresswoman also claimed that "Saudi Arabia, along with Qatar, Turkey, and other countries, are directly and indirectly supporting these terrorist groups with money, weapons, and intelligence. So our big weapons deal will make it so US weapons are likely to end up in the hands of terrorists, and to be used in war crimes against Yemeni civilians.

Gabbard charges that "Trump has condemned deals like this in the past. In 2011, Trump wrote about Saudi Arabia in his book, 'It's the world's biggest funder of terrorism. Saudi Arabia funnels our petrodollars, our very own money, to fund the terrorists that seek to destroy our people while the Saudis rely on us to protect them.'"

The U.S. House member states that "If the US is to supply Saudi Arabia with weapons we should, at the very least, demand that they: End their spread of radical Wahhabi Salafist exclusivist ideology through madrassas and mosques around the world, which is undermining moderate Muslims, from Pakistan to Indonesia, to Europe;

"End their brutal attack on the sovereign country of Yemen, which is resulting in the suffering and death of hundreds of thousands of civilians;

"End its arming and support of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in Syria and other parts of the world;

"Stop oppression and persecution of dissenters, women and the LGBT community;

"Allow Christians, Hindus, Muslims, atheists and other religious minorities to worship or not worship as they please in Saudi Arabia, without being arrested and punished."

Said Gabbard, "It is news like this that makes clear the need for a new movement for peace powered by the aloha spirit—the spirit of love and respect for all."

She points to her bill in the House of Representatives, HR 608, Stop Arming Terrorists Act, which would prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to directly or indirectly support armed militants allied with terrorist groups like al Qaeda, and "would stop our practice of funneling money through countries like Saudi Arabia who support these terrorist groups,"

Sen. Mazie Hirono is back on the Senate floor, testifying on
Wednesday in support of Navy shipyards.

Gabbard asks constituents to sign on to co-sponsor to Stop Arming Terrorists Act "to require our government to abide by the same laws that apply to its citizens."

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A STRONG NAVY FOR HAWAI`I is the substance of the message from Sen. Mazie Hirono today when she questioned shipbuilding industry witnesses today. in the U.S. Senate.

Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, which oversees Navy and Marine Corps programs, asked the shipbuilding industry witnesses today to detail the importance of readiness, prioritizing fleet maintenance, and workforce development when discussing increasing the number of ships in the Navy’s fleet. The Senator also pressed industry leaders on how procurement policies can be improved to ensure that the Navy remains fit to fight.

“In Hawai`i, we understand the threats our country faces and the Navy’s role in confronting them. This is particularly true at a time when four out of five of our country’s most pressing national security challenges are present in the Pacific Theater.

“Any plan to expand the size of our Navy must provide a simultaneous commitment to continuing shipyard modernization, funding maintenance availability, and developing a skilled workforce to maintain the fleet.”

Hirono has recently been opposing cutbacks in Navy shipyards in Honolulu and in the important maintenance provided by shipyard workers on O`ahu.

She pointed to the U.S.S Boise, a Navy submarine commissioned in 1992, which has lost its diving certification, and won't be overhauled for several years. It will have set idle for two years until maintenance begins - a $1 billion submarine tied up to a pier for lack of maintenance, she said. In March 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Boise launched a full load of Tomahawk missiles. Ship and crew received the Navy Unit Commendation.

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MORE THAN 70 VENDORS with Ka`u Coffee, local foods, arts, crafts and community outreach will be at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaulea this Saturday at Pahala Community Center.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with emcee Makana Kamahele and opening hula with Ab Valencia and Halau Hula Kalehuakiekaiu.

Halau Hula Leonalani with Kumu Debbie Ryder will perform this
Saturday at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaulea.
Photo by Julia Neal

At 10 a.m., enjoy Harry Evangelista and Tui Masania. At 10:30 a.m., watch the Coffee Cherry Picking Competition and listen to Calvin Ponce and Hands of time. At 11 a.m., Hannah's Makana `Ohana Halau performs, followed by Cuppa Joe. At noon, meet the Miss Ka`u Coffee Court, with Queen Jami Beck.

At 12:30 p.m., see Halau Hula O Leonalani with Kumu Debbie Ryer, followed by Demetrius Oliveira and the band Keaiwa. At 1:45 p.m., it's Back Yahd Braddahs, with Lary Dupio Band at 2:15 p.m., and Bolo at 2:45 p.m., Sammi Fo and Halau Kahokukauahiahionalani at 3:30 p.m. At 4:15 p.m., listen to Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones, followed by Foggy.

Enjoy the Ka`u Coffee Experience inside Pahala Community Center all afternoon. Farm and mill tours will leave from the Community Center.

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Strong arm and helping hand of the late Bull Kailiawa who embodied the aloha spirit of the Ka`u Coffee
Industry and won international recognition for his Moa`ula farm. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THOMAS "BULL" KAILIAWA III, one of the Hawaiian pioneers in the Ka`u Coffee industry, has died at the age of 53. Kailiawa helped make Ka`u Coffee famous through his magnetic aloha projected to all who met him, particularly at international Specialty Coffee Association of America events from Houston to Anaheim, Boston, Portland and Seattle. He will be honored at this Saturday's Ka`u Coffee Fest Ho`olaulea at Pahala Community Center. The event is 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with music, coffee tasting, education, food and farm tours.
Kailiawa welcomed many student groups and visitors to his Moa`ula Farm at Cloud Rest. When nearby farmers were sick and unable to take care of their farms, he stepped up to give them care.
With Olson Trust, Kailiawa planted the first Ka`u Coffee on Hwy 11 on Pahala Plantation Cottages property to give a face to the growing Ka`u Coffee industry along the gateway road to Hawa`i Volcanoes National Park.

Bull Kailiawa at his Moa`ula imu. Photo by Julia Neal

Kailiawa also traveled to Lana`i to support a cultural exchange with Pahala through Debbie Ryder's Halau Hula Leonalani - his wife Jamie is a member. A good friend of Kapapala Ranch, Kailiawa often supported the regular cattle roundups with his cooking. He was also known for raising pigs, making imus at his farm and growing gourds for hula implements.
The Wall of Fame description of Kailiawa at Ka`u Coffee Mill tells the story of a sugar worker who transitioned to growing Ka`u Coffee.
"Laid off from the shutdown of the last sugar plantation on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Thomas “Bull” Kailiawa dreamed of having his own farm, with his Hawaiian pua‘a (pigs), gourds, taro, banana, breadfuit, sugar cane, and the world’s best coffee.

Bull Kailiawa planted the first Ka`u Coffee along Hwy 11 at Pahala on
Pahala Plantation Cottages land, in cooperation with Olson Trust.
Photo by Julia Neal

"He would do it Hawaiian-American style. He knocked around a bit as a road builder and running security at the island’s ports, but soon took over his aunties’ Two Sister’s coffee farm, just above Pāhala, in the beautiful mountains outside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
"Bull and his family, including wife Jamie, apply some old Hawaiian techniques, raising coffee ‘ohana or family style. As a result, his island-style coffee has been judged Number One in the U.S. and Top Ten in the world at the 2011 international Coffees of the Year competition at the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention – the largest confab of its kind on the planet.

Winner of top coffee in the USA at the
Houston Specialty Coffee Association of
America convention, with Pete Lacata, who won
the U.S. Barista Championship with Rusty's
Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee Photo by Julia Neal

"Bull also came in seventh in the world and top in the U.S. in 2009 when he beat many big estate coffees from Colombia, Brazil and Vietnam.
"At heart, it’s a David vs. Goliath story about saving the land, making your dream come true, living a calm and productive life – on land he hopes will stay in agriculture forever. Toward that end Bull is planting a new coffee farm along Hwy 11 near Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park so people can see Ka‘ū Coffee in all its glory. He is also experimenting with new organic techniques, using shade-grown techniques and creating fertilizer with husks from macadamia growers and from processing locally caught fish."
Jamie Kailiawa, who lives at the home in Moa`ula, said that she and their daughter Roslyn Ho`opi`i Kailiawa, of Hilo, plan to continue the Bull Kailiawa coffee brand and hope to keep their farm in Moa`ula. Bull is also survived by his Auntie Lilly Anna Cariaga, of Pahala.
Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba described Bull Kailiawa as "a happy guy, very helpful. He didn't hesitate to help anyone and shared his knowledge about Ka`u Coffee with all who asked. He was the embodiment of the Native Hawaiian aloha spirit."
Edmund C. Olson, founder of Ka`u Coffee Mill, for whom Kailiawa worked for years, said: "Traveling with Bull Kailiawa to many Specialty Coffee Association of America conventions, from Seattle to Boston, was always a pleasure. Bull was always the star at our Ka`u Coffee Mill booth. Bull was a big man with a big heart who passed away, way too soon. It is a loss to me and the entire Ka`u Coffee industry, and, of course, his wife and daughter, whom I intend to help in continuing with his famous farm."

