The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

The Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will be held for the first time in the Kaʻū District Gym on Saturday, following contestants
touring coffee farms to get ready for the competition. See more below.
Photos from Trini Marques

THE KĀWĀ FLATS BRIDGE on Highway 11 between Nāʻālehu and Pāhala is expected to be constructed soon, as the state Department of Health is poised to issue a Pollution Control Permit for the construction site. The location is between Mile Markers 58 and 59.
The state plans to raise Hwy 11 in the area that often floods. During flooding, the only alternative route for the general public and emergency vehicles is the old cane haul road above the highway, which offers its own hazards of running gulches during storms.

Kāwā Flats during a flood, cutting off Hwy 11 access around the island.
Photo from state Department of Transportation

The proposed project includes clearing, grubbing, and grading for a temporary bypass and the new road. The permit would be good for five years and allow the state Department of Transportation and its contractors to discharge storm water runoff from the proposed construction site.
The water at Kāwā is Class AA Marine water and state rules require the use of best construction practices so "that Class AA waters remain in their natural pristine sate as nearly as possible with an absolute minimum of pollution or alteration of water quality from any human-caused source or action."
Federal funding has been provided for the project.

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KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMERS, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE COME TOGETHER to sponsor scholarships and inspire contenders in the Miss Kaʻū Coffee Scholarship Pageant. The opener for the tenth annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival, the pageant will be staged for the first time in the Kaʻū District Gym this Saturday at 6 p.m.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee contenders.

Photo from Trini Marques

It is directed by Trini Marques, with sound man Calvin Ponce and lighting by Volcano Lights. Many volunteers have come together to decorate the venues with flowers donated by growers, and many farmers are ready to present trophies to the contestants.
Scholarship sponsors are: Edmund C. Olson Trust, Kaʻū Mahi, Kaʻū Valley Farms, CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, Punaluʻu BakeShop, Pacific Quest, Kaʻū Local Products, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Josh Green, Rep. Richard Creagan, and Council member Maile David.
Talents of the contenders range from hula and Tahitian dance to ʻukulele and singing. Costuming ranges from the Polynesian to the urban. Miss Kaʻū Coffee will represent the local industry in appearances throughout the year.

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RESIGNATION OF EPA ADMINISTRATOR SCOTT PRUITT is called for by Sen. Mazie Hirono and 38 other Senators. They introduced a resolution into the U.S. Senate this week, in response to Pruitt's "numerous instances of undermining ethics values, alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars, and actions that stand in opposition to the mission of the EPA – favoring big polluters at the expense of science, our environment, and the health of children and families."

"Scott Pruitt exemplifies the toxic mixture of corruption and hostility to government that we have come to expect from the Trump administration," Hirono said. "He has undermined the EPA's mission to protect public health and the environment, and we can scarcely go a week without learning about a new scandal or breach of public trust at the EPA. The only thing that could restore Americans' trust in the EPA is his resignation."

EPA Administrator Scot Pruitt, whose resignation has been
called for by the largest group of Senators in U.S. history
to sign a resolution formally calling for a cabinet
official's resignation. Photo from Scott Pruitt twitter

Senator Tom Udall said, "This historic resolution sends an unequivocal message to the administration: the American public has lost faith in Scott Pruitt, and it's time for him to go. During his time in office, Pruitt has waged all-out war on the bedrock protections that keep our air and water clean, prevent toxic chemicals from contaminating our communities, and safeguard the health of our kids and families. He has done lasting damage to public health and safety – gutting the EPA's core mission – all to benefit his campaign donors and grease the wheels for his big polluter friends. And at the same time, Pruitt has completely violated the trust of the American people and the standards of his office, with a list of ethical transgressions that grows longer by the day. Pruitt is administrator of the EPA, but he's behaving like the emperor of the swamp. His imperial tenure needs to end."

The 39 cosponsoring Senators represent the highest number of Senators in U.S.history to sign a resolution formally calling for a cabinet official's resignation, and another 131 representatives introduced a similar resolution in the House. Full text of the resolution can be found HERE, full list of Senate cosponsors HERE, and full list of House cosponsors HERE.

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ADDITION OF SOUTH KOREA TO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S Cybersecurity Program was applauded by Senators Mazie Hirono and Cory Gardner (R-CO). The Korea Internet and Security Agency, South Korea's lead cybersecurity agency, will be added to the Automated Indicator Sharing system that "enables the exchange of cyber threat indicators between international, federal, state, local, and private sector entities at machine speed", per a release from Hirono.

"South Korea's inclusion in the AIS program further strengthens our alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japanin facing shared cyber threats from North Koreaand other malign actors," said Hirono. "I appreciate DHS' work to expand the AIS system which shares important threat indicators with the Hawai‘i StateFusionCenter, enabling our state to better protect our communities and infrastructure against cyberattacks."

"Senator Hirono and I urged the Department of Homeland Security to include South Korea in this information sharing system, and I am glad they took our advice. South Koreais a close ally and this is an important step forward in our shared commitment to combat cyber threats," said Gardner. "Our two countries need to continue to work together and with our allies to protect our shared interests and combat bad actors in cyber space, including North Korea."

"As Hawai‘i businesses seek to maintain existing trade and look toward accessing new markets in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, protecting the integrity of their reputations and established intellectual properties is imperative," said Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i President & CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara. "While many local companies have gone to great lengths to ensure these protections in foreign markets, we need to have a firm understanding of factors that threaten the livelihood of our businesses, including those in the cyber realm. The AIS is a valuable tool that serves to create a cyber-secure business community in our state and South Korea's inclusion is welcome news."

Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Mark Warner (D-VA), also signed the letter. Click here to download a copy of the letter.

Threat indicators are pieces of information like malicious IP addresses or the sender address of a phishing email. In November 2017, Hirono and Gardner led a letter to then-acting DHS Secretary Elaine Duke, expressing support for increased cybersecurity cooperation with South Korea,given the shared cyber threat from North Koreaand urging DHS to expedite its participation in the AIS system which Japan joined last year.

As of March 31, there are 33 federal entities and 175 non-federal entities connected to AIS. Twenty-nine of the 175 non-federal connections are information sharing and analysis organizations or cybersecurity providers who are able to redistribute the indicators to their customers and members. Thirteen states, including Hawai‘i, plus the Multi-State Information Sharing and AnalysisCenter, which includes all states, are connected to the AIS system.

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PARKS STARS, THEME OF THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL PARK WEEK, brings a variety of events to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The week kicks off with a fee free day - entrance fees are waived for all entering fee-charging national parks in the U.S. - on Saturday, April 21.
Two free programs are offered on Saturday, April 28, one in Volcano and the other at the Kahuku Unit:

Join NPS Master Volunteer Charlene Meyers for a Guided Hike:
Off the Beaten Trail at Kīlauea Iki Crater on Saturday, April 28.
Event details, right. Photo by Janice Wei, National Park Service

Guided Hike: Off the Beaten Trail at Kīlauea Iki Crater is offered at 11 a.m. Participants should meet NPS Master Volunteer Charlene Meyers at Kīlauea Iki Overlook parking lot. The four-mile Kīlauea Iki Trail is one of the park's star hiking trails, according to the press release; a popular destination for hikers to cross a steaming crater floor through the intersection of eruption and native rainforest.
"Most leave without knowing how the crater was formed, or how three eruptions since 1823 have filled it with more than 400 feet (120 meters) of lava," states the release. Discover how fountains of lava from the giant brick-red cone, Pu‘u Pua‘i, jetted up 1,900 feet (579 meters) in 1959 and left behind a 50-foot (15 m) bathtub ring of lava residue on the crater walls. Allow five hours for this moderately difficult hike which has an elevation gain of 400 feet (120 meters). Bring water, a light lunch, snacks, rain jacket, sun protection, and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Park entrance fees apply.

Guided Kahuku Hike: Nature & Culture is offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with participants meeting near the main parking area of the Kahuku Unit. Hike the Palm Trail and be inspired by a place where hulihia (catastrophic change) and kulia (restoration) can be observed as the land transitions from the 1868 lava flow and its pioneer plants, to deeper soil with more diverse and older flora. Learn about native plants and their significance in Hawaiian culture. This moderate hike is about two miles and takes two hours.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

Fee-Free Day at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Sat, Apr 21. Park entrance fees waived in celebration of National Park week. nps.gov/HAVO

National Park Week, Sat - Sun, Apr 21 - Apr 29, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Kahuku Unit. "Park Stars" themed events - nighttime star party, guided hikes, ranger-led adventures, volunteer opportunities - at nps.gov/HAVO.

Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, Apr 21, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring a snack.

Gold Leaf and Illumination w/Rose Adare, Sat, Apr 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Students learn how to use gold, copper or silver leaf. Includes metallic pigments and paints. Class fee $60/VAC member, $65/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

The Art Express, Sat, Apr 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums; old or new projects. Monthly class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

Jami Beck turns over her crown to the
2018 Miss Ka`u Coffee on Saturday.
Photo by Pamela Taylor

Bunco & Potluck, Sat, Apr 21, 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice, also known as Bonko or Bunko. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant, Sat, Apr 21, 6 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Tickets, $10 donation. Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant Director Trinidad Marques, 928-0606, TrinidadMarques@yahoo.com, or Facebook Trinidad Marques. kaucoffeefestival.com

Ka‘ū High School Students Compete on It's Academic - Hawai‘i, re-air, Sat, Apr 21, 6:30 p.m., Channel 5 (KFVE). Watch live stream on KFVE.com. More info.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Apr 22, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, APRIL 23
Fishery Council Monthly Meeting, Monday, April 23; new membership encouraged - especially recreational, commercial and regional fishers - to provide feedback for the council on a regular basis, passed on to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Visit westhawaiifisherycou.ipower.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 24
HOVE Road Maintenance Monthly Meeting, Tue, Apr 24, 10 a.m., RMC Office in Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, last Tue of each month, Apr 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View, at Paradise Circle-Mauka. Food is often gone before 1 p.m. We ask all participants to respect the grounds where this is held. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on that Tuesday. For more info or emergency food, call Dave Breskin at 319-8333. We are expanding our services to include - based on availability - free clothing provided by nonprofit Big Island Giving Tree, and pet food provided by the Hawai'i Humane Society.

Getting a Handle on Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, Tue, Apr 24, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. J.B. Friday, extension forester with University of Hawai’i, shares current understanding, management, and how to avoid spreading the disease. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNEDAY, APRIL 25
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed, Apr 25, 9 - 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors, 60 years & older, encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i; referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Kāhili Demonstration, Wed, Apr 25, 10 a.m. - noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to make a small hand-held feather standard - an example of Hawaiian art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes'‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

THURSDAY, APRIL 26
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, Apr 26, noon - 1 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Vendor Application Deadline for Ho‘olaule‘a, Fri, Apr 27. To become a vendor, contact Brenda Iokepa-Moses at biokepamoses@gmail.com or 731-5409

Coffee Talk, Fri, Apr 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join park rangers in an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Pa‘ina & Open House, Fri, Apr 27, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Julia Neal, 928-9811, mahalo@aloha.net. kaucoffeefestival.com

ONGOING

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

National Park Week, Sat - Sun, Apr 21 - Apr 29, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Kahuku Unit. "Park Stars" themed events - nighttime star party, guided hikes, ranger-led adventures, volunteer opportunities - at nps.gov/HAVO.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

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Overflows from the perched lava pond within west pit, a small crater adjacent to the main Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone,
continue to build up the levees around the pond. The rising level of the perched lava pond during the past month is a sign of the increasing
pressure within the magma system beneath Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. This overflow, captured by a USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory time-lapse
camera, occurred on April 17. Read this week's Volcano Watch, below. Photo from USGS

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AUDIO FROM TRUMP V HAWAI‘I will be available immediately after arguments conclude, next Wednesday, April 25, as urged by Sen. Mazie Hirono. The case addresses the State of Hawai‘i's objections to Pres. Donald Trump's proclamations on barring visitors, immigrants, and refugees from entry into the U.S. The Hawai‘i Attorney General contends that the Office of the President lacks authority to make such rules. According to a statement from the Court, the recording and transcript for oral arguments will be available by 2 p.m. on the 25th on the Supreme Court website.

Sen. Mazie Hirono requested the Supreme Court
immediately release recordings and transcriptions
once the Trump v. Hawaiʻi case has concluded.

"I thank the Supreme Court for agreeing to our request to release same day audio for Trump v. Hawaiʻi oral arguments," Hirono said. "In high interest cases like this one, same day audio provides valuable insight into oral arguments, and increases access to primary sources of information on the case."

Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, agreed: "The Court has opened up the judicial process regarding this case to the American public. I believe that the people of the United States will take this opportunity to recognize the care with which the Court considers the issues that matter to them, and hope to see this become a standard practice by the Court."

The Senators wrote to Chief Justice John Roberts last month, saying: "Releasing same-day audio has proven to be a valuable resource for individuals who are interested in listening to the arguments, as demonstrated in cases such as Obergefell v. Hodges and D.C. v. Heller. Giving the public access to a primary source of information as soon as possible allows more citizens to participate in our democratic system and illustrates the care with which the Court considers the issues that matter to the people of the United States." Read the full letter here. Read the case 17-965.

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NO PRIVATIZING THE VA is the main takeaway from Sen. Mazie Hirono's meeting with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nominee, Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson. She met with the longtime White House doctor this week, to clarify his intentions. Jackson's Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee confirmation is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, April 25.

Sen. Hirono speaks with Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson.

Photo from Hirono's office

"I welcome Admiral Jackson's commitment that he will not privatize the VA and I will hold him to it," Hirono said. "We also discussed the unique needs of veterans in Hawai‘i, including a shared commitment to improving access to health care services for veterans in rural communities through telehealth services. I look forward to hearing more from Admiral Jackson at his confirmation hearing."

As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Hirono recently worked with the VA to continue providing nursing home care services for Maui veterans. Last month, she visited the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo to highlight her recently enacted legislation with Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to increase reimbursements for adult day health care services for severely disabled veterans. In January, the Senate unanimously passed Senators Hirono and Joni Ernst's (R-IA) VETS Act to expand VA telehealth services.

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DO RECENT CHANGES HERALD OPENING OF NEW PU‘U ‘Ō‘Ō VENT? That's the question in this week's Volcano Watch by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

In recent years, scientists have made significant improvements in developing sophisticated models of how volcanoes work. The ultimate goal is to develop models that allow scientists to forecast new activity. Despite these advances, operational volcano monitoring still relies primarily on "pattern recognition." In other words, scientists look at current monitoring data and compare it to past patterns and similar eruptions to anticipate when and how a volcano may erupt in the future.

A brief break in the rain allowed for some clear views of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on
Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone on April 18. Since mid-March, Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
tiltmeters have been recording inflation, and uplift of the crater floor is
visible in HVO webcams. The lava pond within the west pit (foreground)
has also risen several meters (yards) and has overflowed onto the
floor of the west pit numerous times. Photo from USGS

A clear pattern of activity has recently developed at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the current vent on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone.

Since mid-March, tiltmeters and GPS instruments have indicated rapid inflation at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Small lava flows have also erupted on the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor. Most striking, however, are webcam images showing that the main Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor is slowly uplifting like a piston - pushed up at least several meters (yards) in recent weeks, and again in recent days.

Additionally, the lava pond level in west pit, a small crater west of the main Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater, has risen at least 7 m (23 ft) since March 27. The pond is now "perched" above the floor of west pit, where overflows have incrementally built up the pond rim. This is reminiscent of past Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava pond activity.

These changes indicate building pressure in the magma chamber beneath Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. While inflation and uplift of the crater floor are unusual compared to recent activity at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, it is not unprecedented. This pattern occurred two other times in the past five years - in June 2014 and May 2016 - as well as in earlier years of the eruption, most notably in 2011.

In each of the two most recent cases, the building pressure culminated in the opening of a new vent on the flank of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. The June 27, 2014, vent marked the beginning of the "June 27th flow," and the May 24, 2016, vent marked the beginning of the ongoing episode 61g lava flow.

An HVO geologist observes the perched lava pond
within the west pit of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Photo from USGS

Assuming that the current changes result in a new vent opening on or around Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the main question is, "where exactly will the vent appear?" Unfortunately, scientists are not able to determine with certainty where a new vent might open. But, it's an important question, because the accompanying hazard will largely depend on the location and duration of the vent.

With the June 27th flow, the vent opened on the northeast flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and sent lava flows down the north side of the East Rift Zone. Over the course of many months, these lava flows advanced toward the community of Pāhoa, eventually posing a threat to residential areas.

The 61g vent opened about 400 m (440 yds) east of the June 27th vent, sending lava flows to the south of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, often within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. These ongoing flows have not posed a threat to nearby communities.

On September 21, 2011, a fissure on the upper east flank of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone drained the lava lake within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater. This vent fed lava flows that advanced to the southeast, mostly through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

When lava bursts through the flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, areas immediately around the cone are extremely dangerous. On August 3, 2011, the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor collapsed and lava breached the flank of the cone, sending a fast-moving lava flow to the southwest. The initial breach sent a broad flood of lava traveling at speeds faster than a person can run.

Surface flows on the 61g flow field remain active. Most breakouts are within
2 km (1.2 miles) of the 61g vent on the flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, but a few small
surface flows are active on the upper flow field (above the pali)
roughly 6 km (3.7 miles) from the vent. Photo from USGS

The August 2011 event is a reminder of why areas on and around Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō remain closed to the public. The volcanic hazards associated with Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, especially with the recent changes in activity, should not be taken lightly.

While current circumstances indicate an increased likelihood of changes at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in the coming weeks, there is no guarantee that the current buildup in pressure within Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō will lead to the opening of a new vent. It is possible that the current inflationary trend could end with no result.

However, because Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō appears to be at a critical juncture, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are closely monitoring it and will provide updates if and when conditions change.

Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlaueadaily eruption updates, Mauna Loaweekly updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Join NPS Master Volunteer Charlene Meyers for a Guided Hike to
Keanakāko‘i Crater on Park Rx Day, Sunday, April 29. Event
details, below. Photo by J. Ferracane, National Park Service

NATIONAL PARK WEEK KICKS OFF TODAY, Saturday, April 21, with free entrance fees today and a variety of events at Volcano and Kahuku units of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Tomorrow, Sunday is the ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua event, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO.
Next weekend offers two free programs on Sunday, April 29, the last day of National Park Week:

A Prescription for Fun in Kahuku on Sunday, April 29, is "perfect
for families with young children." Event details, below.
Photo by Janice Wei, National Park Service

Guided Hike to Keanakāko‘i Crater takes place at 2 p.m. next Sunday and is expected to take about 2 hours. Participants are asked to meet Master Volunteer Meyers Devastation Trail parking lot. This moderate two-mile hike (3.2 km) traverses the Kīlauea lava flow from 1974 and reveals a "forest" of magnificent tree molds and lava tree formations. Look for tephra in the form of Pele’s tears from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption, and long glassy filaments from the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, called Pele’s hair. Hike to the edge of Keanakāko‘i, and peer into this ancient crater, once used by Hawaiian craftsmen who carved its dense basalt into stone tools. Bring water, a rain jacket, sun protection, and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Park entrance fees apply.

A Prescription for Fun in Kahuku is offered next Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with participants meeting near the main parking area of Kahuku Unit. See above for directions. Join a guided 0.4-mile walk up to the top of Pu‘u o Lokuana, a grassy cinder cone in Kahuku. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū. Perfect for families with young children, states the release.
For more details, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Jami Beck's final walk as Miss Ka`u Coffee
is tonight at Ka`u District Gym.
Photo by Pam Taylor

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MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT IS TONIGHT, SATURDAY at Ka`u District Gym, 6 p.m. Miss Ka`u Coffee 2017, Jami Beck, a University of Hawai`i -Hilo student and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park ranger, will pass the torch to the 2018 queen.
Tickets are available at the door.
Judging the pageant this year is 2010 Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Ulu Makuakane, a kumu hula, Ka‘ū Hawaiian Homes Association member, and employee of Punalu`u Bake Shop.
Also a judge is 2016 Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Rochelle Koi, a University of Hawai`i-Hilo student working on a degree in Early Childhood Education, and a ranger at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Also judging is Shara Ahia Kalanikuamaieiwilanie Keawe-Ako Dancel, a mental health therapist, director of a Tahitian dance studio and great-granddaughter of famed Hawaiian singer Genoa Keawa. She has deep family roots and is a graduate of schools here.
The fourth judge is MacKenzie Franklin, a singer and Special Education teacher at Ka‘ū High & Pahala Elementary School. Pageant Director is Trini Marques.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed, Apr 25, 9 - 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors, 60 years & older, encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i; referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Kāhili Demonstration, Wed, Apr 25, 10 a.m. - noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to make a small hand-held feather standard - an example of Hawaiian art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes'‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

THURSDAY, APRIL 26
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, Apr 26, noon - 1 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Vendor Application Deadline for Ho‘olaule‘a, Fri, Apr 27. To become a vendor, contact Brenda Iokepa-Moses at biokepamoses@gmail.com or 731-5409

Coffee Talk, Fri, Apr 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join park rangers in an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Pa‘ina & Open House, Fri, Apr 27, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Julia Neal, 928-9811, mahalo@aloha.net. kaucoffeefestival.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Apr 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

ONGOING

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. Call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

National Park Week, Sat - Sun, Apr 21 - Apr 29, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Kahuku Unit. Park Stars themed events - nighttime star party, guided hikes, ranger-led adventures, volunteer opportunities - at nps.gov/HAVO.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

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UPCOMING & JUST ANNOUNCED
PAPER CUP FISH CRAFT AT PĀHALA COMMUNITY CENTER, a free Arts & Crafts activity, for keiki in grades K-8, Wednesday, May 2, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Register from Monday, April 23, to Monday, May 1. For more, call Nona Makuakane at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant lit up the Kaʻū District Gym for the first time on Saturday evening with Reishalyn Kekoa Jara taking the 2018 Crown in the glow of Volcano Stage Lighting. The pageant was directed by Kaʻū Coffee farmer Trini Marques. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

SEA MOUNTAIN AT PUNALUʻU GOLF COURSE SHUT DOWN. Golfers from the other side of the island, who said they called to make reservations a month ago, arrived Saturday morning and found the place shuttered. A sign on the outside of the office at the tennis courts where golfers check in says, "Closed Indefinitely."

SeaMoutain at Punaluʻu Golf Course is closed indefinitely,
according to a sign at the check-in office.
Photo from swingbyswing.com

The public course is owned by the Robert Iwamoto group, which also owns the undeveloped commercial, resort, and residential properties at Punaluʻu, and boat ramp near the more than 70 privately held condominiums near the famed Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach.
Sea Mountain Golf Course, with its 18 holes and driving range, was constructed by the old sugar plantation company, C. Brewer, was designed by Jack Synder, and opened in 1971. It has a slope rating of 129 and course rating of 7.1-USGA. Golfers showing up to find it closed are making their way up to the nearby nine-hole course at Volcano Country Club.

Recent green fees at Punaluʻu were $46.50 on weekdays and $49.50 on weekends.

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FIRES LIT UP BEACH TRASH FRIDAY at Kamilo. Hawai‘i Fire Department reported "intention fire of flotsam on the beach." The report said, "Upon arrival, two fires of ocean flotsam were found burning. Fire #1 was 3 X10 feet and fire #2 was 15 by 20 feet. Both fires were on the beach below mean high tide line."
The trash included ropes, nets, and other ocean debris. A helicopter crew extinguished the fire using a Bambi Bucket and ocean water. High tide helped out as it enveloped the fire's location.
Multiple calls of black smoke rising came from Kamilo beachgoers, with the first call coming in at 12:46 p.m. on Friday. The fire was out by 2:10 p.m., with one fire engine, one tanker, one medic unit, and the helicopter responding. Eight county crew and two volunteer fire fighters responded to the fire call, according to the Hawai‘i Fire Department report. There were no reported injuries.
Kamilo is one of the Kaʻū Coast sites where Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund sponsors volunteer cleanup days to haul away the ropes, nets, and plastics that wash in from the ocean.

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Reishalyn Kekoa Jara, Miss Kaʻū Coffee 2018, received her crown Saturday night, along with a scholarship from major founder Edmund C. Olson, who will also sponsor her appearances on behalf of the Kaʻū Coffee industry during her reign. Photo by Julia Neal

REISHALYN KEKOA JARA IS MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE 2018, crowned Saturday evening by 2017 Miss Kaʻū Coffee Jami Beck, in the pageant directed by Trini Marques. The new queen is a 16-year old Kaʻū High School Junior who loves sports and family. She won with Tahitian dance in Talent, and also took first in Gown and Photogenic categories. She is the daughter of Regulo Jara and Brenda Kekoa, of Nāʻālehu, and sister
to Jadelyn, Chaycen, Blaycen, Kamalyn, Jacelyn, and Regulo.

First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Helena Nihiplai-Sesson and her fisherman dad Guy Sesson.
The 16-year old Kaʻū High student sang and played ʻukulele. Photo by Julia Neal

First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Helena K. Nihipali-Sesson, who loves singing, playing ʻukulele, and dancing hula. She took first in Career-Interview, second in Talent and Photogenic, and third in Swimsuit and Gown. She is daughter of Guy Sesson and Sherraine Nihipali-Sesson, of Pāhala. Her adopted parents are Bradford and Jadelyn Moses, of Pāhala. She is sister to Asia, Ocean, and Rain.
Second Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Karlee Kaliya Kealaikamaile Fukunaga-Camba. She is 16 and loves dancing. She took second in Swimsuit, and third in Career-Interview and Gown. Her parents are Keala and Justine Camba, of Pāhala. She is sister to Tyren Fukunaga-Camba.

Second Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess
is Karlee Fukunaga-Camba.
Photo by Julia Neal

Third Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Sheri Lynn Freitas. She is 18 and a student at University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo and excels in sports and business. She took third in Talent and Photogenic. She is daughter of Rodney and Marlene Freitas, of Pahala. She is sister to Jessica, Michaela, Shaelia, and Ikaika. She is a graduate of Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School.
Miss Kaʻū Coffee will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, her appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. The Miss Kaʻū Coffee Court will meet the public this Friday at Pāhala Plantation House at 6 p.m. for the kickoff open house for the tenth annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival. See all the events at kaucoffeefestival.com.

