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| Volcano Rain Forest Runs are finished, reports founder Sharon Pfaff, unless another group would like to take over the event that ran for nine years in the Volcano community. See story below. Photo from Volcano Rain Forest Runs |
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| Skylark Rosetti Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Makana Kamahele, Kumu Debbie Ryder, and Sklyark at Kaʻū Coffee Festival. Photo by Jessie Tunison |
Skylark was a mentor to co-Kaʻū Coffee Festival emcee Makana Kamahele at the festival and in his emergence as a radio personality on Hawaiʻi Island. She was also a close colleague with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and her Halau Hula O Leionalani, based in Pāhala.
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Volcano Rain Forest Runs featured a Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K, and two levels of Keiki Fun Run, held in August since 2010. On the site, Faff wrote, "It has been a great nine year 'run' as a Community Event in Volcano Village. Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators, and especially the
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KAʻŪ, KONA, AND HILO COMMERCIAL TRASH disposal sites will be the three commercial locations in the future for Hawaiʻi County. Solid Waste Division chief Greg Goodale, who spoke at a community meeting in Pāhala last night, said the Kaʻū location will be Waiʻōhinu. Kaʻū is without a commercial site and commercial and institutional trash are technically expected to be deposited either in Hilo or near Waikoloa, a long drive from Kaʻū. The expanded Waiʻōhinu facility could also make it possible for the development of private commercial trash hauling services in Kaʻū, with the closer drop off spot.
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| Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station. Photo from County Solid Waste Division |
Goodale also said the county is interested in working with a private business in Kaʻū to locate an above ground tank to receive used oil.
Concerning the days set for residential disposal of trash in Pāhala, residents Liz Polido and Dexter Lee said they support keeping a four-day a week schedule, but spreading out some days.
The transfer station could be open Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and, Saturdays instead of Sundays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, some residents suggested. However, one day would be moved from the daily Waiʻōhinu schedule to keep the budget in line, said Goodale. He came to Pāhala last month to talk about reducing the number of days from four to three. He said he would take the suggestion to reduce Waiʻōhinu to six days to the county administration and to the Nāʻālehu community.
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REP. RICHARD ONISHI SPOKE ABOUT TOURISM on Monday with Carolyn Tanaka during Live at the Legislature, a news segment produced by ʻOlelo Community Media. Onishi is east Kaʻū 's member of the state House of Representatives chairs its Tourism Committee.
Onishi said he expects the state of Hawaiʻi will receive ten million visitors in 2019. He said the last eight years have "seen increases" in air seat capacity, in part due to steady fuel prices, driving down fares and increasing visitor numbers. He also said social media influences visitors, promoting destinations, bargains, and first-time experiences.
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| Rep. Richard Onishi and interviewer Carolyn Tanaka. Photo from ʻOlelo Community Media |
Tanaka asked if ten million visitors are "too many." Onishi cautioned that a fast a drop in tourism hurts the economy and noted the abrupt drop in the visitor count during the volcano disaster, even in places with little risk. He acknowledged the economic devastation in Volcano Village and Hawaiʻi Island. He said inaccurate depictions of the threat to visitors drove them away.
In response to a question from Tanaka about marketing versus managing tourism, Onishi said, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is in charge of both marketing and management, and that its responsibility is to balance guest care and economic benefits, with a focus on attracting those who will "respect Hawaiʻi, our environment, and our culture" when they visit.
Tanaka also asked whether the short-term vocational rentals industry is "a problem." Onishi said the counties "have not managed them over the course of many years," and that management will help the state get through the difficulty. "We've gone through phases in accommodations in Hawaiʻi," he said, listing hotels, timeshares, and bed & breakfasts. Operators of existing accommodations type oppose new types of accommodations, he said.
Watch the interview at youtube.com/watch?v=WVFWuRdavy0&index=34&list=PLnr53rBAcZic9CHo542x1X7XGuyCPZtgP.
A BILL TO REDUCE DRUNKEN DRIVING, supported by west Kaʻū state Rep. Richard Creagan, who is a physician, passed the Senate Committees on Transportation and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, & Military Affairs, on Monday.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving supports the definition of habitual DUI and raising fines for repeat offenders. The state Office of the Public Defender opposes the three year prohibition on purchasing alcohol and drinking in public, describing the penalty as "excessive," recommending substance abuse treatment, instead of the stiffer penalty.
Submit testimony, and read the bill and testimonies, here.
Submit testimony, and read the bill and testimonies, here.
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BILL TO FUND CARDIAC CATH LAB at Hilo Medical Center Hilo Medical Center
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A catheter lab helps to prevent cardiac deaths. Legislation is progressing to fund one for receives patients from Kaʻū Hospital. Photo from Wikipdea |
Contact Elena Cabatu, of Hilo Medical Center
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MEETING FOR PĀHALA PROPERTY OWNERS & OCCUPANTS, REQUIRED TO HOOK UP TO THE FUTURE SEWER SYSTEM even though they already have cesspools or septic systems, happens tomorrow, Thursday, March 21,6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center, 96-1149 Kamani Street .
MEETING FOR PĀHALA PROPERTY OWNERS & OCCUPANTS, REQUIRED TO HOOK UP TO THE FUTURE SEWER SYSTEM even though they already have cesspools or septic systems, happens tomorrow, Thursday, March 21,
The meeting concerns properties not connected to the old plantation sewer lines along sections of the following streets: Puahala, Pikake, Maile, Ilima, Huapala, Kamani, Hīʻnano, Hala, and Hapu.
County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management will present these "newly accessible" owners and occupants with information on financial issues and options regarding requirements to hook up to the new sewer system.
