Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013

Death of an Artery and how to prevent it through healthy eating and exercise was a main thrust of a health fair last weekend in Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

HEALTH & WELLNESS IN KA`U IS ONE OF THE SECTORS of economic opportunity identified in new draft documents for the Ka`u Community Development Plan, which is the subject of a public meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. According to Appendix V4C: Local Economic Development Analysis, general strong growth in the health and wellness sector and the aging population in Ka`u create significant opportunities for job growth and entrepreneurism. However, the documents says, training and education opportunities are needed to address the workforce gap and to prepare for aging in place opportunities as well as changes in coverage, service delivery and technology.

“Due to the broad reach of the health and wellness sector, a growing sector in Ka`u could provide an opportunity to leverage outside resources and investments in a way that holds true to the community’s vision of development. This could also be an opportunity to engage with educational institutions to provide necessary training,” the appendix states.

Gentle exercise with a spiritual feeling engages Ka`u residents at the health fair.
Photo by Julia Neal

   According to the document, Ka`u has a range of facilities and organizations that provide a base of community resources and assets upon which this sector could build. These include Ka`u Hospital and Rural Health Clinic, Bay Clinic, senior services, Ever Care, Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council, Coordinated Services for the Elderly, Hawai`i County Nutrition Program for Elderly and the Hawai`i County Office on Aging.
   Planners state that the education, health, and social services sector already employs a significant number of those working in the region – over 22 percent in Pahala, over 22 percent in Na`alehu and over 17 percent in Ocean View and thus “provides a foundation to attract new investments in the community through existing community infrastructure.”
   The document notes that Ka`u has many traditional and non-traditional health and wellness practitioners available to collaborate with mainstream practitioners, which is an added advantage to the flourishing health and wellness industry on Hawai`i Island.

Appendix V4C and other documents are available at kaucdp.info.
The public can comment on the document at the meeting in Pahala this evening and submit testimony through Dec. 16 using a feedback form at kaucdp.info. To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Rethink Your Drink urges Ka`u residents to stay off the sodas and other sugary habits.
Photo by Julia Neal

DEATH OF AN ARTERY, WHY ANIMALS DON’T SMOKE AND RETHINK YOUR DRINK were some of the slogans put forth at the health fair held Saturday at Pahala Community Center. Organized by Ka`u Rural Health Community Association under the direction of Jessie Marques, the fair drew people to test their lung functions and learn about healthy eating, exercise and preventive care. The Hawai`i Health Care Connector also manned a table to sign up people for health insurance. The fair was called Better Choices, Better Health - A Family Affair.

For more on the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc., see krhcai.com. The organization’s tag line is “Doing Whatever It Takes to Keep Ka`u Healthy.”

To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

APRIL KEKOA AND TEANA KAHO`OHANOHANO share their knowledge of preparing poke, the popular island dish that usually consists of bite-size pieces of raw, fresh fish mixed with seaweed and kukui nut relish, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Poke is on the menu at Kilauea Visitor Center tomorrow.
Photo from NPS

KA`U SCENIC BYWAYS MEETING tomorrow, Wednesday at Na`alehu Methodist Church will be 6 p.m. and feature displays concerning the work of this committee of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, which has included educational signage at South Point Lookout on Hwy 11 and plans for informational and educational kiosks and other signage along the Ka`u corridor.
The public is invited to tomorrows community outreach meeting.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN HELP with a forest restoration project at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku unit Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants plant native seedlings in a fenced enclosure where the plants will be protected from grazing animals.
Pre-registration is required. Call 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS from around with island will converge on Ka`u High School Gym this Friday night and Saturday for a Food Drive and Tournament. Teams taking on the Trojans are: Lapahoehoe varsity, Pahoa varsity and jayvee and Kealakehe varsity. The purpose, according to a statement form the Ka`u Trojans, is "to give back to our community and help feed the

Nene vase stoneware by Emily Herb will be on the
Volcano Artist Hui tour.

hungry." The goal is "to collect over 200 lbs of non-perishable foods to give back to our community." Start time on Friday for the food drive where people can bring in two canned items per person or $3 per person for admission is at 4 p.m. The first game is at 6 p.m. with Lapahoehoe taking on Pahoa. The second game at 7:30 p.m. will see Ka`u taking on Kealakehe. On Saturday, at 9 a.m., Ka`u will play Lapahoehoe; at 10:30 a.m., Pahoa will play Kealakehe and at noon Ka`u jayvee will play Pahoa jayvee. Kealaheke will play Lapahoehoe at 1:30 p.m. and at 3 p.m. Pahoa will play Ka`u in a varsity match.

VOLCANO ARTIST HUI is preparing for the annual tour to artist studios in Volcano Village on Saturday, Nov. 29 and Sunday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. For more information call 987-3472 or 985-7487. See maps showing the studios at www.VolcanovillageARtistsHui.com