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| The 37th Annual Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Hawaiian Cultural Festival drew many to learn cultural practices and enjoy hula and music. Photo by Cheryl Cuevas |
THE 37TH ANNUAL HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL was entitled Hilina‘i Puna, Kālele iā Ka‘ū, which means Puna leans and reclines on Ka‘ū. On Saturday, the festival drew people of all ages to engage in authentic Hawaiian cultural practices and learn how native Hawaiians lived closely to the land as its stewards.
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Mules and riders who patrol Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and help to rescue injured and stranded hikers stood by at the cultural festival. Photo by Gabriel Cuevas |
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| Hawaiian herbal medicine and nutrition was shared at the cultural festival at HVNP. Photo by Cheryl Cuevas |
This year’s festival again included the BioBlitz, when students and adults joined cultural practitioners and discovered the biodiversity that thrives in the park.
The free event was held on grounds of Kilauea Military Camp with the Bioblitz reaching out into the parklands.
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AN OPEN HOUSE FOR THE 60 PLUS ACRES at the old Ka`u sugar mill site was held today for anyone interested in bidding on the property at the Hilo courthouse auction on July 28. The land, which is in foreclosure, had been planned for a water bottling plant and shopping center.
It includes the KAHU radio station building, which is used by Hawai`i Public Radio and for Civil Defense emergency messages to cover this side of the island. Civil Defense invested in the KAHU radio station to make sure Ka`u is covered during warnings and natural disasters.
The land includes sugar plantation walls and other historic remnants that residents have sought to preserve. It also includes the remains of a residential mill camp near Pahala Hongwanji with the stone and concrete remains of stairways to what used to be small sugar homes. There is a mango orchard, an old warehouse and old store and restaurant building.
Community ideas for use of the property, should it become county land, include a campground to take the pressure off of Punalu`u Beach park and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, particularly with sports events at the new county gym and ballfield in Pahala attracting people needing a place to stay.
A larger venue for festivals and events, including the Ka`u Coffee Festival, which is outgrowing Pahala Community Center; a place for farm and business education as well as an industrial incubator business facility; reviving the radio station where high school kids and keiki play music and learn speaking, broadcasting and news reporting skills were all suggested. One resident from the sugar days recalled that the plantation used to allow skating on the concrete in the main warehouse building.
Several people suggested that the county also help to identify and take care of any toxic waste left over by the sugar plantation to make those areas of the property safe for those who go there.
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| Lito Arkangel at the cultural festival on Saturday. Photo by Gabriel Cuevas |
Another open house will be held on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon, with those interested meeting at the radio station building.
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| Hat making was popular at the festival. Photo by Cheryl Cuevas |
NEARSHORE AQUATIC LIFE IS THE FOCUS of a campaign by the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i'i, joined by scientists, non-governmental organizations, and numerous individuals who worked hard to make sure SB1240 passed both the state House of Representatives and Senate in 2017. They want to stop Gov. David Ige from vetoing the meassure.
The bill requires the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to submit proposed legislation by the 2019 regular session including a definition of "sustainable," a policy for sustainable collection practices of near shore aquatic life, a process for determining limits on collection practices of near shore aquatic life, and any additional resources required by the department.
It also prohibits issuance of new aquarium permits, transfer of current permits subject to certain provisions, and renewal of permits that have not been renewed for five or more years.
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| The underwater world of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands came to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Cheryl Cuevas |
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"This issue is one of the priority issues chosen by our caucus and our party this legislative session to ensure that our reefs are healthy and vibrant for generations to come," says a statement from the Democratic Party, pointing to an article in in Civil Beat, which it refers to as giving a fair summary of the issue.
The party urges those supporting the bill to email the Governor's Office at Brandon.T.Asuka@hawaii.gov and "let Governor Ige know that you support SB1240. You can also call his office and voice your support: (808) 586-0034."
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Lei Making Demo, Wed, July 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local cultural practitioner Pua O’Mahoney teaches how to make traditional Hawaiian lei with natural materials that include leaves, flowers and more. Free; park entrance fees apply.
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| http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017 |