Promoting Ka`u Coffee in Boston, Bull Kailiawa is backed by Ed Olson,
Sammi Stanbro, John Cross, Kalikoweo Keolanui-Daniele, Lou Daniele
and Julia, William and Lee Neal.

Brenda Iokepa Moses, land manager for the company Ka`u Mahi, which owns the land where the Kailiawa coffee grows, said, "Bull was instrumental in bringing world wide recognition to Ka`u coffee with his award winning coffee. We who knew him well could always count on him to offer a helping hand, a big smile and a humble disposition. He will be greatly missed and our prayers go out to his loving wife and daughter who were his strength until the end."
Bull Kailiawa's life will be celebrated at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo on Saturday, June 17, with viewing from 9 a.m., service at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon for all. Cremation will follow with a service at Punalu`u Beach to be announced.

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THE RULING AGAINST PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S MUSLIM BAN today drew comment from Sen. Mazie Hirono, who serves on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. The ruling came from the Fourth Circuit Court and Hirono stated:

“The ruling today by the Fourth Circuit follows earlier decisions like that of Judge Watson in Hawai`i in striking a blow against President Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim Ban. The court’s 10-3 opinion is a stirring reminder that we are a county of laws and values. The court was right to focus on evidence that the Trump Administration’s defense of the ban was ‘provided in bad faith as a pretext’ for intolerance. Evidence like the President’s own promises on the campaign trail. As Chief Judge Gregory wrote, the order ‘speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination.’
“The purpose of the Muslim ban has been made clear as day by the people who planned it, wrote it and issued it-- to target a minority group for discrimination based on their religion. No amount of furious spinning now can deny President Trump’s own words. Court after court have now rightly applied our Constitution to stop this ban from doing harm to our fundamental American values.”
The Trump administration vowed to take the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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A POLICE CHASE ENTERED PAHALA today with a search for two men on the run, accused of stealing a car elsewhere. Apparently, the car was recovered but one man took off on foot and another on motorcycle. Police searched near Pahala Hongwanji and on the old sugar mill site. The school campus was temporarily closed with students, faculty and visitors in place as a precaution. A police helicopter hovered over search sites and police unsuccessfully searched for the man on foot. He was still at large this evening.

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ENTERTAINMENT, COFFEE TASTING AND COFFEE EDUCATION will fill the grounds and the building at Pahala Community Center all day Saturday, with the ninth annual Ka`u Coffee Festival, beginning at 9 a.m.

Rising Sun coffee from Will and Grace Tabios will be offered for
sale and for tasting at Saturday's Ka`u Coffee Fest Ho`olaulea.
Photo by Julia Neal

By Local, It Matters will give attendees a chance to win $1,000.
Photo by Julia Neal

Moa`ula, Pear Tree and Wood Valley famous Ka`u Coffee farms will man booths for tasting and buying. Farm tours will be offered from the information booth at the entrance to the festival.
Coffee with a Cop will offer the community a chance to interact with community policing officers.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with emcee Makana Kamahele and hula with Ab Valencia and Halau Hula Kalehuakiekaiu. At 10 a.m., Harry Evangelista and Tui Masaniai take the stage. At 10:30 a.m., watch the Coffee Cherry Picking Competition and listen to Calvin Ponce and Hands of Time. At 11 a.m., Hannah's Makana `Ohana

Halau performs, followed by Cuppa Joe. At noon, meet the Miss Ka`u Coffee Court, with Queen Jami Beck.

At 12:30 p.m., see Halau Hula O Leonalani with Kumu Debbie Ryder, followed by Demetrius Oliveira and the band Keaiwa. At 1:45 p.m., it's Back Yahd Braddahs, with Lary Dupio Band at 2:15 p.m., and Bolo at 2:45 p.m., Sammi Fo and Halau Kahokukauahiahionalani at 3:30 p.m. At 4:15 p.m., listen to Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones, followed by Foggy.
Enjoy the Ka`u Coffee Experience inside Pahala Community Center all afternoon. Farm and mill tours will leave from the Community Center.

Enter a Buy Local, It Matters contest to win $1,000. See www.kaucoffeefest.com.

Farm and mill tours will leave from Pahala Community Center on Saturday as part of the all day
Ka`u Coffee Festival, which features foor, coffee tasing and a chance to meet the farmers and Miss
Ka`u Coffee Jami Beck and her court. Photo from Ka`u Coffee Mill

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN is moving forward with a public hearing in Hilo on Thursday, June 1. The County Planning Department issued a statement today with history and an update:

"In October 2015, the CDP Steering Committee made final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption. These revisions were based on the March-June 2015 public review and comment on the Draft CDP. In early 2016, a wide range of public agencies were invited to review and comment on the CDP. After reviewing agency comment, the Planning Director is recommending non-substantive revisions to the CDP. The April 2017 Kaʻū Community Development Plan reflects those recommendations. Links to the CDP and the Planning Director's recommendations are available at the project web site: www.kaucdp.info. "

Land Use Policy is one of the many maps, along with history, descriptions and zoning described in the
Ka`u Community Development Plan. See www.kaucdp.info

Kaʻū CDP Steering Committee met on April 25 to review agency comment and the Planning Director's recommendations. Within 60 days of receiving the Planning Director's recommendation, the Windward Planning Commission will transmit the CDP with its recommendation to the County Council. On May 10, the Windward Planning Commission held the first Public Hearing regarding the Kaʻū CDP at Nāʻālehu Community Center. The second Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 1, 2017, 9 a.m. at the County of Hawai'i Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo.

Discovery Harbour residents have been attending CDP meetings,
asking about the kind of development planned for the future.
See www.kaucdp.info

"The purpose of these public hearings," says the county statement, is "to afford all interested persons reasonable opportunity to comment on the Kaʻū CDP and for the Commission to review the CDP and consider its recommendation to the County Council. All Planning Commission meetings and public hearings are open to the public, and public comment is welcome. A link to the June 1 Planning Commission meeting and hearing is available at the project web site: www.kaucdp.info.
After the Windward Planning Commission makes its recommendations, final steps in the adoption process include: County Council public hearings and action; Mayor Harry Kim's signature, and an Action Committee appointed to guide CDP implementation."
Discovery Harbour has been the community most represented at recent CDP meetings.

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EXTREME HIGH TIDES are flooding coastal areas as the King Tide event continues over the weekend. Hawai`i County Civil Defense is warning beachgoers to watch for unexpected inland flooding from extreme high tides, with high beach run-up, flooding and erosion.

A statement from Civil Defense says there may be ”dangerous flooding conditions along all shores of Hawai`i Island from today through the Memorial Day weekend before gradually subsiding next week.

"This extreme high tide, or king tide, will be in combination with dangerous high surf caused by large southerly swells. Be aware, due to the king tides and high surf, coastal areas, beaches, low-lying roads, boat ramps and harbors may be dangerously impacted especially during the high tide periods of the afternoon and late evening hours.

"Because of these dangerous conditions, the following precautions should be taken: oceanfront residents, beachgoers and boat owners are advised to be on the alert for possible high and dangerous surf, strong currents, and beach flooding. As a precaution, you should consider canceling or suspending coastal water activities until potential dangerous hazards are over. As always, precautionary actions should be taken before nightfall."

The County stated that road and beach closures may occur with out notice.