CRISTINA NICOLE AKIKO LOKELANI KAWEWEHI IS JR. MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE. She is 12 years of age took first in Career-Interview, Evening Gown, and Photogenic. She is the daughter of Angelica Kawewehi and Bill Lorenzo, of Pahala. She is sister to Kapono, Mia, Keana, and Zachary Kuluwaimaka. She attends Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elemrntary School.

Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Cristina Kawewehi
and Miss Peaberry Jacelyn Jara.
Photo by Pam Taylor

First Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Jacie Umemoto. The 12-year old is daughter of Michael and Valerie Pakale, of Pāhala, She is sister to Moki. She attends Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.

JACELYN KALEIPUA KEKOA JARA IS MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE PEABERRY. The ten-year old is daughter of Brenda Kekoa and Regulo Jara, of Nāʻālehu, and granddaughter of William "Brada" Kekoa and Lani Kekoa of Kamaoa, Kaʻū . She is sister to Jadelyn, Blaycen, Reishalyn, Kamalyn, Chaycen, and Regulo. She attends Nāʻālehu Elementary School.
First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Peaberry Princess is Tenielle Jade Ducosin Blanco. The eight-year old is the daughter of Ted and Donielle Blanco, of Nāʻālehu. She is sister to Triton and Teagan-Elis.

Kysha Kaupu-Manini took first
in the Flower Gown category.
Photo by Julia Neal

TELIA ALIYANA KULIAIKAUʻI ESPEJO-NAVARRO IS MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE FLOWER. She is daughter of Elias and Alyssa Navarro, of Nāʻālehu. She is sister to Tehani-Mae, Kilinahe, Kanaʻi, and Koaliʻi. The six year old attends kindergarten at Nāʻālehu Elementary School.
First Flower is Kysha Kainanimaueonalani Kaupu-Manini. She is daughter of Sasha Kaupu and Kai Manini, of Pāhala. The three year old attends Nāʻālehu Elementary School.
Second Flower is Lilianna Marques. She is daughter of Shawn Marques and Kuulei Marques. She is sister to John Michael and attends kindergarten at Pāhala Elementary School.
Major scholarship funders for this year's pageant were Edmund C. Olson, Kaʻū Mahi, Kaʻū Valley Farms, CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Pacific Quest, Kaʻū Local Products, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Josh Green, Rep. Richard Creagan, and County Council member Maile David.
Olson Trust also funds appearances by Miss Kaʻū Coffee throughout the year.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed, Apr 25, 9 - 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors, 60 years & older, encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i; referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Kāhili Demonstration, Wed, Apr 25, 10 a.m. - noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to make a small hand-held feather standard - an example of Hawaiian art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes'‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

THURSDAY, APRIL 26
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, Apr 26, noon - 1 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Vendor Application Deadline for Ho‘olaule‘a, Fri, Apr 27. To become a vendor, contact Brenda Iokepa-Moses at biokepamoses@gmail.com or 731-5409

Coffee Talk, Fri, Apr 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join park rangers in an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Pa‘ina & Open House, Fri, Apr 27, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Meet Miss Ka`u Coffee and her Court. Listen to piano jazz, Hawaiian music and the band Shootz. Meet the coffee farmers.
Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Julia Neal, 928-9811, mahalo@aloha.net. kaucoffeefestival.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sun, Apr 29, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sun, Apr 29, 11 a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. Nikki, 928-0550, kcm.nikki@gmail.com. kaucoffeemill.com

ONGOING

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JUST ANNOUNCED & UPCOMING

RETURN TO THE WILD: ‘ALALĀ REINTRODUCTION EFFORTS is the topic of this Friday's Coffee Talk in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The April 27 event takes place from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

‘Alalā, the endemic and endangered Hawaiian crow, are extinct in the wild. Rachel Kingsley, education and outreach associate for The ʻAlalā Project, will talk about the most recent reintroduction efforts to establish a wild population of ʻalalā to Hawai‘i Island.

The update includes information on what changes to the reintroduction plan have influenced the 2017 release, the status of the birds released in 2017, and the plan for future reintroductions. Attendees can learn more about the recovery of the ʻAlalā, a highly intelligent and unique crow species, integral to Hawaiian ecosystems and culture.

Held on the final Friday of every month, Coffee Talk is an opportunity to get to know the Park and neighbors, and join an informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy. 11.

Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more about the park and its programs.

Artist Nash Adams-Pruitt offers Flameworking, An
Introductory Class, at Volcano Art Center on
Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

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AN INTRODUCTORY CLASS TO FLAMEWORKING, also known as lampworking or torchworking, is offered Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., announces Volcano Art Center.

Flameworking is a type of glasswork whereby the artist utilizes a torch or lamp to melt the glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is blown and shaped with tools and hand movements, forming beads, figurines, or other similar miniature artwork.
Flameworking, An Introductory Class, under the guidance of instructor and artist Nash Adams-Pruitt, is designed for the student who has never touched a torch. Adams-Pruitt teaches the regions of the flame and heat base for a solid foundation from which to build flamework skills. Participants will learn to create sphere forms and pendants.
Students complete the workshop with their own finished design, and knowledge and experience of basic skills involved to continue flameworking.

Examples of flamework art.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

Adams-Pruitt specializes in functional glass art. He has been working borosilicate glass at the torch for four years.
Class fee is $155 per Volcano Art Center Member, $160 per non-Member, plus a $40 supply fee per person. Attendees are asked to wear covered shoes. Advance registration is required; workshop limited to 4 adults. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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KDENte! ITALIAN FOOD FUNDRAISER, Fri, May 4, 6:00 p.m., at Almafatano's Italian Restaurant. Buffet of delicious food includes a pasta dish, lasagna, and a salad. Karl Halemano will provide musical entertainment. Tickets are $20, available at the door. Reservations by calling KDEN at 982-7344.

KDEN is a non-profit community theater organization founded by experienced Community Theater organizers and performing artists. KDEN's mission is to provide and promote top quality community theater in East Hawai‘i, seeking to enrich and unite our community through participation in the performing arts. KDEN produces a summer musical, a winter production, and sponsors a Living History program in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Volcano Festival Chorus. Proceeds will help with KDEN's summer musical, Lionel Bart's Oliver, playing in July at KMC's Kilauea Theater.

Earth Day over the weekend saw volunteers tackle the Manukā coast from Humuhumu to Āwili Point.
See story below. Photo from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund

PUBLIC INPUT ON FUNDING $12M FOR NĀ‘ĀLEHU AND $5M FOR PĀHALA WASTEWATER TREATMENT IS DUE MAY 11. The state proposes providing low interest loans to Hawai‘i County to help fund both systems to replace Large Capacity Cesspools servicing old sugar camp housing. Public input is designed to help the Department of Health prioritize projects statewide. Nā‘ālehu is listed as top priority among more than 40 projects statewide. Pāhala is listed as number 19 on the priority list.
Each year, the EPA provides a grant to the State of Hawai‘i to construct wastewater pollution control facilities. For fiscal year 2018, approximately $13.5 million is slated for Hawai‘i. The EPA requires that projects be prioritized and listed on the Project Priority List, along with estimated project start date and cost, for fiscal year 2019.

Both the Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu projects would bring the county into compliance with EPA requirements to shut down Large Capacity Cesspools, which are outlawed by the federal government. County of Hawai‘i took over the operation of Large Capacity Cesspools at the old sugar camps in both towns in order to maintain them until legal wastewater systems are constructed. The state proposes to lend the county $12 million for the Nā‘ālehu project, and $5 million for the Pāhala project, through low interest loans.

Community members listened to Wastewater Engineer Michelle Sorensen, a member of the design team from consulting firm Brown & Caldwell, detail the current plans for the Nā‘ālehu project. Photo by Julia Neal

The county is at risk of being fined thousands of dollars a day by the EPA unless it moves toward a solution to the Large Capacity Cesspool situation, which was outlawed nationally in order to prevent untreated sewage from polluting water sources.
In Nā‘ālehu, during recent public meetings, the location of the proposed treatment plant drew opposition from the principal, teachers, workers, and parents of students of Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, who recommended moving the project elsewhere, away from the campus. The preliminary design calls for a series of lagoons to treat the wastewater through absorption, using plants, trees, soil, and aeration.
In Pāhala, the location next to the pine tree lane coming up Maile Street from Hwy 11 also met with opposition from some residents, who suggested placement below Hwy 11, farther from the town.
Sandra Demoruelle, whose great grandson attends Nā‘ālehu School and whose family owns land suggested for the Nā‘ālehu site, objects to the location next to the school and submitted testimony. She is asking the county to install gang or individual septic tanks for the old camp housing to save the county money. She said that septic systems were chosen for the project many years ago and would be less expensive.
Comments to the Department of Health can include asking for a public hearing. Comments can be mailed to O‘ahu Wastewater Branch, Department of Health, 2827 Waimano Home Road, Room 207, Pearl City, HI, 96782. All comments must be in writing and must be postmarked by May 11.

Dr. Angie Miyashiro, Teacher of the Year for Kaʻū High and Pāhala
Elementary, and her husband, Stewart Miyashiro, Pāhoa High
Teacher of the year, met Gov. David Ige on Sunday.
Photo by David Berry

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KA‘Ū HIGH'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR, DR. ANGIE MIYASHIRO, met Gov. David Ige on Sunday at Nani Mau Gardens in Kea‘au. Her husband, Stewart Miyashiro, is Teacher of the Year for Pāhoa High. Both received congratulations from the governor, who addressed the attendees at the 18th Annual Hilo Chapter of the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association meeting.

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Volunteers on Earth Day cleaned 864 lbs of debris from
a single mile of shoreline. Photo from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund

EARTH DAY WEEKEND SAW CARE FOR THE KAʻŪ COAST at Manukā on the north end of Kaʻū. On Saturday, April 21, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund volunteers cleaned the shore between Humuhumu amd Āwili Point within the Manukā NAR ahupuaʻa. Thirty-one participants covered a mile of shoreline to remove 864 lbs of debris, including 200 lbs of derelict-fishing nets, which will be shipped to Oʻahu to burn for electricity. Two supersacks of 3,000 lbs of debris will go to terracycle for recycling and the remaining 26 feed bags of miscellaneous debris, weighing 364 lbs., will go to a landfill.

On Earth Day, 200 volunteers cleaned at total of 6,300 lbs
of debris from shoreline areas, filling bags both small
and large. Photo from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund

With last weekend's cleanup, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, NARS workers, and 200 volunteers removed 6,300 lbs. of marine debris and shoreline user litter from the Manuka area during 10 collaborative cleanups. Organizer Megan Lamson thanked NARS for providing water bottles and shirts for volunteers and NOAA Marine Debris Program for partial funding of community cleanup efforts over the years.

Upcoming Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund volunteer efforts are on: Friday, April 27th, at Waiʻōhinu pools for a debris workday. Rides are full but volunteers can bring their own 4WD; Friday, May 18th, a Kaʻū Estuary Restoration Workday, requiring a short hike to access the site; Sunday, May 20, a Waiʻōhinu Cleanup event with Island Naturals and friends - space is limited; Tuesday, June 5, a Wai'ōhinu Cleanup event with Hawaiʻi Outdoor Institute and friends - space is limited.

To volunteer for any of these events, contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com

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Overlook crater vent, Sunday, April 22 at 8:14 p.m. Image from research camera mounted in the observation tower at HVO, 1.2 miles from the crater. Photo from volcanoes.usgs.gov

LAVA OVERFLOWED THE RIM OF HALEMA‘UMA‘U LAVA LAKE five times since Saturday. Onlookers and scientists observed lava bubbling over the rim of the summit lava lake at Kīlauea.
The largest overflow occurred during the fifth pulse, which started at 6:30 a.m. today, April 23, and continued for about three hours, covering about a third of the crater floor with shiny black lava. Multiple spattering sites were active around the margin of the summit lava lake this afternoon, and the lake surface had dropped to a few meters below the vent rim, reflecting the switch from inflation to deflation at the summit of Kīlauea.
There has been no increase in seismicity, but the area around Halema‘uma‘u remains closed to the public due to ongoing volcanic hazards, including high sulfur dioxide gas emissions and unexpected rockfalls and explosions.

Helicopter overflight this afternoon, April 23, of Halema‘uma‘u crater
shows the largest overflow (silver gray), which happened from
6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. this morning. The overflow covered much of
the April/May 2015 and October 2016 overflows, but a section of
the 2015 overflow is still visible on the south (upper edge,
dark arc) of the crater floor. Photo from volcanoes.usgs.gov

Inflation is still increasing for Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone. Puʻu ʻŌʻō has shown no new lava flow in the crater during the past day. Episode 61g lava flow is active above Pulama pali, but the flow does not pose a threat to nearby communities at this time. There is currently no active lava on the pali, the coastal plain, or entering the ocean.

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PAID FAMILY LEAVE BILL BEING REVIEWED by lawmakers on O‘ahu this week. Senate Bill 2990 would give all employees in Hawai‘i access to leave benefits when they need to provide care for a family member: the birth or adoption of a child, or a spouse or parent with a serious health condition. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act already provides for 12 weeks of unpaid leave under these circumstances, for companies with 50 or more employees, with Hawai‘i adding a four-week extension for those who work at companies with 100 or more employees. The measure is supported by Gov. Ige, Lt. Gov. Chin, and several unions and nonprofits.

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BILL TO CHANGE HOW VACATION RENTALS are treated in the state is being reviewed by legislators this week. House Bill 2605 would make agencies like AirBnB jointly responsible for collecting Transient Accommodations Taxes - if one party failed to pay taxes correctly, both rental company and owner would be liable. It would give counties access to information that normally requires at least a subpoena, including 1099 information. The bill would require owners to provide proof of compliance with all zoning, land use, and tax laws - violations would result in a $25,000 fine if not responded to within seven days. The bill would also provide for seizure of the property and all income earned from operating a vacation rental with violations, and allow counties to change the zoning to declare a property to be ineligible for vacation rentals, then seize the property if the owner were to continue using it for vacation rentals. The bill is opposed by Rental by Owner Awareness Association.

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Abandoned vehicle law may soon change.
Photo from Hawaiʻi Public Radio

THE COUNTY WILL HAVE TEN DAYS TO REMOVE ABANDONED VEHICLES from roadsides if House Bill 2442 passes the House and Senate conferences this week. The bill would change how owners are notified: currently, registered owners of abandoned vehicles are sent a letter by their county. Under the new law, owners would only be notified if the vehicle was reported as stolen. The definition of an abandoned vehicle would change to include a vehicle owner not transferring title to their name within 30 days of notice to the county of purchase, and any vehicle not registered for more than a year would also be considered abandoned. William Kucharski, Hawai‘i County's Environmental Management director, is opposed to the bill, saying the changes would burden Hawai‘i County due to manpower and budget constraints.

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Kaʻū Trojans Boys Volleyball Varsity and JV teams. Photos from khpes.org

TROJANS CLEAN UP IN FINAL BOYS VOLLEYBALL game of the Spring. With Ka‘ū hosting Parker, the game was Varsity only. Scoring 12, 19, and 22, Parker struggled to catch the Trojans, but they remained Ka‘ū strong.

Girls Volleyball, Eight-man Football, Cross Country, Cheerleading, and Bowling will begin in the Fall.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24
HOVE Road Maintenance Monthly Meeting, Tue, Apr 24, 10 a.m., RMC Office in Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, last Tue of each month, Apr 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View, at Paradise Circle-Mauka. Food is often gone before 1 p.m. We ask all participants to respect the grounds where this is held. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on that Tuesday. For more info or emergency food, call Dave Breskin at 319-8333. We are expanding our services to include - based on availability - free clothing provided by nonprofit Big Island Giving Tree, and pet food provided by the Hawai'i Humane Society.

Getting a Handle on Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, Tue, Apr 24, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. J.B. Friday, extension forester with University of Hawai’i, shares current understanding, management, and how to avoid spreading the disease. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNEDAY, APRIL 25
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed, Apr 25, 9 - 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors, 60 years & older, encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i; referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Kāhili Demonstration, Wed, Apr 25, 10 a.m. - noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to make a small hand-held feather standard - an example of Hawaiian art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes'‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Apr 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Unity Celebration, Sat, Apr 28, 10 - 4 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Hosted by The Collective. Free.

Hawai‘i Democratic County Convention, Sat, Apr 28, Sangha Hall, Hilo. hawaiidemocrats.org

Flameworking - an Introductory Class, Sat - Sun, Apr 28 - 29, 1 - 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Glasswork using a torch or lamp to melt glass. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee per person. Advanced registration required. Workshop limited to 4 adults. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: through May 6. See all events at kaucoffeefestival.com.

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

National Park Week, Sat - Sun, Apr 21 - Apr 29, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Kahuku Unit. "Park Stars" themed events - nighttime star party, guided hikes, ranger-led adventures, volunteer opportunities - at nps.gov/HAVO.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

NEW & UPCOMING

BRING IN MEDICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY, Saturday, April 28, urges the Hawaiʻi Police Department, Hawaiʻi Attorney General, County Dept. of Environmental Management, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The event legally accepts controlled substances like opioid pain medications. However, no illicit drugs nor needles will be accepted. "With the rise of prescription drug abuse, this is one effort to combat that problem. Spring Clean your Medicine Cabinet," says a statement from Chris Chin-Chance, Recycling Specialist, with the county.
The Take-Back locations to receive the drugs will be in Kona at Hawaiʻi Police Department, 74-0611 Hale Makai Place, and in Hilo at Ka Waena Lapaʻau Medical Complex, upper parrking lot at the corner of Ponahawai and Komohana Streets, 670 Ponahawai St.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

5TH ANNUAL KA‘Ū COFFEE TRAIL RUN REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 1, with the 2018 race taking place Saturday, September 22.
Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run offers three moderate to highly challenging races - 5K, 10K, and 1/2 marathon - through macadamia nut and coffee fields, along the slopes of Mauna Loa in Wood Valley.
All races start 7 a.m. at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, 96-2696 Wood Valley Road, above Pāhala Town.
Those interested are encouraged to register online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145, before Monday, July 9, for the highest discount possible - 5K/$25, 10K/$35, HM/$45, per person. After July 9, ticket price increases $5 per person, per race type, and again on August 13. Participants can register online until September 20.
To learn more about the event organizers, visit okaukakou.org/kau-coffee-trail-run or webscorer.com/kau-coffee-trail-run. For more details about the start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, visit kaucoffeemill.com.

The event is sponsored by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou and Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, with additional support from Edmund C. Olson Trust II, BioAstin, and County of Hawai‘i.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Mountain Water Hike will take hikers into the rain forest above Kaʻū Coffee Mill next Wednesday,
the hike led by Kaʻū's new Planning Commissioner John Replogle. See story below. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Fest

JOHN REPLOGLE, THE NEW PLANNING COMMISSIONER FOR KAʻŪ, will meet the public and lead a hike into the rainforest above Kaʻū Coffee Mill next Wednesday, May 2, as part of the Tenth Annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival. The longtime resident of Ocean View is known for his work as Field Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy, from which he recently retired. He grew up in Kaʻū, graduated from Parsons College on the mainland, and has been a ranch manager on the Big Island and Kauaʻi. He is known for his role in the conservation of the Kaʻū Coast, particularly Honuʻapo. He was a spokesperson in the award winning film Saving Kaʻū's Coast, produced by The Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper.

John Replogle, Kaʻū's Planning Commissioner, will
lead a hike next Wednesday, May 2, into the rainforest
and along the old sugar plantation waterways.
Photo by Big Island Video News

Replogle was a founding member of the Ka ʻOhana ʻO Honuʻapo organization that partners with the county to steward its lands and wetlands. He is known for his effort to create setbacks for building construction along the 80-mile Kaʻū Coast and for his advocacy in creating the Kaʻū Community Development Plan. Replogle also advocates for night skies, with Kaʻū one of the darkest places at night and best stargazing places on the planet.
Replogle and his wife Velvet are Master Gardeners and live at a high elevation in Ocean View where they grow food.
While working with The Nature Conservancy, Replogle assisted with invasive species projects, the protection of the hawksbill turtle reserve at Kamehame makai of Pāhala, and outreach and education in conservation to the local community, from children to kupuna.

Hikers can join Kaʻū Planning Commissioner John Reploge

on a water systems hike next Wednesday. To make

reservations, call 928-0550. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Fest

Replogle will lead the Kaʻū Coffee Festival Kaʻū Mountain Water Systems Hike next Wednesday, May 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Participants will ride through the coffee plantation, up the mountain, and into the rainforest to walk along water ways from sugar plantation days. Reservations required; call 928-0550.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THE HAWAI`I RATEPAYER PROTECTION ACT IS LAW and is expected to incentivize both the utility companies and consumers to use electricity more efficiently. It could possibly reduce electric bills. Signed today by Gov. David Ige, Senate Bill 2939 SD2, Act 005, requires Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission to create a framework that will tie electric utility revenues to performance metrics.

Act 005 "Establishes performance metrics that PUC will consider while establishing performance incentives and penalty mechanisms. They include: affordability of electric rates and customer electric bills; service reliability; customer engagement and satisfaction, including customer options for managing electricity costs; access to utility system information; rapid integration of renewable energy sources; timely execution of competitive procurement," states a release from the governor's office.

Gov. Ige signs Act 005 to improve cost effectiveness
of public electric utilities. Photo from @GovHawaii

Act 005 "Exempts member-owned cooperative electric utilities," per the language of the bill.

Ige said, "The bottom line is that SB 2939 is a victory for Hawai‘i's energy consumers who will see more value for their hard-earned dollars. Through its expertise and oversight, the PUC will ensure that we move aggressively toward our renewable energy and consumer protection goals while maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient electric grid operated by a financially stable utility."

Sen. Stanley Chang, who introduced the bill, said, "By aligning the utility's incentives with the consumer's incentives, everyone wins. Electricity bills will be based on performance: bringing renewable power sources online, upgrading the electric grid, ensuring reliability of the power supply, and even customer satisfaction. That's good for consumers, good for businesses, good for the environment, good for the state, and good for the utilities."

Rep. Chris Lee, chair of Committee on Energy and
Environmental Protection. Photo from @chrisleeforhi

Rep. Chris Lee, chair of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, said, "This bill aligns the interests of utilities and our communities they serve. It is a big win for local consumers who will get improved electric services with more options for innovative renewables and batteries, and it is a responsible step forward helping our utilities transition to a sustainable business model that can survive disruption in the energy market."

Rep. Della Belatti said, "The Legislature has worked hard to establish regulatory policy that will better align electric utility incentives with customer needs and the State's energy policy. The Legislature is confident that the Public Utilities Commission... will appropriately incorporate stakeholder... Through this collaborative, deliberative, and balanced process, the State will achieve the necessary update to our regulatory framework that ensures a safe, reliable, and resilient electric grid for all of our residents from our rural, agricultural communities to our most densely populated urban areas."

Act 005 takes effect on July 1, 2018. The PUC is required to create the framework by Jan. 1, 2020.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, Apr 26, noon - 1 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Vendor Application Deadline for Ho‘olaule‘a, Fri, Apr 27. To become a vendor, contact Brenda Iokepa-Moses at biokepamoses@gmail.com or 731-5409

Coffee Talk, Fri, Apr 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join park rangers in an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Pa‘ina & Open House, Fri, Apr 27, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House, the opening party for the Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival. Listen to Hawaiian music, enjoy hula and the band Shootz. Taste Ka`u Coffee. Meet the coffee growers and the Miss Ka`u Coffee Court. Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Julia Neal, 928-9811, mahalo@aloha.net. kaucoffeefestival.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Apr 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Unity Celebration, Sat, Apr 28, 10 - 4 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Hosted by The Collective. Free.

Hawai‘i Democratic County Convention, Sat, Apr 28, Sangha Hall, Hilo. hawaiidemocrats.org

Flameworking - an Introductory Class, Sat - Sun, Apr 28 - 29, 1 - 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Glasswork using a torch or lamp to melt glass. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee per person. Advanced registration required. Workshop limited to 4 adults. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sun, Apr 29, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sun, Apr 29, 11 a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. Nikki, 928-0550, kcm.nikki@gmail.com. kaucoffeemill.com

MONDAY, MAY 1

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. For ages 6-12 years. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

NEW & UPCOMING

ADVANCED HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES: END OF LIFE PLANNING event comes to Hilo Wed, May 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m., with a follow-up session Wed, May 23, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at Aging & Disability Resource Center, 1055 Kinoole Street Hilo, 96720. Registration required: CommunityFirstHawaii.org/registration, or call Tony Kent at 464-2800 or Amy Hamane at 935-1500.

The announcement states: "Let us help you complete an Advanced Health Care Directive that documents your own end-of-life wishes. It's free and does not require an attorney. Sign up for any session!

"An Advanced Health Care Directive is an important gift to your loved ones so that they won't have to guess what you want if you can no longer speak for yourself, as you will have made those choices ahead of time. If you already have a living will, Health Care Power of Attorney, or an Advanced Health Care Directive, learn how to review it to be sure it meets your needs today.

"It's not easy to talk about how you want the end of your life to be. But, it's one of the most important conversations that you can have with your loved ones. Bring family and loved ones with you to learn about this important topic together."

Sponsored by: Community First's Committee on Advanced Health Care Directives. Co-sponsored by: Aging and Disability Resource Center, County of Hawai‘i. Learn more at communityfirsthawaii.org/initiative-1

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

VOLCANO SCHOOLS OF ARTS AND SCIENCES MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER NIGHT SPRING SHOW, Thu, May 10, 6 p.m., at KMC's Kilauea Theater. 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will each perform a one-act play. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

In their eighth and final performance, the Eighth Grade will present Rapunzel Uncut by Mariah Everman. The story of Rapunzel is told by dueling narrators, and includes a misunderstood witch, an off-pitch Rapunzel, and an unimaginably unaware Prince.

The Seventh Grade will perform The Ever After by Natha Hartswick. A cheesy talk show host invites traditional fairy tale characters, who have been estranged, to reconcile on live television. Complete with a trash-talking clairvoyant mirror, an unfortunate prince who is turning slowly back into a frog, and many other wacky fractured fairy tale bits, your talk show spoof will be the talk of the town.

In their second show, the Sixth Grade will perform 15 Reasons Not To Be in a Play by Alan Haehnel. This is a play about not being in a play, expressed through a hilarious series of monologues, duets, and ensemble scenes.

"Please join us for an evening of fun," says the announcement.

