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| The historic Shirakawa Motel is up for sale with more than 14,000 square feet of buildings. It was formerly known as the Southernmost Motel in the USA. In recent years it was occupied by Pacific Quest. Photo from Hawaiʻi Life Real Estate Brokers |
PACIFIC QUEST IS LEAVING WAIʻŌHINU AT THE OLD SHIRAKAWA MOTEL COMPLEX. The property, owned by the Ray Shirakawa family, is for sale for $2.25 million. According to its real estate listing, it includes 5.5 acres, 25 bedrooms, 16 full baths, and three half baths in some 14,000 square feet of buildings. Among the buildings with accommodations is the historic Shirakawa Hotel, owned and operated by generations of Shirakawa families. With the addition of a one story building with rooms in a row, it was renamed Shirakawa Motel, its story carried in guide books as the southernmost motel in the U.S.A.
In 1988, The New York Times carried a feature called Small Hotels and Inns of the Big Island, which described Shirakawa Motel, along with Manago Hotel - founded in 1917, Dolphin Bay Hotel in Hilo, Hotel Honokaʻa Club, the Arakaki's five-room place in Waipio Valley (out of operation), Parker Ranch Lodge in Kamuela (now Kamuela Inn),
and Old Hawaiian Lodging Company in Hawi (now Kohala Village Inn).
The New York Times described the Shirakawa Motel as "nearly in the shadow of Mark Twain's Monkeypod Tree, planted by Twain during his visit to the islands in 1866."
It says the original building, "opened in 1926 as a way stop for salesmen, is now home to the family of Takumi Shirakawa. In a wonderful juxtaposition of then and now, guests who want to call him at his nearby nursery farm just press the button on a portable telephone buzzer in the foyer." It described the accommodations "amid trees dripping red and yellow double hibiscus flowers." Rates were $19 for a single, $21 for a double, and $25 for a room with a kitchenette. Rollaways for children were $6. The story recommended Roy Toguchi's Nāʻālehu Coffee Shop (now Hana Hou) in Nāʻālehu.
According to the real estate listing for the Shirakawa property, in addition to the hotel building, the property includes the separate structure with motel rooms, the ice house from the Shirakawa fishing enterprise, and a house with a large room that was home to a hula hālau.
The listing says the property receives $15,000 a month in rental income.
During its tenure at Shirakawa's, Pacific Quest has hired many Kaʻū residents for its in-house treatment program for youth and has operated, as part of its therapy, a farm above in Nāʻālehu. Pacific Quest is reportedly planning to transition to a new location in Mountain View, closer to its Hilo facilities. Its farm on Kalaiki Road, the old sugar cane haul road between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu, is not up for sale.
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| The ice house, formerly used by fishing community, is one of the buildings up for sale at the Shirakawa property. Photo from Hawaiʻi Life Real Estate Brokers |
The New York Times described the Shirakawa Motel as "nearly in the shadow of Mark Twain's Monkeypod Tree, planted by Twain during his visit to the islands in 1866."
It says the original building, "opened in 1926 as a way stop for salesmen, is now home to the family of Takumi Shirakawa. In a wonderful juxtaposition of then and now, guests who want to call him at his nearby nursery farm just press the button on a portable telephone buzzer in the foyer." It described the accommodations "amid trees dripping red and yellow double hibiscus flowers." Rates were $19 for a single, $21 for a double, and $25 for a room with a kitchenette. Rollaways for children were $6. The story recommended Roy Toguchi's Nāʻālehu Coffee Shop (now Hana Hou) in Nāʻālehu.
According to the real estate listing for the Shirakawa property, in addition to the hotel building, the property includes the separate structure with motel rooms, the ice house from the Shirakawa fishing enterprise, and a house with a large room that was home to a hula hālau.
The listing says the property receives $15,000 a month in rental income.
During its tenure at Shirakawa's, Pacific Quest has hired many Kaʻū residents for its in-house treatment program for youth and has operated, as part of its therapy, a farm above in Nāʻālehu. Pacific Quest is reportedly planning to transition to a new location in Mountain View, closer to its Hilo facilities. Its farm on Kalaiki Road, the old sugar cane haul road between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu, is not up for sale.
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| Former home of a Shirakawa family and hula studio. The property, for sale, recently hosted the Pacific Quest youth treatment center, which is moving its operations out of Kaʻū. Photo from Hawaiʻi Life Real Estate Brokers |
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 FARMERS AND RANCHERS, ALONG WITH A&B, may enjoy extended water permits for seven years, if a bill that passed the House of Representatives goes directly to a Senate floor vote, unamended, and wins approval.