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PRESERVING ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE, particularly to rural Hawai`i and Alaska, is the aim of a new bill introduced into the U.S. Senate following the release of Pres. Donald Trump’s budget request. Senators Mazie Hirono, of Hawai`i, and Republican Dan Sullivan, of Alaska, introduced the Keeping Our Commitment to Essential Air Service Act to prevent proposed budget cuts to air service for over 170 small community airports nationwide by reauthorizing program funding through 2022.

“Serving approximately 20,000 people in Hawai`i last year alone, EAS provides reliable and affordable air transportation that is vital to the communities like Kalaupapa and Waimea. President Trump’s deep cuts to EAS would critically impact individuals in these communities who depend on air travel to get the health care they need and support local commerce and jobs," said Hirono.

“This is why I introduced this bill with Senator Sullivan-- helping to ensure our rural residents and their families continue to have access to air service which is their lifeline.”

Essential Air Service helps Molulele and other airlines reach
remote places in Hawai`i. Photo from Mokulele

For Alaska, said Sullivan, “Aviation is absolutely essential to reaching the many remote communities across Alaska’s vast, geographically diverse territory. Essential Air Service provides the only means of transportation for residents in more than 60 Alaska communities—more than one-third of the communities served nationwide. There are no roads or highways connecting these Americans to the rest of the country—just an airstrip. We must work to maintain this strong and safe aviation network which supports jobs and economic opportunities for Americans living in rural areas.”

Congress established EAS to ensure that small communities that were served by air carriers before deregulation of the industry in the 1970s would continue to receive scheduled passenger service, with subsidies if necessary. However, the Trump’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget proposal would eliminate this funding for the program which could force rural airports to suspend service and residents to drive hundreds of miles, where there are roads, to reach the nearest major airport reducing access to medical care, hurting tourism and local commerce.

Small runways, such as the one in Waimea, can help with delivery
of fresh grown produce from the Big Island.

The EAS Act was introduced with the following original cosponsors:Senators Brian Schatz, of Hawai`i, and Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

“As an island state, air travel is critical to our economy and our daily lives,” said Schatz.

Under the Trump budget, EAS would lose $175 million of funding currently appropriated by Congress in addition to amounts funded through overflight fees. This cut represent over half of EAS total funding. The EAS Act reauthorizes the Congressional appropriation of $175 million annually through FY 2022. EAS funding is set to expire on September 30, 2017.

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NAHUKU, THE THURSTON LAVA TUBE will be closed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 1 for semi-annual maintenance.

Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku), and its verdant rainforest trail, are popular features in the park located near the summit of Kīlauea volcano. The lava tube is a tunnel formed by a robust river of molten rock that erupted from Kīlauea volcano about 550 years ago. The native rainforest surrounding Nāhuku is managed as a Special Ecological Area, and is home to numerous endemic plant, bird and insect species. Visitation is heaviest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Flooding on the floor of the lava tube is common during times of heavy rain, and park management will shut off its electrical source for safety reasons. Visitors are advised to bring their own light source (cell phone lights are adequate) as a backup.

On June 1, workers will pump the septic system for the comfort station starting at 6 a.m., and should be complete by 10 a.m. or sooner, according to a statement from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The public will be notified of any delays. Date and time are subject to change.

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Jamie Kailiawa (center right) danced at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaulea for her late husband
Bull Kailiawa, one of the famous Ka`u Coffee farmers who helped build the industry. Kailiawa belongs
to Debbie Ryder's Halau Hula Leionalani. Photos by Julia Neal

THE NINTH ANNUAL KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL drew more people to its all day Ho`olaulea and more sales of coffee on Saturday to make 2017 its best year, according to farmers and community members who put on the event. The Ho`olaulea, on the grounds of Pahala Community Center, featured four halau hula, ten musical groups and a karate dojo. It was emceed by Makana Kamahele, with the all-day entertainment sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust II, with the sound by Ka`u Productions Sound & Lighting. Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, O Ka`u Kakou and many other volunteers supported the festival.

Dayday Hopkins of Farm Credit Services Hawai`i said she plans
to continue to help the Ka`u Coffee farmers with land security.

Expert baristas prepared and presented Ka`u Coffee inside Pahala Community Center as part of the annual Coffee Experience. Miss Ka`u Coffee Jami Beck and her court met the public, their pageant having opened the festival season at Ka`u Coffee Mill with the competition for Miss Ka`u Coffee, Jr. Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Ka`u Peaberry and Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower.
Tours to coffee farms carried visitors onto the fertile slopes of Mauna Loa where Ka`u Coffee grows.
Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative presented its own and individual booths of its many farmers. The Palehua Cooperative and independent Ka`u Coffee farmers were well represented at the outdoor venue in Pahala.

Ka`u Coffee Mill sponsored the venue for Miss Ka`u Coffee. Its founder's trust
funded the entertainment for the Ho`olaulea.

Diversified ag was also on display, from Ka`u Valley Farms' new tea plantings to the Bee Boyz, who showed off a glassed in bee hive and bottled honey with honeycomb.
Educational displays ranged from the Alakaha Kai Trail Association, showing its efforts to preserve the Ka`u Coast and public trails, to health organizations like Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, which has its own telemedicine kiosk in Pahala.
Farm Credit Services of Hawai`i was represented by Dayday Hopkins who has worked with Ka`u Coffee farmers for decades. She said she will attempt to help Ka`u Coffee farmers finance the purchase of their farms, should the landowners subdivide them and put them up for sale. Hawai`i Farm Bureau, University of Hawai`i, the USDA and other providers of assistance and supplies and services to the farmers were on hand.
Tours to coffee farms carried visitors onto the fertile slopes of Mauna Loa where Ka`u Coffee grows.

Ka`u Valley Farms introduced its tea, which is growing
above Na`alehu.

Diversified agriculture was also on display, from Ka`u Valley Farms' new tea plantings to the Bee Boyz, who showed off a glassed in bee hive and bottled honey with honeycomb.
Ka`u Coffee Festival, with thousands of people attending, also provided an opportunity for non-profit organizations to raise funds by selling food and refreshments. It was a place where artists and crafters cold extend their reach.

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WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT locations for Pahala and Na`alehu are up for public comment by this Tuesday.
The Na`alehu project is budgeted at approximately $14 million and the Pahala project at $7.2 million in addition to various consulting fees.

Some money was provided by C. Brewer, the parent company of the sugar plantations that operated in both towns. Most of the funding will come from the federal EPA and the state, according to county proposals.
The county plans to purchase acreage in Pahala next to the intersection of Maile Street and Hwy 11 where the Norfolk Pine Lane is the gateway to the village. The Na`alehu location is between Na`alehu School and the police station.

Bill Kurcharski, the county's Environmental Management Director, presented the proposal to the Environmental Management Commission last week and explained that the county is up against deadlines to shut down old gang cesspools left over from the plantation days. The EPA has the authority to sue the county for keeping the old cesspools. Finding the right location in both Na`alehu and Pahala has been challenging, he said.
The new sewage treatment plants will serve 109 single-family homes in Pahala plus the elderly housing units, and 163 single-family homes in Na`alehu.
The county is contracting with Brown and Caldwell to conduct environmental assessments. Archaeological surveys will also be conducted.
To provide comments, contact shareem.jelani@epa.gov.

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Big Island Video News released its coverage of the ninth annual Ka`u Coffee Festival this evening,
highlighting volunteers Gail Kalani and Anne Fontes with the coffee cherry picking contest.
See www.bigislandvideonews.com. Photo by Dave Corrigan

KA`U COFFEE COLLEGE presented war plans to fight the coffee berry borer and studied the science of fermentation during the final event of the Ka`u Coffee Festival on Sunday. At Pahala Community Center, Ka`u Coffee farmers and coffee enthusiasts learned about the effort to reduce the coffee berry borer infestation by using predator insects, species of flat bark beetles that dine on the borer.