ONGOING

National Park Week, Sat - Sun, Apr 21 - Apr 29, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Kahuku Unit. "Park Stars" themed events - nighttime star party, guided hikes, ranger-led adventures, volunteer opportunities - at nps.gov/HAVO.

Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Librarian Linda Morgan offers a two-for-one book sale this week at Nāʻālehu School Library to
encourage families to read with children at least 20 minutes a day.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

UPGRADING AND PROTECTING COMMUNITY WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS is the aim of legislation introduced into Congress today by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and colleagues. The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity and Reliability Act would create a nationwide WATER Trust Fund, and dedicate $35 billion each year to such programs as the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Loan, which is slated to help fund the new Pāhala and Nāʻālehu wastewater treatment plants. Gabbard noted that Over 90 percent of Hawai'i's drinking water is from groundwater, and Hawaiʻi has more cesspools than any other state - half of which are located in areas that require urgent action.
The Congresswoman pointed to a 2017 report that says Hawaiʻi needs an estimated $1.05 billion in drinking water investment over the next 20 years to ensure safe water. "Ensuring safe, affordable, and accessible water for all is not a political issue – it's a basic human right that is essential for life. Our legislation would make consistent investments in critical water and wastewater infrastructure a priority for our federal government, and take the steps that are sorely needed now to protect health and wellness for generations to come."

Rep. Tusli Gabbard helped introduce the WATER Trust Fund today.
This would help fund clean water projects like the Nāʻālehu
and Pāhala wastewater treatment facilities.

The funds would be used to improve drinking water and wastewater services, including renovating old and lead-ridden water pipes, and stopping sewage overflows, and other problems stemming from a national water affordability crisis. According to Gabbard, the measure would also create an estimated 700,000 to 945,000 new middle-class jobs nationwide.
The WATER Act is supported by numerous organizations, including Alliance for Democracy; EarthJustice; EcoWorks; Food & Water Watch; National Nurses United; Progressive Democrats of America; Public Citizen; Rural Community Assistance Partnership; Water Alliance; American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, and more.
Said Gabbard, "Years of neglecting our water infrastructure has spurred water contamination crises across the country in places like Flint, MI; Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; among others.

Nāʻālehu residents study proposed wastewater
treatment location. Photo by Julia Neal

The new legislation would provide dedicated annual federal support to:
Fully fund the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds;
Provide additional technical assistance to rural and small municipalities and Native American governments;
Increase funding to construct, repair and service household drinking water wells;
Create a new grant program for the repair, replacement or upgrading of household septic tanks and drainage fields;
Increase funding to Native American governments for water infrastructure;
Require EPA to coordinate a study about water affordability, discrimination by water and sewer providers, public participation in water regionalization efforts, and water shutoffs;
Restrict Drinking Water SRF funding to publicly or locally owned systems;
Provide funding for public schools to test and replace drinking water infrastructure; and
Provide grants to replace lead service lines serving households.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

DREAMERS WON BIG on Tuesday. According to the ruling in District of Columbia federal court, DACA immigrants must not only receive protections, new applicants must be processed, with the program resuming in 90 days. The case was brought to the court by the N.A.A.C.P., Princeton University, and Microsoft, on behalf of their immigrant students and workers.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protects young people whose families brought them into the U.S. without approved paperwork from the federal government. About 700,000 of these undocumented immigrants grew up in the U.S. Many are students and many are employed. Pres. Donald Trump's administration has attempted to end the program, leaving DACA recipients, called DREAMers, in fear of being deported.

Lt. Gov. Doug Chin led Hawaiʻi in becoming the first to challenge
the travel ban when he was serving as Hawaiʻi's Attorney General.
Photo from Honolulu Museum

TRUMP V HAWAI`I TRAVEL BAN ARGUMENTS WERE HEARD AT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TODAY.

Lt. Gov. Doug Chin, who worked on the case fwhen he served as Hawai`i Attorney General, attended in Washington, D.C.
The audio of Trump v. Hawai`i was made available after the conclusion of today's session, as urged by Sen. Mazie Hirono, who contended that it is important for the public to be able to follow the case.
Chin said: "Today, the people of Hawai‘i called on our nation's highest court to make clear that, as President of the United States, Donald Trump cannot operate as though he is above the law and cannot willfully ignore the rule of law. Our nation with its promise of opportunity, equality, and justice, cannot allow this illegal and unconstitutional travel ban to endure. The travel ban imposed by Pres. Donald Trump keeps Hawai‘i families apart, and degrades our values and morality by subjecting a specific set of people to intolerable discrimination and second-class treatment. I appreciate the Justices’ obvious preparation and thoughtful questions."

Prior to becoming Lieutenant Governor on February 2, 2018, Chin served as the Attorney General for the State of Hawai‘i and was the first to challenge Trump's Executive Order travel ban that was argued today.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A BOOK FAIR OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK offers a Buy One, Get One Free promotion. The annual Nāʻālehu School Library Scholastic Book Fair, organized by school librarian Linda Morgan, provides the BOGO sale to make books affordable and encourage summer reading.

The Book Fair offers reading materials for scholars of all ages, including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and cookbooks. Also on sale are fancy school supplies, journals, craft and science kits, posters, and a variety of toys.

Nāʻālehu School Library Book Fair, open through Friday. Photo by Nalani Parlin

Today, the Book Fair will be open until 6 p.m. at the school library, and will coincide with family reading night. On Thursday, the book fair will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and will end on Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Although school Book Fairs are usually fundraisers to buy more books, Morgan's BOGO sale won't see any profits this time around. She said the buy one, get one campaign is to help to promote student literacy. "Reading just 21.1 minutes a day with young kids gives them exposure to 1,823,000 words and can place them in the 90th percentile for reading tests," said Morgan. Anyone wanting to donate to the school library fund is welcome to do so. Visitors to the Book Fair, during school hours, should check in at the main office.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, Apr 26, noon - 1 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Vendor Application Deadline for Ho‘olaule‘a, Fri, Apr 27. To become a vendor, contact Brenda Iokepa-Moses at biokepamoses@gmail.com or 731-5409

Coffee Talk, Fri, Apr 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join park rangers in an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Shootz! band kicks off Kaʻū Coffee Fest week as headliner of
Paʻina & Open House at Pāhala Plantation House this Friday,
April 27. L to R: Cheryl Cuevas, Gabriel Cuevas, Tui Masanini,
Terrie Louis, and Harry Evangelista. Photo by Tanya Ibarra

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Pa‘ina & Open House, Fri, Apr 27, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House, the kickoff party for the Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival. Listen to Hawaiian music, enjoy hula and the band Shootz. Taste Ka‘ū Coffee. Meet the coffee growers and the Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Court. Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Julia Neal, 928-9811, mahalo@aloha.net. kaucoffeefestival.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Apr 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Unity Celebration, Sat, Apr 28, 10 - 4 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Hosted by The Collective. Free.

Hawai‘i Democratic County Convention, Sat, Apr 28, Sangha Hall, Hilo. hawaiidemocrats.org

Flameworking - an Introductory Class, Sat - Sun, Apr 28 - 29, 1 - 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Glasswork using a torch or lamp to melt glass. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee per person. Advanced registration required. Workshop limited to 4 adults. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sun, Apr 29, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sun, Apr 29, 11 a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. 928-0550, kcm.nikki@gmail.com. kaucoffeemill.com

TUESDAY, MAY 1
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, Wood Valley. Tour sugarcane era flumes. Explore native Hawaiian rainforest. $45 per person; includes lunch. Limited to 30 people. Reservations required, 928-0550. kaucoffeefestival.com, kaucoffeemill.com

Open Mic Night, Wed, May 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21+. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

NEW & UPCOMING

VOLCANO SCHOOLS OF ARTS & SCIENCES WILL PRODUCE A THEATER NIGHT SPRING SHOW, Thursday, May 10, 6 p.m., at KMC's Kilauea Theater. The Middle School, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will each perform a one-act play. Admission is free, donations accepted.
The Eighth Grade will present Rapunzel Uncut by Mariah Everman. The story of Rapunzel is told by dueling narrators, and includes a misunderstood witch, an off-pitch Rapunzel, and an unimaginably unaware Prince.
The Seventh Grade will perform The Ever After by Natha Hartswick. A cheesy talk show host invites traditional fairy tale characters, who have been estranged, to reconcile on live television. Complete with a trash-talking clairvoyant mirror, the play features an unfortunate prince who is turning slowly back into a frog, and many other wacky fractured fairy tale bits.
In the second show, the Sixth Grade will perform 15 Reasons Not To Be in a Play by Alan Haehnel. This is a play about not being in a play, expressed through a hilarious series of monologues, duets, and ensemble scenes.

ONGOING
National Park Week, Sat - Sun, Apr 21 - Apr 29, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Kahuku Unit. "Park Stars" themed events - nighttime star party, guided hikes, ranger-led adventures, volunteer opportunities - at nps.gov/HAVO.

Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

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Active lava, like this, captured by Kaʻū photographer Peter Anderson last night, draws millions to the summit of Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
National Park and brings hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy, according to the report issued today by the National Park Service.
See story below. Photo by Peter Anderson

MAYOR HARRY KIM WAS MEDEVACKED TO O‘AHU this morning after experiencing chest pains while exercising. The Mayor, who has suffered three heart attacks and survived quadruple bypass surgery more than a decade ago, was flown to Honolulu "as a precautionary measure," per the press release from his office.

"The 78-year-old Mayor drove himself to HiloMedicalCenteraround 4:30 a.m.," says the statement, "and proceeded to call Managing Director Wil Okabe and other staff to notify them of the situation. He was medevacked to QueensMedicalCenteraround 6:45 a.m."

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim was
medevacked to Queens Medical Center on
Oʻahu this morning.

"He knows the symptoms, and he knows what to do," Okabe said. "We're offering prayers for Harry, knowing that he'll be back very shortly." Okabe will serve as Acting Mayor while the Mayor is on sick leave. An emergency meeting of the County Department heads and executive staff was held to let everyone know about the situation.

"We're going to continue to do the work; everyone assured me that they’re committed to carrying out the mission we always have – of making this a better place to live," Okabe said. "Harry has confidence in everybody that they'll continue the mission."

Gov. David Ige tweeted: "Mayor Kim has a fighting spirit and I know he'll want to be back at work serving the people of Hawai‘i County as quickly as possible. I wish him a speedy and complete recovery."

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HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK DREW MORE THAN TWO MILLION VISITORS, SPENDING $166 MILLION IN 2017, according to the National Park Service report released today. The 2,016,702 visitors spent the $166 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 2,020 jobs in the local area, and created a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $222,394,900, the report states.

Visitors, among the more than two million who arrive each year, are eager to see the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of

Kīlauea Volcano, along the overlook at Jaggar Museum in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

"Visitation continues to rise at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and visitors from all over the world continue to support our local communities when they explore Kīlauea and Mauna Loa by spending their money on lodging, dining, shopping, and more," said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. "It's interesting to compare the eruptive patterns of our volcanoes, and align that to increased visitation, there's definitely a parallel," she said.

Lava lake overflowing at Halemaʻumaʻu crater last night.
Photo by Peter Anderson

Kīlauea continues to erupt from two locations: in the remote East Rift Zone flank, and from a vent within the summit crater, Halema‘uma‘u. This week, which happens to be National Park Week, lava rose to the edge of the vent rim, and has spilled out onto the crater floor several times, drawing thousands of visitors each day.

Since the summit eruption began in 2008, visitation to the park has increased by 58 percent.
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service. The report shows $18.2 billion of direct spending by more than 330 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 306,000 jobs nationally; 255,900 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $35.8 billion.

The lodging sector received the highest direct contributions with $5.5 billion in economic output to local gateway economies and 49,000 jobs. The restaurants sector received the next greatest direct contributions with $3.7 billion in economic output to local gateway economies and 60,500 jobs.

According to the 2017 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging/camping (32.9 percent), followed by food and beverages (27.5 percent), gas and oil (12.1 percent), souvenirs and other expenses (10.1 percent), admissions and fees (10.0 percent), and local transportation (7.5 percent).

Report authors also produce an interactive tool that enables users to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/vse.htm

To learn more about national parks in Hawai‘i and how the National Park Service works with Hawai‘i communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to https://www.nps.gov/state/hi/index.htm.

Southwest will service Kona from the Mainland and
eventually interisland, according to plans by
the airline. Photo from Southwest Airlines

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES WILL SOON LAND IN KONA, once approved for trans-Pacific flights. The airline announced this morning that it will serve Kona, Honolulu, Lihuʻe, and Kahului. In October, after Southwest announced it would enter the Hawaiʻi market, the airline administration told investors that interisland service is also being considered, but "down our priority list."

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U.S. SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSED A BILL TODAY TO PROTECT THE SPECIAL COUNSEL for the Department of Justice, who is looking into Pres. Donald Trump's organization's possible collusion with Russia during his campaign for office. The bi-partisan vote was 14-7.

Senate Judiciary Committee member
Mazie Hirono applauded the bill
to protect Robert Mueller that received
support from Republicans and Democrats.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, issued the following statement: "These are not normal times. My Republican colleagues continue to deny that the President is looking for a way to fire the Special Counsel. And yet today in an interview with Fox News, the President all but said that's exactly what he would like to do.

"He criticized the investigation into Russian interference in our election as 'a witch hunt with people in the Justice Department that shouldn’t be there' and talked about 'our Justice Department, which I try to stay away from, but pretty soon I won't.'

"President Trump's statements make plain that he is thinking of firing Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. No one can have any doubt that he would do it and let the chips fall where they may.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special

counsel named by DOJ to investigate Russian
interference with 2016 U.S. election.

"The President's statements demonstrate his continuing belief that the Department of Justice is there to serve him, not the American people. He is wrong.

"The bipartisan bill we reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today will protect the Special Counsel now and in the future, and upholds the rule of law.

"Majority Leader McConnell has unilaterally announced that he will not bring a Special Counsel protection bill to the floor. I call on him not to stand in the way of this bipartisan legislation and allow a vote as soon as possible."

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THE KICKOFF FOR TEN DAYS OF KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL activities begins Friday, as the annual coffee picking season ends with farmers receiving some of the highest prices ever, with buyers still searching for more Kaʻū Coffee.

The Tenth Annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival opening party is Friday, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House. Listen to Hawaiian music, enjoy hula and the band Shootz. Taste Ka‘ū Coffee. Meet the coffee growers and the Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Court. Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Corner of Pikake and Maile Streets in Pāhala.

Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest is Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m., at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee tasting. Sample the foods made exclusively with Kaʻū Coffee. Free. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.com

Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest is open to the public for free coffee
tasting and sampling foods made with Kaʻū Coffee
this Sunday at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Photo by Julia Neal

Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wednesday, May 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. beginning at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill is sold out.
Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thursday, May 3, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā‘ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409.
Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required, 927-2252. aikaneplantation.com
Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Friday, May 4, sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, is sold out. Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.
Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.
Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.
See kaucoffeefestival.com

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Ka‘ū Unity Celebration, Sat, Apr 28, 10 - 4 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Hosted by The Collective. Free.

Hawai‘i Democratic County Convention, Sat, Apr 28, Sangha Hall, Hilo. hawaiidemocrats.org

Flameworking - an Introductory Class, Sat - Sun, Apr 28 - 29, 1 - 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Glasswork using a torch or lamp to melt glass. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee per person. Advanced registration required. Workshop limited to 4 adults. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sun, Apr 29, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sun, Apr 29, 11 a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 1

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6 pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8 pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2 pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. - SOLD OUT

THURSDAY, MAY 3

VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

The Ka‘ū Valley Farms team invites the public to visit during Ka‘ū Coffee Festival
Week on Thursday, May 3. Front and center is President and CEO Xiaoyuan Liu.
Among others shown are VP Louis Leong, Managing Director Joshua Wang,
General Manager John Cross, Farm Manger Lee Segawa, Farm Advisor Richard
Loero and Executive Assistant to the President Hanfeng Wu.
Photo from Ka‘ū Valley Farms

Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool Vision Screening, Thu, May 3, 9-noon, Project Vision Hawai‘i van at Pāhala Community Center. Free; for all ages. Keiki offered free sunglasses; adults, reading glasses. projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-282-2265

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, May 3, 6-7 pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, MAY 4

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Fri, May 4, 10-3pm, Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required, 927-2252. kaucoffeefestival.com, aikaneplantation.com

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

KDENte! Italian Food Fundraiser, Fri, May 4, 6pm, Almafatano's Italian Restaurant, Hilo. Buffet; includes pasta dish, lasagna, salad. Karl Halemano provides music. $20 at door. Reservations: 982-7344

NEW & UPCOMING

Fishpond Renewal by Carol Araki Wyban, being displayed at Volcano
Art Center Gallery starting May 12. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

CAROL ARAKI WYBAN’S FISHPONDS OF HAWAI’I TO BE EXHIBITED beginning May 12, announces Volcano Art Center Gallery. The gallery invites the public to an opening reception Saturday, May 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the exhibit is open to the public, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through Sunday, June 24.
The mixed media, fine art exhibition “presents ancient Hawaiian fishponds as cultural treasures and a form of Hawaiian excellence. Pen and ink drawings and original paintings by Wyban share a deep understanding of types of different ponds, technology, legends and fish,” says the event description. Wyban is the author-illustrator of Tide and Currents: Fishponds of Hawaiʻi published by the University of Hawaiʻi Press. She is the subject of a video produced by Na Maka o ka ‘Āina. Her studies and plans are available in the Hawai‘i State Public Library System.
Volcano Art Center Gallery is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. While the reception and exhibition are free, park entrances fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. For ages 6-12 years. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING

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The 40-foot-tall blue whale sculpture, Skyscraper, constructed of marine debris mostly from Kaʻū shoreline, will be displayed
in Bruges, Belgium through September. Rendering from StudioKCA. See story below and Skyscraper Kickstarter

THE GIANT WHALE SCULPTURE made of beach trash from Kaʻū is almost completed and will soon be installed in Belgium. Klimoski and Lesley Chang of StudioKCA joined Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund last July to collect debris from the shorelines of Kaʻū over four months, then shipped the pieces to Brooklyn, NY, to plan the sculpture and construct the frame. Skyscraper will be installed through September as part of a triennial event of contemporary art and architecture, called Liquid City, in the city of Bruges, the capital city of West Flanders in Belgium, which is known for its canals. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, like Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Skyscraper's Kickstarter states: "The Story of Skyscraper: 5 tons of plastic waste pulled out of the Pacific Ocean, turned into a 4 story tall whale for the 2018 Bruges Triennial - a powerful reminder of the 150,000,000 tons of plastic waste still swimming in our waters." The campaign has raised enough money to ship the thirty-foot-tall whale sculpture to Europe, in pieces, to be assembled there. According to the Kickstarter page, the group has exceeded their $15,000 goal ahead of the May 4 deadline, with only 72 backers - an average donation of about $215 per person.

The Kaʻū shoreline where tons of debris were collected to construct Skyscraper, a giant blue whale sculpture
to be installed in a European city. Photos from StudioKCA

Skyscraper's Kickstarter states: "Our first thought led us to thinking about the biggest liquid city on the planet (the ocean), how it connects us all, and how the waste produced and consumed in our cities, specifically plastic waste, ends up in the ocean. So, we proposed collecting as much plastic waste out of the oceans that we could in 4 months, and shaping that waste into Skyscraper, an almost 4 story tall whale pushing out of one of Bruges' main canals, and arching over historic Jan Van Eyck Square at the city's center. Skyscraper was selected along with 14 other installations proposed by a select group of international artists and architects to be brought to life for the event!"

The fundraiser concludes May 4. "We decided to stretch our goal to $20,000. This will allow us to coordinate several additional large scale cleanup efforts with our friends at the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, the Surfrider Foundation, Eneco Clean Beach Cup, and the Bruges Triennale between May and September while Skyscraper is installed," says the Kickstarter explanation.

Cleanup number 17, with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, last year. Some pieces
collected were shipped to Brooklyn, NY, to help construct Skyscraper.

Seventeen Hawai‘i Island cleanup events were coordinated by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund to fill the shipping container with approximately 3,000 lbs. of plastics while it was stationed at the Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station. Additionally, Surfrider Foundation volunteers on Kaua‘i collected 1,000 lbs. of plastic debris that were added to the container once it reached Hilo, courtesy of a Young Brothers gratis-shipping grant to Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund.

Matson Navigation was another supporter, with a free extension of time allowed to fill the container. Kona Trans provided StudioKCA with a discounted hauling rate for the project, and the County of Hawai‘i's Department of Environmental Management provided HWF space to store the 40 ft. container for 12 weeks as volunteers contributed to fill it with plastic debris, making this effort an especially collaborative project by local businesses and residents. The container shipped from Hilo on Oct. 4, to New York, and some pieces will soon arrive in Belgium.

"The best crew ever, with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund,"
states the Skyscraper Kickstarter page.

"We are thrilled to able to work with artists to create awareness installations, like this Blue Whale project, and simultaneously divert some of this plastic pollution from our island landfills," said Megan Lamson, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund's Hawai‘i Island Program Director. "Since 2003, HWF and volunteers have removed nearly 225 tons of debris from the shores of Hawai‘i Island. Whatever cannot be recycled, generally ends up in landfills. Innovative projects that include re-use, art, research, and recycling are always preferred."

To get involved with HWF, contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or at 808-769-7629. See Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund. See more on Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang of StudioKCA. See more on the Bruges Triennial.

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Mayor Harry Kim, in stable condition today at
Queens Medical Center. Photo by William Neal

MAYOR HARRY KIM IN STABLE CONDITION at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu, after being medevacked to O‘ahu for chest pains during exercise early Thursday morning, states a release from the Mayor's office. Kim is weighing options regarding a procedure.
"As of late afternoon on Thursday, there was no diagnosis," said Wil Okabe, the County's Managing Director, who is serving as Acting Mayor while the Kim is on sick leave.

"Harry's in stable condition and they're looking at a procedure," Okabe said. "They'll give him some options later on today or tomorrow.

The Mayor has been undergoing tests, and was not accepting visits for the time being, states the release.

"We want to respect his privacy and let him rest as we wait for the doctor's determination on what the next steps are," Okabe said. "We've had an outpouring of people calling, emailing and on social media telling us how much Harry means to them," Okabe said. "Harry is very grateful for all of the good wishes and prayers, and so are we."

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SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ OBJECTED TO NEW NASA HEAD, calling him a "climate denier," after U.S. Senate voted 50 to 49 along partisan lines to confirm Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R–OK) as NASA's 13th administrator.

Schatz testified to Congress that former NASA administrators were scientists. "This is the first time in history that we have someone without similar qualifications to run such an important agency." He said despite Bridenstine's Navy pilot experience, he does not "have the skills and experience to lead the federal government's space agency." Schatz said the "most solemn, most serious responsibility" of the NASA administrator is Final Launch Authority, requiring "good judgment and understanding of all of the elements that go into a space launch. And that's why we've always had NASA administrators who have demonstrable expertise in these fields. It is downright dangerous to have someone without this expertise, with this kind of authority...

Sen. Brian Schatz testified against confirming
Rep. Jim Bridenstine as the new Administrator of
NASA. Photo from @brianschatz

"James Bridenstine is a climate denier, with no scientific background, who has made a career out of ignoring science."

"There is simply no excuse for voting for someone so unqualified to run NASA," Schatz tweeted. "They aren't even bothering to make the argument that he will be a good administrator. They are just voting yes and getting out of town. For me this is a good reminder that elections have consequences."

Schatz, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, voted against advancing Jim Bridenstine's nomination back in November. He gave his reasons in a press release: "This is a nonpartisan science agency. The scientific consensus is that climate change is real, urgent, and caused by humans. This science should be both supported and understood by anyone who hopes to lead NASA, one of our nation's top science agencies. And yet, Jim Bridenstine is somehow still on the fence about the climate. For this reason, I cannot support his nomination to lead NASA. Congressman Bridenstine's legislative record and his own testimony during his nomination hearing show that he rejects NASA's role in earth science, adopts industry perspectives without critical analysis, and embraces extreme and divisive social views. NASA deserves better."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee 2018 Reishalyn Kekoa Jara,
performing her first-place Tahitian dance at the
Miss Kaʻū Coffee Scholarship Pageant Saturday.
She begins her reign with appearances
during Kaʻū Coffee Festival events, starting
tonight at the Paʻina at Pāhala Plantation House.
Photo by Julia Neal

Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest is Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m., at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee tasting. Sample the foods made exclusively with Kaʻū Coffee. Free. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.com

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Apr 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Unity Celebration, Sat, Apr 28, 10 - 4 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Hosted by The Collective. Free.

Hawai‘i Democratic County Convention, Sat, Apr 28, Sangha Hall, Hilo. hawaiidemocrats.org

Flameworking - an Introductory Class, Sat - Sun, Apr 28 - 29, 1 - 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Glasswork using a torch or lamp to melt glass. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee per person. Advanced registration required. Workshop limited to 4 adults. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sun, Apr 29, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sun, Apr 29, 11 a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 1

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2 pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. - SOLD OUT

THURSDAY, MAY 3

VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, May 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, MAY 4

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

NEW & UPCOMING

Learn to landscape with native Hawaiian plants, like Puhinahina,
also known as Beach Vitex, Vitex rotundifolia, at a class in
Volcano on Saturday, May 12. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

ZACH MERMEL OFFERS LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS as a class on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, announces Volcano Art Center.

Landscaping with native Hawaiian plants is locally adapted, with relatively low maintenance landscaping options that provide a habitat for beneficial organisms. “These are just some of the positive aspects of incorporating native plants into your garden and landscape,” states the event description.

Learn to landscape with native Hawaiian plants, like Pukiawe,
Styphelia tameiameiae, at a class in Volcano on Saturday,
May 12. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

In this hand-on workshop with Instructor Mermel of Ola Design Group, participants interact first-hand with a variety of native plants found throughout Hawai‘i Island’s various microclimates, and learn how to integrate these ecosystems allies into their personal outdoor ecosystems.
The class fee is $30 per VAC Member and $35 per non-Member. To register, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM open to residents during June, 1 through 29, except June 11 due to Kamehameha Day holiday. There is a crisis program for those already past due, and a non-crisis program for help with heating/cooling.

Ka‘ū will host three locations to sign up.

