Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u's Prince Kuhio Day celebration included displays of artifacts and arts &crafts. See story and more photos below. Photos by Nancy Stafford

KA`U’S HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL member Maile David met with Ka`u constituents Monday evening at Ocean View Community Center. About 22 residents attended to hear her thoughts on local issues.

Maile David

Paula Donovan asked how much county money goes to other Ka`u towns compared with Ocean View. “We have the largest population and get the least money,” she said. She asked David for three things that county money went to locally. David listed $2,000 that the County Council recently approved for each of the three Summer Fun programs in Ocean View, Na`alehu and Pahala. Funding will go toward fees for about 20 keiki at each location.
County Council also approved $5,500 for Tropic Care medical services sponsored by the U.S. Army Reserve coming to Ocean View Community Center May 31 – June 4. Funds will be used for transportation of people to get medical check-ups and for maintenance throughout the week. Tropic Care will also provide services at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School.
An additional $2,500 is for Project Vision transportation expenses to bring a second Vision Project van to use during Tropic Care.
Another $5,000 appropriated by County Council will help Ocean View fire station repair its 30,000-water tank on site, a generator and its roll-up doors.
A transfer station for Ocean View was another topic at the meeting. David said that plans needed to be drawn up, but Mike duBois said plans were already done. David’s announcement that the transfer station would be permanently located where the temporary one sparked outrage. “What? Next to the park? Next to houses?” residents asked. She explained that the original location prompted the state Department of Transportation to ask the county to pay over $1 million for a turning lane off Hwy 11.

Tropic Care returns to Ka`u this year.

Donovan also questioned the value of the Ka`u Community Development Plan, saying that after eight years and three quarters of a million dollars, “all we have is a pile of paper.” David said after the meeting that community members from other places where plan is done find it helpful, looking at it as a framework for future plans. It is a guide, along with general plan, so there are two documents to go by for future planning.
“It gives you a heads up on what the community desires,” David said. She also said it can help prevent legal actions down the road. “The community desires should be up front,” she said. The CDP tells everyone, “This is our vision of how we want our community to be.”
Donovan also talked about a grant she wrote to get the National Guard to come and work on infrastructure as training. However, the county has to supply matching funds, and this has not happened, she said. David said she would check on it, and that the proposal occurred before she took office.
Conditions at Kahuku Park were more concerns discussed. David said, “I was saddened to see its condition.” She said she plans to meet with Department of Parks & Recreation about possible improvements. Rod Ducosin said there is no potable water at the park. After the meeting, David said she would check on running a line between the water tank and park.
Residents also expressed concern about Kahuku Park’s alcohol policies. The park allows drinking after 6 p.m., but residents said it occurs throughout the day, to the detriment of children there. David said she would speak to the police captain and see what can be done. She advocated allowing parties and drinking on a permit basis.
Regarding lowering the speed limit on Hwy 11 in commercial areas, David said after the meeting that “it makes sense” and that she would check with the state Department of Transportation.
Ranchos resident Ann Bosted brought up proposed solar farms and substation there, and David said she would send a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission supporting residents’ desires to have the project stopped.
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Anna Cariaga displayed historic photos.

FOLLOWING KA`U’S FIRST PRINCE KUHIO DAY celebration in 40 years, Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u President Blossom DeSilva said she looks forward to future ones. Prince Kuhio founded the Hawaiian Civic Club movement.

The Civic Club opened the event with pule and chant. Booths displayed information about Prince Kuhio, weapons, lei and other artifacts and lauhala weaving. Attendees played the Hawaiian game konane and other outdoor games. Ka`u Multicultural Society had a large photo display. Hawai`i Wildlife Fund also had a display.
The club sold hot dog plates, and Ka`u Ohana Band entertained attendees. Organizers were Darlyne Vierra and Liz Kuluwaimaka.

Grace Smith won the essay contest.

Grace N. Smith, 12-year-old Ka`u Learning Academy Charter School sixth-grade student, won the first annual Kuhio Day essay contest sponsored by Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u. She won a Mini iPad donated by Pat Sanford, of Tech Ed Services, through the efforts of Diana Prentiss, Education Committee chair of Hawaiian Civic Club.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

VOLCANO ART CENTER INVITES all Hawai`i Island quilters to enter its inaugural quilt show July 15 to Aug. 7 at the center’s Niaulani campus.
This year’s show, Quilts in the Forest, Quilts in the Park, is dedicated to the centennial celebration of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park as well as that of the National Park Service. HVNP celebrates its 100th birthday Aug. 1 and is sharing the park through a series of special programs for the public all through the year.

Several Ka`u keiki submitted Prince
Kuhio Day essays.

The show, with categories such as Hawaiian Quilt, Find Your Park, Art to Wear, Bed Runner and Miniature Quilt, is open to all residents of Hawai`i Island.
Quilters need to register online by May 27. Prospectus and entry forms are available at volcanoartcenter.org/gallery/artist-opportunities.
“Our vision for this year’s show is exciting for me as an artist who loves colors and textures in our rain forest environment,” said jewelry artist and amateur quilter Tad Sewell, committee chair for the quilt exhibit.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Keiki enjoyed konane during
Prince Kuhio Day in Ka`u.

HAWAII VISITOR SPENDING GREW 1.2 percent in February, according to preliminary statistics released by Hawai`i Tourism Authority. Total spending by all visitors was $43.3 million per day, a gain of 1.2 percent from February 2015. There were 218,150 total visitors in Hawai`i on any given day, representing no growth from a year ago.
For the first two months of 2016, the average daily census of total visitors increased 1.3 percent to 229,358 visitors per day from year-to-date 2015. Total visitor spending also increased, two percent, representing an average of $45.3 million per day versus $44.4 million per day last year.
“February was a strong month for Hawai`i’s visitor industry, with the bonus of leap year adding an extra day for businesses statewide to generate revenue,” HTA President and CEO George Szigeti said. “February’s average daily visitor spending of $43.3 million was led by the U.S. West ($14.3 million) and U.S. East ($11.2 million) markets, which comprised nearly 60 percent of the total.
“We are maximizing the use of our marketing resources to promote the Hawai`i visitor experience and connect with travelers planning their next vacation. Global competition for travel consumers is intense, and we appreciate all the support of Hawai`i’s industry partners as they market the islands in selling their accommodations, products and services.”

Families explore Palm Trail on the next Kahuku `Ohana Day.
Photo from NPS

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY to sign up for Kahuku `Ohana Day and be included in the free lunch count. Kids up to age 17 and their families will explore the historic Lower Palm Trail and learn special traditional Hawaiian string figures called hei.

The day of fun and discovery takes place on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants must bring their own vehicles for access to the trail. Instructions and directions are given upon registration. Call 985-6019.

TOMORROW IS ALSO THE DEADLINE to enter the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant. On Saturday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m., Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Junior Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants vie for 2016 titles at Ka`u Coffee Mill.

Those who sign up for the pageant are eligible to ride in Merrie Monarch Parade this Saturday.
Contact Trinidad Marques at 936-0015 or aliihhhcoffee@yahoo.com to enter the pageant. Donate to the pageant scholarship fund with Julia Neal at 928-6471 or mahalo@aloha.net.

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