Hawai`i Forest & Trail guide (l) and Ka`u Coffee farmer Leo
Norberte (r) teach a Ka`u Coffee Festivalenthusiast about the art
and science of growing great coffee druing farm tours Saturday .
Photo by Jesse Tunison

Andrea Kawabata, an Associate Extension Agent, and Jen Burt who works on the coffee berry borers challenge, both with University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, talked about the history and positive outlook and hard work of Ka`u Coffee farmers in combating the coffee berry borer.

During Ka`u Coffee College on Sunday, Dr. Peter Follett

shared research on using predator insects to kill coffee

berry borers. Photo by Julia Neal

Dr. Peter Follett, a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, talked about ways to attract the flat bark beetle to coffee orchards. He displayed packets of pheromones- odiferous attractants that can be placed in an orchard to draw the flat bark beetle to populate the coffee farms and eat the borer. The bark beetle shows no interest and does not damage the coffee crop itself, he said. There are two flat bark beetle species already living in Hawai`i, which are particularly useful in fields where there are raisins or coffee cherry that has fallen to the ground, said Follett.
Rather than depending on research institutions breeding the beetles and releasing them to farmers, he said it could be more efficient to attract those that are already living on farms and in the wild to the coffee orchards.

Many award winning Ka`u Coffees, such as Rusty's Hawaiian,
are processed with water from the well in Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

Dr. Shawm Steinman, owner of Daylight Mind Coffee Co. and Coffea Consulting, talked about the importance of fermentation process in determining coffee quality and coffee taste. Fermentation allows "critters" to remove the mucilage (the cherry) off the coffee bean. Yeast, bacteria and fungi all love devouring the coffee cherry, which is comprised of a lot of sugar and water.
The level of yeast and the chemical changes that come along with the bacteria and fungi all help determine taste. Fermentation is faster in warmer temperatures with the "critters" moving around and multiplying much faster.
Steinman said that fermentation can be achieved with adding water to the process or without adding water. He said that it is very important to only use clean water for the fermentation process to make sure it is clean.

Grace and the Rising Sun Coffee that she and Willie Tabios produce, earn
many awards, with specific tastes that may have some attributes from
fermentation when processing. Photo by Julia Neal

He noted that coffee taste is subjective and coffee farmers and drinkers have particular tastes they prefer. However, using dirty water or over fermenting can lead to mould. While desired coffee tastes vary widely, coffee that tastes like spoiled milk - or other foulness - are obviously recognized as coffee gone bad.
Whether the chlorine in the water at Pahala, where many people use fermenation to procdess coffee in backyard operations, may or may not make a difference in taste, suggested Steinman. Since Pahala farmers have produced so many award winning coffees, he pointed out, chlorine in drinking water at the level used here doesn't seem to have hurt Ka`u Coffee when processing with county water.

The coffee farmers also visited Miles Mayne's coffee farm in Wood Valley for a demonstration of using the Penagos wet mill for processing coffee.
On the last day of the Ka`u Coffee Festival, farmers discussed the Saturday Ho`olaulea as being the most successful to date in the number of people who attended and coffee sales by the farmers.

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Raina Whiting and Kalika Kastein, teachers at Na`alehu Elementary
School, received Masters Degrees in Education from The
Johns Hopkins University last week.

MASTERS DEGREES IN EDUCATION are earned by Raina Whiting and KAlika Kastein, both teachers at Na`alehu Elementary School. They graduated last week in Baltimore, each with a Master s of Science in Education degree from the Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins is rated sixth in the country for graduate degrees in education by U.S. News and World Report. Whiting, who ran for County Council last year and worked on the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, will teach for her third year at Na`alehu Elementary School. Kastein will head for Japan.

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Rep. Tulsi remebered Hawai`i veterans today, including the first
Green Beret and Hawaiian killed in Vietnam, and the late
Native Hawaiian Pearl Harbor Survivor Herb Weatherwax.
Photo from Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

IN A MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE, REP. TUSLI GABBARD talked about the true cost of war, pointing to “The cost that exists in the names on these grave stones. It exists in our hearts, and with the memories of our friends who never came home. It exists in the unbreakable bond between veterans of different generations, that we can come together knowing that we have each experienced in one way or another the same pain and broken heart of losing a comrade in arms, while simultaneously appreciating the special courage and selflessness of our friends who paid the ultimate price in service to our country.

“Today, we honor them. We remember the many heroes who have roots here in Hawai`i and the Pacific who gave all. People like First Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe, or SP5 Kimo Gabriel, the first Green Beret and the first Hawaiian killed in Vietnam.

Many of us here knew “Uncle Herb” Weatherwax, a Native Hawaiian Pearl Harbor survivor, and we’d often see him at military events like today’s. He would have been one hundred years old this year, but Uncle Herb passed last December one week after the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 75th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony. It was his dying wish to be there, and being of the Greatest Generation, of course he made it happen. I also remember some of my friends who served in the 29th Brigade Combat Team—Sergeant Deyson Cariaga and Staff Sergeant Frank Tiai, who did not come home with us. As we reflect here today on the specialness of this place and the courage of these heroes, this day, and every day, let us honor our friends, fight for them as they sacrificed for us, and make the most of the life and time we have been blessed with.”

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The Directory is online for Ka`u

Hawai`i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy cadets travled to KMC today to participate
in Memorial Day Ceremonies, including presentation of the colors. Photo from Youth Challenge

MAYOR HARRY KIM GAVE THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS this Memorial Day at Kilauea Military Camp today. The theme was Celebrate-Honor-Remember. Children of Mountain View Elementary School sang patriotic songs. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waived entrance fees for 30 minutes before the 3 p.m. ceremony. A special buffet was served after the Memorial Day event.
Members of the Hawai`i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy at Kulani presented the colors during the ceremony.

Mayor Harry Kim arrived to Kilauea Military Camp to
give the Memoral Day Address, greeted by manager
of the recreation and hotel facility manager Randy
Hart. Photo from KMC

Hawai`i National Guard Youth Challenge on the Big Island is one of two in the state. A 17.5 month quasi-military training program consists of a 22-week Residential Phase and 52-week Post-Residential Phase. A statement from the Kulani administration says that "Kulani, like the other 34 Challenge programs throughout the United Statesa and Puerto Rico, continues the tradition of carrying out the mission to provide participants with the values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to become successful, productive and responsible adults." Kulani holds two classes a year and offers a CBASE Curriculum to provide opportunity to earn a high school diploma.
Providing the Color Guard for the Memorial Day Service is one of many public activities that also included help with a recent high school graduation.

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GOV. DAVID IGE SENT OUT THIS MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE: "As friends and neighbors prepare to lay flowers and wreaths, and float lanterns across the waters of Hawai’i this Memorial Day, Dawn’s and my thoughts are invariably with the military families who strengthen our community by their example. They are the embodiment of Hawai'i's long history of proud military service.
"Both Dawn's father and my own served in the distinguished 100th infantry battalion during the Second World War, along with so many others. We know the pride of loved ones in military service. We also grieve with the families whose brave sons and daughters, as well as mothers and fathers, leave home to serve, never to return.
"On this day, let us all reflect on the sacrifices made by those who serve in uniform, protecting us near and far. And let us strive, together, for a world in which need for those sacrifices may be diminished.

Sen. Mazie Hirono less then five days after her kidney was removed
for cancer. She sent out a Memorial Day message today.
Photo from Office of Sen. Mazie Hirono

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO SENT OUT THIS MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE: "Memorial Day is an opportunity for us as a nation to honor our service members, remember those who gave their life in service to our country, and reflect on the legacy they left behind. Please join me and take a moment to honor the sacrifices made by our fallen service members, and reaffirm our commitment to support them and their families."
Hirono returned to the U.S. Senate last Monday after undergoing the removal of a kidney for cancer treatment the previous Thursday. She said cancer was also found in her seventh rib. "I still have a way to go in my journey to recovery, but I expect to be back in fighting form." She said she will continue to work "with all of you on the same page of common cause. Aloha."

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEES INCREASE this Thursday, June 1. A statement from HVNP says the hike is the last phase of a three-year incremental plan to meet national standards for parks with similar visitor amenities.

