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| Kaʻū Coffee joins the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association this weekend at the Specialty Coffee Association of America Convention in Boston. Left to right, promoting Hawaiʻi Coffee, are Lou Daniele, Tommy Greenwell, Hawaiʻi Coffee Association President Chris Manfredi, and other volunteers.Photo by Liko Keolanui |
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| The late Bull Kailiawa, backed by Ed Olson, Sammi Stanbro, John Cross, Liko Keolanui, Lou Daniele, Julia Neal, William Neal, and Lee Neal promoting Kaʻū Coffee at the SCAA Boston Convention in 2013. |
The convention was last held in Boston in 2013, with a large Kaʻū Coffee Mill contingent bringing flowers, macadamia nuts, Kaʻū Coffee and Hawaiian entertainment. Promoting Kaʻū Coffee were Ed Olson, Sammie Stanbro, the late Bull Kailiawa, John Cross, Julia Neal, Lee Neal, William Neal, Danielle, and Keolanui.
In convention news, Madeleine Longorio Garcia, who formerly lived and worked in the coffee industry in Kaʻū, is elected as Community Coordinator for the national SCAA organization. A post from the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association says, "She will work on bringing more recognition to Hawaiʻi coffee professionals, giving a voice to our local industry on a national level."
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| Madeline Longorio Garcia, with a longtime connection to Kaʻū Coffee, is the new Community Coordinator for SCAA. Photo by Alla Kostenko |
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THE NUMBER OF SMALL FARMS IN HAWAIʻI, ONE TO NINE ACRES, increased by 450 between 2012 and 2017, according to the latest U.S. census released yesterday. The number of all Hawaiʻi farms rose 5 percent, from 7,000 to 7,328. Farms with sales of $25,000 to $500,000 in products also increased.
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The census noted that direct sales from farmers to consumers rose from $13 million to $28 million. The census also provided values for Hawaiʻi's crops in 2017. Vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes rang up about $85 million. Organic food sales rose from $6 million to $15 million Fruits, tree nuts and berried sales decreased from $152 to $144 million. Aquaculture increased from $57 to $74 million. Poultry and egg sales rose from $65 million to $8 million Nursery and greenhouse product sales increased from $80 million to $100 million. The census also noted that Hawaiʻi farmers are older, with an average age of 60.1 years in 2017 compared to 58.7 five years earlier.
Gov. David Ige said, "The data in the agricultural census gives us a good snapshot of what was happening in agriculture in 2017. These numbers should reinvigorate all efforts to continue to increasing Hawaiʻi's food security and self-sufficiency."
Acting Dept. of Agriculture chair, Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, said, "We encourage local consumers to continue to increase their support of Hawaii farmers and ranchers and buy local because it really does have an impact on our community and lifestyle."
The census noted that direct sales from farmers to consumers rose from $13 million to $28 million. The census also provided values for Hawaiʻi's crops in 2017. Vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes rang up about $85 million. Organic food sales rose from $6 million to $15 million Fruits, tree nuts and berried sales decreased from $152 to $144 million. Aquaculture increased from $57 to $74 million. Poultry and egg sales rose from $65 million to $8 million Nursery and greenhouse product sales increased from $80 million to $100 million. The census also noted that Hawaiʻi farmers are older, with an average age of 60.1 years in 2017 compared to 58.7 five years earlier.Gov. David Ige said, "The data in the agricultural census gives us a good snapshot of what was happening in agriculture in 2017. These numbers should reinvigorate all efforts to continue to increasing Hawaiʻi's food security and self-sufficiency."
Acting Dept. of Agriculture chair, Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, said, "We encourage local consumers to continue to increase their support of Hawaii farmers and ranchers and buy local because it really does have an impact on our community and lifestyle."
More highlights from the Census report on Hawaiʻi ag can be seen at Hawaiʻi highlights from the Census report may be viewed and downloaded at nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Hawaii.
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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PUʻU PUAʻI OVERLOOK AND DEVASTATION TRAIL REOPENED yesterday, after a four-month temporary closure to protect breeding and nesting nēnē (endangered Hawaiian geese) in the area.
