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| Nine percent of Hawaiʻi Island's energy generation comes from Tawhiri's wind farm at South Point. Photo by Peter Anderson |
About nine percent of the island's entire energy generation comes from the Kaʻū wind farm, two-thirds of the wind energy generated on island. Of all the islands, Hawaiʻi is doing best with renewable energy, at 44 percent. Oʻahu is at 22 percent, and Maui County Maui , Molokaʻi, and Lanaʻi – is at 38 percent.
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| "Hunnay" Rhyan Faith Anoʻi Demello, of Ocean View, winner of the solo title at E Mālama Mau I Ka Hula Festival in October, recently returned from a world dance competition and performed at Kaʻū Coffee Fest last Saturday with the hālau of Bula Akamu. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Palaka shirt, grass skirt for the paniolo hula from Bula Akamu's hālau. Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine Salmo |
The utilities' annual use of fossil fuel is down 88 million gallons, or about 19 percent, over the past 10 years. Nearly 4,000 new private rooftop solar installations came online in 2018, continuing Hawaiʻi's leadership in residential rooftop solar in the U.S. More than 4.4 million solar panels are expected to be online by 2022. More than 8,000 electric vehicles are registered in the state.
According to the report, in 2018, the Hawaiian Electric Companies achieved a consolidated renewable portfolio of 27 percent, up from 9 percent just a decade ago. However, the same numbers were reported in 2017. Oil used for power generation has gone down 66 million gallons since 2011. But more than 350 million gallons are still used each year statewide. Greenhouse gas emissions are down to 18.9 percent below the 2010 baseline – and greenhouse gases raised back up .1 percent from 2017 to 2018.
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| Hula maiden from Kona captures the eyes of volunteers at the Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa. Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine Salmo |
Alan Oshima, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric, wrote in the report, "Achieving some of the most ambitious clean energy goals in the nation will pose new challenges, and collaboration will become increasingly important, which is why the theme of this report is Together, Building a Stronger Hawaiʻi. We will continue to work with our communities to make the best choices for Hawaiʻi's future, and we invite you to learn about our progress and the ways you can participate.
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| Keiki hula showcased the Bula Akamu hālau last Saturday at Pāhala Community Center. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
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THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IS UNDER REVIEW by Gov. David Ige. During a press conference this week, Ige said he is "concerned, and as I've talked with governors from other states who have gone through recreational. You know, people assume that once it becomes recreational or decriminalized that it's legal. And it's not legal by federal law. And I think that that becomes the confusion, and that's always been my concern. I'll be looking at the bill and trying to make an assessment of what it means, and then deciding."
If allowed by the governor, House Bill 383, which passed the 2019 Hawaiʻi Legislature, would make possession of up to three grams of marijuana only punishable by a $130 fine. It would also allow expungement of criminal records for possession of three grams or less, and would establish a taskforce to research marijuana use penalty outcomes, with an eye toward possible changes.
Arguments against decriminalization made by some legislators focus on the fact that marijuana is still illegal, federally.
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| Hula at the Hoʻolauleʻa last Saturday in Pāhala. Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine Salmo |
NEW STATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT RULES will soon go into effect. Gov. David Ige announced today that on July 30 he will sign updated rules for the state EIS process. They will take effect Aug. 9 with a repeal and replace of the old rules.
The new EIS rules allow for exemptions for building urban affordable housing in certain circumstances, make considering sea level rise and greenhouse gas emissions explicit, and require a public scoping meeting at the beginning of an EIS. They incorporate changes in the EIS statute made by the Hawaiʻi Legislature and rulings by the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. They clarify roles and responsibilities in the process, require agencies to publicly list their exemptions on a monthly basis, among other changes.
The Office of Environmental Quality Control and State Environmental Council submitted its final rules to the governor at the beginning of April after completing a nearly two-year effort to modernize the existing rules. To develop new rules, the Council prepared four working drafts and held about 30 public meetings, including nine public hearings with at least one on each island. "These rules strike the right balance to ensure public involvement in government decision making and the disclosure of activities that might affect our environment," said Ige.