The 2017 per-vehicle fee will change from $20 to $25 and the pass is valid for seven days. The per-person fee (the rate bicyclists and pedestrians pay) will increase from $10 to $12, and the motorcycle fee will increase to $20.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entry fees increase this Thursday. Photo from HVNP

The popular annual Tri-Park Pass will increase from $25 to $30 in 2017. The annual Tri-Park Pass is available to all visitors and allows unlimited entry for one year to three national parks: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, and Haleakalā National Park.

Recreational entrance fees are not charged to holders of the Tri-Park Pass, America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Lands (“Interagency”) Pass, Senior, Access, Every Kid in Park,

Volunteer, or Military passes. These passes may be obtained at the park, or online. In addition, visitors less than 16 years old are not charged entrance fees.

Entrance fees at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park support ongoing

trail maintenance, road and parking lot striping, cabin repairs, hike

guides, restrooms, picnic tables, and much more.

Photo from HVNP

Fee increases for the park’s backcountry and front-country campsites were implemented in October 2016. There is a $10 per night charge for the front-country campground at Kulanaokuaiki, up to seven consecutive nights; and a $10 per permit charge for backcountry campgrounds like Nāpau, ‘Āpua Point, and Halapē, up to three consecutive nights. Availability is on a first-come basis, not a reservation system. The camping permit fees are similar to other public camping fees statewide.

In addition, entrance fees will increase for commercial tour companies on June 1. Road-based tour vans carrying one to six passengers pay a $25 base fee and starting June 1, will pay a $12 per-person rate to enter the park. The commercial tour per-person rate will remain at $12 through 2021. The base fee will not change. Non-road-based tour companies, i.e. hiking tour companies that are on trails more than touring the park by vehicle, don’t pay a base rate but their per-person entrance fees will increase under the schedule.

An NPS report shows that 1,887,580 visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in 2016 spent $159,195,500 in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,917 jobs on island, and had a cumulative benefit to the local community of $199,923,400.

Dick Hershberger, of Ocean View, portrays
Thomas Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian
Volcano Observatory. Photo from HVNP

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A WALK IN THE PAST, tomorrow, May 30, features living history presenter Dick Hershberger, dressed in period costume and bringing back to life Thomas A. Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and a prominent figure in the history of volcanology, the study of volcanoes. The program takes place in the Whitney Vault, a 16-by-12-foot underground laboratory that still has original seismograph equipment, and is located under a mound in front of the Volcano House.

Performances of A Walk into the Past are on select Tuesdays at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Meet at the Kīlauea Visitor Center. There is no charge for the performance, but park entrance fees do apply

A SINGLE VEHICLE ROLL-OVER ACCIDENT left one man dead and two others seriously injured on Sunday at 8:58 p.m. near the 33-mile marker on Hwy. 11 in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
The vehicle, a white Toyota Tacoma truck, was traveling in the Ka‘ū-bound lane when it rolled over and ejected all three occupants. A 48-year-old male passenger was found pinned beneath the truck and pronounced dead on the scene by Hawai‘i County Fire Department medics.
The 43-year-old male driver, a Pāhoa resident, was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was transported by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center for further evaluation, and escorted by National Park law enforcement personnel. The third occupant, a 53-year-old male, was also transported to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.
One lane of Highway 11 remained open during the accident scene investigation, and both lanes were open and flowing freely early Monday morning. Names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, and further investigation.
This is the second fatal traffic accident in the park this year.
Anyone with information regarding this accident can call Park Dispatch at (808) 985-6170.

Monument at Midway marking the battle that changed WWII.
Photo from HVNP

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KA`U FOOD PANTRY, Tuesday, May 30 from 11:30 am.. to 1 p.m. at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK on
Tuesday marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, the turning point in World War II in the Pacific. Midway is now within a National Marine Monument and is an historical site.
The talk takes place at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. A $2 donation helps support programs.

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Ka`u ranches and farms will be visited in June by surveyors for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, attempting
to include every farm and ranch in the U.S. Agricultural Census. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U FARMERS AND STATE AND U.S. LEGISLATORS, supporting the future of hemp growing in Hawai`i, are headed to the inaugural Hawai`i Hemp Conference at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Saturday, June 10.
A panel discussion, After Sugar: Making a Living from the Soil with hemp, microgreens, sugar cane, canoe plants and regenerative farming, will be moderated by Hawaii Farmers Union president Vincent Mina. The panel features "Ginger" John Caverly, Bobby Pahia, and Greg Smith, of Earth Matters Farm on South Point Road in Ka`u.
Event keynote speaker, hemp farmer Doug Fine ,will host #LetsTalkHempHawaii with keynote presentations and panels covering a broad range of topics for farmers, processors, manufacturers, legislators, entrepreneurs, and investors interested in participating in the emerging Hawai`i hemp industry.

Industrial hemp is the subject of the inaugural Hawai`i Hemp Conference
which will feature two of Ka`u's state legislators and its U.S. Rep. Tulsi
Gabbard. Image from HERB

Along with speakers, panels and practical demos in hemp construction, health and wellness, and local soil regeneration, the weekend activities includes farm field visits on Sunday June 11, where common to complicated questions will be answered by local farmers.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who co-sponsored HB525- the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, will talk, via recorded video, about the federal legislation. The Future of Hemp Legislation in Hawai'i panel will include Ka`u state legislators Rep. Richard Creagan and Sen. Russell Ruderman, who have supported hemp cultivation and production in Hawai`i, joined by Sen. Mike Gabbard. They will discuss the current hemp legislation and a Hawai`i Department of Agriculture Pilot Program.
State Rep. Cynthia Thielen who has advocated a local hemp program since the 1990's, will also make an appearance via recorded video.
"The time is now to get into hemp," says event coordinator Morris Beegle. "Sales continue to grow by 25-30 percent annually on the mainland, over 30 states have passed pro-hemp legislation, and Hawaii is about to come online in a big way." The conference features the #LetsTalkHemp Speaker Series and is produced by Colorado Hemp Company and presented by Functional Remedies.

Ka`u legislators Sen. Russell Ruderman (l) and Rep. Richard Creagan
(third from right) attended the blessing of an industrial hemp trial
project in 2015 on O`ahu. Photo from state Dept. Agriculture

Support and sponsorship for the education, economic and regulatory development segment of the conference programming comes from The Hawaii Department of Agriculture, which is working closely with local stakeholders and state and federal agencies to ensure a well-defined and successful Hawaii` hemp program.

A mini-expo and marketplace, free and open to the public on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will offer such hemp products as bodycare, clothing, food and supplements, animal treats, nutraceuticals, paper, building materials, bioplastics, chemical replacement ingredients, nano-fiber technologies, and more.
Hawai`i Hemp Conference includes additional networking and entertainment activities including a welcoming E Komo Mai Happy Hour, Dinner and Concert on Friday June 9 with music from Off the Grid, Lava and Green Flash, Saturday night June 10 offers up another networking, dinner and after conference party with musical artist Damon Williams. On Sunday, June 11 there will be A Hui Hou (Farewell) Brunch with live jazz followed by a Hawai`i Farm Tour to conclude the inaugural Hawai`i Hemp Conference.
For complete details, ticket information and registration, please visit: HawaiiHempConference.com

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PRODUCTION OF INDUSTRIAL HELP SEED to be made available to licensees in an upcoming industrial hemp pilot program is a project of the state Department of Agriculture. The DOA project includes: Awarding seed development contracts to contractor/(s) selected at the end of an RFP process; obtaining a controlled substance registration from Hawai`i state Department of Safety; importing seeds to be further developed into a line of industrial hemp for Hawai`i by the contractor/(s) selected upon receipt of all necessary licenses.

Ka`u's pastures will be documented and ranchers visited druing the
Census of Agriculture surveys in June. Photo by Julia Neal

Proposals are being reviewed through May and a program coordinator is expected to be selected this summer, with a program inspector this winter. Growers will be able to apply for licenses from Jan. 1-April 1, 2018. See http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/hemp/

FEDERAL CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE representatives will visit local ranches and farms through June. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will survey for crop acreages and livestock in an attempt to ensure all farms and ranches are recorded for the nationwide Census of Agriculture. The survey covers demographics, crop diversity and value of production. For more information, contact the NASS Pacific Region-Hawaii Field Office at 808-522-8080. See surveys at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications.