- Nā‘ālehu: Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council office, back of SeniorCenter, Wednesdays - Fridays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 929-9263

- Ocean View: OceanViewCommunity Center, Mondays and Tuesdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

- Pāhala: Edmund Olson Trust Office, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Eligibility requirements include: household members must be U.S.citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; all adults must sign application and provide picture ID; and household members over one year must provide social security card. Household income must be below 150% of Federal Poverty Level.

See http://hceoc.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-LIHEAP-APPLICATION.pdf for full list of requirements, what needs to be brought to apply, and to download forms.

ONGOING

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Coffee Festival kicked off Friday, April 27, with the Paʻina & Open House at Pāhala Plantation House. First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Helena Nihipali-Sesson sang Kaiholena, accompanying herself on ʻukulele. Photo by Julia Neal

TEN DAYS OF THE TENTH KAʻŪ COFEE FESTIVAL began last night with a kickoff event with Kaʻū Coffee farmers and friends. The Miss Kaʻū Coffee Court made its first public appearance with Queen Reishalyn Kekoa Jara, sharing her Tahitian dance talent. First Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Helena Nihipali-Sesson sang Kaiholena, the composition about the mystical mountain between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu, written at a music composition workshop led by Daniel Ho during a previous Ka‘ū Coffee Fest.

The 2018 Miss Kaʻū Coffee Court

made their debut at the Paʻina

& Open House at Pāhala Plantation

House last night. Photo by Julia Neal

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Queen Reishalyn

Kekoa Jara, dancing Tahitian.

Photo by Julia Neal

Miss Peaberry Jacelyn Kekoa Jara and Junior Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Coffee Cristina Kawewehi both performed hula. Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Flower Telia Espejo-Navarro and her court Kysha Kaupu Manini and Lilianna Marques made an appearance in their gowns.
The band Shootz, with Harry Evangelista, Terry Louis, Tui Masaniai and Gabriel and Cheryl Cuevas, made its Coffee Fest debut and will play again next Saturday, May 5, at the all-day Hoʻolauleʻa at Pāhala Community Center. Guy Sesson, father of the First Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, performed with Volcano School of the Arts music teacher Hal Tredinnick and his daughter Jade Malia. A piano singing trio - Lora, Ruslan, and Alla - also performed.
Ka‘ū Coffee farmers and marketers, just back from the Specialty Coffee Association of America event in Seattle, reported good reception of Ka‘ū Coffee at the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association booth. Many other Ka‘ū Coffee farmers were wrapping up the care for their farms at the end of a season that brought in some of the highest prices and most demand ever for Ka‘ū Coffee.

Miss Peaberry Jacelyn Kekoa Jara

and Junior Miss Kaʻū Coffee Coffee

Cristina Kawewehi performed hula at the

Paʻina last night. Photo by Julia Neal

The Ka‘ū Mountain Water System Hike is sold out on Tuesday, as is Stargazing next Friday. Reservations can be made to attend the Ka‘ū Valley Farms tour Thursday, and the Aikane Plantation Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle day - with farm and ranch tours, BBQ lunch, and hayride - on Friday. See details, below.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

NEXT EVENT FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL is tomorrow, Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m., Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. The public is invited to taste coffee and sample foods made exclusively with Kaʻū Coffee. Free. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.com

Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thursday, May 3, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā‘ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409.

Shootz band, left - who will play May 5 at the Hoʻolauleʻa - and Guy Sesson, Hal Tredinnick, and Jade Malia, right, helped provide musical entertainment at the Paʻina. Photo by Julia Neal

Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required, 927-2252. aikaneplantation.com

Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 29,

featuring recipes made exclusively with Kaʻū Coffee. Drop by

to see, smell, and taste entries. Photo by Julia Neal

Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.

Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.

See kaucoffeefestival.com

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THE BILL TO HELP FUND A SPINLAUNCH SPACE LAUNCH FACILITY IN HAWAIʻI has apparently died in the state legislature. The plan met opposition in Kaʻū when SpinLaunch listed Pohuʻe Bay lands as a possible location. The company has apparently decided to test its new technology for catapulting small satellites into orbit before possibly coming back to Hawaiʻi for a renewed attempt to find a location and before asking for a Special Purpose Revenue Bond at the state legislature. The testing for the technology and its safety will be outside the U.S., SpinLaunch representatives told residents at the Nāʻālehu meeting.

Sen. Glenn Wakai of O‘ahu and North Kona Rep. Cindy Evans introduced the $25 Million Special Purpose Bond. They met opposition when none of the elected officials community groups in Kaʻū were notified of the bills being introduced.
SpinLaunch planned to construct an eight to ten-acre facility with large buffer zones.

During a community meeting last weekend called by Ka‘ū Aha Moku Advisory Committee to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, SpinLaunch representatives and Wakai spoke to a group of about 100 community members, explaining the plans for the facility and answering questions.

Standing room only at community meeting last weekend
with SpinLaunch representatives and Sen. Wakai,
moderated by Aha Moku. Photo by Richard Taylor

Ryan Hampton of SpinLaunch stated, "We would not and are not going to come to Kaʻū without community support. We don't have the resources to do it or the manpower. This is a group of guys and girls that have an amazing product to help propel space forward. But we need a community to get behind us or we can't even start."

The bill could be revived next legislative session, in 2019. Read the history of the bill in past Ka‘ū News Briefs, and the March, April ,and May Ka‘ū Calendarissues.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Wil Okabe, Acting Mayor while Mayor
Harry Kim is on sick leave for chest pains.
Photo from hawaiicounty.gov

MAYOR HARRY KIM "FEELING MUCH BETTER" after medical procedures, says acting Mayor Wil Okabe, the Managing Director for Hawaiʻi County. Kim was medevacked to Honolulu's QueensMedicalCenter, for chest pains he experienced during exercise early Thursday morning, states a release from the Mayor's office.

"Harry's feeling much better today after the procedures done Thursday," said Okabe. He said Kim continues to have tests and procedures to come up with a diagnosis.

Okabe said there has been an outpouring of well wishes and expressions of affection for the Mayor from the community. "We really appreciate your continued prayers and best wishes to him and his family," Okabe said. "We will continue to keep the community posted."

The 78-year-old Mayor drove himself to HiloMedicalCenter around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, states the Mayor's office, and was medevacked to Oʻahu around 6:45 a.m. He has had three heart attacks, and underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2008.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

KῙLAUEA VOLCANO'S SUMMIT AND EAST RIFT ZONE are having a busy time. This week's Volcano Watch, by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates, speculates on what will happen next:

The past few weeks have been exciting for volcano watchers on the Island of Hawai‘i, especially for visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's Jaggar Museum overlook, where views of the active summit lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu have been spectacular.

Since April 21, high lava lake levels in the informally named "Overlook crater" within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano have produced multiple overflows of pāhoehoe lava onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu. As of April 26, these new flows have covered just under 90 acres or nearly three-fourths of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. They are the first significant overflows of the summit lava lake since April-May 2015.

Aerial view of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater - approximately 220 m or 720 ft
wide - from April 23, following weeks of steady inflation and uplift of
crater floor. View is to the southeast with lava flows of the Episode 61g
flow field in the distance behind Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. USGS photo by C. Parcheta

Meanwhile, on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone, Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone has been inflating and expanding steadily since mid-March, with the west pit lava pond level rising, the main crater floor uplifting and cracking, and small lava flows intermittently active inside the crater. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released a Volcano Activity Notice on April 17 to highlight this activity and to note that the past two similar changes resulted in new breakouts of lava from new vents on the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone.

So, what is going on with Kīlauea?

In a nutshell, the magmatic plumbing system extending from the summit reservoir to Puʻu ʻŌʻō is pressurizing. This means that an excess of magma is being stored the system, causing swelling (inflation and expansion measured by tiltmeters and GPS), an uptick in microearthquakes as the surrounding rocks are stressed, and an increase in the height of lava lakes at both the summit and Puʻu ʻŌʻō.

What's causing this pressurization? This is where things get less certain.

Two general possibilities are being discussed by HVO scientists. It could be due to a pulse of increased magma supply to the system from the deeper summit reservoir (and ultimately the mantle source). Perhaps more likely, it could be that one or more obstructions have developed somewhere in the system between the summit, Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and the episode 61g vent, and are now backing things up. A combination of both factors is also possible.

Arguments against increased supply from depth: Scientists have seen no increases in gas emissions, tephra production, or lava temperature that might be expected with a magma surge, although scientists are still collecting data to verify these observations. Deformation data initially showed very little change in the shallow summit magma reservoir when Pu’u O’o began inflating in mid-March. An influx of new magma would have been expected to affect the summit first.

Perhaps the favored hypothesis at present is that a breakdown of the connection between the Puʻu ʻŌʻō reservoir and the episode 61g vent has caused a backup from Puʻu ʻŌʻō uprift to the summit magma reservoir and lava lake.

Night view of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake from April 24, while

lava from the lake overflow was spreading westward (to the right in

the picture) from the Overlook Vent. USGS photo from the Hawaiʻi

Volcanoes National Park Jaggar Overlook by M. Patrick

Why this blockage developed is another question. Did the effusion rate from Puʻu ʻŌʻō slow to the point where efficient drainage out the 61g vent could not be sustained, essentially causing magma to back up into the Puʻu ʻŌʻō reservoir and cone? This is a difficult question to answer, but there is ample evidence that the summit reservoir does respond to changes at the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent. Impeding outflow of magma from the summit to the 61g flow field could be the reason the lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu is rising.

What is next for Kīlauea?

As long as the system remains pressurized, scientists expect continued high levels of the summit lava lake and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava pond, overflows onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, and ongoing deformation and microearthquakes.

This activity could end with a new breakout at Puʻu ʻŌʻō relieving pressure on the entire system and lowering the lava level at both locations. Alternatively, magma could find an another pathway to relieve the pressure, such as an intrusion into the south caldera (as occurred in 2015), Southwest Rift Zone, or uprift of Puʻu ʻŌʻō along the East Rift Zone.

HVO is carefully watching various data streams to catch early signs of change that might indicate Kīlauea's next move. Like many of the public, scientists, too, are marveling at the sight of lava on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates, Mauna Loa weekly updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sun, Apr 29, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sun, Apr 29, 11 a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. 928-0550, kcm.nikki@gmail.com. kaucoffeemill.com

TUESDAY, MAY 1

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2 pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. - SOLD OUT

THURSDAY, MAY 3

VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, May 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, MAY 4
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Fri, May 4, 10-3pm, Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required, 927-2252. kaucoffeefestival.com, aikaneplantation.com

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

SATURDAY, MAY 5

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: 10th Annual Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee and with free music, hula entertainment and coffee tastings. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30pm, discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours (shuttle to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill): 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, $20/person. kaucoffeefestival.com

Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, May 5, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit's newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system.

Cinco de Mayo Dinner, Sat, May 5, 3-5pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. discoveryharbour.net

Cinco De Mayo, Sat, May 5, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Build Your Own Fajita Bar; menu includes Cheese Quesadillas, Black Beans, Spanish Rice, Soup, Salad/Potato Bar, Beverage, and Ice Cream Sundae Bar. $15.50/Adult, $8.25/Child (6-11 yrs). Regular menu available. Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

NEW & UPCOMING

Learn about how feathers have been used by different cultures
and religions and its symbolism through art at a Zentangle class
on Saturday, May 12. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

ZENTANGLE: FINE FEATHER-LIKE FRIENDS, with Lydia Meneses, is offered Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., announces Volcano Art Center. The class is open to all levels - no Zentangle or art experience necessary.

Instructor Meneses gives a brief background of the many uses of feathers in different cultures and religions, and the symbolism of the feather in many cultures and religions. During the session, participants create tiles with feather-like forms. The class will be guided with Zentangle's traditional ceremony and method: Gratitude, Appreciation, Relaxation, Mindfulness, & Awareness.
Students' kits include various Zentangle tiles, two general pastel chalk pencils, and blending tortillions. All materials will be either supplied or available for borrowing. Participants are welcome to bring their favorite drawing tools.
Registration is $30 per VAC Member and $35 per non-Member, plus a $10 supply fee per person. Students are asked to bring snacks to share.

For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org, or call 967-8222.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING

Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Miss Ka‘ū Coffee and members of her Court attended the Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest today at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. From left: Miss Kaʻū Coffee Reishalyn Kekoa Jara, First Flower Kysha Kaʻupu-Manini, First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess Helena Nihipali-Sesson, Second Flower Lilianna Marques, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Cristina Kawewehi, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Peaberry Jacelyn Kekoa Jara. See story below. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Fest

MAYOR HARRY KIM RETURNED TO HILO TODAY, after undergoing procedures at The Queen's Medical Center, states a release from the Mayor's office. Kim was discharged Friday evening, and stayed in Honolulu with his wife over the weekend, states the release. He returned to Hilo Sunday. The Mayor's office stated his family requests he "be allowed to come home without fanfare."

"Harry informed me that he was getting some personal time in Honolulu with his wife," said Wil Okabe, Hawai‘i County Managing Director, who is serving as Acting Mayor while Kim is on sick leave. "The family wants to give him a chance to come home quietly so he can rest."

Mayor Harry Kim returned home today,
after being medevacked to O‘ahu
Thursday for chest pains.

The Mayor experienced heart attack symptoms early Thursday, drove himself to Hilo Medical Center, then was medevacked to O‘ahu. At Queen's, Kim underwent tests and procedures to alleviate his symptoms, states the Mayor's office.

"We thank Hilo Medical and Queen's for taking such good care of Harry," Okabe said. "We're also very grateful to Senator Hirono, Governor Ige, Mayor Caldwell, and Mayor Carvalho for their expressions of aloha and well wishes to Harry."

"We want to thank the hundreds of people from all over the State who reached out with messages of love and concern by phone, email, social media and get-well cards," Okabe said.

The release states Okabe said, "The Mayor and his family have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of aloha from all over the State, and the County of Hawai’i thanks everyone for their continued support and prayers for the Mayor's speedy recovery."

"We appreciate everyone giving Harry a chance to rest comfortably while he was in the hospital, and we're hoping that the community will let Harry take time to rest and recover fully," said Okabe.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST drew hungry coffee foodie folks to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill today, April 29, to taste the many creations of pupu, entrées, and desserts made with Ka‘ū Coffee. In one of the annual events of the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival, which runs through next Sunday, Ka‘ū Coffee Wanton, Ka‘ū Coffee Chicken, and Ka‘ū Coffee Cream Cookies won the day.

Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest judge
Gloria Camba with the newly crowned
Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Reishalyn Jara.
Photo by Julia Neal

Judges were Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba, Ka‘ū Coffee farmer Ann Fontes, and WikiWiki Store owner Carl Okuyama. Also in attendance with song and dance were members of the Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Court who were crowned last weekend.
In the recipe contest, first place in the Pupu category went to Sally Louis for her Ka‘ū Coffee Flavored Wanton. Second went to Austin Kilkeny for his Festive Kalua Enchilada Dip. Third went to Elgon Villanueva for his Ka‘ū Coffee Soybeans.

First place in the Entrée category went to Peggy Kilkeny for her Huli BBQ Chicken in Paradise. Second went to Suzette Louis for her Marinated Steak, and third went to Austin Kilkeny for his Ka‘ū Chili Mac.

First place in the dessert category went to Tiana Villanueva for her Irish Cream Cookies. Second went to Suzette Louis for her Ka‘ū Coffee Cream Puffs, and third went to Peggy Kilkeny for her Tropical Temptations.

Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest judge Carl Okuyama,

owner of WikiWiki Store. Photo by Julia Neal

All foods in the competition were made with Ka‘ū Coffee and attendees enjoyed sampling of all the entries. Emcee was Makana Kamahele, assisted by First Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Helena Nihipali-Sesson, who also entertained with Hawaiian music with her father Guy Sesson.
Two other events organized by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, the Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike and Ka‘ū Stargazing, are sold out.

Ka‘ū Coffee and macadamia tasting are available Monday through Saturdays at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and the mill will be a stop on the farm tours this coming Saturday. See kaucoffeemill.com and its facebook, and Kaucoffeefest.com.

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NEXT EVENT FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL is Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thursday, May 3, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā‘ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409.

Kaʻū coffee farmer Ann Fontes, one of the judges at the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival
Recipe Contest, where every recipe used Ka‘ū Coffee. Photo by Julia Neal

Innovations in Coffee Pulping and Roasting from Brazil and Japan will be on display 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, at Pāhala Plantation House. See article, below, for more details.

Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.

Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.
See kaucoffeefestival.com

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SOUTH AMERICA AND JAPAN SEND COFFEE INNOVATIONS this week to Ka‘ū Coffee Festival. LDO Market, a Ka‘ū business specializing in the trade of Brazilian-made coffee processing equipment, will display a newly available pulping mill that separates the ripe from the green at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, at Pāhala Plantation House. Penagos UDC Technology Engineer Diego Botello flew in from Colombia to teach the farming community about the innovation.

LDO representative Laura Diaz said that the integrated machine, with a conical vertical pulper, is equipped with helical breast plates that separate beans within a variety of qualities. The pulped red beans can immediately continue with the fermenting process or the mucilage removal, without mixing unwanted beans, which results in a clean, high-quality cup. The process utilizes a minimum amount of water and is therefore said to be environmentally friendly.

The UDC Plus Stainless-Steel Unit is also available for preview at LDO Market's booth, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, May 5, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, contact Diaz at laura@ldomarket.com, 928-8188, or 408-306-5596.

The Fuji Royal, Ltd. mini roaster from Japan - designed for coffee shops, small farmers with their own brand, and for home - will be presented by Yoshiyuki Asano at a demonstration on Saturday, May 5, at the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a at Pāhala Community Center and at a workshop at Pāhala Plantation House on Sunday, May 6, after the Coffee College. Also attending will be Tatsuo Fukushima, President of Fuji Royal, and Tokyo manager Yuuki Sugii.
The roasting quality is the same as with large professional coffee roaster machines, said Max Maemori, who represents Fuji Royal in Hawai‘i. The Fuji Royal mini roaster can process as little as a half pound, 250 grams of green beans and 200 grams of roasted beans. "The top quality micro roaster brings the same efficiency of high performance models to your coffee life," said Maemori. The machine weighs about 70 lbs and can fit on a 14 by 28 inch space with a height of two feet.

Hōkūleʻa was greeted at Miloliʻi by swimming keiki.
Photo from Kawika Crivello of Polynesian Voyaging Society

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HŌKŪLEʻA MET WITH Hawaiian protocol, a welcome ceremony hosted by the Miloliʻi community, and swimming keiki on Saturday, April 28, after an overnight sail from Hilo. As part of her Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, Hōkūleʻa opened to the public around noon, welcoming members of the fishing village and visitors to view the vessel. The Miloliʻi community hosted a potluck luʻau for the crew, said organizer Kaimi Kaupiko.
Hōkūleʻa hosted school children and residents for weeks in Hilo and Kona. After Miloliʻi, the Pollyesian sailing canoe left for Kawaihae to offer workshops and and school tours through May 10 when she will set sail for Oʻahu and Polynesian Voyaging Society headquarters.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 1

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2 pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. - SOLD OUT

THURSDAY, MAY 3

VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, May 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, MAY 4

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

SATURDAY, MAY 5

Cinco de Mayo Dinner, Sat, May 5, 3-5pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. discoveryharbour.net

SUNDAY, MAY 6

Palm Trail, Sun, May 6, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

NEW & UPCOMING

Mixed media artist Carol Araki Wyban shares her knowledge and experience
with Hawaiian fishponds in Volcano on Thursday, May 17.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

FISHPONDS OF HAWAI‘I, A FREE LECTURE AND SLIDESHOW, by Carol Araki Wyban, is offered on Thursday, May 17, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., announces Volcano Art Center.

In conjunction with her fine art exhibition on display at the Volcano Art Center Gallery, from May 12 through June 24, Wyban shares her knowledge and experience on Hawaiian fishponds. The lecture includes images from the exhibition as well as photos of modern activity at Hawaiian Fishponds. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

ONGOING

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Kīlaeua Rumbling
Successive small earthquakes, with one every few minutes, began at 4 p .m. today on the east flank of Kīlauea
Volcano with two dozen in about three hours. The red dots were earthquakes over a two-hour period.
See more at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

MAYOR HARRY KIM RETURNED TO WORK TODAY, after suffering perhaps two heart attacks between Thursday and over the weekend. He was medevacked to Queen's Medical on O‘ahu for chest pains Thursday morning. Kim told Nancy Cook Lauer of West Hawai‘i Today, that one of the valves from his 2008 triple bypass collapsed, explaining that they only have a ten-year lifespan.

Mayor Harry Kim, back at work
after possibly two heart attacks last
week. Photo shows him walking in the
Nāʻālehu Independence Day parade.
Photo by William Neal

Kim is a serious worker, waking up early and finishing late at night. He was exercising on Thursday before dawn when he felt the symptoms and drove himself to the hospital. According to the report from Cook Lauer, the mayor said he hasn't been getting enough rest, and eats only one meal each day. He told her that the heart attacks have caused doctors to put him on medication and that he doesn't want to take it, but, "I know my body. I know what works. I know what I have to do."

Lauer reported Managing Director Wil Okabe, Acting Mayor while Kim was absent, saying that he was somewhat surprised to see the mayor back so soon: "What really impresses me is his dedication to the county. He's driven to help the community." Okabe said he and the staff are doing their best to lighten Kim's workload by taking on more duties, Lauer reported. "I'm going to do everything I can to help him," Okabe said, "to take the load off."

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MOST BILLS ARE DEAD, SOME PASSED, AND OTHERS ARE STILL KICKING, with the 2018 Hawaiʻi Legislature wrapping up its work in May. Some of the highlights:

Governor David Ige signed the Death
with Dignity bill, Act 002, into law.

- House Bill 2739, DEATH WITH DIGNITY has been signed into law by Gov. David Ige. Act 002 establishes a regulated process under which an adult resident of the State with a medically confirmed terminal disease and less than six months to live may choose to obtain a prescription for medication to end the patient's life. The bill imposes criminal sanctions for tampering with a patient's request for a prescription or coercing a patient to request a prescription. Rep. Richard Creagan, who serves east Kaʻū, and Sen. Russel Ruderman were keen supporters of the measure. Sen. Josh Green also voted for it.

- Senate Bill 3095, CHLORPYRIFOS BAN and more pesticide regulation is sponsored by Sen. Josh Green, Sen. Russell Ruderman, and supported by Rep. Richard Creagan. It is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, May 1, at the Capitol.
The measure would require, beginning Jan. 1, reporting use of

Sen. Russell Ruderman introduced a bill to
ban chlorpyrifos. Bill goes to final vote tomorrow.

restricted pesticides to the state Department of Agriculture. It would also prohibit using a restricted-use pesticide on or within 100 feet of a school during normal school hours. It would ban the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos as an active ingredient beginning Jan. 1. However, the Department of Agriculture would be able to offer any person, upon request, a temporary permit allowing the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos through 12/31/2022.
The bill would require depositing into the pesticide use revolving fund all penalties and fines collected under the Hawaii Pesticides Law. It would also require the ag department to develop a pesticide drift monitoring study no later than 7/1/2019.
The bill would fund the pesticide drift monitoring study, two full-time positions, and outreach and education on pesticides.

- Senate Bill 2990, PAID FAMILY LEAVE is scheduled for a

Rep. Josh Green cosponsored bill to ban
chlorpyrifos. Bill goes to final vote tomorrow.

hearing tomorrow, May 1. It would require the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a sunrise analysis of the impacts of and best framework for the establishment of paid family leave. The measure would require a report and proposed legislation be submitted to the legislature by 9/1/2019. The bill appropriates funds for the study.
- House Bill 2442, ABANDONED VEHICLES is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, May 1. It would require the counties to take into custody any abandoned vehicle on a public road within ten business days. It would require written notice to the registered owner of an abandoned vehicle under section 290-2, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, applying to vehicles reported stolen. It would amend the definition of a derelict vehicle and repeal the requirement that abandoned vehicles be disposed of by public auction.

With no action planned in the near future, the following bills could stall at the 2018 Hawai‘i Legislature: Senate Bill 2928, FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT; House Bill 2497 companion to SB2928; Senate Bill 2563, K-12 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION; House Bill 2115 companion to SB2563; Senate Bill 1235, HILO MEDICAL CARDIAC UPGRADES; Senate Bill 2340, HAWAI‘I STATE HEALTHCARE; House Bill 2126 companion to SB2340;Senate Bill 2328, OPEN EDUCATION SOURCES AT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I; Senate Bill 2329, UH COST CAP; Senate Bill 2703, SPINLAUNCH; House Bill 2559 companion to SB2703; Senate Bill 2387, FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM; Senate Bill 2399, HAWAI‘I INVASIVE SPECIES; Senate Bill 2561, DLNR FUNDING; House Bill 2101 companion to SB2561; Senate Bill 3076, SOLAR FACILITY PERMITTING; House Bill 2665 companion to SB3076; House Billl 1757, COFFEE LABELING; Senate Bill 2276, CHILDREN WELFARE CASELOAD LIMITS; House Bill 2990 companion to SB2990; House Bill 1585, MANAGEMENT OF MAUNAKEA; House Bill 1585, MANAGEMENT OF MAUNAKEA; Senate Bill 2963, AIRBNB; House Bill 2605 companion to SB2963; Senate Bill 2479, ABANDONED VEHICLES.

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Bolo returns to Kaʻū this weekend to entertain
at Hoʻoauleʻa. Details, right. Photo from Bolo

BOLO WILL JOIN THE HO‘OLAULE‘A ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP during the Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival this Saturday, May 5 at Pahala Community Center. Other entertainers are: Ho‘aikāne, emcee Makana Kamahele, Hands of Time, Hannah's Makana ‘Ohana Halau, Shootz, Halau Hula O Leionalani, Keaiwa & Demetrius, El Leo - The Jarican Express, The Lucky Lizard Band, Backyahd Braddahs, Christy Keinaʻala Lassiter.

The Ho‘olaule‘a will be from 9 a.m - 5 p.m.at PāhalaCommunity Center. The Miss Ka‘ū Coffee court will make an appearance. There is free admission with music, hula, and coffee tastings all day long. Food, beverage, and creative arts will be sold by local vendors. Nonprofit organizations will educate the public.
Enter the Buy Local contest by visiting festival sponsors and redeeming purchase receipts, product labels, and business cards for chances to earn cash and prizes.