A Civil Beat story by Chad Blair this weekend says House Bill 1326 - amended last week by Sen. Kai Kahele to become HB 1326 SD1, to extend water permits for small ranchers and farms and utilities, while prohibiting A&B from continuing to divert stream water - does not qualify for the floor vote. The eligible bill for a floor vote crossed over from House to the Senate before Kahele amended it. It would allow agricultural entities, utilities, and A&B to continue using water.
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| Sen. Kai Kahele. Photo from Think Tech Hawaiʻi |
Kaʻū farmers and ranchers were drawn into the mix, with A&B under court order to return water to streams. A&B sought legislation to delay halting stream diversion to provide water rights for buyers of its land who agreed to pay $62 million for water rights alone. According to Civil Beat, "Some senators want to help A&B. Now sources say leadership in the House of Representatives is pressuring their counterparts in the Senate to force a floor vote on the bill Tuesday... To put it another way, if just 13 senators in the 25-member chamber vote 'aye' on Tuesday, HB 1326 would go to Gov. David Ige for his consideration...
"Opponents of HB 1326, including Native Hawaiians, environmentalists, and small farmers, are organizing to get the word out about the bill's possible revival," reported Civil Beat. Kaʻū ranchers and farmers supported HB1326 before the Kahele amendment to protect them. The bill with the Kahele amendment died in the Senate last week.
"Opponents of HB 1326, including Native Hawaiians, environmentalists, and small farmers, are organizing to get the word out about the bill's possible revival," reported Civil Beat. Kaʻū ranchers and farmers supported HB1326 before the Kahele amendment to protect them. The bill with the Kahele amendment died in the Senate last week.
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.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, which has helped people become homeowners in Kaʻū and around the island, invites supporters to a Charity Walk on Saturday, May 1 beginning at Queen's Marketplace at Waikaloa Beach Resort. The run starts at 6:45 a.m., the walk at 7 a.m. The event is the Hawaiʻi Island's Visitor Industry Charity Walk with walks and runs statewide, spearheaded by the Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association and its non-profit Hawaiʻi Hotel Industry Foundation. Since its inception in 1978, over $32 million has been raised and helped hundreds of local charities including Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island. Habitat's work in Kaʻū has been to help local people use sweat equity and volunteers to build single family homes, which they now own.
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Habitat also partners with Hawaiian Home Lands to help Native Hawaiians build and own houses on Hawaiian Home Lands.
For the Charity Walk, minimum donation to be on the Habitat team is $35. To register, contact Margo Takata, Habitat's Community Relations Manager at margo@habitathawaiiisland.org or (808) 331-8010 ext 106. Those unable to walk that day can donate and share the event with friends, family, and co-workers. "It's a great way to start the morning with a fun walk, great food, and entertainment, while supporting Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island!" said Tanaka.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, which has helped people become homeowners in Kaʻū and around the island, invites supporters to a Charity Walk on Saturday, May 1 beginning at Queen's Marketplace at Waikaloa Beach Resort. The run starts at 6:45 a.m., the walk at 7 a.m. The event is the Hawaiʻi Island's Visitor Industry Charity Walk with walks and runs statewide, spearheaded by the Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association and its non-profit Hawaiʻi Hotel Industry Foundation. Since its inception in 1978, over $32 million has been raised and helped hundreds of local charities including Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island. Habitat's work in Kaʻū has been to help local people use sweat equity and volunteers to build single family homes, which they now own.
Habitat also partners with Hawaiian Home Lands to help Native Hawaiians build and own houses on Hawaiian Home Lands.For the Charity Walk, minimum donation to be on the Habitat team is $35. To register, contact Margo Takata, Habitat's Community Relations Manager at margo@habitathawaiiisland.org or (808) 331-8010 ext 106. Those unable to walk that day can donate and share the event with friends, family, and co-workers. "It's a great way to start the morning with a fun walk, great food, and entertainment, while supporting Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island!" said Tanaka.