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ERUPTIONS ARE NOT THE ONLY HAZARDS created by volcanoes, notes the latest Volcano Watch column from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientists:

Portion of a landslide map of the western Columbia River Gorge
centered on the previously known Cascade landslide complex.
Gray areas are presumed stable terrain. Landslides presumed
now to be inactive are shown in orange or brown (submerged parts).
Active landslides are shown in buff color.

They can create havoc millions of years after their fires have grown cold, because with time, their deposits can weaken to produce landslides. This happens because volcanic deposits are commonly rich in volcanic glass, a non-crystalline form of silica. In wet climates, this glass can readily transform into soft, weak minerals (primarily clay) through chemical weathering.
Both volcanoes and landslides are important for landscape evolution in Hawai`i and worldwide. In Washington State, an old legend makes the connection between them.
In one version of a legend of the Klickitat people, the chief of all gods (Tyhee Saghalie) and his sons (Pahto and Wy'east) came to the land along the Columbia River and decided to stay, but the sons quarreled over which area each would get. To settle the dispute, the chief sent Pahto to the north side of the river and Wy'east to the south. He then built a great bridge across the river, the Bridge of the Gods, so that the family could continue to meet.

But the brothers renewed their quarrel, this time over a beautiful maiden, Loowit. The quarrel escalated. Massive rocks were hurled; the ground shook. Villages were buried, forests were destroyed, and the great bridge collapsed into the river. As punishment, the father turned the angry sons and the maiden into volcanoes—Pahto became Mount Adams, Wy'east became Mount Hood, and Loowit became Mount St. Helens.
Geology tells the same story. Northwest Indians really could walk across the Columbia River atop the massive Bonneville landslide, which slid across and dammed the river almost 600 years ago. When the landslide-dammed lake overtopped the blockage, the bridge "collapsed" to form a great rapids—the Cascades of the Columbia. This landslide is part of a legacy left by ancient Cascade volcanoes. Until recently, the extent of this legacy had not been fully appreciated.

A recently completed USGS study (https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3358) mapped and
dated many landslides not previously recognized in a rainy corner of the Pacific Northwest—the Columbia River Gorge in Skamania County, Washington. These landslides, formerly hidden by dense forest, occurred over at least tens of thousands of years, and about a dozen are still moving. Their slip planes (sliding surfaces) occur entirely within volcanic deposits laid down by eruptions that occurred about 25 million years ago in the ancestral Cascade Range—deposits from volcanoes that have long since eroded away.

View of headscarp of Red Bluffs landslide adjacent to the Bonneville

landslide, looking northwest and showing the bedded volcaniclastic

sediments (gray layers) that are dipping about 7 degrees toward the

viewer and in which sliding has occurred. The slightly darker gray and

orange-brown unit in the top quarter of the scarp face is Columbia River

Basalt. The slowly creeping Crescent Lake landslide, on which the

photographer is standing, is a reactivated part of the Red Bluffs landslide.

USGS photo by T. Pierson.

Tectonic forces operating over the last few million years have tilted the beds of volcanic deposits southward toward the downcutting Columbia River, which facilitates sliding along weak zones within the weathered, clay-rich sediment beds. The discovery of so many previously unknown landslides was made possible by the availability of three new technologies—LiDAR, GPS, and InSAR, which were essential for this project.
The discovery of these landslides has implications for hazards today. The Bonneville landslide has a volume of about 1 cubic kilometer (think of a box a half a mile wide, long, and high) and runout distance of about 6 km (3.7 mi). Another such large landslide rapidly sliding into the Columbia River today could have a catastrophic impact on downstream communities and on the transportation and energy-distribution infrastructure of the Pacific Northwest.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Hawaiian volcanoes have their own landslide stories. In fact, over the last several million years, 17 distinct landslides have occurred throughout Hawaiian Islands. These landslides were the subject of a Volcano Watch article on January 23, 2014 https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/hvo_volcano_watch.html?vwid=212.

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KA`U LIBRARIES are offering their annual Summer Reading Program beginning on june 4 at both the Pahala and Naalehu branches. Weekly movies, crafts, and activities illustrate this year's theme, Build a Better World.
Children, teens, and adults are invited to participate, and can sign up at one of our branches. This year participants will be able to earn badges for rewards and lucky prize drawing entries. They will earn a badge for every 100 minutes of reading.
For more information or to sign up for the program, everyone is invited to call us 939-2442 or 928-2015, or visit http://www.librarieshawaii.org.

Andres Magana Ortiz raised a family, bought a coffee farm, built a house and and is facing
deportation to Mexico. Image from www.hawaiinewsnow.com

"EVEN THE GOOD HOMBRES ARE NOT SAFE," blared a headline in the Los Angeles Times. The Ka`u and Kona Coffee communities are a brew about a farmer on this island being deported. "A federal judge called the Trump administration deportation order of a coffee farmer 'inhumane," stated an NBC News headline.
On Tuesday, the Ninth U.S. Court of Appeals denied an emergency appeal to overturn a deportation order for Big Island coffee farmer Andres Magana Ortiz. Judge Stephen Reinhart described the man as being treated unfairly. "President Trump has claimed that his immigration policies would target 'the bad hombres.' The government's decision to remove Magana Ortiz shows that even the 'good hombres' are not safe," wrote the judge, noting that the court did not have the legal means to grant a stay in the deportation matter, since the Trump administration recently changed the deportation guidelines. "We are unable to prevent Magana Ortiz's removal, yet it is contrary to the values of this nation and its legal system," wrote Reinhardt.

Magana Ortiz is known for opening his farm to help research pest
control and coffee plant health.
Photo from Kona Coffee Farmers Association

Magana Ortiz is a Kona Coffee farmer in Holualoa who moved to Kona to pick coffee nearly three decades ago. He entered the U.S. illegally when he was smuggled across the Mexican border by human traffickers in 1989 at age 15 to join his mother who found a job in California. After moving to Kona to pick coffee, he began to farm and saved money. He married and raised his children who were born here - his wife and three children all citizens. He said he has applied for legal status and has never hidden his illegal status as he works, pays taxes, bought and developed his own El Molinito Farm and mill and manages numerous other coffee orchards.
Kona Coffe Growers Association President Suzie Shriner said he is a good citizen and has provided his farm to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct pest control studies for the coffee industry.

Kona Coffee Farmers Association stands up for Magana Ortiz
as a good citizen who has contributed to the coffee industry.

The eldest Magana daughter will soon turn 21, and as a citizen, she could apply for an immigrant visa for her father to return, if he is in fact deported, or stay if the federal government gives him more time. The deportation order comes with a ten year ban on his returning to the U.S. Magana Ortiz is 43 year of age.
His business partner Brian Lindau told Hawai`i News Now,"When you get a guy like Andres who's a model citizen, been in business for years, pays taxes and is one of the heavy hitters in the coffee industry here, you're shooting yourself in the foot and you're shooting down the Kona coffee business."
The federal judge concluded, “Magana Ortiz is by all accounts a pillar of his community and a devoted husband and father. It is difficult to see how the government’s decision to expel him is consistent with the President’s promise of an immigration system with ‘a lot of heart.' I concur as a judge, but as a citizen I do not.”

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THE U.S SHOT DOWN ITS OWN MISSILE NORTH OF HAWAI`I after launching it from Kwatjalein Atol in the Marshall Islands on Tuesday. The mock Intercontinental Ballistic Missile test was aimed to fortify U.S. defenses against the threat of a nuclear North Korean missile, which could reach Guam, Hawai`i and possibly the mainland.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released the following statement: “There are a wide range of threats posed by North Korea that we must be prepared to defend against, including thoseraised by Admiral Harrisabout the threat posed to Hawaiʻi, and the need to ensure our missile defense infrastructure includes layers of protection for Hawaiʻi. Our successful tests against an iICBM threat are a positive development, which further reinforces the need for continued strengthening of our ballistic missile

A U.S. missile launched from Kawjalein Atol (1) in the Marshall Islands
yesterday was intercepted and destroyed (3) by a U.S, Missle launched
from California (2) in order to test defense against a possible nuclear
missile launch from North Korea in the future.
Image from U.S. Department of Defense

defense infrastructure. I'm continuing to look at all options available to us and pursuing those which will ensure Hawaiʻi is defended from simple and complex attacks now, and into the future.”

