Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, March 24, 2016

Ocean View blacksmith Richard Blaine explains his craft to the audience while he and assistants and practitioners create items during yesterday's demonstration at Na`alehu Public Library. Photos by Ron Johnson

RAPID `OHI`A DEATH, which has spread from Puna to Volcano, Ka`u and Kona, is likely spread when beetles burrow into dead trees, Bret Yager reported in West Hawai`i Today.

J.B. Friday, an extension forester with University of Hawai`i Cooperative Extension Service, told Yager that burrowing ambrosia beetles create dust that can be carried up to two miles by prevailing winds, which he said would help explain why the fungus hasn’t made it to Hamakua or Kohala.

Beetles are being blamed for spreading rapid `ohi`a death.
Photo from UH-CTAHR

Reseachers suggest that landowners have dead trees cut down and cover the debris to prevent infestation by beetles.

Dust can also be carried by people who visit infected `ohi`a forests. To avoid movement of the dust, researchers also urge people to clean shoes, tools and clothing before leaving such areas.
Lisa Keith, a research plant pathologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Hilo, told Yager, “The fungus might have come in on some nursery plants, certain changes might have occurred, and a new very susceptible host – `ohi`a – became infected.”

Hawai`i Department of Agriculture is informing hula halau traveling to Hawai`i Island for next week’s Merrie Monarch Festival that the very act of harvesting `ohi`a may spread the disease, as spores may be carried in soil and by vehicles, shoes and clothing to uninfected areas.
“`Ohi`a is one of the most important trees in our native forests and has such cultural significance,” said Scott Enright, chairperson of Hawai`i Board of Agriculture.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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Mayor Billy Kenoi

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYOR Billy Kenoi has been indicted by a grand jury. The charges arose from alleged conduct taking place from 2011 through 2015 during his tenure as mayor.

The charges are:

Counts 1 and 2: Theft in the Second Degree, Class C felonies each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine;
Counts 3 and 4: Theft in the Third Degree, misdemeanors each punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine;
Counts 5, 6 and 7: Tampering with a Government Record, misdemeanors each punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine; and
Count 8: False Swearing, a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

State Attorney General Doug Chin said his department “sought this indictment after an intensive investigation that lasted almost a year. I thank the investigators and prosecutors for their efforts.”
Kenoi was arrested and released on his own recognizance. He remains Mayor of the County of Hawai`i. An indictment is a finding of probable cause and is not a criminal conviction. Kenoi is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty of the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
“The county is not out one penny. Mayor Kenoi has not enriched himself one penny,” Honolulu attorney Todd Eddins told John Burnett, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. “It is factually and legally feeble to claim that Billy Kenoi stole from his hometown.”
Todd Belt, a political science professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, told the Tribune-Herald, “Past history shows that the mayor is a fighter. I fully expect he will fight these charges. The outcome of this case is what matters to his political career.”

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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`O KA`U KA`U THANKS all of the many volunteers from Ka Lae Quilters and Ka`u Red Hat Ladies to the Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation for their help in putting on the very successful Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for the hospital held on Feb. 27. Through everyone’s efforts, they sold 329 dinner tickets for a total of $3,290 dollars. With all of the donations and items sold in the auction, craft and bake sale, there was a total $6,212.49 raised for the Hospital Foundation.

Tui Masanai and Harry Evangelista provided entertainment, and a fun time was had by all. “Thank you to the Ka`u community for supporting this great event,” OKK Secretary Nadine Ebert said.

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A blacksmith shapes an iron rod after heating
it in a cylindrical oven.

LEAVES, POKERS AND KNIFES were items forged by blacksmiths during a free demonstration at Na`alehu Public Library yesterday. Ocean View residents Richard and Schaunlee Blaine used heat from a charcoal grill to make iron malleable, while David Brunetta and Ian Bailey used a cylindrical oven powered by propane.

Brunetta, a professional knife maker, created a knife with a twisted handle and guard, then intentionally broke it so the audience could see the inside.
The Blaines offered their leaves to keiki as thanks for attending. The library received a poker that library manager Sara Kamibayashi said will be framed and displayed.
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KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE invites residents to its blessing of the new three-sided informational kiosk sign at Na`alehu Park Monday, March 28 at 2 p.m. Ka`u's County Council member Maile David and past Council member Brenda Ford, along with others who contributed to the creation of the kiosk, will be in attendance.
This is the first three-sided informational sign in the state. The panels display maps and photos of the byway and the Na`alehu area, along with historical photos and stories of Na`alehu, Wai`ohinu and Honu`apo. The 1868 earthquake, the history of sugar and coffee in Ka`u and the historic Fourth of July celebration in Na`alehu Park are also included.

Drop off items for Discovery Harbour's fundraiser rummage
sale today. Photo from DHCA

DISCOVERY HARBOUR COMMUNITY Association accepts items today until 4 p.m. for this weekend’s Volunteer Fire Department rummage sale.

For more information, call 929-9576.

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT Network presents The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) over the next two weekends. Curtain time at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Fridays and Saturdays is 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. is the venue.
Tickets are $15 general, $12 for students and seniors and $10 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.
Park entrance fees may apply.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA`U invites residents to enjoy Prince Kuhio Day at Na`alehu Park on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Opening pule is at 8:45 a.m., followed by announcements and greetings, arrival of the Royal Court and entertainment. There will be food, arts and crafts, exhibits, photos, cultural demonstrations, Hawaiian games more.
For more information, contact Darlyne at 640-8407 or dvierra22@gmail.com or Liz at 339-0289 or konawaileo@yahoo.com.

Nene habitat stewardship takes place
Saturday. Photo from NPS

GUIDED HIKES AT HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park take place this weekend at the summit and at Kahuku.

A centennial hike to protect nene and Devastation Trail begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Devastation Trail parking lot. Join park staff to malama a section of Devastation Trail that provides important nene habitat by removing knotweed and other invasive plants. Park entrance fees apply.
Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka and Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate one-mile walk Saturday at the Kahuku Unit from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
On Sunday at 9:30 a.m., also at Kahuku, participants learn about the formation and various uses of the grassy cinder cone Pu`u o Lokuana and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u. The one-hour, free program is a moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.

HAWAI`I’S DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL Preference Poll takes place Saturday at 1 p.m. Ka`u Democrats in precincts 03-07 and 05-01 cast ballots at Pahala Community Center, and those in precincts 05-02, 05-03 and 05-04 vote at Ocean View Community Center. Doors open at 12 p.m.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST CONTINUES Saturday, featuring vocalist Ron Murphy with Volcano Art Center’s Jazz Ensemble.

Murphy’s music is a combination of the American Song Book along with a tribute to Joe Williams called A Cup Of Joe, performing some of his most noted songs. He also performs music of Billy Eckstein, Johnny Hartman, Duke Ellington, Arthur Prysock, Frank Sinatra and many of the Ladies of Song, including Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Carter and Dinah Washington.
Two shows are offered, with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for VAC members and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available through tomorrow at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village, VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and online at volcanoartcenter.org. After that, tickets will be sold at the door if they are not sold out. Tickets will be held at Will Call on the day of the show.

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