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 |
Baseball:
Sat., April 13, 3 p.m. , @Kamehameha
Fri., April 19, BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 20, BIIF Semi-Finals
Fri., April 26, BIIF Finals
Sat., April 27, BIIF Finals
Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, HHSAA
Softball:
Fri., April 12, BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 13, BIIF Semi-Finals
Fri., April 19, BIIF Finals
Sat., April 20, BIIF Finals
Wed., May 1-4, HHSAA
Boys Volleyball:
Tue., April 9, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Fri., April 12, 6 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Wed., April 17, 6 p.m. , Kamehameha
Fri., April 19, 6 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Mon. April 22, BIIF First Round
Wed., April 24, BIIF Semi-Finals
Thu., April 25, BIIF Finals
Thu.-Sat., May 2-4, HHSAA
Track:
Sat., April 13, 9 a.m. , @HPA
Sat., April 20, 9 a.m. , @Kamehameha
Fri., April 26, 2 p.m. , BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 27, 3 p.m. , BIIF Finals
Fri.-Sat., May 3-4, HHSAA
THE PRICE OF PARADISE : THE STORY OF SANDALWOOD IN HAWAIʻI Coffee Talk happens Friday, April 26, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Visitor Contact Station in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This month's program is sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The release from the Park asks, "Did you know that sandalwood was once so abundant here that the Chinese called Hawaiʻi 'Tahn Heung Sahn,' or 'Sandalwood Mountains
Speaker John Stallman is a biologist and a former ranger at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. He "enjoys expanding people's appreciation for the geology, natural history and diversity of Hawaiʻi's unique environments with interpretive walks and talks." Stallman currently does outreach and educational programs with the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Coffee Talk at Kahuku is an opportunity to get to know the Park and neighbors, and join an informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. "Bring your own cuppa," and check out this program held on the last Friday of every month. Entrance located just south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy 11.
UPCOMING
MONDAY, APRIL 8
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, April 8. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629
Free STD Testing, Monday, April 8, 2nd Monday monthly, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927
Kickball, Monday, April 8 through 29, 2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 1-5. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Kaʻū Coffee Festival Meeting, Monday, April 8, 5 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House.
Hypertension Management, Monday, April 8, 15, and 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Kaʻū District Gym, with Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi.
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
Free Vision Screenings, Tuesday, April 9, Nāʻālehu Elementary. Students receive free comprehensive eye exam and sunglasses. If given a prescription, keiki will receive free eyeglasses with choice of frames, with parental consent. Mission co-sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi. pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-430-0388
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tuesday, April 9, 4 p.m – 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Scholarship Application Deadline for American Association of University Women-Kona, Wednesday, April 10. Two $1,000 awards for two-year vocational program attendees. Application packets at kona-hi.aauw.net. sharonnind@aol.com
Ki‘i, Wednesday, April 10, 10 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Acclaimed artist James Kanani Kaulukukui Jr. shares his expertise and the essential role of ki‘i, statue, in Hawaiian society. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
Free Vision Screenings, Thursday, April 11, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Students receive free comprehensive eye exam and sunglasses. If given a prescription, keiki will receive free eyeglasses with choice of frames, with parental consent. Mission co-sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi. pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-430-0388
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thursday, April 11, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org
Tales of Forgiveness and Tales of the Three Monks, performed by Storyteller Jeff Gere, Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $10/VAC member, $15/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, April 12, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. ovcahi.org, 939-7033
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, April 12, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. ovcahi.org, 939-7033
Community Dance, Friday, April 12, 7 p.m – 10 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Annual Manuka/NARS Cleanup, Saturday, April 13. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP: kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, April 13, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033. ovcahi.org
Soft Pastel Still Life with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. – noon, Volcano Art Center. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Nā Mamo O Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Saturday, April 13, meet 9:30 a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP: James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii
Ka‘u Unity Celebration, Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. All ages. Free. Register same day. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Zentangle: Celtic-Inspired Knotwork with Ellen O'Dunn, Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Bring drawing supplies; loaner supplies available. Bring snack to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ‘Ohana, Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
Jazz in the Forest: Jazz Goes to the Movies, Saturday, April 13, 5:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Watch Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones play along with a collection of tunes alongside a silver screen. $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Lava Lounge Entertainment, Saturday, April 13, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp. Soul Town performs. $5 cover per person. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
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SUNDAY, APRIL 14
Palm Sunday Services, April 14, 9:30 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. 939-7000
Ocean View Easter Egg Hunt at Kahuku Park happens Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sponsored by D-Tech solutions, Robert Unger, 238-8441, is accepting donations of plastic eggs and individually wrapped candy.
Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, April 14, 2nd Sunday monthly, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527
Lava Lounge Entertainment, Saturday, April 13, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp. Soul Town performs. $5 cover per person. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Palm Sunday Services, April 14, 9:30 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. 939-7000
Ocean View Easter Egg Hunt at Kahuku Park happens Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sponsored by D-Tech solutions, Robert Unger, 238-8441, is accepting donations of plastic eggs and individually wrapped candy.
Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, April 14, 2nd Sunday monthly, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527
ONGOING
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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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
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Two $1,000 Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona 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.
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.
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
Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and portrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
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.Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and portrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