All activities are open to the public.
Festival activities before the Ho‘olaule‘a include Wednesday's sold-out Ka‘ū Mountain Water System Hike. Still available are Thursday's Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour and Friday's Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day - see below, and KauCoffeeFest.com. Star Gazing on Friday is also sold out.

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival organizers issued a statement about the famous coffee: "Founded in coffee traditions dating back to the 1800s - combined with the hard work of former sugar plantation workers - Ka‘ū coffee burst onto the specialty coffee scene by winning numerous coffee quality awards. These accolades highlight the unique combination of people and place that makes Ka‘ū coffee a favorite across the globe. The festival's mission is to raise awareness of Ka‘ū as a premium, coffee-growing origin."

For more information and festival updates, visit kaucoffeefest.com, follow Ka‘ū Coffee Festival on Facebook and @kaucoffeefest on Twitter, or call 808-929-9550.

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Ka‘ū Valley Farm Tour event for Ka‘ū Coffee Festival happens

Thursday. See details, left. Photo from Ka‘ū Valley Farm

THURSDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS feature a new one, the Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā‘ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409.
Innovations in Coffee Pulping from Brazil will be held from 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, at Pāhala Plantation House.

FRIDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayride. Reservations required, 927-2252. aikaneplantation.com

SATURDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS

Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m. p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.

SUNDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS

Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.
See kaucoffeefestival.com

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 1

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2 pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. - SOLD OUT

THURSDAY, MAY 3
Free Dog Spay and Neuter Clinic, Thursday, May 3, in Ocean View. Registration required: call 328-8455.

VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, May 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, MAY 4

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Those with tickets, Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

SATURDAY, MAY 5

Cinco de Mayo Dinner, Sat, May 5, 3-5pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. discoveryharbour.net

SUNDAY, MAY 6

MONDAY, MAY 7

Community Meeting with State Senatorial Candidate Brenda Ford, Mon, May 7, 6-9pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free; donations from $1 to $1,000 accepted.

NEW & UPCOMING

FREE DOG SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC Thursday, May 3, in Ocean View. Registration required: call 328-8455.

Stained Glass ‘I‘iwi. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

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VOLCANO ART CENTER ANNOUNCES STAINED GLASS BASICS I, a four session beginner workshop, for Saturdays and Sundays, May 19, 20, 26 and 27, from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Whimsical shapes, illustrative scenes or divine stories, stained glass has re-created the light in our lives for centuries. Stained glass artisans use both glass color and texture to produce light forms and patterns creating mood and character in small and large spaces,” states the event description.
In this class, all basic techniques will be covered, from glass cutting, foiling, soldering, and completing with patina and polishing compound. Glass artist Lois Pollock shares her expertise and knowledge, teaching students the skills involved in working safely with stained glass, and creating a sturdy piece of art. Participants complete the course with a finished light-catcher.

Learn the basics of stained glass at a four session workshop
in Volcano. Photo by volcanoartcenter.org

Class fee is $90 per VAC Member and $100 per non-Member, plus a $15 supply fee per person. Attendees are asked to wear long pants, snug fitting gloves, covered shoes and safety glasses. Advance registration is required. Workshop is limited to six adults. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.
Stained Glass Basics II will be offered this summer, and will cover pattern design, allowing students to work on their own design as a second project upon successful completion of Stained Glass Basics I. The summer class fee is $90 per VAC Member and $100 per non-Member, plus a $30 supply fee per person. Students should bring a stained glass design for review to the first class of Basics II, no larger than 12" x 12". Anyone with prior copper foil stained glass experience is welcome to enroll in Basics II.
Students may enroll in both Stained Glass Basics I and II at the same time.

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Just before 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 30, a break in the weather allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. Following multiple overflows of the lava lake last week, the lake level dropped over the weekend in concert with the switch to summit deflation. Early this morning, the lava lake level was estimated to be about 15 m (49 feet) below the vent rim, but shortly thereafter, the summit switched to inflation. See release from HVO, below. Photo from USGS

THE KA‘Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN WAS RELEASED today. Hawai‘i County seeks members for the Ka‘ū Community Development Plan Action Committee. The CDP is online and soon in print. It "serves as a road map" to achieve what "complete, sustainable, vibrant communities do": Protect the public trust – the natural and cultural resources fundamental to community character, and a strong community and local economy. The CDP aims to provide public facilities and services to residents and businesses. It seeks to grow local businesses that provide goods, services, and jobs, states the plan.

Strategies in the CDP "focus on protecting and enhancing Ka‘ū's rich heritage of natural and cultural resources," including coastal areas, agricultural land, mauka forests, scenic resources, ecosystems, historic and cultural features, and public access and trails. Four basic approaches - land preservation; land use policy protections; governmental initiative; and collaborative action by landowners, nonprofits, and the community - are used.

Ka‘ū CDP supports economic development through establishing firm foundations for growth through protections and improvements, and by providing room for development. Second, it outlines strategic steps to seize sector-specific market opportunities. Third, the CDP provides a road map to guide coordinated, community-led economic development strategies. The Land Use Policies in Section 3 of the CDP tie the environmental, infrastructure, and economic elements of the CDP together by clearly segregating protected areas (coastal areas and mauka forests), agricultural land, and settled areas.

The CDP "prioritizes improvements in water systems, roads, mass transit, emergency and health services and facilities, waste management, education, and parks," states the plan. These improvements will require County, State, and community leadership. The County is seeking qualified applicants afor the Ka‘ū CDP Action Committee.

The Planning Director outlines qualifications for an Action Committee member: Community minded, reflects a wide variety of perspectives, able to represent a broad spectrum of the community. More at http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/1/doc/89771/Page1.aspx. Apply at https://hawaiicounty.wufoo.com/forms/m1xiduev1c02e62/, or pick up an application at the Mayor's Office in Hiloand Kona: 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI96720or 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg C, Kailua-Kona, HI96740

See tomorrow's Ka‘ū News Briefs for specifics on the plan. Read the whole plan here.

EARTHQUAKES CONTINUE ON THE EAST RIFT ZONE OF KῙLAUEA VOLCANO, following the collapse of Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater floor Monday afternoon. Volcanoes.usgs.gov recorded a 4.2 magnitude quake today, and several that were 3.0 or greater. Hawai‘i County Civil Defense released alerts several times today warning Puna residents about the likelihood of a lava breakout, and to let the public know Kalapana lava viewing area is closed.

Civil Defense reported "increases in seismicity and deformation along a large section of the rift zone, with seismicity currently occurring as far east as Hwy 130. An outbreak of lava in a new location is one possible outcome, state the scientists. At this time it is not possible to say with certainty if or where such an outbreak may occur, but the area downrift (east) of Puʻu ʻŌʻō is the most likely location, states the release, as this is where seismicity and deformation have been concentrated overnight.

"Residents of lower Puna should remain alert and watch for further information about the status of the volcano." Hawai‘i CountyCivil Defense posts its messages at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts

Large orange dot, just off the coast, represents the 4.2
magnitude earthquake this morning. See info on changes in

volcanic activity connected to the quakes. Image from USGS

Between about 2 p.m. and 4:30 pm on Monday, April 30, following weeks of uplift and increasing lava levels within the cone, the crater floor at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone collapsed. Shortly after 4:00 p.m., a webcam recorded images that were likely the signature of small explosions from the western side of the crater as the floor collapsed. Poor weather prevented HVO from flying over the activity or seeing details of the activity in web cameras on site.

Following the collapse, HVO seismometers and tiltmeters recorded an increase in seismic activity and deformation from Kīlauea Volcano's summit to an area about 6-10 miles downrift (east) of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Overnight, this activity localized downrift of Puʻu ʻŌʻō and continued to propagate eastward along the rift zone.

The largest earthquake of this sequence so far was a magnitude 4.2 earthquake just offshore south of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, at 2:39 a.m. HST this morning. Kīlauea's summit eruption has thus far not been affected by the change at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.
The migration of seismicity and deformation downrift (east) of Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone following Monday’s collapse indicates that a large area along the East Rift Zone is potentially at risk for a new outbreak. The location of any future outbreak will determine what areas are in the path of new lava flows.

The situation is rapidly evolving and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists continue to closely monitor Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone and summit. More updates will follow as information becomes available, https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html. HVO webcam images are posted at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html. Questions? askHVO@usgs.gov. Activity Summary also available by phone: 967-8862

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Hōkūleʻa's crew will sail her back to Honolulu tomorrow after the Polynesian Voyaging Canoe ran aground on her way to Kawaihae Harbour for a week of educational events. Photo from Polynesian Voyaging Society

HŌKŪLE‘A HULLS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE DURING ITS SAIL TO KAWAIHAE, returning to Oʻahu for repairs tomorrow, according to the Hōkūleʻa crew Facebook. After leaving Miloliʻi Sunday, to continue her Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, Hōkūleʻa's crew "experienced some difficulty and the canoe went aground causing damage to the canoe's hulls. No crew members were injured during the incident," states the update.

Damages to the bottom of the hulls were assessed by leadership, who conclude it is safe to bring Hōkūleʻa back to O'ahu for repairs. Hōkūleʻa will leave Kawaihae tomorrow, May 2, to begin drydock repairs immediately. All school and public canoe tours at Kawaihae are postponed. The voyaging canoe was scheduled to be docked at KawaihaeHarboruntil May 10.

"Hōkūleʻa is a living, cultural treasure and it is our responsibility to make sure we mālama her with the care she needs at this time," said Nainoa Thompson, president of Polynesian Voyaging Society. "We will be leaving Kawaihae tomorrow with a promise that we're going to heal Hōkūleʻa and she will be returning as soon as possible to the children and communities of Moku O Keawe (Hawaiʻi Island)," he added.

Despite Hōkūleʻa's early departure from Hawaiʻi Island, the crew panel presentations on the northwest portion of the island will not be cancelled.

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THE CHLORPYRIFOS PESTICIDE BAN, SENATE BILL 3095, PASSED the state legislature today, and is headed for the desk of Gov. David Ige. Today, many bills were approved by the legislature for submission to the Governor. All bills not passed by tomorrow, May 2, would have to be resubmitted next year to be considered.
Sen. Russell Ruderman submitted, Sen. Josh Green cosponsored, and Rep. Richard Creagan supported the law, stating the research confirms the harm from using pesticides that contain chlorpyrifos. Ruderman posted, "This is a first in the nation legislation that will put Hawaiʻias the first state to ban the use of Chlorpyrifos upon being signed into law by the Governor." Green proclaimed, "Protect our keiki!"

Creagan wrote, "A known neurotoxin (Chlorpyrifos) has no place on our Islands. It's also in our keiki and environment's best interest to pass mandatory pesticide reporting and buffer zones around schools as soon as possible."

Should the Governor sign it, the law would go into effect Jan. 1, requiring reporting the use of restricted pesticides to the state Department of Agriculture, and prohibiting use of restricted-use pesticides on or within 100 feet of a school during normal school hours. Pesticides containing chlorpyrifos as an active ingredient would be banned. However, the Department of Agriculture would be able to offer any person, upon request, a temporary permit allowing the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos, through 12/31/2022.

The bill would require depositing into the pesticide use revolving fund all penalties and fines collected under the Hawai‘i Pesticides Law. It would also require the ag department to develop a pesticide drift monitoring study no later than 7/1/2019. The bill funds the pesticide drift monitoring study, two full-time positions, and outreach and education on pesticides.

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PAID FAMILY LEAVE, Senate Bill 2990, PASSED and will go to Gov. David Ige to sign. Should the Governor sign it, the law would require the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a sunrise analysis of the impacts of and best framework for the establishment of paid family leave. The law would require a report and proposed legislation be submitted to the legislature by 9/1/2019, and would appropriate funds for the study.

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THE BILL ABOUT ABANDONED VEHICLES, House Bill 2442, PASSED. It is up to Gov. David Ige to decide whether to sign it. The law would change how counties handle abandoned vehicles and how owners are notified. The law would require the counties to take into custody any abandoned vehicle on a public road within ten business days. It would change notification of owners to require written notice of an abandoned vehicle only if reported stolen. The law would amend the definition of a derelict vehicle, and repeal the requirement that abandoned vehicles be disposed of by public auction.

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THE WINNER OF THE PUPU CATEGORY IN THE KAʻŪ COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST is Sally Lewis, of Pāhala. She created her entry, the Ka‘ū Mill Coffee Flavored Wonton.

Louis filled the wonton wrap with ground pork and beef, Ka‘ū Coffee, salt, pepper, eggs, chestnuts, oyster sauce, and green onions.

Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest pupu winner is Sally Lewis, with her Kaʻū Mill Coffee Flavored
Wonton. The annual event was held at Kaʻū Coffee Mill last Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal

Instructions: Mix all filling ingredients and fill wonton wrappers. Deep fry until golden brown. Dipping sauce ingredients are vinegar, garlic, and sugar.

See this spot tomorrow and Thursday for the winning entrée and dessert recipes.
Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest is an annual event of the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival. See more events below and at www.kaucoffeefestival.com.

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Sally Lewis won the pupu category in the Kaʻū
Coffee Recipe Contest. Photo by Denise Laitenin
Kaʻū Coffee Fest

THURSDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā‘ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409.
Innovations in Coffee Pulping from Colombia will be held from 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, at Pāhala Plantation House. Free.

FRIDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayride. Reservations required, 927-2252. aikaneplantation.com

SATURDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m. p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.

SUNDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS

Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.
The Fuji Royal, Ltd. Mini Roaster from Japan - designed for coffee shops, small farmers with their own brand, and for home - will be presented by Yoshiyuki Asano at a workshop at Pāhala Plantation House on Sunday, May 6, after the Coffee College. Also attending will be Tatsuo Fukushima, President of Fuji Royal, and Tokyo manager Yuuki Sugii.
The roasting quality with the Fuji Royal, Ltd. Mini is the same as with large professional coffee roaster machines, said Max Maemori, who represents Fuji Royal in Hawai‘i. The Fuji Royal mini roaster can process as little as a half pound, 250 grams of green beans and 200 grams of roasted beans. "The top quality micro roaster brings the same efficiency of high performance models to your coffee life," said Maemori. The machine weighs about 70 lbs and can fit on a 14 by 28 inch space with a height of two feet.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 2
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2 pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. - SOLD OUT

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

Open Mic Night, Wed, May 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21+. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, MAY 3
Free Dog Spay and Neuter Clinic from KARES, Thursday, May 3, in Ocean View. Registration required: call 328-8455.

VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thu, May 3, 9-2pm, Ka‘ū Valley Farms Nursery, Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā’ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409. kaucoffeefestival.com

Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool Vision Screening, Thu, May 3, 9-noon, Project Vision Hawai‘i van at Pāhala Community Center. Free; for all ages. Keiki offered free sunglasses; adults, reading glasses. projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-282-2265

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Special Pulping Presentation, Thu, May 3, 5pm, Pāhala Plantation House. Diego Botello of Penagos UDC Technology shows off new pulping equipment that separates ripe from green. See booth at Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, May 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, MAY 4
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Fri, May 4, 10-3pm, Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required, 927-2252. kaucoffeefestival.com, aikaneplantation.com

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register until May 4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Those with tickets, Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

KDENte! Italian Food Fundraiser, Fri, May 4, 6pm, Almafatano's Italian Restaurant, Hilo. Buffet; includes pasta dish, lasagna, salad. Karl Halemano provides music. $20 at door. Reservations: 982-7344

SATURDAY, MAY 5
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: 10th Annual Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee and with free music, hula entertainment and coffee tastings. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30pm, discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours, shuttle to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill,$20/person, at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, & 3:30pm. kaucoffeefestival.com

Cinco de Mayo Dinner, Sat, May 5, 3-5pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. discoveryharbour.net

Cinco de Mayo Buffet, Sat, May 5, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Build Your Own Fajita Bar; menu includes Cheese Quesadillas, Black Beans, Spanish Rice, Soup, Salad/Potato Bar, Beverage, and Ice Cream Sundae Bar. $15.50/Adult, $8.25/Child (6-11 yrs). Regular menu available. KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, MAY 6

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated. kaucoffeefestival.com

Palm Trail, Sun, May 6, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, May 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, MAY 7

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, May 7 & 21, 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. A parent led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, May 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Community Meeting with State Senatorial Candidate Brenda Ford, Mon, May 7, 6-9pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free; donations from $1 to $1,000 accepted.

TUESDAY, MAY 8
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, May 8 (Committees)/9 (Council), Kona, Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, May 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Return to Abundance: A Vision for Healthy Oceans, Tue, May 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kēhau Springer describes how Conservation International Hawai‘i works collaboratively to revitalize pono (responsible) Hawaiian fishing values and practices. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

NEW & UPCOMING

Free dog spay and neuter clinic, KARES, Thursday, May 3, in Ocean View. Registration required: call 328-8455.

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ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY FOR 5TH ANNUAL KA‘Ū COFFEE TRAIL RUN, with race day taking place on Saturday, September 22.
Race begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, 96-2696 Wood Valley Road, above Pāhala Town. The course starts with a family-friendly 5K, continues uphill through a moderately-challenging 10K, and reaches a 3,100-foot elevation in the vigorously-exhilarating Half Marathon.
All races start 7 a.m. Registered runners will receive a race goody bag, including a T-shirt and more.

Participants encouraged to register online before Monday, July 9, for the highest discount possible: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration at the event ends on Saturday, September 22, at 6:30 a.m. All proceeds from this event stay in Ka‘ū to benefit the Ka‘ū community, say organizers.

Learn more about the event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Get details about the start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou and Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, with additional support from Edmund C. Olson Trust II, BioAstin, and County of Hawai‘i.

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Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING
Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

Volcano Art Center Gallery PresentsHoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

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Civil Defense is warning residents of the East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano to be prepared for a lava outbreak,
as earthquakes continue to shake the neighborhoods. See USGS updated earthquake map

DUE TO THE RISK OF A VOLCANIC ERUPTION and unstable geologic activity, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park closed 15,688 acres near Kīlauea Volcano's Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent to the ocean today, including the gravel emergency access road from the eastern gate near Kalapana, to the western gate at the end of Chain of Craters Road, and all land on the makai (ocean) side of the emergency road.

"The recent eruption changes and increased seismicity around the East Rift Zone and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent may threaten land and the community outside the park. The partial closure in the park is necessary to prevent unsafe travel onto lands under the jurisdiction of Hawai‘i County and to keep people safe," said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. "Most of the park, which is 333,308 acres in size, remains open," she said.

The collapse of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor Monday, April 30, produced a large amount
of red ash that was deposited around Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, as well as blown farther downwind,
with a thin dusting of ash reaching uprift as far as Mauna Ulu. This photo, taken

between 1-2 km (0.6-1.2 miles) from the 61g vent, shows a layer of red ash on
top of active 61g lava flow surface breakouts. Photo from USGS

On Monday afternoon, April 30, the crater within Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō collapsed, and a flurry of low magnitude earthquakes continues to shake the eastern side of the island, particularly communities in lower Puna. A small fissure opened to the west of the vent on Tuesday, May 1, but scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory report that an intrusion of magma is heading eastward from the vent towards Highway 130.

Puna residents are encouraged to sign up for Hawai‘i County Civil Defense messages at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/, and to subscribe to volcanic updates via USGS: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/.

The current eruption at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is off limits to hikers. However, the summit of Kīlauea continues to erupt within Halema‘uma‘u Crater within the park, and is best viewed from the Jaggar Museum overlook. The lava lake within the crater has risen dramatically since April 21, and has occasionally spilled onto the crater floor. The park is open 24 hours a day.

NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE EAST FLANK OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO ARE ON ALERT FOR POSSIBLE LAVA OUTBREAK. Hawai‘i County Civil Defense warns residents of Leilani Estates, Nanawale Estates, and Kapoho, as shallow earthquakes continue, following Monday's collapse of the crater floor at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. As of 5 p.m. today, 123 quakes on the island were recorded in the last 24 hours, most of them on the East Rift. Though it is impossible to predict where an eruption could occur, Civil Defense issued a statement urging residents to: "Prepare and review your emergency plans in case you need to evacuate. Stay informed by listening to local radio stations for Civil Defense updates or call Civil Defense at 935-003.

A new crack 1 km (0.6 mile) long was found on the west (uprift) side of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
during HVO's overflight Tuesday. The cracking appeared to be nearly continuous
structures that were heavily steaming. A small amount of lava was apparently
erupting from the crack, based on the presence of nearby tiny pads of lava and
spatter, but no longer active when HVO geologists saw it during the overflight.
This photo looks east, with Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō obscured by low clouds in the upper left corner.
Photo from USGS

"Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory and your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety."
Hawai‘i County Civil Defense posts its messages at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov
/active-alerts.
During a helicopter overflight to Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Tuesday, geologists observed the new fissure and crack extending about 1 km (0.6 miles) uprift (west) from the west flank of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. A small amount of lava erupted from the crack during Monday's collapse of the crater floor. Geologists also noted red ash that was deposited around Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and blown farther downwind; the ash resulted from small explosions that accompanied the collapse of the crater floor.
Seismicity and deformation have been recorded since Monday afternoon, east of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent, associated with intrusion of magma eastward from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō magma system. Seismicity rates in the lower East Rift Zone east of Highway 130 increased yesterday and today.
According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the area downrift (east) of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō remains the most likely location for a lava outbreak. HVO scientists are on overnight duty to monitor the changing seismicity and deformation.

Hundreds of earthquakes occurred since Monday, one recorded at 4.2 magnitude. Most earthquakes are migrating eastward from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō to the lower East Rift Zone. The seismicity consists primarily of small-magnitude (less than 3.0) earthquakes at depths of less than 10 km (6.2 miles). Many of these earthquakes have been felt by residents in the area.

Telephoto view of a small lava flow (lighter in color) and spatter (blue-gray) that were
erupted from a section of the crack on the west flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Photo from USGS

A tiltmeter on the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone recorded steady deflation since late Monday, with several sharp inflation offsets. These offsets probably recorded the continued episodic collapse of the crater floor.

A tiltmeter located 12 km (7.5 miles) east of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō has recorded a slowing rate of southeastward-directed tilt of the ground along the East Rift Zone, suggesting diminished but continued deformation associated with the intrusion into the lower East Rift Zone.

Kīlauea's summit eruption has been unaffected by the change at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Tiltmeters at the summit have recorded a slight deflationary trend since early Tuesday, and the level of the summit lava lake lowered by a few meters (yards).

Poor weather and an ashy plume from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater are still preventing geologists from observing the newly collapsed crater floor or the west pit area where a perched lava pond was erupting before Monday's collapse event.

Geologists observed a few small, sluggish breakouts of the 61g lava flow, likely from lava still moving through the lava-tube system; the 61g vent was likely severed from the magma supply to Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Geologists did not observe any new ground cracks downrift of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in areas where seismicity was concentrated.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater thermal image from the

North Rim this morning at 5:30 a.m.

The situation continues to evolve and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists continue to closely monitor Kīlauea's East Rift Zone and summit. More updates will follow as information becomes available, https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/
status.html. HVO webcam images are posted at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/
multimedia_webcams.html. Questions? askHVO@usgs.gov. Activity Summary also available by phone: 967-8862

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Installing the latest education signage along Hwy 11 on the Kaʻū Scenic Byway.
The dedication will be held Thursday, May 10, at 2 p.m. Photo by Babette Morrow

KAʻŪ SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE installed its latest educational signage complex along Hwy 11, announcing today that it invites the community to its dedication on Thursday, May 10. Cosponsored by the state Department of Parks, the event will be held at Manuka State Wayside Park, north of Ocean View.

Funding for the panels was provided by County Council member Maile David and state parks. The design was directed by Rich Morrow of the Byway Committee, with cooperation and support from Dena Sedar of the parks department. The signs were erected by the state parks staff.

The three panels are the third set of informational signs created by the Byway. Others are at the scenic overlook south of Ocean View, at mile marker 75, and in the Nāʻālehu town park. The next project is to install signs on the highway that identify various lava flows by dates.

Some who helped install the latest education signage, along Hwy 11 on the
Kaʻū Scenic Byway, pose with their handiwork. Photo from Babette Morrow

The Byway, also called the Slopes of Mauna Loa, is an official state Byway. Light refreshments will be served at the simple ceremony. State Rep. Richard Creagan, Maile David, and former County Council member Brenda Ford are expected to attend, said Morrow.

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KA‘Ū COFFEE COLLEGE WILL PRESENT INDUSTRY EXPERTS this Sunday, May 6, to teach at Ka‘ū Coffee College. The educational day wraps up the tenth annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival from 9 a.m. until pau, at Pāhala Community Center. Ka‘ū Coffee College will also give away a new Shore 920 C moisture meter to a lucky attendee.

The annual Ka‘ū Coffee College is designed for learning, sharing, and networking. A reverse trade mission, it brings industry experts to Ka‘ū to interface with local growers and make valuable connections. "This year's college again stages notable coffee professionals to help farmers with their challenges," notes one of the long-time festival organizers Chris Manfredi. "These talks will certainly reinforce the exceptionally high quality for which Ka‘ū coffee has become famous, but also ensure there is a steady supply of it. As we reach more markets, we need a solid supply of quality coffees to meet the increasing demand while ensuring growers remain profitable."

Getting the Most Out of Your Coffee Moisture Meter, a presentation by Fred Seeber of Shore Systems, a leading manufacturer of coffee moisture meters used throughout the world's major coffee producing regions. Manfredi said Seeber's talk "will go into great depth about how testers work and why they are important." Attendees are invited to bring their testers for Seeber to check them for calibration.

A Shore Moisture Meter will be given away at Kaʻū Coffee College this Sunday at Pāhala Community Center.
Photo from Shore Measuring Systems

Pruning Techniques to Maximize Yields, offered by University of Hawai‘i's Andrea Kawabata and Tom Greenwell, president and long-time coffee farmer of Greenwell Farms. Based in Kona, Kawabata is an assistant extension agent for coffee and orchard crops with UH's CTAHR cooperative extension service. They will explain how proper pruning can promote tree health, which improves yield efficiency, profit margins, coffee quality, and sustainability for growers.

Quality Control in Roasting will be explored in a workshop by Brian Webb of Pacific Coffee Research. Located in South Kona, PCB is a specialty coffee association training campus, coffee lab, roastery, and community education center. With experience as both a barista and Kona roaster, Webb will discuss the importance of profile roasting. He will do an on-site, sample roasting, and then demonstrate data logging software to keep detailed records for future analysis.

