Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, November 24, 2017

Purchase of the Na`alehu Fruit Stand site on Hwy 11 is the subject of a fundraiser by OKK, which
plans to partner in building senior housing there. Photo from Diana Prentiss, Realtor

SENIOR HOUSING FOR NA`ALEHU is the goal of the local non-profit ʻO Kāʻū Kākou, which will hold a public meeting on the subject on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Nāʻālehu Community Center. With rent prices increasing and no senior housing available in Nāʻālehu, ʻO Kāʻū Kākou plans to partner with Hawaiʻi Island Community Development Corp. to create 25 to 30 senior housing units on a 1.9-acre property owned by Asha Mallick. The parcel is located across from Nāʻālehu Elementary School, where the former Na`alehu Fruit Stand was located and operated for years by the Santangelo family.

Wayne Kawachi, President of OKK, will
walk 100 miles to raise money for
senior housing in Na`alehu.
Photo by Julia Neal

In order to raise $250,000 toward purchase of the property, ʻO Kaʻū Kākou President Wayne Kawachi plans to walk in his slippers 100 miles, from Hamākua to Nāʻālehu between Jan. 2 through Jan. 5. He plans to either sleep out in the elements or in community centers and fire stations along the way.

Kawachi said he was inspired by Raylene Moses, an OKK member and longtime community advocate. He said that Moses, a former member of the County Planning Commission, has made it her mission to make Nāʻālehu senior housing a reality and brought the idea to OKK. "She is the original driving force behind it. Things are falling in to place very quickly, and it motivates us all to accomplish this task ahead of us," said Kawachi. Anyone wanting to make a pledge per mile or donate specifically toward the land purchase, should contact OKK secretary, Nadine Ebert, at 938-5124 or ebertn004@hawaii.rr.com.

To date, $1700 has been pledged toward the property purchase and local contractor Wally Andrade has donated two days of work for building demolition. OKK invites any community organizations to meet and join with them to accomplish the senior housing goal.

"Our mission statement is to serve the community and make the community prosperous. We want the community to serve both young and old," said Ebert. "When things are growing and improving, it goes to show community is alive and well. We are Kaʻū."

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OKK VOLUNTEERS FOR NEW EVENTS, PROJECTS: Another new project for ʻO Kāʻū Kākou, is organizing the Hawai`i Food Basket distribution in Pāhala every last Thursday of the month at the Kaʻū District Gym. OKK is looking for volunteers to help.

OKK recently supported several school and community groups and events with manpower, tents, supplies, shave ice and popcorn fundraising, including the Floating Lantern Ceremony at Punalu`u Beach, Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder's Ho‘okupu Hula
No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival, Nāʻālehu Elementary's Friendraiser, Kaʻū Multicultural Society's Plantation Days and its Pig Hunting Tournament, the Kaʻū Police Department's 20th Anniversary Fun Day, Kaʻū High's Youth Active in Government, football and sports teams, Discovery Harbour Health Fair, Kaʻū Hawaiian Civic Club, Kaʻū High's casino fun day for seniors, taiko drumming classes at Pāhala Hongwanji and turkeys for Hope Diamond Ministries.

On top of its own annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run and supporting the Ka`u Coffee Festival, OKK provides continual maintenance of eight graveyards in Kaʻū and public port-a-potties at Punaluʻu and South Point, and annual scholarship programs. Upcoming events include supporting KRHCA's annual Floating Lantern Ceremony on Saturday at Punalu`u Medicine Pond, OKK's Saturday, Dec. 16 Punaluʻu pond clean-up and the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 27.

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THE ANNUAL DECORATED COTTAGES HOLIDAY CHALLENGE at Kīlauea Military Camp within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park takes place Friday, Nov. 24, through Friday, Jan. 1. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests, the KMC Cottages are adorned with lighting and decorations for evening stolls. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8371 or visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

KMC invites the public to enjoy its Christmas lights
and decorations and to vote for the best cottage.
Photo by David Berry

THE TENTH ANNUAL KAMAHALO CRAFT FAIR by the Cooper Center continues through Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 30 local artisans participate, offering unique gifts. See facebook.comcooper
centervolcano/. Email Linda Ugalde at kilaueatutu@gmail.com. The event will be located at 19-4030 Wright Rd, Volcano.

NATURE & CULTURE: AN UNSEVERABLE RELATIONSHIP\ is a moderate 2 mile hike, Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Palm Trail hikers visit a place where catastrophic change (hulihia) and subsequent restoration (kulia) can be observed as the land transitions from the 1868 lava flow with its pioneer plants to deeper soil with more diverse and older flora. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. Visit nps.gov/havo for more.

VOLUNTEERS REMOVE NON-NATIVE PLANTS from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Saturday, Nov. 25, at 8:45 a.m. Meet leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers wear hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration required, there is no cost to participate, though park entrance fees apply. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/
summit_stewardship.htm.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI'S 31ST ART STUDIO TOUR & SALE continues Saturday through Sunday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., six artists studios in Volcano Village. Meet artists, view and purchase wide variety of artwork from local artists. Special drawing held at sales end. For more call 987-3472. Find a map of the six participating artists studios at VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

THE FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY AT PUNALU‘U to honor past, present and future generations will be on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park, Medicine Pond. Taiko Drummers join the celebration, along with hula dancers, local musicians and Gi Gong practitioners. Donations are tax deductible and will be used toward college scholarships through the events sponsor Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association. Call 928-0101 for more.

Augie T performs his comedy at KMC on Saturday.
Photo from Augie T

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP HOSTS AUGIE T IN CONCERT on Saturday, Nov. 25, at KMC’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets on sale at Hirano Store or online at AugieT.com. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more call, 967-837, kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

JOIN A GUIDED HIKE ALONG THE PALM TRAIL in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The hike will also be offered on Dec. 3 and Dec. 23.
Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and amazing volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures.
For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS meets Tuesday, Nov. 28, at10 a.m., in the HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office. For more, call 929-9910.

KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY offers free food to those in need on Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY TUESDAY, NOV. 28, FOR A FELT WINTER HANGING CRAFT class that takes place Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

THE ART OF TAIKO COMES TO NĀ‘ĀLEHU PUBLIC LIBRARY on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Master taiko drummer Kenny Endo and his Taiko Center of the Pacific ensemble will demonstrate and discuss taiko in group and festival drumming.
Recommended for ages five and older. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver. For more information, contact 939-2442.
For a schedule of other upcoming library programs visit libraries hawaii.org/events.

CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS OFFERING EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.

The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.

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