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| Left, Halemaʻumaʻu in 2008. Right, Halemaʻumaʻu in September of 2018. See the radical changes in person starting Saturday, Sept. 22. NPS photos |
Activity calmed down sharply starting Aug. 2, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes began to cautiously prepare for visitors. Staff and contractors checked out roads, trails, parking areas, buildings, water and sewage lines, septic systems, and anything else that could have been damaged by the extreme number and strength of earth movements over more than three months.
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| Volcano House will reopen Sept. 22, with accommodations available starting Oct. 6, and the restaurants expected to open in mid-October. Photo from hawaiivolcanohouse.com |
Volcano House will receive the public on Saturday. "We are excited to announce that Volcano House will be opening in a limited capacity when the Park reopens," with three retail outlets and "an assortment of grab-and-go food and beverage options," says its website. Volcano House common areas – including the historic hotel sitting room, meditation caldera viewing room, public restrooms, and outdoor areas facing the caldera – will all be available to the public.
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| Military card holders can enjoy 50 percent off all rooms from Sept. 22 through 30. Photo from kilaueamilitarycamp.com |
Kīlauea Military Camp will also reopen on Saturday, at 10 a.m. , with hours back to normal Sunday, Sept. 23. Elene Rizzo-Kuhn, Marketing Assistant at KMC, wrote to The Kaʻū Calendar that Saturday "will also be a day [to show] appreciation to our local community and guests as we offer up to 50 percent discounts all around the campus. We invite everyone back to KMC to join in our festivities. After four months of being off and working from home or up at Pohakuloa Training Area, our employees are looking forward to start receiving guests. Luckily there was minimal damage to KMC. All are now carefully planning a bright future toward our reopening and the business of providing legendary Morale, Welfare, and Recreation to all Service Members, their families, and authorized patrons."
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| Volcano Art Center Gallery returns to its normal hours starting Sunday, Sept. 23. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org |
Volcano Art Center Gallery will reopen at
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| Kīlauea Lodge staff are looking forward to the reopening of the summit areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo from highwaywestvacations.com |
Kīlauea Lodge's General Manager Janet Coney told The Kaʻū Calendar,"We're thrilled that the Park is reopening. We're definitely looking forward to it! Those that live here are excited to see the new looks of Halemaʻumaʻu."
Coney said the loss of customers to the Lodge has been "at least 50 percent," that it's been "extremely hard," and that the Lodge has been trying to retain their staff, "keep them employed," during the Park's closure. However, the Lodge escaped any damage to the buildings and grounds.
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| Volcano Winery staff look forward to the reopening of the Park restoring their custom and community. Photo from volcanowinery.com |
Bothof also said he wants to let people know that the air – in Volcano, in Kaʻū, and over the whole island – "is gorgeous right now. I think the more people understand that, the better off the Big Island
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LIMITED PARKING AND LONG LINES are what visitors to the newly reopened Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park can expect on Saturday, Sept. 22. Hawai‘i Volcanoes said in a news release today that it is "pleased to announce" reopening at 10 a.m. on National Public Lands Day, with no fees. Park visitors "should anticipate heavy traffic, long lines and delays, and one third fewer parking spaces when visiting the Park," says the release.
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| Expect long lines and limited parking at the newly reopened Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo |
Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando said, "We are thrilled to welcome our public back and share the incredible changes that have taken place. We ask that you stay alert to these profound changes while enjoying your Park and its resources."
Before the closure, the Park averaged 5,500 visitors per day and many parking lots were often full by 10 a.m. , says the release. Now, the available parking around the summit is reduced by one third. If a parking lot is full, visitors should seek parking at a different destination such as Mauna Ulu or at the coast. Vehicles parked outside of designated stalls are subject to citation and may be towed. There will be limited services and no potable water as the Park returns to normal operations. Visitors should bring snacks, plenty of drinking water, and a full tank of gas is also recommended. Please use caution and drive with aloha, urges the Park staff.