Gabbard stated that missile defense and the protection of Hawaiʻi have been among her top priorities throughout her time in Congress. Last year, she passed two amendments in the National Defense Authorization Act —one to provide funding to begin the process of bringing an MRDR to Hawaiʻi, and the other to require the Missile Defense Agency to brief Congress on their short-term plan to enhance missile defense capabilities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. She also questioned then SECDEF Ashton Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about the need to increase Hawaiʻi’s missile defense. She has had ongoing conversations and meetings with the Missile Defense Agency Director, Vice Admiral James Syring, to discuss possible options for the defense of Hawaiʻi, to deal with short term and long term needs. This includes quickly deployable options that may be available to further strengthen the defense of Hawaiʻi within the state.

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MORE LIMITS ON AQUARIUM FISH COLLECTING in nearshore waters are on Gov. David Ige's desk and the Humane Society of the United States is asking him to sign the bill. A new poll shows that 90 of citizens favor the sustainability measures and the caps on the permits contained in SB 1240 which just passed the Hawai`i Legisllature. Some 83 percent favor ending the fish collecting trade in Hawai`i altogether, according the poll conducted by QMark Research.

A statement today from the Humane Society says that "The Department of Land and Natural

Collecting in Hawaiian waters to sell fish, crabs and other sealife to
aquarium shops and collectors would face more regulations if
Gov. David Ige signs the bill. Photo from Earth Justice

Resources is tasked with protecting Hawaii’s reefs from activities, especially those of a commercial nature, that may 'disturb, degrade, or alter the marine environment.' DLNR has long held the position that no take or permit limits are necessary to protect reefs. That position is in sharp contrast to the growing concerns of the vast majority of Hawai`i residents who cited environmental impacts as the most important issue related to the aquarium trade. Compared to a similar poll conducted five years ago, which showed 66 percent supported ending the trade, results from this poll show a 17-point surge of public awareness and support for ending the trade to 83 percent.

"Catch reports filed with DLNR document that at least 700,000 fish, hermit crabs and other reef creatures are captured and sold for personal aquariums outside Hawai`i each year."

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Worldwide Voyage: Hawai‘i Shares its Culture with the World, daily through July 2, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Artwork inspired by Hōkūleʻa’s Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage and curated by Gary Eoff. Reception Friday, June 30, 3 – 5 p.m.

Ka‘ū Community Development Plan Meeting & Hearing, Thu, June 1, 9 a.m., Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. Public is invited to Windward Planning Commission’s review of the plan.

Keiki Learn to Swim Registration, Thu/Fri, June 1/2, 1 – 4 p.m, Pāhala Pool. $15 per student, per nine-class session. 928-8177

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch meeting, Thu, June 1, 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-2442 & 928-2015

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The view today form Mauna Loa Observatory where the elements of climate change are documented, as
Pres. Donald Trump withdraws from the global agreement to mediate climate change.
Photo from NOAA

IT'S ON US NOW, proclaimed former President Barack Obama when Pres. Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement today, separating the U.S. from all nations with the exception of Syria, which is at war; Nicaragua, which wanted the agreement to go further in preserving the planet; and the Vatican, which doesn't sign such measures but encouraged Trump to honor the agreement.

Obama issued a statement calling for towns, counties and states to step up and continue the work to reduce global warming, something that Trump has called "a hoax." Hawai`i quickly stepped up and agreed to join a group of states that today founded the U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris Agreement. Other states include California, New York and Washington, along with Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia.
Gov. Jerry Brown, of California, said that an additional coalition of states, cities and other nations also plan to continue the drive toward clean energy and a clean economy. He noted that California is the sixth largest economy in the world and that solar and wind create many jobs.

In his statement, Obama said, “I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack, but even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations to reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got. A year and a half ago, the world came together in Paris around the first-ever global agreement to set the world on a low-carbon course and protect the world we leave to our children.”

Sen. Brian Schatz, who was involved in the Paris negotiations, tweeted after the Trump announcement, "This is immoral. Remember this gut punch. Then run for office. Donate. Organize. Just do something. What happens next is entirely up to us."
He noted that the U.S. cannot officially pull out of the Paris agreement until November of 2020. "So let's win the next one. The Planet depends on it. The future is clean energy. The past is this administration."
He pointed out that Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, the electric car; Solar City and the new Tesla solar roofing system; as well as as Space X and PayPal, said today that he will leave his role in advising the Trump White House. Tweeted Musk, "Am departing presidential councils. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world."

Sen. Mazie Hirono released the following statement: “President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement is irresponsible, hasty, and short-sighted. In Hawai`i we understand why it’s important to take care of our land, ocean, and air – our way of life depends on it. Today, it’s more important than ever for states like Hawai`i to boldly take the lead on clean energy innovation and good stewardship of our `aina.”

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released a statement, saying, “President Trump’s decision today to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, making us just one of three countries in the world not to participate, is short-sighted and irresponsible. Without global action to drastically curb carbon pollution, climate change threatens the safety and security of the planet, especially in places like Hawaiʻi where we are already experiencing its’ devastating effects.

Said Gabbard, "The 2015 hurricane season set a record of 15 tropical storms in Hawaiʻi, acidification of our oceans has killed marine ecosystems and fisheries, bleached coral reefs, while causing damage to local economies. As recently as April of this year, the Honolulu Harbor tide gauge peaked at more than nine inches above predicted tides - the highest daily mean water level ever recorded over 112-years.

Sen. Mazie Hirono and Hawai`i Federal
Judge Derrick Kahale Watson

“The United States should be leading by example, leveraging innovation through science and technology, investing in clean energy, creating renewable energy jobs that cannot be outsourced, growing the economy, enhancing U.S. energy independence, and lowering energy costs for families and businesses, while reducing carbon emissions. We must continue to persevere and do our part to support efforts in the private sector and at all levels of government to combat climate change and protect our environment.”

Gabbard co-sponsored H.Res.540, which supports combatting climate change, including goals for 50% of electricity derived from renewable sources by 2030, as well as the transition to 50% near-zero greenhouse gas emissions and 100% clean renewable energy by 2050.

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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TRAVEL BAN was sent to the U.S. Supreme Court this evening by Trump administration attorneys. They are asking the Supreme Court to immediately revive the temporary ban on foreigners arriving from six majority-Muslim nations and for the Justices to hear the case.

Hawai`i AG Doug Chin

The ban was set aside through the effort of the Sate of Hawai`i and its Attorney General Doug Chin and other Attorneys Generals from Washington and other states.

On May 25, the Fourth Circuit Court in Virginia upheld an injunction on the ban, declaring it unconstitutional and the Hawai`i Attorney General commented:

“Terrorism must be stopped, but not by sacrificing our constitutional principles or denigrating entire classes of people. Not even the President of the United States is above the U.S. Constitution.”

The Fourth Circuit ruling noted that the text of the revised Executive Order “speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination.”

On May 15, 2017, Hawai`i argued in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of Hawai`i federal district court Judge Derrick K. Watson’s order enjoining President Trump’s Executive Order nationwide on grounds that the Executive Order violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The Ninth Circuit’s decision in that case, Hawai`i v. Trump, is still pending.
Trump claimed the ban would protect the country from terrorism. Opponents claim it is discriminatory. The Supreme Court, if it chooses to hear the case, would also decide whether the president has the final say on admission and immigration regulations for foreigners.

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THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE GASOLINE TAX, which by law would be used only for the Hele On Bus system and county road maintenance and repairs, faced opposition from about 20 testifiers at yesterday's public hearing before the County Council.

Mayor Harry Kim, who proposed the hike, said he understands why people would be opposed and testified that the decision is up to the County Council. Some of the comments focused on the tax driving up the cost of transportation for goods and services, and construction, as well as transportation to travel for work.

