Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, May 28, 2016

KA`U HIGH AND NA`ALEHU SCHOOLS are among state campuses receiving upgrades funded by the Legislature in Capital Improvement Projects, awaiting Gov. David Ige’s signature. Work will include electrical upgrades and walkway lighting in the historic school buildings, some of them included on the state list of historic sites.
      The high school campus is also the site for ongoing construction of one of the largest school gyms in the state, for one of the smallest school populations – the graduating class last week was 48 strong. The gym is nearing its opening, with installation of windows being completed and final work on the wood flooring coming up. It is seen as a potential economic engine for the town, with possibilities of hosting volleyball and other sports tournaments, camps and workshops, cultural events and other activities in addition to school activities. It will seat more than 1,000 people and be managed by the county Department of Parks & Recreation.

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CONCERNS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY of a court appeal are driving Thirty Meter Telescope supporters to call for removal of the recently appointed contested case hearing officer, Timothy Hurley reported this morning in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
      The actions follow opponent Mauna Kea Hui calling for Judge Riki May Amano to be replaced because of a perceived bias based on her membership at University of Hawai`i-Hilo’s `Imiloa Astronomy Center.
      TMT’s board filed a request as a “pre-emptive action,” saying that “it is the only option to ensure that this contentious issue and any alleged appearance of impropriety is resolved. ... This will also minimize any further delay caused by Judge Amano’s selection as hearings officer.”
      Hurley reported that UH Hilo expressed concern that Amano did not disclose a mediation she in conducting there. When she filed a disclosure this week, she said the mediation would not affect her impartiality it the TMT case.
      According to the university’s filing, it fears that the state Supreme Court would side with Mauna Kea Hui’s “appearance of justice” arguments if the case is appealed, Hurley reported.

      See staradvertiser.com.
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HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY shared spectacular views of the lava lake in Halema`uma`u Crater. Taken from an area along the crater rim that is closed to the public due to hazardous conditions, the images show spattering along the lake margins.

      The lake was at a high level earlier this week and partially visible from Jaggar Museum Overlook at times. It has since dropped slightly, but HVO reported this morning that the level has begun to rise again.

      Two lava flows that began recently at Pu`u O`o vent remain in that vicinity and presently pose no threat to communities, HVO reported.
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov for more photos, videos and updates.
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THE BAN ON `OHI`A WOOD TRANSPORT interisland will likely become permanent during Tuesday’s Board of Land & Natural Resources meeting in Honolulu. The proposal, as reported by Ivy Ashe in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, describes Hawai`i Island as a “Rapid `Ohi`a Death Infested area,” and the BLNR fears that it could jump to other islands through transport of `ohi`a posts, boards and foliage.

      An emergency rule prohibiting interisland `ohi`a transport went into effect last summer. “I’ve been delighted with the Department of Ag being proactive on this and not waiting until all the science was settled,” J.B. Friday, extension forester at University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, told Ashe. “If they had waited to settle this until everything was answered, it would be too late. It would be on all the islands already.”

      Researchers have identified the fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata as the cause of rapid `ohi`a death, and researchers continue to try to understand more about the disease. Ashe reported that a tree may have the disease for a long time but not show any symptoms. “I liken it to a heart attack,” Friday told her. “Someone might have been building up plaque in his arteries for years (before).”

      Tens of thousands of acres have been infected by the disease on the Big Island, and the quick death of `ohi`a forests has been documented on aerial flights over the island. Rapid `Ohi`a Death in Ka`u has been observed in areas including Wood Valley, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Ocean View.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL TEAM is raising money to fly again to the mainland for the Boys Junior National Championships, this year in Dallas. The team is comprised of young men who have been playing volleyball together since age ten. The training and competition has led to superior high school play and college scholarships.

      This year, Southside competes as a 17’s team, after rolling through different age groups over the years. Recently, team members received college volleyball offers, including Kekaulike Alameda for Barton College, Emmett Enriques for California Baptist and Kai Enriques for Briar Cliff.

      After a weeklong volleyball camp in Pahala, Southside flies out on June 30 and begins play on July 3. This will be Southside’s eighth trip to the competition. In the last five years, they have once become National Champs and finished twice at fourth, once as a Silver Division champ and once tied for thirteenth.
      Ka`u players are Kameron Moses, of Pahala; Nai`a Makuakane, of Na`alehu; and Addie and Avery Enriques, of Punalu`u. All attend Kamehameha Schools on this island.
      To donate toward plane tickets and accommodations for Ka`u players to attend the national championships, call Brenda Iokepa Moses at 896-3932.
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IT’S TIME TO GET OUT YOUR running shoes, tie up those laces and begin training for the seventh annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs Half Marathon, 10K and 5K on Saturday, Aug. 20. 

      Cooper Center will be the happening place for the Start/Finish for all three races and where the very popular, free Volcano Keiki Runs for ages one to seven are held. Sponsored by Kilauea Lodge – where every keiki is a winner.
      Volcano Rain Forest Runs’ Half Marathon is the third leg of the Big Island Triple Crown Series. Participants who ran the Hilo Half and plan on running the Kona and Volcano races can sign up for the Triple Crown Series. Final ceremony will be at the Volcano event.
      Register online for all events at volcanorainforestruns.com.
      Local Artist Awards will be given for male and female runners who place first, second and third in each race and first and second in 10-year age divisions for all three.

      Rotary Club of Volcano will serve a BBQ lunch on race day. There will also be health and fitness booths, entertainment and much more.

      “Make it a family affair, and bring everyone for a fun-filled day,” Race Director Sharron Faff said. “We would like to thank the community for last year’s overwhelming support of this event, and we sincerely hope that you will join us again for this year’s festivities as a runner, walker, volunteer or spectator. 

      For more information, call Faff at 967-8240.
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THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at 3 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s front lawn in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      A Memorial Day Buffet follows the ceremony from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at KMC’s Crater Rim Café. Menu includes Hawaiian kalua pork sandwich, local-style fried chicken, chili con carne and more. $18 adults; $9 children 6-11. Call 967-8356 for more information.

      Park entrance fees apply. 

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