Hawaiʻi County Code requires hooking up properties along any roadway in the county where a sewer line passes by. The new system is expected to become operational in 2021, and connections must be made within 180 days of the new sewer line going into service.
RSVP to Mary Fujio of DEM at 808-961-8030. A meeting for Nāʻālehu will be announced – watch for more info in future Kaʻū News Briefs.
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NOMINATIONS FOR THE ALOHA ORDER OF MERIT are open through Monday, March 25. The Office of the Governor is seeking nominations for individuals "who have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally in their fields of expertise and who contributed to the attainment of statehood or who have provided extraordinary service to, devoted themselves to the betterment of, or brought honor to the state." The Order was established by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 1993.
Said Gov. David Ige, "We know there are many people who provide extraordinary service to our state, and this is one way we can honor them." Those wishing to submit a nomination should email a letter of recommendation, resume of the person being nominated, and any supporting materials to boards.commissions@hawaii.gov. Criteria for consideration are listed in Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Sec. 5-7.6. The Legislature must approve the honorees by concurrent resolution.
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KAʻŪ CHALLENGED KEALAKEHE yesterday in Boys Volleyball. The Trojans played hard, scoring 17 in the first set, 7 in the second, and battling for the third set at 26 to Kona's 28. The Waveriders won the first two sets at 25. See more scheduled games, below.
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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 Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Thu., March 21, 3 p.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 23, 1 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Thu., March 28, 3 p.m. , @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 1 p.m. , @Konawaena
Tue., April 2, 3 p.m. , @HPA
Thu., April 4, 3 p.m. , host Waiakea
Sat., April 6, 11 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Softball:
Sat., March 23, 11 a.m. , host Honokaʻa
Wed., March 27, @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 11 a.m. , @Konawaena
Wed., April 3, host Waiakea
Fri., April 5, 3 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Boys Volleyball:
Wed., March 27, 6 p.m. , host Kohala, Varsity
Fri., March 29, 6 p.m. , @HPA
Wed., April 3, 6 p.m. , host Ehunui
Fri., April 5, 6 p.m. , @Christian Liberty , Varsity
Tue., April 9, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Track:
Sat., March 23, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 30, 3 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Sat., April 6, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
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From the On Sacred Ground photography exhibition at VAC Gallery. Documentary photography of the Hula Arts at Kīlauea program by Dino Morrow |
In preparation for the annual Merrie Monarch Festival – the week-long celebration of hula – VAC welcomes Morrow's documentary and portrait photography. He specializes in candid shots of indigenous and local cultures, his current focus is "to witness and respectfully document Hawaiian and indigenous cultures as an intimate and traditional expression: sense of place, identity, connection, art, values, spirituality and offering." For Morrow, says VAC, the "ultimate value of an image" is given when the participants "accept the perspective, composition and feeling to be honorable and authentic. In order to achieve this, he relies on a personal connection with the subject and a keen sense of a deeper understanding from their perspective." Morrow says, "Photography, for me, is trying to see what I feel... with a camera."
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Self Portrait by Dino Morrow |
VAC "is pleased to have had the contribution of this world class hula and documentary photographer during the 2018 Hula Arts at Kīlauea program. His strong visual aesthetic and attention to detail paired perfectly with the dynamic location in capturing authentic Hula Kahiko performances and other hula related arts."
Hula Arts at Kīlauea offers free activities year round: monthly live outdoor Hula Kahiko Performances, paired with hands-on cultural demonstrations; weekly Aloha Friday programs, which offer short classes on a wide range of hula arts; monthly Hula Voices presentations featuring evening "talk story" sessions with hula practitioners; and an annual May Day Celebration. The performances and hands-on activities given by recognized Hawaiʻi Island resident practitioners "provide a greater awareness of the hula arts as a cultural experience and as a way to feel a deep connection to the environment. The non-performance hula activities provide intimate, hands-on, enriching experiences to participants. All VAC Hula Arts Programs help support cultural practitioners in perpetuating the hula arts and in sharing the Aloha Spirit."
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From the On Sacred Ground photography exhibition at VAC Gallery. Documentary photography of the Hula Arts at Kīlauea program by Dino Morrow |
These ongoing programs allow VAC to continue its long tradition of culturally rich programming. Support from Hawaiʻi Tourism's Community Enrichment Program allows these programs to be shared with visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. For a complete schedule of events, see volcanoartcenter.org/hula-arts or call 808-967-7565. VAC invites the public to view the beauty and experience last year's events by visiting On Sacred Ground through May 5.
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.UPCOMING
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
Family Reading Night, Thursday, March 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Poetry Reading with Joe Harrington and Susan Schultz, Thursday, March 21, 6:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Fee tba. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Rummage Sale, Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Center. Food and refreshments available. Donations accepted March 20 and 21, 8a.m.-4p.m., Discovery Harbour Fire Station. No clothes accepted. All tools and appliances in good working condition. Call for pick-up of bulky/large items. Tom Reis, 503-260-6187, or Ken Shisler, 410-299-5359.
Pastel On-Site Landscape Painting w/Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection with Tom Peek, Saturday, March 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $65/VAC member, $75/non-member. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Second Chance Prom, Saturday, March 23, 6 p.m. to 10p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Open to adults. Register March 1-20. $25/person. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
TUESDAY, MARCH 26
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Wednesday, March 27 (Committees), Thursday, March 28, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
Arts and Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wednesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 March 11-25. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
ONGOING
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Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before Friday, March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.
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Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
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Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit is open daily through Sunday, March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha the Great and experience a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences, with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
Five Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona: Three $2000 scholarships will go to female college-bound Kaʻū High School and West Hawaiʻi high school students. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 1. Two $1,000 scholarships will go to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus . Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
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