Ka`u News Briefs Monday, July 4, 2016

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization urges everyone to take precautions to prevent fires and injuries
on this July 4 Holiday. Image by Cassandra Swagner for HWMO

A RODEO GROUNDS FUNDRAISER, to bring in some $85,000 to expand the Na`alehu facility of Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, kicked off over Independence Day weekend. The biggest crowd and most competitors in years converged on Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds for the Saturday and Sunday rodeo and paniolo fellowship. Some rodeo horses sailed in by barge from other islands, while local cowboys and cowgirls trucked their steeds from all around the Big Island.

Ka`u Roping & Riding Association officers Ralph and Tammy
Ka`apana, along with Rodeo Queen Kalia Andrade and top Bull Rider
Westin Joseph. The organization is looking for donations to purchase
more land for its rodeo grounds in Na`alehu
Photo by Julia Neal

Ka`u Roping & Riding, a 501C3 nonprofit, is looking to purchase about two acres adjacent to the rodeo grounds to handle the growing number of people coming to its events, and to expand its activities. President of the organization is Ralph Ka`apana. Vice-President is Barney Malicki. Secretary is Jennifer Shibuya. Treasurer is Tammy Ka`apana.
To make a donation, call 929-8079, or send a check and information required for tax deduction to Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, P.O. Box 423, Na`alehu, HI 96772.
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GOLD BUCKLE WINNERS OF THE INDEPENDENCE DAY RODEO on Saturday and Sunday in Na`alehu, all winners receiving prize money from Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, are:
Dummy Roping - ages four and under, Ryder Tavares, gold buckle sponsored by Sherlene Rosario of Pahala Pops.
Dummy Roping - ages 5 - 8, Mauka Balucan, buckle sponsored by Patti Barry, of The Land Office.

A bullfighter, formerly known as rodeo clown, runs to the scene as
paniolo approach the steer. Photo by Cindy Orlando

Goat Undecorating - ages four and under, Manaia Balucan, buckle sponsored by Wayne Kawachi, of O Ka`u Kakou.
Goat Undercorating - ages 5-8, Tayden Freitas, buckle sponsored by Carl and Amy Okuyama, of Na`alehu 76 and Wiki Wiki Mart.
In the adult competitions:
Po`o Wai U - Evan Manoha, buckle sponsored by Justie Mona Wroblewski.

Calf Riding in Na`alehu. Photo by Cindy Orlando

Tie Down Roping - Kahiau Onaka, buckle sponsored by Wally and M.J. Andrade with M.J. Ranch.
Wahine Breakaway - Pua Kauhaihao, buckle sponsored by Robert Kawamoto and Umi Ranch.
Calf Riding - Tervin Terlep, buckle sponsored by Ka`u Auto Repair.
Bull Riding - Westin Joseph, buckle sponsored by Tammy and Ralph Ka`apana of Four K Ranch.
Wahine Mugging - Cacy Borges and Shannon Benevides, buckles sponsored by Waimea Hill Country & Tack, Inc. and Kenneth and Jonette Gaston, of Slack Enterprises.
Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging - Katie Andrade and Bronson Branco, buckles sponsored by West Hawai`i Towing.
Youth Barrels - Abby Forster, buckle sponsored by Hana Hou Restaurant.

Veteran rodeo announcer Al Cabral. Photo by Julia Neal

Double Mugging - Kepa Benevides and Ryan Sanborn, buckles sponsored by Edwin DeLuz Trucking.
Team 90s -Wally Ching and Travis Gomes, buckles sponsored by Ka`u Andrade Contracting and Steven and Phina Wroblewski.
Kane-Wahine Dally - Bronson Branco and Makayla Awa, buckles sponsored by Robert Kawamoto and Umi Ranch.
Open Dally - Nolan Nobriga and Shawn Aguiar, buckles sponsored by Miranda Country Store.

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FIREWORKS AND FIRECRACKER SAFETY are on the minds of local first responders today, especially with the recent windy conditions in Ka`u that have dried out some of the rangelands and present a fire hazard.
Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization has also issued a list of suggestions for today and all year long, to reduce risk of wildfires damaging homes, businesses, ranches, farms and parks. See www.hawaiiwildfire.org.

SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL TEAM, with Coach Guy Enriques from Punalu`u and Ka`u players, topped teams from Southern California, Ohio and Puerto Rico on Sunday in Dallas at the U.S. Volleyball Association's Boys Junior National Championships.

Southside Volleyball players are looking to win
and attract college recruiters in Dallas.

Southside defeated a team called Pali 17 Nike from Southern California with scores of 25-17 and 25-15. Southside took out Southport 17s from Ohio with scores of 25-19 and 25-12. Southside won a tougher battle to defeat the Ponce Pumas from Puerto Rico with scores of 25-20, 24-26 and 15-12. Southside was to play three matches today. The tournament runs through Wednesday. Last year, Southside finished ninth overall, taking the Silver bracket.
Local team members are Addie and Avery Enriques, of Punalu`u, both students at Kamehameha School in Ke`aau; Kameron Moses, of Pahala, another Kamehameha student; and Nai`a Makuakane, of Na`alehu, also a student at Kamehameha where Guy Enriques coaches all of them. Many of the team members have been playing volleyball together since the age of ten.
The Boys Junior National Championship tournament is considered a prime event for college recruiters looking to provide scholarships for talented volleyball players. Ka`u volleyball players have become recipients of such opportunities, attending colleges and universities on the mainland, including Stanford.

Mary Pukui documented the
language and Hawaiian families
of Ka`u. Her family will give a
public presentation on Friday.

A volleyball camp at Ka`u High School Gym, with competitors flying in from Oregon, was held before the Southside team took off last week to Dallas. It was sponsored with local contributions of food and money and the donation of accommodations by Pahala Plantation Cottages. The Olson Trust also donated accommodations at the Old Pahala Clubhouse.
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THE LEGACY OF MARY KAWENA PUKUI, of Her Beloved Ka`u will be presented on Friday, July 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center.
Pukui’s grandson La`akea Suganuma, president of Mary Kawena Pukui Cultural Preservation Society, presents the program along with Pukui’s great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. The event is one in a series, sponsored by Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, Inc., along with Debbie and Kawehi Ryder.
Refreshments will be served.
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