Ka`u News Briefs Friday, April 21, 2017

The Miss Ka`u Coffee court for 2016 and contenders for the 2017 titles for Miss Ka`u Coffee, Jr. Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Ka`u Coffee flower will once again represent Ka`u Coffee in the Royal Merrie Monarch Parade, Saturday in Hilo. The pageant, under the direction of Trini Marques, is May 13 at Ka`u Coffee Mill.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE WINNER IS DARLENE JAVAR, PRINCIPAL OF NA`ALEHU SCHOOL. The Pahala resident earned $15,000 for a school project and $10,000 cash when she was named Thursday night as the recipient of the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award. The statewide honor is given each year by the Island Insurance Foundation and always to a public school principal. The selection is based on the principal's qualities as "visionary, community-minded." The principal must also have an "entrepreneurial spirit," says a statement from the foundation.  

Darlene Javar, principal of Na`alehu School, is known for her inspiring teaching methods. On Thursday night she received the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award. The title comes with $25,000 and part of it will be used for the school's garden program.

     Javar said she will use the school project funding to bring back and expand the school garden program, which in the past has won awards.        
     Alison Yahna, Parent Community Network Coordinator at the school, and herself a beekeeper, said, "Academic scores improve because education becomes exciting, relevant and applied. Students get to solve real-world problems and invent real-world solutions to the challenges our community faces as they interact with local farmers and entrepreneurs."
       Tyler Tokioka, President of Island Insurance Foundation, said that "Principal Javar exemplifies the type of leadership that can transform our public schools into model learning institutions." He credited Javar for establishing an institute to help new teachers orient to the local community and provide additional financial support as they settle in here before the school year begins.

Darlene Javar receives the Excellence in School Leadership Award, chosen from nominees from around the state. Photo from Island Insurance Foundation

       Christina Juan, Vice Principal of Na`alehu School, which has a high number of Marshallese and other immigrant children, said, "The beauty of the surrounding environment often masks the very unique struggle of our families and communities. With the many challenges faced throughout the year, Principal Javar has made it her mission to provide her students with a safe, happy nurturing learning environment that they need in order to thrive."
     Island Insurance, founded in 1940 by Masayuki Tokioka, sports its motto, "Always Here to Help," and states that the company "was created to provide the underserved people of Hawai`i with better insurance options."

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is celebrating Earth Day and raising money with Ocean Air, Love the Sea, Sea Cleaners, Sustainable Coastlines Hawai`i and The Surfrider Foundation. Photo from HWF

SATURDAY IS EARTH DAY and local organizations are educating and celebrating
     Recycle Hawai`i is also calling for Keeping it Green nominations. The award recognizes organizations, businesses, schools and government agencies for demonstrating ongoing commitment and activities that address natural resource conservation, green practices and preserving the environmental quality of life in Hawai`i.
      Winners will be acknowledged for work in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Zero Waste; Climate Change; Energy, Water & Natural Resources; Green Building and Sustainable Design; Native Cultural Gathering Rights and Practices; Native Species; Open Space, Trails and Greenways and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Literacy. The deadline to make nominations is May 1. See www.recyclehawaii.org.

A new Natutral Science degree will be offered starting this Fall at the Hawai`i Community College campus in Kona. Abover are students in Environmental Science. Photo from HCC

Miss Ka`u Coffee contenders have invited the public to the Ka`u Coffee Festival for years, as they participate in the Royal Merrie Monarch Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

Birth of Kahuku, Sat, April 22, 9:30 – 11 a.m, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Participants explore the area’s rich geologic history. Free. nps.gov/havo

National Park Rx Day, Sun, April 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A growing movement prescribes parks and nature for the improvement of health. Presentations & activities include a yoga session with Danielle Makaike, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.; lomilomi and kalo, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Walk with a Doc, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, April 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN goes to a public Steering Committee meeting this coming Tuesday, April 25, at Na`alehu Community Center, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Windward Planning commission will hold a Ka`u CDP public hearing on Wednesday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center and Thursday, June 1 at 9 a.m. at the County of Hawai`i Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. Following the Windward Planning Commission making recommendations, the County Council will hold Ka`u CDP public hearings and take action. With approval, Mayor Harry Kim will sign the Ka`u CDP into law and an Action Committee will be appointed to guide the Ka`u CDP implementation. The Draft Ka`u CDP and the Planning Director's "non-substantive revisions" are available at the site: www.kaucdep.info.