Admission to Ka‘ū Coffee College is free, though donations are appreciated. Farmers, brokers, coffee shop owners, and coffee enthusiasts are invited to attend.

The Ka‘ū Coffee Festival is underway and all activities are open to the general public; some require a fee. Find details below, at KauCoffeeFest.com, or call 808-929-9550.
For more information and festival updates, visit kaucoffeefest.com, follow Ka'u Coffee Festival on Facebook and @kaucoffeefest on Twitter, or call 808-929-9550.

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WINNER OF THE ENTRÉE CATEGORY IN THE KA‘Ū COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST last Sunday is Peggy Kilkenny of Ocean View, who created her Huli BBQ Chicken in Paradise.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole fryer chicken, rinsed and patted dry

- 1 container sweet and smoky bbq rub, mix in 1 Tbsp. finely ground Ka‘ū coffee

- 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest entrée winner is Peggy Kilkenny,

with her Huli BBQ Chicken in Paradise. The annual event

was held at Kaʻū Coffee Mill last Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal

- ¼ Cup strong brewed Ka‘ū coffee

- A squirt of Liquid Smoke

- 2 tsp. finely ground Ka‘ū coffee

- 1 pkg. Hawaiian sweet bread onion buns

- Prepared coleslaw

Instructions: Apply coffee rub liberally inside and out of chicken. Huli (turn) over wood smoke grill until fully cooked. When cool enough to handle, shred one chicken into large bowl. In another bowl, combine brewed coffee, Liquid Smoke, finely ground coffee, and BBQ sauce. Evenly coat shredded chicken in mixture. Mound on buns. Top with coleslaw.

See this spot tomorrow for the winning dessert recipe.
Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest is an annual event of the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival. See more events below and at kaucoffeefestival.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SATURDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS

This Saturday's tenth annual Hoʻolauleʻa with feature Debbie
Ryder's Halau Hula Leionalani. Photo by Julia Neal

SUNDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 3
Free Dog Spay and Neuter Clinic from KARES, Thursday, May 3, in Ocean View. Registration required: call 328-8455.

VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register until May 4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Those with tickets, Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

KDENte! Italian Food Fundraiser, Fri, May 4, 6pm, Almafatano's Italian Restaurant, Hilo. Buffet; includes pasta dish, lasagna, salad. Karl Halemano provides music. $20 at door. Reservations: 982-7344

SATURDAY, MAY 5
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: 10th Annual Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee and with free music, hula entertainment and coffee tastings. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30pm, discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours, shuttle to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill,$20/person, at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, & 3:30pm. kaucoffeefestival.com

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, May 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, MAY 7
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, May 7 & 21, 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. A parent led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, May 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Community Meeting with State Senatorial Candidate Brenda Ford, Mon, May 7, 6-9pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free; donations from $1 to $1,000 accepted.

TUESDAY, MAY 8
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, May 8 (Committees)/9 (Council), Kona; Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, May 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Return to Abundance: A Vision for Healthy Oceans, Tue, May 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kēhau Springer describes how Conservation International Hawai‘i works collaboratively to revitalize pono (responsible) Hawaiian fishing values and practices. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Wed, May 9 (Council), Kona; Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

NEW & UPCOMING

KA‘Ū SCENIC BYWAY DEDICATION CEREMONY happens Thursday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m. The Ka‘ū Scenic Byway Committee and the State Department of Parks and Recreation invite the public to a ceremony dedicating the new informational panels in the Manuka State Wayside. The Byway, also called the Slopes of Mauna Loa, is an official state byway.

Funding for the panels was provided by Maile David and state parks. The design was directed by Rich Morrow of the Byway, with cooperation and support from Dena Sedar of the parks dept. The signs were erected by the state parks staff.

The three panels are the third set of informational signs created by the Byway. Others are at the scenic overlook south of Ocean View, at mile marker 75, and in the Nā‘ālehu town park. The next project is to install signs that identify various lava flows by dates on the highway.

Light refreshments will be served at the simple ceremony. State Rep. Richard Creagan, County Councilperson Maile David, and Brenda Ford plan to attend.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration is open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

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Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING
Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

In the cloud forest, under the flume, John Replogle lifts his hands and talks about the old sugar plantation water system and nature all around during Kaʻū Coffee Mill's Kaʻū Mountain Watery System Hike yesterday. See story and more on this week's Kaʻū Coffee Festival events, below and at kaucoffeefest.com. Photo by Lee Neal

LAVA BROKE OUT IN LEILANI ESTATES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVACUATIONS BEGAN. Civil Defense ordered residents to leave, from Lualna to Mohala Streets, and blocked roads to outsiders. Pohoa Regional Community Center opened as a shelter. The initial breakout on Mohala Street followed a magnitude 5 earthquake at 10:31 this morning. The quake was felt in Ka`u but epicenter was in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, closer to Leilani and within the 15,000 acres closed to public access by HVNP yesterday.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake is the biggest red dot on the map showing
some eight earthquakes in one hour today, as lava moves underground.
Map from USGS

Earthquakes shook the land this afternoon, with as many as eight per hour, as underground lava moved down the lower East Rift Zone, on a path from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Crater, into Leilani and beyond. The earth swelled, cracking the ground and pavement. The cracks became numerous and expanded until lava poured onto the landscape from a crack on Mohala Street. The lava broke out in the rural subdivision of farm lots and homes inhabited by about 1500 people. Evacuations began as county road workers blocked off roads to outsiders, wearing masks and their shirts over the noses as fumes rose. Some trees in the forest began to burn, creating a risk additional to the lava.
The 5 p.m. County of of Hawai`i Civil Defense message reported steam and lava emissions from a crack in Leilani Subdivision in the area of Mohala Street.
"Due to the eruption, the following are issued: A mandatory evacuation is now in effect for residents in Leilani Estates Subdivision located from Luana Street down to Mohala Street including the lower end of Leilani Avenue to the end of the subdivision to Pohoiki Road.

"The Pahoa Regional Community Center near the new Pahoa Regional Park is open for shelter. "Residents evacuating should ensure to bring your emergency evacuation supply kit including necessary medicine, food, and necessary items for your comfort if possible.The intersection at Highway 132 and Pohoiki Road is now closed to allow evacuation efforts to proceed.

"Puna Geothermal Venture is executing their emergency plan and starting to shut down operations at their time.

"Call Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031 for emergency needs you may have.

Hawaii County Civil Defense, Police, Fire and partners continue to assist evacuation efforts and monitor the situation. You will be informed of any conditions that affect your safety."

Earlier, Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory geologists said Leilani cracks, which grew during the day, initially showed no steaming or heat, and were small - no more than several inches across. They resulted from deformation of the ground surface due to underlying intrusion of magma which built volume and broke out on the surface.

The orange dashed line marks the area of most earthquakes this week.
See more on the hazards associated with this ongoing event. Map from USGS

Starting on the afternoon of Monday, April 30, magma beneath Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō drained and the crater floor collapsed leaving a gaping hole. Within hours, earthquakes began migrating east of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, continuing all week, regularly shaking Leilani Estates, Nanawale Estates, and the coastal area of Kapoho.
Due to the possibility of an eruption, Civil Defense advised for days that area motorists be on the alert for roadway damage and that residents and visitors "prepare and review your emergency plans in case you need to evacuate."

Videographer Mick Kalber took his second Paradise Helicopter ride in two days today, to look into the activity at Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Kalber stated the flyover was "under stunningly beautiful skies," allowing a view deep into Puʻu ʻŌʻō.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō before the the April 30 collapse, and and after the crater floor caved in. Photos from Big Island Video News

"We were able to see inside the vent. Hundreds of feet deep, we saw no lava in the vent at all… just cinders and rubble. Additionally, a half-mile long line of steamy fissures runs west from the vent," Kalber wrote, "eerily reminiscent of the fissure eruption seven years ago."

A short-lived plume of ash produced by the 5.0 earthquake today
lofted skyward and dissipated as it drifted southwest from Puʻu
ʻŌʻō. Downwind areas may have experienced a dusting of ash from
this plume. At this time, the 10:30 earthquake has caused no other
changes at Kīlauea Volcano. USGS photo by Kevan Kamibayashi

After the 5.0 quake, a VI on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, a large plume of reddish ash was seen coming from Puʻu ʻŌʻō: "It appears that ground shaking from the earthquake caused rockfalls in the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone, which resulted in a short-lived plume of reddish ash rising above the cone," said Tina Neal, HVO Scientist-in-Charge. No other changes at Kīlaueahave been observed, but HVO scientists are closely monitoring the data.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) no tsunami was generated by the earthquake.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Open flumes from plantation days took water to sugar
fields where cane was loaded. The flumes delivered
the water to the sugar mill. Photo by Lee Neal

THE KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL KAʻŪ MOUNTAIN WATER SYSTEMS HIKE yesterday sold out and caught some good weather. Kaʻū's new Planning Commissioner John Replogle, The Nature Conservancy's Shalan Crysdale, and Kaʻū Coffee Mill's Manager Lou Danielle led the excursion.

Louis Danielle, Manager of Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

Photo by Lee Neal

They explained how the old sugar plantation around Pāhala created a water system, now used for irrigating different crops from coffee to macadamia. In the future, the water could provide the energy to run a hydroelectric plant being developed by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, which owns Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

Hiking along the water system now enclosed
by Olson Trust. Photo by Lee Neal

The electricity produced by the water coming down the mountain could run Kaʻū Coffee Mill and manufacture other value added farm products. All the while, the rainforest remains as one of the most pristine places, with native plants and animals in all of Hawaiʻi, with preserves on the mountainsides stewarded by The Nature Conservancy. It is also a place where local hunters catch pigs and cultural practitioners gather native foliage used in ceremonies and in hula, including maile woven into lei.

The hikers left from Kaʻū Coffee Mill, riding through the coffee orchards, up the mountain into the cloud forest. They walked along trails from sugar plantation days.

Features of the hike included the sugar cane-era wooden flume system that used to carry cane to the mill. Also along the way were pipes carrying the water for irrigation and toward the hydroelectric plant.
The hikers had a chance to observe the natural area, with the sights, smells, and sounds of a mostly undisturbed rainforest.

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WINNER OF THE DESSERT CATEGORY IN THE KA‘Ū COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST last Sunday is Tanya Villanueva of Pāhala, with her creation Ka‘ū Coffee Irish Cream Cookies.

Cookie Ingredients:

Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest dessert winner, Ka‘ū Coffee

Irish Cream Cookies. Photo by Julia Neal

- 1 Cup butter, softened

- 1 ¼ Cup sugar

- 2 eggs

- 2 Tbsp. ground Ka‘ū coffee

- 1 ¼ tsp. Irish Cream Liqueur

- 2 Cup flour

- ½ tsp. baking powder

- ¼ tsp. salt

Frosting Ingredients:

- ½ Cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened

- 1 ½ Cup powdered sugar

- 1 tsp. vanilla extract

- 1 tsp. Irish Cream liqueur

- 3 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream

Instructions for cookie: Preheat over to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar until becomes light and fluffy. In another bowl, combine eggs, ground coffee, vanilla, and liqueur. Gradually add coffee mixture to butter and sugar until well combined. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet. If dough is still wet and soft, mix in another ¼ Cup of flour. Flour cutting board lightly. Place dough on board. Sprinkle more flour on dough. Knead until combined. Lightly flour board again. Roll out to ¼ inch. Cut out cookies with cookie cutter. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges become slightly golden.

Instructions for frosting: Combine all ingredients. Mix until fluffy, stiff peaks form. Place mixture in piping or Ziploc bag. Pipe frosting onto top of cookies. Garnish with chocolate-covered peaberry, chocolate drizzle, or coffee bean.
Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest is an annual event of the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival. See more events below and at www.kaucoffeefestival.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HAWAI‘I WILL BAN MOST SUNSCREENS IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THE NEW LAW. The ban would begin Jan. 1. State Senate Bill 2571 would prohibit any sunscreen that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate - no selling, offering of sale, or distribution in the state - unless prescribed by a medical doctor.

The bill states the chemicals, found in many sunscreens, "have significant harmful impacts" on Hawai‘i's marine environment and residing ecosystems, including coral reefs that protect Hawaii's shoreline. The bill states the chemicals cause mortality in developing coral; increase coral bleaching; degrade corals' resiliency and ability to adjust to climate change factors; inhibit recruitment of new corals; and cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms.

Coral that has been bleached. Photo from DLNR

The chemicals the bill would ban "appear to increase probability of endocrine disruption; scientific studies show that both chemicals can induce feminization in adult male fish and increase reproductive diseases in marine invertebrate species (e.g., sea urchins), vertebrate species (e.g., fish such as wrasses, eels, and parrotfish), and mammals (in species similar to the Hawaiian monk seal). The chemicals also induce deformities in the embryonic development of fish, sea urchins, coral, and shrimp and induce neurological behavioral changes in fish that threaten the continuity of fish populations. In addition, species that are listed on the federal Endangered Species Act and inhabit Hawai‘i's waters, including sea turtle species, marine mammals, and migratory birds, may be exposed to oxybenzone and octinoxate contamination."

The legislat states hat environmental contamination of oxybenzone and octinoxate "persists in Hawai‘i's coastal waters, as the contamination is constantly refreshed and renewed every day by swimmers and beachgoers. Swimming and other water activities cause these chemicals to pollute Hawai‘i's water unless they are actively mitigated." Sewage contamination of coastal waters is another source of oxybenzone and octinoxate environmental contamination, states the bill, "as these chemicals are not removed by the State's wastewater treatment system. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are also discharged to the ground and surface waters from cesspools, leaking septic systems, and municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems."

The legislature finds that "elevated levels of oxybenzone and octinoxate have been detected at popular swimming beaches and critical coral reef areas throughout the State, including Waimea bay, Hanauma bay, and Waikiki beach on O`ahu, and Honolua bay and Ahihi nature reserve area on Maui.

"Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to preserve marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, by prohibiting the sale in Hawaii of ultraviolet sun protection factor sunscreen personal care products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate." Read the bill.

Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle day happens tomorrow, including plantation
and ranch tour, hayride, and BBQ buffet. Photo from Aikane Plantation

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

FRIDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS

Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm with owners Merle and Phil Becker and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayride. Reservations required, 927-2252. aikaneplantation.com

SATURDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m. p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.

SUNDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.
Coffee Discovery - The Fuji Royal, Ltd. Mini Roaster from Japan - designed for coffee shops, small farmers with their own brand, and for home - will be presented by Yoshiyuki Asano at a workshop at Pāhala Plantation House on Sunday, May 6, after the Coffee College. Also attending will be Tatsuo Fukushima, President of Fuji Royal, and Tokyo manager Yuuki Sugii.
The roasting quality is the same as with large professional coffee roaster machines, said Max Maemori, who represents Fuji Royal in Hawai‘i. The Fuji Royal mini roaster can process as little as a half pound, 250 grams of green beans and 200 grams of roasted beans. "The top quality micro roaster brings the same efficiency of high performance models to your coffee life," said Maemori. The machine weighs about 70 lbs and can fit on a 14 by 28 inch space with a height of two feet.
There will also be a demonstration on Saturday, May 5, at the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a at Pāhala Community Center.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 4
Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register until May 4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

KDENte! Italian Food Fundraiser, Fri, May 4, 6pm, Almafatano's Italian Restaurant, Hilo. Buffet; includes pasta dish, lasagna, salad. Karl Halemano provides music. $20 at door. Reservations: 982-7344

SATURDAY, MAY 5
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: 10th Annual Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee and with free music, hula entertainment and coffee tastings. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30pm, discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours, shuttle to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill,$20/person, at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, & 3:30pm. kaucoffeefestival.com

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, May 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Return to Abundance: A Vision for Healthy Oceans, Tue, May 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kēhau Springer describes how Conservation International Hawai‘i works collaboratively to revitalize pono (responsible) Hawaiian fishing values and practices. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Wed, May 9 (Council), Kona; Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

THURSDAY, MAY 10

Disability Legal Services, Thu, May 10, 9:30-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Ka‘ū Scenic Byway Dedication Ceremony, Thursday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., ManukaState Wayside. Light refreshments will be served.

Papa ‘Olelo Hawai‘i: Beginning Hawaiian Language Classes, Thu, May 10, Part II, 5-6:30pm, Part V, 6:30-8pm, Volcano Art Center. 8 week courses. Hawaiian language experience preferred (basic for part II). $80/VAC Member, $90/non-Member. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org, or call 967-8222

Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle School Theater Night Spring Show, Thu, May 10, 6pm, Kīlauea Military Camp, Kīlauea Theater. VSAS 6th, 7th and 8th graders each perform a one-act play. Free admission; donations accepted.

NEW & UPCOMING

TŪTŪ AND ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL ANNOUNCES FUNDRAISER to support their free-to-attend programs in Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala, for keiki ages birth to 5 years, through Wednesday, May 9.
Tūtū and Me Site Manager for South Hawai’i, Elizabeth (Betty) Clark, says the "funds help to cover administrative and other costs which our grant monies don't cover."
Those interested in supporting the Partners In Development Foundation programs can purchase tickets for a 15 oz. bag of Maebo Noodle Factory’s famous One-Ton chips for $12 each. Contact the Ka‘ū office, located in Nā‘ālehu, at 929-8571 through Wed, May 9.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A CINCO DE MAYO MEAL AND CELEBRATION with live music will take place Saturday, May 5, at The Cooper Center in Volcano Village. Cocktail hour begins at 4 p.m., with meal service running from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family friendly celebration offers children games, such as darts and throwing games, and piñatas filled with candy.

Chips and salsa available during the cocktail hour. Donations of small containers of salsa to serve with the chips during happy hour are welcome.
Beer on tap will be offered, with Mexican bottled beer also available for purchase, $4/glass or bottle. Cooper Cups for $10 each will also be available, with $3 fill-ups. A separate "bar" will have soda, juice or water for $1.00.
The event is free to attend however, meals are charged per person. The menu includes a choice of three entries, Fiesta brisket, chicken fajita and tamale pie and includes beans, rice, and a choice of dessert from an assorted selection; one entrée - $8, two entrées - $10, or all three for $12. All meals for children 10 and under will be $4, $5, and $6, respectively.
For more information or to help with the event, call Linda Ugalde at 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.

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VOLCANO SCHOOLS OF ARTS AND SCIENCES MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER NIGHT SPRING SHOW, Thu, May 10, 6 p.m., at KMC's Kilauea Theater. 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will each perform a one-act play. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

"Please join us for an evening of fun," says the announcement.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Valley Farms grows sweet potatoes below the hillside, looking out to Nāʻālehu and the Pacific. See story below. Photo by Lee Neal

A 6.9 EARTHQUAKE SHOOK KA‘Ū at 12:33 p.m. today, rocking vehicles, sending people into doorways and under desks, and shutting down Bank of Hawai‘i in Pāhala early. With multiple earthquakes near the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, and many more downrift, with some into Ka‘ū, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park shut down the entire park to guests, including all accommodations and concessions.
The epicenter for the 6.9 quake was south of Leilani Estates, the community where lava is burning houses and forests with fountains of ash, rocks, and flames shooting as high as 150 feet.

A 6.9 earthquake and temblors almost every few minutes continued today as more lava broke out
in Leilani Estates and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park shut its gates to everyone.
USGS map

Civil Defense ordered mandatory evacuations for all of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions, where people and friends carried as many belongings away from their homes as they could load into trucks and cars.
Hawaiʻi Fire Department reports extremely dangerous conditions due to high levels of Sulfur Dioxide gas in the evacuation area. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense states the sulfur gas is “an immediate threat to life for all who become exposed.” Civil Defense also warned that first responders may not be able to come to the aid of residents who refuse to evacuate.
A Civil Defense statement said the Leilani area “continues to be unstable with multiple volcanic eruptions happening. No one is allowed into the area. Do not attempt to return to your home at this time.” Earthquakes continued into the afternoon every few minutes across lower Puna.
Reports stated there was no tsunami threat from earthquakes, though sea water rose in Hilo, Honoka‘a, Punalu‘u, and a few other places.
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense suggests those residents who felt quakes check utility connections and for other possible damage.

5.0-magnitude earthquake Thursday morning triggered a small collapse at Pu‘u Ō‘ō vent
that sent a rose-colored plume billowing skyward. The plume was visible throughout
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and neighboring communities, including Kalapana
Gardens, where this photo was taken. Photo from Janice Wei/NPS

Ka‘ū and Volcano residents were seen filling up with gas, and buying water and food, to prepare for the possibility that the quakes and the lava could come their way.
The lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the volcano’s summit dropped about 100 feet or more below the vent rim in the last few days. Lava is no longer visible within Halema‘uma‘u.
The “activity further supports the continued instability in the East Rift Zone,” Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando stated. “Safety of visitors and staff is our highest priority,” she said.

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PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE, close to Leilani Estates, also shut down. Hawai‘i Electric Light Co. released a statement saying the closure will not affect power for the island, HELCO deployed employees to the Leilani Estates to disconnect power in neighborhoods impacted by the active lava flow.
For customers who are evacuating, the company recommends shutting off electricity at the main breaker or switch and unplugging or turning off electric equipment and appliances.
“We will continue to work closely with Civil Defense to monitor and assess the situation,” said Rhea Lee-Moku, Hawai‘i Electric Light spokesperson. “We strongly encourage the community to be safe and heed the advice of Civil Defense and first responders.”

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AN EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION, ISSUED BY GOV. DAVID IGE today in Hilo, authorizes “expenditure of state funding for quick and efficient relief caused by the volcanic eruption,” according to an interview on Big Island Video News. Ige said he is also working on federal avenues for assistance.
“The danger is of such magnitude that it warrants preemptive and protective action in order to provide for the safety, health and welfare of the residents of Leilani Estates and surrounding areas,” said the governor.

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John Cross, land manager with Kaʻū Valley Farms, points to nursery

specimens. Photo by Lee Neal

DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE IS APPARENT AT KAʻŪ VALLEY FARMS. Kaʻū Coffee, tea, sweet potatoes, lettuce, and other vegetables were on display yesterday. The tour marked the first time that Kaʻū Valley Farms held an event for this week's Kaʻū Coffee Festival.
Guests visited green houses where young plants are started and the fields where they grow out. The farm is on 1,500 acres that climb the slopes of Kahilipali Ahuapua‘a, the hill behind Nāʻālehu. The owners said they plan a tea farm as well as growing food to be sold locally.

A trip to a water tunnel, lunch from a local restaurant, including locally sourced vegetables, were on the itinerary. Farm manager Lee Segawa explained how crops are grown.
Land Manager John Cross told the history of the plantation water system and the land itself. The tour’s planned end was a brief walk into the 85-acre Native Forest upon the lands - a forest area that was never converted into sugarcane and provides a glimpse into original, pristine native Hawaiian forest. Visitors received some hands-on experience, helping to plant Camelia sinensis tea plants and sampling hydroponic lettuces.
Visit kauvalley.com.

Guests help out with the tea planting. Photo by Lee Neal

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Lee Segawa, Kaʻū Valley Farm manager, shows off the
tip of a tea plant. Photo by Lee Neal

THE ‘ĀINA PONO FARM TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE and Harvest of the Month programs are gaining more support from Sen. Mazie Hirono and Lt. Gov. Doug Chin, to increase the use of locally grown produce and beef in public school lunches.

"The ‘Āina Pono Farm-to-School Initiative and Harvest of the Month connect Hawai‘i's agriculture community with our public schools to supply our keiki with nutritious, locally grown school lunches," said Hirono. "The Mililani High School students I met with today are excited about their school lunch program, and I look forward to seeing these programs expand to schools across the state."

Said Chin: "U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono has long supported and promoted local agriculture and sustainability programs. It's no surprise that she sees the value in the ‘Āina Pono Hawai‘i State Farm-to-School Program." He said that students have become ambassadors of the program. "It should be expanded throughout our state."

The state Department of Education School Food Services Branch is working with local farmers to increase the volume of their harvests to meet the demand of serving lunch to 180,000 public school students. Once a month, a new local product is served in all 256 public schools statewide as the Harvest of the Month entrée. Products served since December 2017 include local beef, banana, papaya, ulu (breadfruit), and pineapple.

Hydroponic lettuce in a greenhouse was ready for
the eating at yesterday's Kaʻū Valley Farm event.
Photo by Lee Neal

In 2014, Hirono met with Haliimaile Maui Pineapple Company and discussed efforts to include pineapples in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's national school lunch procurement process. Following that meeting, Hirono connected Haliimaile Pineapple with the state Department of Education. The Department of Education's School Food Services Branch worked with Haliimaile Pineapple to determine the best packing, distribution, and storing methods, and this month, their fresh pineapple will be served in a Sweet and Sour Pineapple Pork entrée as this month's Harvest of Month product.

In 2015, Hirono and then- Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden met with student council representatives, Department of Education administrators, and school officials. They discussed the importance of the school lunch program and the unique challenges Hawai‘i farmers face in distributing produce to schools, such as production volume and selecting menus for Hawai‘i's statewide school system.

Hirono said she advocates programs to provide students, women, children and families, and seniors with better access to healthy and affordable meals, and has continued to push back against the federal Administration's efforts to roll back these important programs while advocating for increased funding for school meals in Hawai‘i.

Lieutenant Governor Doug Chin, Senator Hirono,

and Greg Christian, head chef of the ʻĀina

Pono program. Photo from Hirono's office

Hirono is also cosponsor of Sen. Patrick Leahy's (D-Vt.) Farm to School Act of 2017, which would strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm to School Grant Program and increase the amount of local foods in schools. The State of Hawai‘i previously received approximately $187,000 under this program.

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Hoʻaikāne headlines entertainment for tenth annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival
Hoʻolauleʻa tomorrow, Saturday, May 5. Photo from Hoʻaikāne

SATURDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m. p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend.
Entertainer lineup includes: Ho‘aikāne, emcee Makana Kamahele, Hands of Time, Hannah's Makana ‘Ohana Halau, Shootz, Halau Hula O Leionalani, Keaiwa & Demetrius, El Leo - The Jarican Express, The Lucky Lizard Band, Backyahd Braddahs, Christy Keinaʻala Lassiter, and Bolo.
Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.

SUNDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.

Presentations will be made by Fred Seeber of Shore Systems; University of Hawai‘i's Andrea Kawabata and Tom Greenwell, president and long-time coffee farmer of Greenwell Farms; and Brian Webb of Pacific Coffee Research.

