Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, January 8, 2018

- Main fruit harvest season; 

- Mature, ripe fruit (shape and size), rind (texture, thickness, grittiness and color), seed (shape, size - seed to flesh ratio - and looseness in the cavity), and positioning of the peduncle (stem on fruit) – pick at least several fruits for an average; 

- Flesh quality and oil content of mature, mid-season fruit; 

- Young leaf color and smell when hand crushed – leaves of Mexican avocados have an anise-type fragrance; 

- Young stem color or patterns; 

- Mature, healthy tree height and canopy shape;

- Mature, healthy leaf shape, size and color; 

- and A or B type flower.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR/NĀ‘ĀLEHU COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. The public is invited to come and see what C.E.R.T. is all about and participate in training scenarios. For more, contact Dina Shisler at dinashisler24@yahoo.com or 410-935-8087.

High lava fountains erupting from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent in the past is discussed at the next After Dark in the Park event on Tuesday, Jan. 9. See event details at left. Photo from U.S.G.S. Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory

HIGH LAVA FOUNTAINS ERUPTED EPISODICALLY FROM THE PU‘U ‘Ō‘Ō VENT during the first three years of Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone eruption which began 35 years ago. Join Carolyn Parcheta, U.S.G.S. Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory Geologist, as she briefly describes the early history of the East Rift Zone eruption and provides an in-depth look at lava flow activity during the past year at an After Dark in the Park talk on Tuesday, Jan. 9, starting at 7 p.m. in Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event, entitled Volcano's East Rift Zone: 35 Years and Still Erupting, is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

‘OHE KĀPALA, BAMBOO STAMPING, was originally used to decorate clothing with deep symbolic meaning -  it is now used to tell stories on a variety of modern materials. Learn to create beautiful designs with bamboo stamps in a demonstration that takes place Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

A FREE FIVE SESSION PRENATAL EDUCATION PROGRAM COULD BE OFFERED IN KA‘Ū Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi would "like to reach the Ka‘ū community and bring a class to the area if there are interested women." The Healthy Hāpai classes currently scheduled are held in Hilo and Puna, with a new class being held in Waimea on Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, and Feb. 14, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kona classes are yet to be announced.
     The program offers an engaging and educational curriculum designed to help mothers throughout pregnancy and after birth. The course is facilitated by Leila Ryusaki, who started her career in the healthcare field 20 years ago. She says, “Pregnancy is not only about the birth of the baby. It’s also about the birth of the parents. We’re here to help with that transition.”
     The Healthy Hāpai program is ideal for mothers in their first and second trimesters, and open to mothers in their third trimester as well. Both first-time and experienced mothers are encouraged to join and meet other pregnant moms. Participants are welcome to bring a partner, friend, or family member to class.
     To sign up or learn more, expectant mothers can call Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi at (808) 969-9220. For more information, visit hmono.org.

VOLCANO ART CENTER OFFERS BEGINNING HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES - two 8-week courses - starting Thursday, Jan. 11, at their Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Both courses focus on simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. No experience necessary. Part One is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and requires no prior experience in Hawaiian Language. Part Four follows from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays  - some experience with Hawaiian Language is preferred. The course fee for either class is $80 for Volcano Art Center members and $90 for non-members. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

TRAVERSE THE VAST 1868 LAVA FLOW with different volcano features and formations in a free, easy-to-moderate, guided hike entitled Birth of Kahuku on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku and learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Navigational Cylinder by Heather Mettler. Photo from Volcano Art Center

A NEW VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY EXHIBIT, PASSAGE AND PLACE, SHOWCASES Heather Mettler's handblown, chiseled and etched glasswork. The display will be open to the public from Saturday, Jan. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation and immigration - how plants, animals and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free, park entrance fees apply.

BITINI BAILEY, LARRY SEYER, AND JEAN PEIRRE THOMA AND THE JAZZTONES will perform twice on Saturday, Jan. 13, with a matinee from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and an evening performance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano Art Center. “Almost Like Being in Love” is the theme with love songs from around the world. Tickets are $18 for Volcano Art Center members and $20 for non-members. Purchase tickets online at volcanoartcenter.org. Wine, beer and pupu (appetizers) will be available for purchase at the event.

A PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

PATTI PEASE JOHNSON teaches a Silk Painting with Wax Resist workshop on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The class combines batik methods with the art of Serti silk painting to create a representational piece of art, i.e. wall hanging. The workshop fee is $45 per Volcano Art Center member and $50 per non-member, plus a $10 supply fee per person. Beginner and intermediate artists are welcome. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

A ZENTANGLE CLASS FEATURING THE ZENDALA - TWIRLING LEAVES takes place Saturday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The class blends inspiration from nature with traditional Zentangle patterns and is suitable for beginning or returning tanglers. The class fee is $30 for Volcano Art Center members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP LOAD NETS previously collected from the coast into a container at Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station on Sunday, Jan. 14, starting at 9 a.m. Bring personal drinking water. To sign-up, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA is the title of an easy, one-mile, ranger led walk scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower. The walk is free to attend. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.