The proposal is to more than double the tax to 19 cents per gallon this year and take it up to 23 cents in two years. At the current rate, the tax of 8.8 cents per gallon brings in about $8 million a year and hasn't been adjusted since 1988.

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Keiki Learn to Swim Registration, Fri, June 2, 1 – 4 p.m, Pāhala Pool. $15 per student, per nine-class session. 928-8177.

Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sat, June 3, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū on this free, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.

Ecstatic Dance, Sat, June 3, 2 – 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Jo Caron offers a dynamic way to both workout and meditate all in the same breath. $15, $20 at the door. 967-8222 .

Ham Radio Operators Potluck Picnic, Sun, June 4, Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028.

Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, June 5, 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Installing a tiltmeter on top of Mauna Loa Volcano. See Volcano Watch story below. Photo from USGS

EVICTING SQUATTERS FROM BIG ISLAND HOMES is a difficult problem. County officials and elected representatives are seeking a solution, said Maurice Messina from the prosecutor's office who addressed a community meeting in Ocean View Thursday evening.
According to the Hawai`i Landlord Tennant Code HRS 521-43 (f) any landowner who resides on another island or elsewhere, must have a representative on the Big Island who has authority to act on behalf of the owner. Without that authority, the police are powerless to evict squatters from illegally living in homes or on vacant land.
Messina, a legal assistant at the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is trying to get the word out by meeting with representatives of communities around the island. He is encouraging absentee property owners to appoint a person of their choosing – it could be a friend or a professional – as their “On Island Representative.” If the property is then illegally occupied by squatters, the police can act on a complaint by that representative.
According to Messina’s records, over 250 homes have been reported as being occupied by squatters – usually by neighbors. The neighbors do not have the authority to get the squatters evicted, and if the owner cannot be found, and if there is no official “On Island Representative” of record, the police do not act.

Houses in foreclosure are susceptible to being occupied by
squatters. Photo from Wikipedia

Properties that are the most vulnerable to squatting, include vacation homes where the legal owners may visit their property as little as once a year, and are unaware of the situation. Also there are occasions when the legal owner passes on, and the heirs do not regularly visit the property and are not known to neighbors. The most problematic are the homes in foreclosure, where the owner of record must vacate the home, but it may be years before the bank can get legal ownership of the property. At that time the foreclosed house is in limbo and vulnerable to squatters. The legal owner cannot be traced and no longer has an interest in the property, and the bank is not yet the legal owner, so even though the neighbors complain to the police, nothing can be done legally.
Asked by The Ka’u Calendar what happens to squatters that can be evicted legally – either by an owner who lives on the island, or by an “On Island Representative” – Messina explained that, depending on the circumstances, the squatters can be convicted of trespassing or burglary or criminal property damage.
“Usually the legal owner just wants the police to get them off the property,” he said, adding “not all squatters are drug addicts – some are homeless families. If they are evicted from one property they have to find another property in which to squat. Creating another homeless family is also a problem. We are trying to find a solution – no ideas are bad ideas at this time. The Mayor and the County Council need to find a way for the police to legally evict squatters as soon as they are reported. Meanwhile, all owners of real property on the Big Island, who do not live on the Big Island, need to appoint an “On Island Representative” as a first step towards protecting themselves from squatters.

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Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) images of Kīlauea (left) and Mauna Loa (right) spanning the past several years. Concentric patterns of colored fringes indicate magma accumulation centered near the summit calderas of both volcanoes. InSAR is one of several techniques used by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to track deformation of active Hawaiian volcanoes. Image from HAVO

TRACKING THE LATEST MOVES OF KILAUEA AND MAUNA LOA is the title of this week's Volcano Watch, written by scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
A diverse array of techniques is utilized to monitor volcanoes around the world, including those in Hawaiʻi. These methods include tracking changes in the chemistry and volume of gases emitted from a volcano, recording earthquake activity, measuring changes in surface temperatures, documenting variations in eruptions, and tracking deformation of the ground surface.
Ground deformation is especially indicative of changes in the volume of magma (subsurface molten rock) within a volcano. For example, uplift of the ground surface suggests accumulation of magma in underground storage areas, while subsidence can indicate magma drainage. Rapid changes in the rate of deformation often precede or accompany new eruptive activity.

Water-tube tiltmeter "pot" installed in 1956

in an underground vault near Kīlauea volcano

summit. Pots are connected by tubing and

filled with water that flows between

pots as wall tilts. Photo from HAVO

On the Island of Hawaiʻi, deformation is measured primarily with three techniques: tiltmeters, GPS (Global Positioning System), and InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar).
About 20 tiltmeters are currently installed on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Tilt is especially helpful in tracking sudden variations in deformation, like the changes that can occur as magma begins moving toward the surface. In fact, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has implemented automated alarms that notify HVO scientists of real-time changes in tilt that might reflect the impending onset of an eruption.
About 70 GPS stations are spread across the Island of Hawaiʻi, but are focused on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, currently the two most active Hawaiian volcanoes. These GPS stations continuously record motion of the ground surface in three dimensions. Precise, daily average positions of GPS sites provide an important long-term record of ground deformation that indicates the locations and conditions of magma reservoirs. Real-time GPS positioning helps track the large, rapid movements that accompany changes in eruptive activity.
InSAR is a space-based technique that compares radar data collected from satellites at different times. Variations in the distance between the satellite and the ground are caused by surface displacements between the times of the satellite overpasses. InSAR data provide exceptionally clear “snapshots” of deformation, but only when satellites are overhead (on average, about once a week).

Bore hold tiltmeter being lowered into a hold ten feet deep.
Photo from HAVO

Using this combination of datasets, HVO scientists have tracked inflation of both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa over the past several years.
Mauna Loa began refilling with magma (inflating) immediately after the most recent eruption in 1984. Inflation waxed and waned over the next 30 years—the longest period between Mauna Loa eruptions in historic time. The most recent and ongoing episode of Mauna Loa inflation started in 2014. Unlike previous episodes of inflation since 1984, the current one has been accompanied by significantly increased numbers of shallow earthquakes.
GPS and InSAR data indicate accumulation of magma in a storage system about 3 km (2 mi) beneath Mauna Loa’s summit caldera and uppermost Southwest Rift Zone (SWRZ). These are also the areas that have been the most seismically active in recent years.

A strainmeter lowered into an
underground tube drilled
to the right depth and supported
by expansive grout and cement.
Photo form HAVO

It’s important to note that earthquakes and inflation beneath the volcano’s uppermost SWRZ does not mean that the next Mauna Loa eruption is more likely to occur along the SWRZ. Similar patterns of seismicity prior to the 1975 and 1984 eruptions did not result in sustained activity in the SWRZ.
Mauna Loaʻs neighbor, Kīlauea, has also been inflating in recent years. Similar to Mauna Loa, inflation of Kīlauea is mainly occurring in a magma storage system beneath the volcano’s summit caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone. But this magma reservoir is more circular and centered beneath the south part of Kīlaueaʻs caldera. Small, cyclic variations in Kīlauea tilt that occur over a few days to a week—so-called deflation-inflation, or DI, events—are superimposed on this overall inflation and result in rather dramatic fluctuations in the summit lava lake level.
HVO has long posted a few plots of tilt and GPS data to the World Wide Web for public viewing, but HVO’s new website includes expanded flexibility and capability for viewing deformation data. Interested users can now track changes at any of HVO’s tilt and GPS stations on the island with a few mouse clicks!

Through the new interface, everyone can track deformation of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa as it happens and keep up to date on the latest moves of our island’s active volcanoes.
Volcano Watch (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/) is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists.

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Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sat, June 3, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū on this free, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.

Ecstatic Dance, Sat, June 3, 2 – 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Jo Caron offers a dynamic way to both workout and meditate all in the same breath. $15, $20 at the door. 967-8222 .

Ham Radio Operators Potluck Picnic, Sun, June 4, Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028.

Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, June 5, 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 14, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, May 15, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, May 18, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, May 20, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 20, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 21, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, May 22, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, May 25, 2017

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, May 26, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs, Saturday May 27, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 28, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, May 29, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, June 1, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, June 2, 2017