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REP. TULSI GABBARD IS ENDORSED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONF FOR THE REFORM OF MARIJUANA LAWS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, states a release from Gabbard's campaign team. The organization NORMAL PAC states that it supports Gabbard's work on decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level and her advocacy for criminal justice reform.
Gabbard states, "For decades, bad data and misinformation have fueled the failed 'War on Drugs' that has ruined people's lives, torn families apart, and wasted billions of taxpayer dollars incarcerating Americans for nonviolent marijuana charges. In 2016 alone, nearly 600,000 people were arrested for marijuana possession. Our laws must be informed by facts – not emotion, manufactured stigma, and myths. Earlier this year, Attorney General Jeff Sessions put every state with policies of legalized medical and non-medical marijuana on high alert, placing millions at risk of arrest and federal prosecution even though they are abiding by the laws of their states. This hurts so many – like veterans suffering from invisible wounds such as Post-Traumatic Stress, chronic pain, or addiction to opioids, and children with epilepsy, cancer, and other serious and chronic conditions. We must end the federal marijuana prohibition, provide relief to the millions of people and families who have been dragged into our broken criminal justice system, and prevent lives from needless ruin in the future."
Gabbard has called for closing the gaps between federal and state law to resolve current contradictions and provide legally abiding marijuana businesses with clear access to financial services, says the release. She also co-sponsored the Marijuana Justice Act "to reform unjust federal marijuana laws and empower minority communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the failed War on Drugs, the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act to allow equal banking access and financial services for marijuana-related businesses, and the RESPECT Resolution to encourage equity in the marijuana industry," says the release.
Last week, says the release, Congress "rejected bipartisan, Gabbard-backed language known as the Veterans Equal Access Amendment that would have lifted a prohibition on VA physicians recommending medical marijuana prescriptions in states where it is legal."![]()
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KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL hosted Lapahoehoe's Varsity team on Monday, Sept 17, at 6 p.m. Lapahoehoe tried to take down the Trojans, but the girls stayed Kaʻū strong, scoring 25, 26, and 25 to the opposing team's 17, 24, and 14.
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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, endorsed by NORML. Photo from Gabbard's office |
Erik Altieri, NORML PAC Executive Director, says, "There was more momentum behind federal marijuana law reform in 2018 than in any previous year, and that is in no small part due to some of our longstanding, outspoken allies in Congress. We are happy to endorse Representative Tulsi Gabbard, the lead sponsor of the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act, which would end the failed national policy of cannabis prohibition. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is never afraid to speak truth to power and has been one of the most sensible voices in the Congress on improving public policy."
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| NORML seeks to legalize marijuana on a federal level. Photo from marijuana.com |
The release states Gabbard introduced the Marijuana Data Collection Act, which, "lays the groundwork for real reform by producing an objective, evidence-based report on current state marijuana laws."
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| Marijuana can be used by sufferers of PTSD, chronic pain, opioid addiction, epilepsy, cancer, and other serious, chronic conditions. Photo from drugabuse.com |
Last week, says the release, Congress "rejected bipartisan, Gabbard-backed language known as the Veterans Equal Access Amendment that would have lifted a prohibition on VA physicians recommending medical marijuana prescriptions in states where it is legal."
NORML PAC is the political arm of NORML, an organization "dedicated to informing voters and elected officials about marijuana laws, to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to ensure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient, and affordable."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL hosted Lapahoehoe's Varsity team on Monday, Sept 17, at 6 p.m. Lapahoehoe tried to take down the Trojans, but the girls stayed Kaʻū strong, scoring 25, 26, and 25 to the opposing team's 17, 24, and 14.