The Fuji Royal, Ltd. Mini Roaster from Japan - designed for coffee shops, small farmers with their own brand, and for home - will be presented by Yoshiyuki Asano at a demonstration on Saturday, May 5, at the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a at Pāhala Community Center and at a workshop at Pāhala Plantation House on Sunday, May 6, after the Coffee College. Also attending will be Tatsuo Fukushima, President of Fuji Royal, and Tokyo manager Yuuki Sugii.
The roasting quality is the same as with large professional coffee roaster machines, said Max Maemori, who represents Fuji Royal in Hawai‘i. The Fuji Royal mini roaster can process as little as a half pound, 250 grams of green beans and 200 grams of roasted beans. "The top quality micro roaster brings the same efficiency of high performance models to your coffee life," said Maemori. The machine weighs about 70 lbs and can fit on a 14 by 28 inch space with a height of two feet.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 5
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: 10th Annual Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee and with free music, hula entertainment and coffee tastings. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30pm, discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours, shuttle to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill,$20/person, at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, & 3:30pm. kaucoffeefestival.com

SUNDAY, MAY 6

Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, May 8 (Committees)/9 (Council), Kona; Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, May 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Return to Abundance: A Vision for Healthy Oceans, Tue, May 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kēhau Springer describes how Conservation International Hawai‘i works collaboratively to revitalize pono (responsible) Hawaiian fishing values and practices. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

Disability Legal Services, Thu, May 10, 9:30-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Ka‘ū Scenic Byway Dedication Ceremony, Thursday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., ManukaState Wayside. Light refreshments will be served.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Mother's Day Card - Arts & Crafts, Fri, May 11, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 7-11. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat, May 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

NEW & UPCOMING

Learn about how collaborate work can revitalize responsible Hawaiian
fishing values and practices. Event details at right. Photo from Kēhau Springer

KĒHAU SPRINGER, OF CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL HAWAI‘I, gives a presentation in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m.
Her talk, Return to Abundance: A Vision for Healthy Oceans, describes how Conservation International Hawai‘i - a local non-governmental organization focused on ocean health and abundance in Hawai‘i - works collaboratively to revitalize pono (responsible) Hawaiian fishing values and practices.

Attendees of the After Dark in the Park presentation will learn how the organization promotes social equity and cultural connections and cultivates future generations of stewards. Free; however, park entrance fees apply. Donations help support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool Fundraiser runs through Wednesday, May 9. Support the Partners In Development Foundation programs in Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala, for keiki ages birth to 5 years, by purchasing tickets for a 15 oz. bag of Maebo Noodle Factory’s famous One-Ton chips for $12 each. Contact the Ka‘ū office, located in Nā‘ālehu, at 929-8571.

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Tenth Annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa, today at Pāhala Community Center, celebrated the end of the coffee season with food,
entertainment, and Kaʻū Coffee. Photos by Lee Neal and Geneveve Fyvie

The R&G Farms family shows off Kaʻū Coffee
Photo by Lee Neal

THE TENTH KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL drew the most people to date for Saturday's annual Hoʻolauleʻa. Kaʻū Coffee farmers said they promoted and sold more Kaʻū Coffee. Innovators in coffee production, from milling to roasting, reached out to the farm community. Baristas and experts in coffee tasting presented local coffee to enthusiasts. Attendees visited coffee farms and Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

Aliʻi Hawaiian Hula Hands Coffee, from Trini
and Francis Marques. Photo by Lee Neal

Under skies cooled by the haze from nearby Kilauea Volcano, headliner band Hoʻaikāne inspired the crowd to dance. Music ranged from Jawaiian and Hawaiian to Puerto Rican and Rock N Roll. Community groups raised money selling foods and drink.

Former Miss Kaʻū Coffee Maria Miranda promotes her
Miranda brand. Photo by Lee Neal

Land conservation and health education groups spread their missions. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Queen Reishalyn Kekoa Jara and her court reigned over the event.

The Ah San family coffee at the fest.
Photo by Lee Neal

The entertainment lineup was emcee Makana Kamahele, Ho‘aikāne, Hands of Time, Hannah's Makana ‘Ohana Halau, Shootz, Halau Hula O Leionalani, Keaiwa & Demetrius, El Leo - The Jarican Express, The Lucky Lizard Band, Backyahd Braddahs, and Bolo.
See more on the Hoʻolauleʻa in Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

Final Kaʻū Coffee Festival event, CoffeeCollege, is Sunday. See details, below, or at kaucoffeefestival.com. See more pictures of event.

Kaʻū Coffee Farmers win a mahalo from organizers and attendees at the Kaʻū Coffee Festival. Photo by Genevive Fyvie

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HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK MAY REOPEN SUNDAY AFTERNOON, following its closure on Friday to assess damage from earthquakes up to magnitude 6.9. The park shut down to the public soon after the quakes hit and were followed by an outpouring of dangerous gases from the volcano.

Aerial image of rock slide triggered by large earthquake at Kālue Point

in the coastal backcountry of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

NPS Photo/Nainoa Keana‘aina.

Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane met members of the press this afternoon and released a statement saying that “Park staff have been busy assessing trails, roads and buildings in the front country areas of the park today, and thus far, minimal damage has been reported. If volcanic and seismic activity remain at current levels in the park, the park could partially reopen Sunday afternoon. We will keep you posted through digital, traditional and social media outreach.”

The 6.9 quake struck at 12:32 p.m. Friday, and caused violent shaking throughout the park. It triggered rock slides on park trails, crater walls, and along sections of Chain of Craters Road. A magnitude-5.4 earthquake an hour earlier caused a coastal cliff to collapse into the ocean near the Hōlei Sea Arch. Narrow fissures appeared in the ground at an overlook near Jaggar Museum, and throughout the day, rocks fell into the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the volcano’s summit, creating dark ash clouds.

Lava set fire to trees and burned five houses in Leilani.
Photo from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

After the earthquakes, there were no reported injuries. A flurry of smaller earthquakes and aftershocks continued. “Safety is our main priority at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and it is currently not safe to be here,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “We will monitor the situation closely, and reopen when it is safe to do so.”
Hikes were canceled and about 2,600 visitors were evacuated from the park. Guests at Volcano House hotel and Kīlauea Military Camp relocated. All non-emergency park employees went home.
The epicenter of the 6.9 quake was deep into Puna, close to Leilani Estates where residents are evacuated and lava fountains broke out following the April 30 collapse of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on the volcano’s eastern flank. The collapse sent underground torrents of magma towards lower Puna communities. On May 3, the first lava erupted out of a fissure in Leilani Estates. The lava led to the burning of five homes and threats to the water system.
This evening Civil Defense reported a pause in the lava coming from the ground at Leilani but was unwilling to allow residents to go back to their homes until the situation is more stable and risk of toxic fumes much lower.

Watch video from NPS of the earthquake that happened just before the closure.

Lava travels down road near Puna Geothermal Power
plant. Photo from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

THE PUNA GEOTHERMAL ELECTRIC PLANT CONTINUES TO BE CLOSED until further notice due to seismic and volcanic activity at nearby Leilani Estates. Mike Kaleikini, of Puna Geothermal Ventures, explained that the power plant is only a few streets away from active eruption fissures. He said it is shut down completely. PGV has removed “flammable gas” pentane from the “inundation zone,” and closed and covered with cinder the geothermal wells.

Close monitoring of lava and earthquake activity will dictate the next steps. Any reports or rumors of explosions at PVG are incorrect, said Kaleikini.

Mayor Harry Kim spoke up to address questions about the safety of the flammable gas: “They’re in complete shutdown. Obviously, I trust them on the shutdown, but I don’t trust them as far as just taking their word for it. We will assure you that Civil Defense, Department of Health, will monitor this institution of the geothermal, and ensure that whatever hazard is created, it is not by geothermal,” Kim said. “They are in the process of removing all flammable materials, and if it’s inadequate, then we’ll move it from there. It is on a shut down. Our job is to mitigate the hazard and risk to you, and we will do our job.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SUNDAY'S KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS
Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.
Presentations will be made by Fred Seeber of Shore Systems; University of Hawai‘i's Andrea Kawabata and Tom Greenwell, president and long-time coffee farmer of Greenwell Farms; and Brian Webb of Pacific Coffee Research.
The Fuji Royal, Ltd. Mini Roaster from Japan - designed for coffee shops, small farmers with their own brand, and for home - will be presented by Yoshiyuki Asano on Sunday, May 6, after the Coffee College. Also attending will be Tatsuo Fukushima, President of Fuji Royal, and Tokyo manager Yuuki Sugii.
The roasting quality is the same as with large professional coffee roaster machines, said Max Maemori, who represents Fuji Royal in Hawai‘i. The Fuji Royal mini roaster can process as little as a half pound, 250 grams of green beans and 200 grams of roasted beans. "The top quality micro roaster brings the same efficiency of high performance models to your coffee life," said Maemori. The machine weighs about 70 lbs and can fit on a 14 by 28 inch space with a height of two feet.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 6

CANCELLED DUE TO CLOSURE OF HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK: Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Last day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated. kaucoffeefestival.com

CANCELLED DUE TO CLOSURE OF HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK: Palm Trail, Sun, May 6, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, May 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, MAY 7
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, May 7 & 21, 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. A parent led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, May 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Community Meeting with State Senatorial Candidate Brenda Ford, Mon, May 7, 6-9pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free; donations from $1 to $1,000 accepted.

TUESDAY, MAY 8
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, May 8 (Committees)/9 (Council), Kona; Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, May 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Return to Abundance: A Vision for Healthy Oceans, Tue, May 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kēhau Springer describes how Conservation International Hawai‘i works collaboratively to revitalize pono (responsible) Hawaiian fishing values and practices. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

Disability Legal Services, Thu, May 10, 9:30-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Ka‘ū Scenic Byway Dedication Ceremony, Thursday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., ManukaState Wayside. Light refreshments will be served.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Mother's Day Card - Arts & Crafts, Fri, May 11, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 7-11. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat, May 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, MAY 12

Landscaping with Native Hawaiian Plants w/ Zach Mermel, Sat, May 12, 9-noon, Volcano Arts Center. Hands-on workshop. Class fee $30/VAC Member, $35/non-Member. Register online volcanoartcenter.org, call 967-8222

Birth of Kahuku, Sat, May 12, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. nps.gov/HAVO

Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, May 12, 9:30am, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

Maker Fair Spring Spree, Sat, May 12, 10-4pm, The Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Mother's Day weekend. All-handcrafted artisan shopping market from local makers. Free shopping tote to first 50 adult shoppers. Free make-and-take project booths. Keiki scavenger hunt. Free professional Mother's Day photo taken by Spark Productions. Details and artisan applications online, makerfair.org. Sara Krosch, contactmakerfair@gmail.com, 520-389-0620, facebook.com/MakerFair. Free to attend.

Zentangle: Fine Feather-Like Friends w/Lydia Meneses, Sat, May 12, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center. Create tiles with feather-like forms. Open to all levels, no experience necessary. Bring snack to share. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Jazz in the Forest Concert, Sat, May 12, 4:30pm & 7pm, Volcano Art Center. Refreshments available for purchase. Django Hot Club of Volcano and French Cafe Jazz. Tickets available online, $18/VAC Member, $20/non-Member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Exhibit: Fishponds of Hawai‘i by Carol Araki Wyban, Daily, May 12-Jun 24, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Public opening reception on May 12, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

NEW & UPCOMING

A MOTHER'S DAY CARD ARTS & CRAFTS ACTIVITY will be offered at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, on Friday, May 11, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., announces Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation. Register keiki, ages 6 to 12 years old, from Monday, May 7, through Friday, May 11. For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/recreation/.

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KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S CRATER RIM CAFÉ OFFERS A MOTHER'S DAY BUFFET on Sunday, May 13, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the following menu entrées: Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish with Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Stir Fry with Tofu. Admission is $29 per Adult and $14.50 per Child, from 6 to 11 years old.
Kīlauea Military Camp is located within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Reservations required. Call 967-8356 or kilaueamilitarycamp.com, for more.

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ONGOING

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

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The origin of some of the vog drifting across Kaʻū is in Leilani Estates in lower Puna where at least ten fissures opened with
smoke and lava, destroying 26 homes. At least one Leilani resident is being sheltered in Pāhala.
Photo from Big Island Video News

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK reopened Sunday at 3 p.m., following a sequence of large, violent earthquakes that prompted a two-day closure and evacuation of park visitors and staff last Friday. “Our primary objective is the safety of employees, park partners and visitors,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “The limited opening allows us to respond to new volcanic and seismic events should they occur and the closures that remain are necessary to keep people out of dangerous and unassessed areas. Visitors should expect changing conditions and be prepared for unannounced closures,” she said.

Kīlaeua Military Camp and Volcano House accommodations, restaurants, and other concessions remain closed Sunday. Volcano House is expected to return to full operation on Tuesday morning. Final inspections of propane lines and other insurance-directed inspections are scheduled for completion tomorrow. The Volcano House staff is expected to back on property beginning noon on Monday for opening preparations.

With each large earthquake, ground shaking causes additional collapse
within the Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater, sending a plume of reddish-brown
ash skyward. The size and vigor of a plume depends on the size of the
earthquake and subsequent collapse. This roiling ash plume followed
the magnitude-6.9 earthquake on May 4. Much of the rock within t
he crater is rust in color, which is a result of heavy alteration by acidic
volcanic gases. When the rock is pulverized by a collapse event,
the resulting ash plume is pink to reddish-brown ash plume.
USGS photo by T. Neal

Park staff members are still assessing trails, roads and buildings in the park, and thus far, have reported minimal damage.

Several rock slides were triggered by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, that struck Friday at 12:32 p.m., and a slew of aftershocks and smaller earthquakes that preceded it. The USGS reported more than 500 earthquakes in and around Kīlauea Volcano since Friday afternoon. Smaller temblors continued today.

The following areas in the park are open:

· The Entrance Station from Highway 11 to Jaggar Museum is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Jaggar Museum will close at 8 p.m. (the outdoor overlook will remain open until 10 p.m.)

· Kīlauea Visitor Center is open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

· Sulphur Banks Trail

· Steam Vents parking lot

· Crater Rim Trail is open from Kīlauea Overlook to Jaggar Museum only

· The Entrance Station to the 1969 lava flow near Mauna Ulu

· Mauna Ulu to Pu‘uhuluhulu (Nāpau Trail is closed past Pu‘uhuluhulu)

· Escape Road from Highway 11 to Mauna Ulu

· Mauna Loa Road from Highway 11 to the Mauna Loa Lookout and Kīpukapuaulu

Any area in the park not listed here is closed, including most trails, Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube), Kīlauea Iki, Devastation Trail and Pu‘u Pua‘i, and Chain of Craters Road past Mauna Ulu.

Due to the hazardous and unpredictable ash plume coming from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent, there is a Temporary Flight Restriction above the vent. Aircraft (including drones) are not permitted in the TFR, which extends 3,000 feet above ground level and a two-mile radius from the vent. Relief aircraft on official flights approved by the National Park Service are the only aircraft allowed in the area.

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HAZE ACROSS KAʻŪ IS A DARK REMINDER that at least 26 homes were destroyed by lava and fire in Leilani Estates in lower Puna. The vog drifting across the south end of the island comes from the volcanic fumes from Leilani, Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Depending on which way the wind blows, the bad air is reaching Hilo or Kaʻu and onto Kona.

Lava chugs down a Leilani Estates Road today. USGS photo

With more fissures opening and lava shooting as high as 230 feet, active venting of lava and hazardous fumes continue to pose a major threat to homes and health.

Today, Civil Defense allowed Leilani Estates residents with property between Highway 130 and Maile Street to complete evacuation of pets, medicine, and vital documents until 6 p.m. Residents were required to provide identification and proof of residency.
Lee Hillis, who is staying at her sister's home in Pāhala, hoping that her house will survive, said Leilani reported long lines today with people waiting to go in and come out of the neighborhood, one car at a time.
A primary Police checkpoint is at Highway 130 and 132. A secondary checkpoint is at Highway 130 and Leilani Street. “Residents should retrieve their items expeditiously so others may go in after them. Be aware of the very unstable conditions of air quality and of the roads. You will be required to leave the area if conditions become hazardous. Leilani residents entering must be on the alert for elevated levels of Sulfur Dioxide, wildfire, and volcanic eruption. People with respiratory problems are especially vulnerable. Please, the residents of Leilani need your help by staying out of the area. This is not the time for sightseeing,” states the update.

No access is allowed at this time for residents of Lanipuna Gardens due to dangerous volcanic gases. An interactive map of fissures can be seen here.

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RECENT EARTHQUAKES HAVE CAUSED LITTLE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN KAʻŪ; however, residents reported several effects since Friday's 6.9 and 5.4 quakes.
Beachgoers at Punaluʻu, where tsunamis destroyed homes in the past, feared a tsunami when the ocean visibly receded after the 6.9 quake on Friday. However, the sea rose by only a few inches.

Brown water below the Honuʻapo slope indicates an earthen slide
caused by one of the recent earthquakes. Photo by Shalan Crysdale

Evidence of an earthen slide could be seen from the famous Honuʻapo lookout over Whittington Beach Park. The quakes also triggered landslides within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Roads displayed cracks within the park and on Hwy 11.
The lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater has dropped more than 500 feet since April 30. It dramatically changed the view from Jagaar Museum, leaving no bubbling, birthing, shimmering red lava lake of Madame Pele to photograph. The floor beneath the lava lake fell away leaving a gaping, smoking dark hole.
The number of small earthquakes has increased at Kīlauea summit since the 6.9 quake. During the past 24 hours, as of 7 p.m. today, there were 174.

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Kīlauea's summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu did not initially respond to the volcano's East
Rift Zone activity (collapse of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater floor and magmatic intrusion into
the rift zone) on April 30. But on May 2, the lava lake level began to drop in concert with summit
deflation, suggesting that magma was moving from the summit into the East Rift Zone.
By Friday, May 4, when this photo was taken, the lava lake level had dropped
85 m (279 ft). The lake continues to drop. Lava that spilled from the lake and onto
the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu during April 21-27 formed the dark-colored flows that can be
seen on either side of the lava lake. USGS photo by J.Babb

THE WEEKLY VOLCANO WATCH COLUMN by the U.S.G.S. scientists came out late this week as the crew focused on the monitoring for major earthquakes and eruptions. The scientists wrote:
“Little did we know that Friday would be even more hectic:
How it began: Following a collapse of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater floor on Monday, April 30, an intrusion of magma migrated down Kīlauea's East Rift Zone, advancing below ground toward Highway 130 and communities in the lower Puna District on the Island of Hawaiʻi. The possibility that the intrusion would lead to an eruption of lava became more likely as numerous small earthquakes shook the area over the next few days.
On Thursday, May 3, it happened. With little fanfare, steaming ground cracks were soon spewing lava in Leilani Estates.
By Friday morning, three additional fissures had opened in the subdivision, with lava traveling less than a few tens of meters (yards) from the vents.
Then, Kīlauea really started rocking and rolling. It began with a magnitude-5.4 earthquake at 11:32 a.m. HST. An hour later, a magnitude-6.9 earthquake, the strongest quake to strike Hawaiʻi since 1975, rattled residents across the island and beyond, with felt reports from as far away as Kauaʻi. Over the next 24 hours, more than 500 earthquakes - 13 with magnitudes of 4 or greater - shook the island.

Over 500 earthquakes were located by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) between
noon Friday and noon Saturday, May 4-5. A magnitude-6.9 earthquake at 12:32 p.m. HST on
Friday was preceded by two foreshocks with magnitudes of 5.4 and 4.4 at 11:32 a.m.
and 11:38 a.m., respectively, and followed by eight aftershocks with magnitudes
greater than 4.0, including a magnitude-5.3 at 2:37 p.m. Moderate to strong aftershocks
should be expected for weeks to months to come. The earthquakes are related to the ongoing
intrusion into Kīlauea's East Rift Zone and reflect adjustments beneath the south
flank of the volcano. USGS map

In the meantime, the summit of Kīlauea switched from inflation to deflation, and in concert with that deflation, the summit lava lake level began to drop.
Volcano Activity Updates
This past week, Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake level dropped with summit deflation, and was about 160 m (525 ft) below the vent rim as of May 5 at 9:30 p.m. HST. On the East Rift Zone, the 61g lava flow is no longer active. Episode 62 commenced on Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone on May 3, with at least 10 fissures (as of May 6) opening within the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower Puna
District. Both eruptions, summit and East Rift Zone, are dynamic, and additional changes will be reported on HVO's website at https://volcanoes.usgs.
gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html.
Visit HVO's website https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates, Mauna Loa weekly updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

Kaʻū Sunshine. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Rising Sun. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Monarch. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE TENTH ANNUAL KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL WEEK WRAPPED UP TODAY with educational presentations at Pāhala Community Center. Yesterday's annual Hoʻolauleʻa brought family farmers to show off the many individual brands of Kaʻū Coffee, with coffee tasting and purchasing opportunities for the thousands of people who attended the festival. See more coverage of the Kaʻū Coffee Festival in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

MONDAY, MAY 7

THURSDAY, MAY 10

Disability Legal Services, Thu, May 10, 9:30-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Ka‘ū Scenic Byway Dedication Ceremony, Thursday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., ManukaState Wayside. Light refreshments will be served.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Mother's Day Card - Arts & Crafts, Fri, May 11, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 7-11. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat, May 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, MAY 12

Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, May 12, 9:30am, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

SUNDAY, MAY 13

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, May 13 & 27, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

Mother's Day Buffet, Sun, May 13, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Main entrees include Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish with Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Stir Fry with Tofu. $29/Adult, $14.50/Child (6-11 yrs). Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Reservations required. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

NEW & UPCOMING

Learn how to make feather lei and watch as acclaimed artist
Kilohana Domingo demonstrates. Event details at left.
Photo by Janice Wei, National Park Service

WITNESS THE FINE SKILL REQUIRED TO MAKE LEI HULU, feather lei, on Wednesday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to noon, announces Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Acclaimed artist Kilohana Domingo demonstrates his mastery of this intricate art on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. His feather lei are highly sought to adorn pāpale (hats) and other uses.
Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau Experience the Skillful Work workshops. Free; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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Exhibit: Fishponds of Hawai‘i by Carol Araki Wyban, Daily, May 12-Jun 24, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Public opening reception on May 12, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

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Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

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Coffee & Cattle Day showed off ranch and Kaʻū Coffee farming life at Aikane Plantation during last week's
tenth Kaʻū Coffee Festival. See story below. Photo by Lee Neal

HAZE FROM INCREASED VOLCANIC ACTIVITY from Kilauea Volcano blanketed much of Kaʻū today as earthquakes continued from east Kaʻū into Puna. New lava outbreaks at Leilani Estates in lower Puna threatened more houses. With a dozen fissures spewing lava and smoke and 35 structures destroyed over the last five days, residents continued to enter the area and retrieve belongings from standing houses. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory officials confirmed that there is no evidence the lava will stop flowing soon.

Volcanic activity setting off earthquakes from Kaʻū into Puna today suggests
continued lava outbreaks that have destroyed 35 structures. USGS map

Sen. Russell Ruderman, who represents east Kaʻū into Puna said that Hwy 130, a major Puna thoroughfare, “will close soon due to cracks in the road.”
Civil Defense reported this afternoon that Hwy 130 is closed between Malama Street and Kamaili Road and Pohoiki Road is closed from 132 to Hinalo Street.
The state Department of Transportation and County of Hawaiʻi are working to create an alternate route in Puna should Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130) be cut off by the eruption. The cracking at mile markers 14.4 and 14.6 on Highway 130 have widened. State and county are preparing the unpaved portion of Highway 137 that extends north of Highway 132 to Makuu Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park, to ensure access to the Kalapana and Kaimu areas.

Road cracks are an increasing danger in and around Leilani Estates. Hwy
130 will soon close, according the Sen. Russell Ruderman.
Photo from USGS

Civil Defense also urged people to refrain from sightseeing. "Please, the residents of Leilani need our help. This is not the time for sightseeing. You can help tremendously by staying out of the area. The residents of Leilani Estates are going through a very difficult time. We ask for your understanding. We ask for your help."

Civil Defense also warned thieves: "The Hawai‘i County Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office have established a policy of zero tolerance towards looting or vandalism. Under Emergency Provisions, any looting or vandalism will be treated as a felony."

While the Puna Geothermal plant is not in the direct line of the lava, Civil Defense reported that "measures are being taken to remove flammable materials offsite."

Kilauea Volcano's summit lake continues to drop as the lava continues
underground with more breakouts in Leilani Estates today.
Photo from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Members of communities surrounding Leilani continue to bring donations for those displaced from their homes. Facebook group Big Island Lava Flow Housing Network has been created for people to post available housing and need for housing.

An eruption information center, to address the questions and concerns of people affected by the eruption in Puna, opened in Pāhoa today at the Sacred Hearts Church hall. From from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, the center offers social service information for the evacuees from the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions. Agencies staffing the Information Center include: County of Hawaiʻi - Office of Aging, Neighborhood Place of Puna, Child and Family Services, The Food Basket, Bodacious Women, Catholic Charities, HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Big Island Substance Abuse Council, County of Hawaiʻi - Office of Housing and Community Development, and Existing Housing Division.

A hungry calf gets in on the action at Aikane Coffee
& Cattle Day. Photo by Kaʻū Coffee Fest

Eruption Community Information Meeting was held today at 5:30 p.m. at Pāhoa High Cafeteria. County of Hawaiʻi will address residents’ questions and concerns. Another meeting will be held Thursday, May 10, at 5:30 p.m.

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AIKANE PLANTATION'S KAʻŪ COFFEE & CATTLE DAY drew much appreciation for Kaʻū Coffee growing and ranching life during the tenth Kaʻū Coffee Festival last week. Merle and Phil Becker told of the history of their coffee farm that dates into the 1800s. The farm and ranch that sits high above the Pacific Ocean showed off coffee growing and milling and the raising of cattle and horses. Guests enjoyed a BBQ buffet, a hayride, and an encounter with a hungry calf. Aikane Palntation often represents Kaʻū at Ag Day at the Hawaiʻi Legislature and the annual Made in Hawai`i Show in Honolulu. The coffee farm supports two families who sell the Aikane brand at farmers markets and other locales on O`ahu. The brand also has a strong market in Japan, the Beckers said.