Only 30 nēnē remained statewide in 1952. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
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| This fledgling nēnē has a chance to survive and parent the next generation of endangered Hawaiian geese. NPS photo |
ILLEGAL ROBOCALLS are a concern of Sen. Brian Schatz. He spoke before a U.S. Senate subcommittee yesterday about growing frustration in Hawai`i over robocalls – including those received by his mother. Schatz is the top Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and Innovation.
Schatz said his mother texted him Tuesday: "I am reaching out to my senator. I just got spam calls to my own landline, supposedly from my landline. What is the regular person supposed to do except grin and bear it?"
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| Sen. Brian Schatz |
Schatz said robocall complaints are increasing. "In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 4.5 million robocall complaints, an increase of over a million calls from the year before. The process of identifying and going after robocall violators often takes months, making it difficult to move forward with a case under the current one-year statute of limitations."
Illegal robocalls are automated phone calls often linked to scams or spoofing. Schatz introduced the Robocall Enforcement Enhancement Act last year. It would help the Federal Communications Commission prosecute violations of robocalls by increasing the statute of limitations from one year to three. Last week, Schatz also voted 'yes' on the TRACED Act, bipartisan legislation to crack down on illegal robocall scams.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono |
Said Hirono, "For many seniors living in Hawaiʻi on fixed incomes, Social Security benefits have not gone far enough to help them make ends meet and have not kept pace with the rising costs of consumer goods. Social Security is the cornerstone of retirement and a safety net for millions of families who rely on the program every day to survive. I am proud to join Congressman Deutch in reintroducing this legislation as we continue our fight to strengthen and improve Social Security and to ensure that seniors and others who rely on this critical program receive the benefits they deserve."
Most Americans contribute 6.2 percent of their paychecks to Social Security. However, high-income earners stop paying into the Social Security program once they have hit the annual contributions cap on maximum taxable earnings, which is $132,900 for 2019. Based on this contributions cap, this week marks the point in 2019 when the highest one percent of earners would stop paying into Social Security. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act would gradually phase out this contributions cap for high-income earners over the next seven years until everyone pays into the program at the same rate for the entire year – restoring fairness to the program.
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The Act would also change how annual cost-of-living adjustments are calculated for seniors and other beneficiaries to provide a more generous and accurate measure of inflation. Currently, COLA calculations for Social Security benefits are determined based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. However, as costs for seniors continue to climb faster than for those of other Americans, the Act would replace CPI-W with the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, a metric created by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to more accurately measure the costs incurred by elderly Americans – who tend to spend more of their incomes on medical care, prescription drugs, energy costs, and other rapidly-growing expenses.
Together, the Social Security Administration has indicated these changes would improve benefits for seniors and others while extending the solvency of the combined Social Security Trust Fund by an additional 19 years – from the current 2034 to 2053.
More information about the bill can be found online, here, and the full bill text is available here.
Most Americans contribute 6.2 percent of their paychecks to Social Security. However, high-income earners stop paying into the Social Security program once they have hit the annual contributions cap on maximum taxable earnings, which is $132,900 for 2019. Based on this contributions cap, this week marks the point in 2019 when the highest one percent of earners would stop paying into Social Security. The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act would gradually phase out this contributions cap for high-income earners over the next seven years until everyone pays into the program at the same rate for the entire year – restoring fairness to the program.
Together, the Social Security Administration has indicated these changes would improve benefits for seniors and others while extending the solvency of the combined Social Security Trust Fund by an additional 19 years – from the current 2034 to 2053.
More information about the bill can be found online, here, and the full bill text is available here.
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OKK's June Domondon, Lester Walker, and Ka’ū Athletics Director Kalei Namohala. Photo from Ka’ū Athletics |
KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM went to Keaʻau to play against the Canefires Thursday. Christian Liberty won all three sets, 25-14, 25-12, and 25-11.