See the next game tomorrow night, as Kaʻū hosts Kohala. See the Fall schedule for Girls Volleyball, Football, and Cross County
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com |
KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE
Football:
Sat., Sept. 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Keaʻau
Sat., Sept. 29, 11am, host Pāhoa
Wed., Sept. 19, 6pm, host Kohala
Thu., Sept. 20, 6pm, @ Honokaʻa
Tue., Sept. 25, 6pm, @ HPA
Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS
Sat., Sept. 22, 9am, @ HPA
Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS
Sat., Sept. 29, 11am, host Pāhoa
Sat, Oct 6, 12pm , host Kohala
Girls Volleyball: Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha
Sat, Oct 20, BIIF Finals - Higher
Wed., Sept. 19, 6pm, host Kohala
Thu., Sept. 20, 6pm, @ Honokaʻa
Tue., Sept. 25, 6pm, @ HPA
Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS
Tues, Oct 2, 6pm , @ Kealakehe
Fri, Oct 5, 6pm , host Keaʻau
Wed, Oct 10, 6pm , @ Parker
Fri, Oct 12, 6pm , host St. Joseph
Mon, Oct 15, BIIF DII Qtr - Higher
Wed, Oct 17, BIIF DII Semi-Finals @ Kona
Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona
Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona
Sat., Sept. 22, 9am, @ HPA
Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS
Sat, Oct 6, 2pm , @ Kealakehe
Sat, Oct 13, BYE
8:30am , HHSAA
Sat, Oct 20, 9am , BIIF @ HPA
Sat, Oct 27, 
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19
Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed., Sept. 19, 12:30pm , Ocean View Community Center
Arts and Crafts Activity: Handprint Tree Art, Wed., Sept. 19, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register Sept. 13-18. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102
THURSDAY, SEPT. 20
Hawaiʻi Disability Legal Services, Thu., Sept. 20, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center
SATURDAY, SEPT. 22
5th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run, Sat., Sept. 22, 7am , Kaʻū Coffee Mill, Wood Valley midnight , Sept. 20. Fees: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Fees increase Sept. 10: $55/person; 10K, $65/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $75/person. Race day registration ends at 6:30am; all fees increase to $75/person. kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.
Stained Glass Basics II: Exterior Lamp Project w/Claudia McCall, Sat./Sun., Sept. 22, 23, 29, and 30, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Sept. 22, 9:30-11:30am , Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Exhibit - One Lucid Dream: A Retrospective of Art Works by Ken Charon, Mon.-Sat., Sept. 22-Oct 6, 10-4pm, Volcano Art Centers Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Original paintings, drawings, and other objects. Public invited to free opening reception Sat., Sept. 22, 5-7pm. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Suadades, The Longing: 2018 Commemoration of the 140th Anniversary of the Arrivals of Hawaiʻi's First Portuguese Immigrant Families is being celebrated by islandwide traveling presentations that are free and open to the public. Kaʻū location: Pāhala Community Center 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Flameworking - An Introductory Class w/Nash Adams-Pruitt, Sat., Sept. 22, 2-4:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Students complete workshop with a finished design of their own and basic skills to continue flameworking. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Class sized limited. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
SUNDAY, SEPT. 23
People and Land of Kahuku 9:30-12:30pm , Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
MONDAY, SEPT. 24
Kaʻū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Sept. 24, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Kaʻū. Contact prior to attending to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. Meeting, Tue., Sept. 25, 10am, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
ONGOING
Disaster Recovery Center Closes Sept. 29. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pāhoa Neighborhood Center at 15-3022 Kauhale St. Survivors who have left the area, call 800-621-3362.
5th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145. Fees through Thursday, Sept. 20: 5K, $55/person; 10K, $65/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $75/person. On Race Day, $75 per person, any race. Race Day is Saturday, Sept. 22, 7 a.m.. Races begin and end at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.
Free Beaded Wind Chime Arts and Crafts Activity at Pāhala Comunity Center on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., for keiki in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Register Sept. 19 through 25. For more, call 928-3102 or visit the community center during business hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., or Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.
Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.
Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.