K-N-J. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Bother Merle and Phil Becker are frequent volunteers at the Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻoaluleʻa information booth. See aikaneplantation.com.

Rusty's Hawaiian. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

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Kehau's. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE TENTH ANNUAL KAʻŪ COFFEE FEST, manned by Kaʻū Coffee farmers and many community volunteers, is the show and tell for local growers who just finished a banner coffee growing season, receiving high prices for high quality and high volume coffee. See more photos of the farmers and their families in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 8
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, May 8 (Committees)/9 (Council), Kona; Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, May 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Return to Abundance: A Vision for Healthy Oceans, Tue, May 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kēhau Springer describes how Conservation International Hawai‘i works collaboratively to revitalize pono (responsible) Hawaiian fishing values and practices. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9

Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Wed, May 9 (Council), Kona; Mon/Wed, May 21 (Committees)/23 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

THURSDAY, MAY 10

Disability Legal Services, Thu, May 10, 9:30-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Ka‘ū Scenic Byway Dedication Ceremony, Thursday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., Manuka State Wayside. Light refreshments will be served.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Mother's Day Card - Arts & Crafts, Fri, May 11, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 7-11. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat, May 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, MAY 12

Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, May 12, 9:30am, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

SUNDAY, MAY 13

NEW & UPCOMING

Learn to play ‘ukulele in Hawaii‘i Volcanoes National Park on
Friday, May 18. Event details, left. Photo from National Park Service

LEARN HOW TO PLAY SIMPLE, FUN SONGS ON THE ‘UKULELE with park rangers and Hawai‘i Pacific Park Association staff on Friday, May 18, announces Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
The free event, Ho‘okani Pila (Play Music) Workshop, takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, in the Kahuku Unit, which is a 50-minute drive south of the park’s main entrance, near mile marker 70.5 on Highway 11. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau Experience the Skillful Work workshops. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Explore Kīlauea Iki on a hike the Saturday before Mother's Day, with
Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo from FHVNP

MOTHER’S DAY SATURDAY WALK IN THE PARK, May 12, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Board Member, Linda Pratt, for this month's 4-mile hike exploring Kilauea Iki Crater. The walk is free for members; non-members are welcome to join the Friends group to attend. Registration required, www.fhvnp.org or call 985-7373.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

ONGOING

Summer Fun - Registration through May 10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Protecting the elections across the country with back up paper ballots is a measure by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard that who support from Common Cause.
See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

REACTION TO PRES. DONALD TRUMP SCRAPPING IN THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL came quickly today from Sen. Mazie Hirono. She issued the following statement after Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from and "violate the Iran Nuclear Deal."
"Today, Donald Trump jeopardized our national security by unilaterally violating an international agreement whose compliance by all parties until now has effectively deterred the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.

"The President's decision makes it less likely we will be able to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed power, and less likely that we will be successful in confronting, in conjunction with our allies, Iran's other malign activities – such as its support for terrorism and its ballistic missile program.

Pres. Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran Nuclear Deal today.
France, Germany, and Great Britain objected. Image form WNDU

"I am also deeply concerned that the President's violation of the Iran Nuclear Deal raises serious questions about whether the United States can be trusted to uphold any agreements or negotiations it enters into, and that this uncertainty will weaken our position in any negotiations with North Korea."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard also responded: "President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal dangerously increases the likelihood of war and undermines approaching talks with Kim Jong-un to denuclearize North Korea. While the Iran deal is far from perfect, Iran is in compliance and the deal is working by preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and preventing an all-out war. The concerns regarding other issues like Iran's missile program should be addressed outside of the existing nuclear deal.
"Breaking this commitment that the U.S. made to Iran and our allies will likely push Iran to restart its nuclear weapons program, increase the potential of war, and undermine critical negotiations to denuclearize North Korea - a country that already has nuclear weapons that threaten Hawai'i and the United States. Due to President Trump's actions today, there is no reason for North Korea's Kim Jong-un to believe that the United States will abide by any agreement made with them to denuclearize North Korea. This short-sighted decision ruins already damaged U.S. global credibility, proving that the U.S. cannot be trusted to keep its promises."

Other signers onto the agreement, Germany, France and Great Britain, said they will stick with the agreement and that they objected to the U.S. withdrawal.

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Rep. Tuslsi Gabbard pushes for paper ballots to help secure
American election results. Photo from Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

COMMON CAUSE HAS THROWN ITS SUPPORT BEHIND THE SECURE AMERICA'S ELECTION ACT. The measure from Rep. Tulsi Gabbard drew the endorsement from the national non-partisan, grassroots organization, Common Cause, which states that it is committed to upholding American democratic values. The Gabbard legislation would protect the country’s election infrastructure from cyber-hackers by requiring the use of voter-verified paper ballots or a paper ballot backup in federal elections, beginning with the 2018 elections.
The Securing America’s Elections Act will be included as part of Common Cause’s 2018 Democracy Scorecard that tracks Members of Congress’ records on democracy reform bills, which includes legislation such as the Voter Empowerment Act, Government by the People Act, Voting Rights Advancement Act, and more.

The Securing America’s Elections Act would authorize emergency funding to empower every state to use voter-verified paper ballots that produce an auditable paper trail ahead of the 2018 elections. It would also incentivize use of safe and secure software in voting machines. It would expand on progress made i in Hawai‘i and 14 other states that currently produce voter-verified paper ballots to provide the American people with an auditable, independent record of their votes.

Said Gabbard, “Ensuring the integrity and security of our nation’s election systems is critical to protecting our democracy from hacking by adversaries. With federal elections quickly approaching, the cyber vulnerabilities that exist within many election systems must be addressed now. I urge my colleagues to make sure that every vote will be accurately counted and pass the Securing America’s Elections Act to protect our elections from malicious hackers.”

Aaron Scherb, Director of Legislative Affairs with Common Cause, said, “Common Cause appreciates Congresswoman Gabbard’s efforts, as well as the efforts of other Members of Congress, to secure our elections against malicious attacks. The Securing America’s Elections Act would help protect our elections by requiring the use of a voter-verified paper ballot, which would help prevent foreign entities from trying to undermine our democracy.”

Corie Tanida, Executive Director of Common Cause Hawai‘i, said, “Securing America's Elections Act is an important step in improving our elections, but there is still a lot of work to be done. We look forward to working with Congresswoman Gabbard, and other members of Congress, as well as our state and local lawmakers and elections officials to ensure that our elections are secure, accessible, and efficient."

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A new vent opened today near Pohoiki Road. One more
house was destroyed. Photo from HVO

TWO VOLCANIC VENTS OPENED IN LOWER PUNA TODAY, forcing County of Hawaiʻi Civil Defense to warn Lanipuna residents again to get out. At 2:30 p.m., Civil Defense posted "All Lanipuna residents must evacuate now. Evacuate towards the ocean Isaac Hale Beach Park. Vent number 13 has opened near the intersection of Leilani Avenue and Kahukai Road and Vent number 14 near Kaupili St. and Leilani Avenue. Both are actively erupting. Hazardous fumes continue to be released."
The first dozen vents are still emitting smoke but no lava in the last day. Thirty-six structures total, 27 of them homes, have been destroyed. Lava from a new fissure burned a house today.

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The airnow map shows moderate particulate pollution of
the air today in Pāhala, Ocean View, and Kona.

PARTICLES FROM BURNING FORESTS AND HOMES, as well as chemicals from the lava, continue to pollute the air which reaches Kaʻū and Kona when the winds blow from the direction of the volcano. This afternoon, moderate particulate pollution was recorded in Pāhala, Ocean View, and Kona, with the highest levels in Ocean View. See more at airnow.

The S02 reading, posted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, showed the air in all Kaʻū as healthy through 6:45 p.m. this evening. However, updates for Pāhala stopped at 12:45 p.m. Also in the green is the air at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at both Jaggar Museum and the Visitor's Center.

See more at Hawaiʻi Short Term SO2 Advisory.

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Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

MAJOR SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL last Saturday brought their farm produce to show and taste.

Kaʻū Coffee Mill, with new manager Louis Daniele, offered up Kaʻū Coffee and Kaʻū Coffee dessert treats. It also presented products from its sister company Hamakua Macadamia, with its many offerings of flavored and unflavored macadamia nuts.

On hand was Kaʻū Coffee Mill founder Edmund C. Olson. Each year, Olson Trust sponsors the entertainment for the Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa, the Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest, Kaʻū Stargazing, and Kaʻū Mountain Water Hike. Olson is also the major sponsor for the Miss Kaʻū Coffee scholarship and

Kaʻū Valley Farm. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

funding for Miss Kaʻū Coffee appearances throughout the year. Kaʻū Coffee Mill has also served as a venue for the pageant.
Kaʻū Valley Farms is also a major sponsor of the Kaʻū Coffee Festival itself and the Miss Kaʻū Coffee pageant. The farm, with its manager Lee Segawa, land manager John Cross, and crop consultant Richard Loero, presented coffee, tea, and vegetables grown outside and in greenhouses above Nāʻālehu.
Kaʻū Valley Farms initiated a new Kaʻū Coffee Festival tour this year, taking visitors to its farm, greenhouses and water tunnel.
See more on the Kaʻū Coffee Festival all week on Kaʻū News Briefs.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Mother's Day Card - Arts & Crafts, Fri, May 11, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 7-11. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat, May 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, MAY 12

Mother's Day Saturday Walk in the Park, May 12, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Board Member, Linda Pratt, for this month's 4-mile hike exploring Kilauea Iki Crater. The walk is free for members; non-members are welcome to join the Friends group to attend. Registration required, www.fhvnp.org or call 985-7373.

Birth of Kahuku, Sat, May 12, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. nps.gov/HAVO

Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, May 12, 9:30am, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

Exhibit: Fishponds of Hawai‘i by Carol Araki Wyban, Daily, May 12-Jun 24, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Public opening reception on May 12, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, MAY 13

TUESDAY, MAY 15

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tue, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

The Wonderful World of Wine & Watercolor, Tue, May 15, 4-7pm, Volcano Art Center. Artist Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic painting techniques. Enjoy sampling of several wines. $30/VAC Member, $35/non-Member, plus $17 supply fee/person.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

NEW & UPCOMING

JAZZ IN THE FOREST FEATURES DJANGO REINHARDT HOT CLUB VOLCANO with Hal Glatzer, Greg Shirley, Brian McCree and Jean Pierre Thoma at two performances on Saturday, May 12, announces Volcano Art Center.
The matinee performance runs from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the evening performance runs from at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Jean Pierre Thoma is a world traveled professional musician on flute, saxophone clarinet and piano, with experience throughout America, France, Japan, India, and Israel. He holds two masters degrees in music, and has been a public and private school teacher as well as member of numerous jazz and classical ensembles, such as the Maui and Marin Symphonies. Thoma is leader of The Jazztones and lives in Hilo. For more about Thoma, visit volcanoartcenter.org/event/jazz-in-the-forest-512-430pm/?instance_id=8321.

Volcano Art Center’s Wine and Beer Room will be open for attendees to purchase Volcano Red Ale and Mauna Kea Pale Ale from Mehana Brewing Company and wine before and after the concert. An area has been set aside for dancing. Pupu by ʻŌhelo Café will also be available for purchase.

Jean Pierre Thoma.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

Tickets for the matinee show are $18 for Volcano Art Center Members and $20 for non-Members.
Purchase tickets online at volcanoartcenter.org, at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village or at VAC Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The last day to purchase tickets online is Friday, May 11. After that, tickets will be sold at VAC Gallery & at the door if they are not sold out. Tickets will be held at Will Call on the day of the show, or can be picked up any day before the show at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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VOLCANOFORESTRUNS REGISTRATION OPEN through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Early registration ends May 14; price increase for half marathon from $80 to $85, 10K from $40 to $45, 5K stays at $30. Registration increases again August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from CooperCenter on Wright Road in VolcanoVillage on Saturday, August 18.

Kona Marathon has teamed up with Hilo Marathon and Volcano Rain Forest Runs to create the Big Island Triple Crown Half Marathon. Participate in all three Half Marathon events on the BigIslandto achieve Triple Crown status. Triple Crown Half Marathon Hawaiirequires its own separate registration form. Participants must have completed Hilo's Half Marathon on March 18, 2018, in order to be eligible for the 2018 Big Island Triple Crown Half Marathon Series. Celebrate with medals awarded at the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register for the Series no later than July 15.

“What about the lava? Both the Kona Marathon Events on the Kona side of the island

and the Volcano Rain Forest Runs on top of the active Volcano, Kilauea, should not be affected by any lava activity,” states the event’s website.

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ONGOING

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Ash column rises 6,000 feet at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano at 8:30 a.m. this morning. The explosion was triggered by a rockfall. Photo from USGS

AN EXPLOSION IN HALEMAʻUMAʻU CRATER THIS MORNING at 8:29 a.m. surprised visitors and staff at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Kīlauea Military Camp. The gray and brown ash shot as high as 6,000 feet into the air and scientists said that a light ash fall could be expected in communities down wind - to the south and west of Volcano Village into Ka`u. According to HVO, the explosion was triggered by a rockfall from the steep walls of Overlook Crater and was short-lived. After the explosion, geologists examined ash deposits on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu and found fresh lava fragments hurled from the lava lake.
Scientists said the explosion was not caused by the interaction of the lava lake with the water table below the volcano. (See story below). The ash cleared about an hour after the explosion and geologists observed the lava lake surface, still above the water table.
Several more ash clouds rose during the day.

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HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK will close all of its facilities in Volcano on Friday "due to the possibility of an explosive steam event and ash fall at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano," said a statement from the park this evening. Only the Kahuku Unit, off Hwy 11 near Ocean View, will be open during its normal hours, Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The ash explosion from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater this morning, as seen from Kīlauea

Military Camp. Photo by Kēhau Springer

The statement says the closure "will be until further notice. Why: Safety. Due to the possibility of a steam-induced explosion at the summit of Kīlauea due to the receding lava lake, an ensuing ash fall event, plus southerly wind patterns forecasted for Friday, the majority of the park will be closed Friday until further notice. We will reopen when it is safe to do so."

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Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

EXPLOSIVE ERUPTIONS AT HALEMAʻUMAʻU CRATER at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano are a possibility during coming weeks, according to an update from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory this morning. The steady lowering of the lava lake in Overlook Crater within Halemaʻumaʻu is the cause of concern. If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Kīlauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions. Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu and the Kīlauea summit. At this time, scientists cannot say with certainty that explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be, or how long such explosive activity could continue.

"Residents of the Kīlauea summit area should learn about the hazards of ashfall, stay informed of the status of the volcano and area closures, and review family and business emergency plans." Learn about volcanic ash hazards at: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/
Primary hazards of concern should this activity occur are ballistic projectiles and ashfall. HVO explains:
Ballistic Projectiles: During steam-driven explosions, ballistic blocks up to 2 m (yards) across could be thrown in all directions to a distance of 1 km (0.6 miles) or more. These blocks could weigh a few kilograms (pounds) to several tons.
Smaller (pebble-size) rocks could be sent several kilometers (miles) from Halemaʻumaʻu, mostly in a downwind direction.

The summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater has dropped substantially over the past week due to

intrusive and eruptive activity on the lower East Rift zone. This 3D model of the crater was created

from thermal images collected during a helicopter overflight on May 8. The lake at this

time was roughly 295 m (970 feet) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

USGS image

Ashfall: During the drawdown of the lava column, rockfalls from the steep enclosing walls of the Overlook crater vent impact the lake and produce small ash clouds. These clouds are very dilute and result in dustings of ash (particles smaller than 2 mm) downwind.
Should steam-driven explosions begin, ash clouds will rise to greater elevations above ground. Minor ashfall could occur over much wider areas, even up to several tens of miles from Halemaʻumaʻu. In 1924, ash may have reached as high as 20,000 feet above sea level. Small amounts of fine ash from these explosions fell over a wide area as far north as North Hilo (Hakalau), in lower Puna, and as far south as Waiʻohinu.
Gas: Gas emitted during steam-drive explosions will be mainly steam, but will include some sulfur dioxide (SO2) as well. Currently, SO2 emissions remain elevated.
Warning Time: Steam-driven explosions at volcanoes typically provide very little warning. Once the lava level reaches the groundwater elevation, onset of continuous ashy plumes or a sequence of violent steam-driven explosions may be the first sign that activity of concern has commenced.
Background: Kīlauea's lava lake began to drop on May 2, 2018. From its peak on May 2 to the most recent measurement at 9 pm on May 6, the lava lake surface dropped a total of more than 200 m (656 ft). The subsidence was at a relatively constant rate of about 2 meters (yards) per hour.

USGS captured this image of the ash explosion at 8:29
this morning from the rim of Halema`uma`u.
Photo from USGS

Reports HVO, "Measurements of subsidence have not been possible since May 6 because of thick fume and the increasing depth to the lava surface. However, thermal images indicate continued lowering of the lake surface since that time, consistent with deflationary tilt recorded at Kīlauea's summit. Therefore, we infer that the lake surface continues to drop at roughly the same rate. So, while HVO cannot report exact depths of the receding lava lake, we can monitor the overall trend."
USGS and HVO scientists are monitoring changes at the summit 24/7 and watching for signs that hazardous conditions have increased, or may increase. HVO is working closely with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense to respond to this situation.
Updates on activity will be posted on the HVO website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes
/kilauea/status.html. Updates can be received by email through a free subscription service: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense will issue hazard notices, if necessary, at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/ Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park status is posted on https://www.nps.gov/havo /index.htm

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AN EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION TO SECURE THE GEOTHERMAL PLANT in Puna, “and protect public health, safety and the environment,” was made by Gov. David Ige today. The proclamation came as Puna Geothermal moved large cylindars of its Pentan Gas off property to the Shipman Industrial area in Kea`au.

The governor said that the proclamation brings together a team to “review and assess the existing PGV Emergency Response Plan and develop a specific mission strategy deemed appropriate to mitigate potential impacts from lava. Expected steps include addressing the supplies of pentane gas used in the

Puna Geothermal Plant in the foreground is subject of an
emergency proclamation by Gov. David Ige today.
Photo from Paradise Helicopters

production of geothermal power including options for off-site relocation or controlled leakage or burn. Contingency plans will be made to secure and evacuate area residents should lava intrusions cause elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or sulfur dioxide (SO2) to be released,” says the statement from the governor.

He said that among other emergency management functions, the proclamation “establishes lines of authority that will enable a more comprehensive response to changing and unpredictable risks posed by the current eruption. Those risks include possible impacts to Puna Geothermal Venture, which is located on Kīlauea’s Lower East Rift Zone.”

The governor is exercising his authority, as provided by Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes 127A-12(13), and has directed the Director of Emergency Management, the Administrator of the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, Mayor Harry Kim, and the administrator of the Hawaiʻi Civil Defense Agency, to lead a team to develop and implement mitigation steps as necessary to protect public health and safety. In addition to county responders, the team will include federal and state agencies, as well as PGV.

Ige said, “I am placing a tremendous degree of responsibility on two nationally and internationally renowned emergency and mission managers. Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator and retired U.S. Navy Captain Thomas Travis, and County of Hawai‘i Mayor Harry Kim, are proven leaders who care deeply for the public and have the capacity to plan, mobilize and get the job done in a quick and efficient manner.”

Map of fissures going through Leilani Estates. Blue dot in upper right corner indicates approximate location of PVG.
Map of eruption from Hawaiʻi County GIS

Given the current situation, the governor said, he determined that a team approach will ensure the most responsive and effective outcomes. He directed Administrator Travis to work directly with Mayor Kim and the County of Hawai‘i’s Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno. Other key agencies include the Hawai‘i National Guard, the state Departments of Health, and Land and Natural Resources, as well as the County of Hawai‘i’s Departments of Planning, Fire, Police, and Parks and Recreation. Puna Geothermal Venture will be incorporated into the team to provide critical knowledge of the facility and operational functions, said Ige.

Ige and his team have spent several days in the field viewing and assessing the current eruption and conducting briefings and meetings with Mayor Kim, state and federal resources, and community members, to fully assess the ongoing activities and impacts in the Kīlauea Lower East Rift zone, said the governor's statement.

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DISASTER COORDINATION is the help Sen. Mazie Hirono said she will give during this time of damaging volcanic activity on Hawaiʻi Island. Hirono spoke today with Mayor Harry Kim and Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX Administrator Robert Fenton.

Severe ground cracks at fissure 14 this morning
in Leilani Estates. USGS photo

Hirono issued a statement saying, “The impact of ongoing volcanic activity on Hawaiʻi Island makes it critically important that local, state and federal agencies continue to work in tandem to provide accurate, timely, and understandable information to the community. This situation is developing quickly, and I will continue to work with relevant agencies and authorities to ensure Hawaiʻi Island residents receive the assistance they need.”

Earlier today, Hirono published resources and information from government agencies on her website for Hawai`i residents affected by recent natural disasters. This page includes instructions for replacing important documents and updated information on federal services in impacted communities.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

AIR IN KAʻŪ CAN BE AFFECTED BY VOLCANIC EVENTS at Halemaʻumaʻu, and from the burning of asphalt, buildings, and the forest in lower Puna where lava and fire have destroyed many homes. As of 2 p.m. today, 36 structures had been destroyed, lava had covered 116.57 acres, and a 15th fissure near the entrance of Lanipuna subdivision had erupted.
Both the particulates in the air and S02 are windblown. Ash dusting could occur from the plume at Halemaʻumaʻu today, with winds blowing towards the west, states HVO.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, serving up shave ice at the Hoʻolauleʻa. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

At 5:30 p.m. today,SO2 levels were reported as good in Pāhala, after changing between moderate and good all afternoon, with the exception of a 15 minute period of air unhealthy for sensitive groups. Ocean View recorded good air on the SO2 scale all day. See more at Hawaiʻi Short Term SO2 Advisory.

As 5:30 today, moderate particulate pollution was recorded in Ocean View with a reading of 81. Pāhala was listed as good at 23. See more at airnow.

Kaʻū Hospital Charitable Foundation. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

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Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL HOʻOLAULEʻA last weekend hosted dozens of vendors - with coffee being the primary focus. Local community groups joined in at the event to raise funds for various causes:
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou community support organization served up shave ice for hungry keiki and adults.
The Kaʻū Hospital Charitable Foundation sold a variety of items, including fully donated bonsai and other plants, quilts, and other items like t-shirts and household goods. All proceeds go to keeping the hospital open.
Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries sold books and jewelry to help support the reading habits of Kaʻū.
See more from the Kaʻū Coffee Festival events in future Kaʻū News Briefs.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 10

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Mother's Day Card - Arts & Crafts, Fri, May 11, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 7-11. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat, May 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, MAY 12

Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, May 12, 9:30am, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

SUNDAY, MAY 13

TUESDAY, MAY 15

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tue, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

Lei Hulu Demonstration, Wed, May 16, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kilohana Domingo demonstrates his fine mastery of the intricate art of making feather lei. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed, May 16, noon-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

NEW & UPCOMING

Learn how to use a potters wheel with Erik Wold.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

ERIK WOLD OFFERS NEW 8 WEEK SESSIONS OF SUNDAY CLAY - HIGH FIRE!, a morning and afternoon class, starting Sunday, May 13, announces Volcano Art Center. The morning class runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the afternoon session runs from 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., with the last day of class taking place on Sunday, July 1.
All skill levels are welcome to join in the ceramic studio to work with stoneware clay and high-fire reduction glazes, with the goal of creating handmade functional pottery.
Teaching artist, Wold, provides demonstrates wheel throwing methods and is available for individualized assistance to students. Those new to clay will be guided step by step through the basics of using the potter’s wheel or hand-building techniques.
Continuing students and those with previous experience are encouraged to develop their skills and are welcome to pursue more advanced directions with the instructor’s helpful input. Informal discussion on topics ranging from sources of creative inspiration to various pottery styles and traditions from around the world supplement this hands-on learning experience.
Seven registration slots are open to wheel throwers, and two additional places will be open to hand builders.

Make handmade pottery and refine ceramic skills at a workshop in
Volcano this weekend. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

Cost for each 8 week class is $180 per Volcano Art Center Member, $200 per non-Member, plus a $15 materials fee for six pounds of clay, which includes glazes and firing for that material. Additional clay will be available for purchase.
Open studio time will be available to registered students on Wednesdays, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at $10 per day, with tickets available at the Administration Office front desk during business hours.
Wold is a full time potter living in Volcano Village. He is a member of the Volcano Village Artists Hui, and sells his wares regularly at the Saturday Hilo Farmers Market, and Sunday Cooper Center Farmers Market in Volcano. Wold studied Ceramics at the University of Hawaiʻi, Hilo, graduating in 1993.
For more or to register, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, hosted by Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Friday, May 18, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Work on the Mauna Loa strip, clearing invasive weeds around native seedlings planted in the past, allowing the park to control blackberry and other weeds without hurting the seedlings.

Join Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Friday, May 18, to help
remove invasive plant species from Mauna Loa strip. Photo from FHVNP

    Participants will need to wear long sleeves and long pants, sturdy walking shoes, be prepared for sun or rain with a hat, raincoat, sunscreen, etc., plus drinking water and lunch. Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over rough, uneven ground. Also imperative is scrubbing the soles of one's shoes prior to arrival on site, in order to ensure outside dirt/soil and invasive species aren't tracked in. Clothing, tools, and gloves, etc. should be clean before entering the park to protect against seeds, Rapid ʻŌhia Death fungus and other invasives.
     Goal is a crew of 16 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign. Be aware that there can be VOG or high levels of SO2 in the area. If it is too heavy or the Park is closed, the project will be cancelled.
      To volunteer, contact Patty Kupchak at forest@fhvnp.org or (808) 352-1402 by Monday evening May 14, 2018. Include your first & last name(s), email address(s), and a phone number in case of cancellation.

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ONGOING
Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Early registration ends May 14; price increase for half marathon from $80 to $85, 10K from $40 to $45, 5K stays at $30. Registration increases again August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

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Ka‘ū News Brief Friday, April 20, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Saturday, April 21, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Sunday, April 22, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Monday, April 23, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Thursday, April 26, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Friday, April 27, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Saturday, April 28, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Sunday, April 29, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Monday, April 30, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Thursday, May 3, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Friday, May 4, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Saturday, May 5, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Sunday, May 6, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, May 7, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, May 9, 2018