At Tuesday's home volleyball game against Waiakea, Lester Walker of Hilo scored two ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Serve for Cash Basketball throws, making Kaʻū Athletics $500. The total to date is $750.
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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:
Sat., April 13, BIIF Semi-Finals
Fri., April 19, BIIF Finals
Sat., April 20, BIIF Finals
Wed., May 1-4, HHSAA
Boys Volleyball:
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
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| Marguerite teaches Sita Yoga at Cooper Center. Photo from Marguerite |
NĀʻĀLEHU INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.
Park ecologist David Benitez said, "Little fire ants are unknowingly brought into the park by people and their vehicles, and can have devastating effects to native ecosystems and human health. We urge everyone to inspect their vehicles and belongings to make sure they don’t accidentally transport LFA into the park."
For more information on LFA, how to control them and how to prevent spreading them, visit littlefireants.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Annual Manuka/NARS Cleanup, Saturday, April 13. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP: kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629
Parenting Class & Saturday School, Saturday, April 13, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center, downstairs. Sponsored by Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
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
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. to 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
MONDAY, APRIL 15
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Monday, April 16, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church,
Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Monday, April 15, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
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Hypertension Management, Monday, April 15 and 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Kaʻū District Gym, with Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
Walk for Fitness, Tuesday, April 16-June 25, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. 18+. Registration ongoing. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Arts and Crafts Activity: Spring Collage, Tuesday, April 16, 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 8-12. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hula Hoop Challenge, Tuesday, April 16, 2:45 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 8-12. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tuesday, April 16, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
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Walk & Fit, Tuesday and Thursday, April 16-May 23, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. 18+. Register April 3-15. Shoes required. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
After Dark in the Park: The Amazing, Almost Unbelievable, Story of the Coconut Palm, Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. John Stallman of the Friends Institute of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, guides attendees on the epic journey of the modern palm, what has been called, "the most useful tree on Earth." Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
Early Head Start, Wednesday, April 17, 10 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Social get together for keiki and parents; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Easter Craft Day, Wednesday, April 17, 11 a.m. – pau, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; all ages. 939-2442
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Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, April 17, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Arts and Crafts Activity: Spring Basket, Wednesday, April 17, 3:30-5p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki grades K-6 April 8-16. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
Family Reading Night, Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Slide Show Presentation: On Sacred Ground, Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Dino Morrow, documentary and portrait photographer, shares an intimate collection of hula images. Free; $5 donations accepted. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
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FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Keiki Jiggle Bums, Friday, April 19, 3rd Friday monthly, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Discover the joy of early learning through song and musical instruments. For keiki 0-4 years. Nicola, 238-8544
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. to 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
MONDAY, APRIL 15
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Monday, April 16, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church,
Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Monday, April 15, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
Walk for Fitness, Tuesday, April 16-June 25, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. 18+. Registration ongoing. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Arts and Crafts Activity: Spring Collage, Tuesday, April 16, 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 8-12. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hula Hoop Challenge, Tuesday, April 16, 2:45 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 8-12. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tuesday, April 16, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
After Dark in the Park: The Amazing, Almost Unbelievable, Story of the Coconut Palm, Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. John Stallman of the Friends Institute of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, guides attendees on the epic journey of the modern palm, what has been called, "the most useful tree on Earth." Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
Early Head Start, Wednesday, April 17, 10 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Social get together for keiki and parents; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Easter Craft Day, Wednesday, April 17, 11 a.m. – pau, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; all ages. 939-2442
Arts and Crafts Activity: Spring Basket, Wednesday, April 17, 3:30-5p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki grades K-6 April 8-16. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
Family Reading Night, Thursday, April 18, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Slide Show Presentation: On Sacred Ground, Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Dino Morrow, documentary and portrait photographer, shares an intimate collection of hula images. Free; $5 donations accepted. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Keiki Jiggle Bums, Friday, April 19, 3rd Friday monthly, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Discover the joy of early learning through song and musical instruments. For keiki 0-4 years. Nicola, 238-8544
ONGOING
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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.
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
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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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
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 protrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
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