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| Kaʻū Productions Sound & Lighting crew grew up with the music of the Akamu family and provided their services for the Hoʻolauleʻa. Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine Salmo |
For more information go to the OEQC webpage, which includes links to all of the rules documents and a timeline of the effort: health.hawaii.gov/oeqc/rules-update.
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.
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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| Gene Akamu and his son Bula came home to Pāhala for Kaʻū Coffee Fest, with their music and hula. Photo by Julia Neal |
ENTERTAINMENT AT KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL HOʻOLAULEʻA included a welcome home for Gene and Bula Akamu, who brought their hālau with them from Kona. The Akamu family was one of the leading musical families of Ka`ʻū for generations. After the sugar plantation shut down, where Gene Akamu worked until 1996, the family moved to Kona for work opportunities.
Son Bula Akamu continued with the music tradition he learned in Kaʻū. He attended Berkeley College of Music in Boston , where he studied music education and earned a masters degree in guitar. He became a Hawaiian music teacher in the public schools on this island. His teaching developed into his own hālau as he grew to become Kumu. The Akamu family also became known for Hawaiian weddings and performances in Kona, and for original songs and recordings. See bulamusic.com for more and for their schedule of performances.
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A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAʻŪ COAST will be held on Saturday, May 25 at 6 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. The concert is one in a series of performances during the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, in its third season in the islands. The series is called Of Water.
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| Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo |
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| 2018 International Bach Competition Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenbaum. HIMF photo |
In addition to the opportunity to donate to coastal stewardships, an opportunity to support Hawaiʻi Internaional Music Festival is available by reserving best seats for $25 each. They are available at recitalpahala.bpt.me and at the door – cash and check only. See the concert schedule for other islands at himusicfestival.com. For overnight accommodations, contact Pāhala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811.
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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:
Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, HHSAA
UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit. Dental, Wednesday, May 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Medical, Thursday, May 30, 1 – 5 p.m. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org
Kākou, Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Author and ethnographer, P.F. "Ski" Kwiatkowski, speaks about Hawaiian kākau – tattoos – their origins and counterparts in other aspects of Hawaiian crafts. Displaying collection of tattoo needles and the materials that are used in creating the needles, the ink and the tattoos themselves. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
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Arts and Crafts Activity: Mother's Day Keepsake, Wednesday, May 8, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 2-7. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, MAY 9
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, May 9, 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197
After Dark in the Park – The Road to Recovery: A Year Later, Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Park managers will present a community update about the challenges and successes of 2018, and how staff is working hard to open more areas. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
Kākou, Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Author and ethnographer, P.F. "Ski" Kwiatkowski, speaks about Hawaiian kākau – tattoos – their origins and counterparts in other aspects of Hawaiian crafts. Displaying collection of tattoo needles and the materials that are used in creating the needles, the ink and the tattoos themselves. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
THURSDAY, MAY 9
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, May 9, 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197
After Dark in the Park – The Road to Recovery: A Year Later, Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Park managers will present a community update about the challenges and successes of 2018, and how staff is working hard to open more areas. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
FRIDAY, MAY 10
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, May 10, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. ovcahi.org, 939-7033
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Arts and Crafts Activity: Mother's Day Card, Friday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 1-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
ReadySetGo! Wildfire Preparedness Workshop, Friday, May 10, 5:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Educational, free and family-friendly. Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Pablo Akira Meimler at pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org. hawaiiwildfire.org, or 808-885-0900
Light, Sound & Spirit by Ken Goodrich of Hawai‘i Photo Retreat, Friday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Talk and presentation of seven videos synthesizing music and projected imagery. Free, $5 donation suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Community Dance, Friday, May 10, 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
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SATURDAY, MAY 11
ReadySetGo! Wildfire Preparedness Workshop, Friday, May 10, 5:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Educational, free and family-friendly. Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Pablo Akira Meimler at pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org. hawaiiwildfire.org, or 808-885-0900
Light, Sound & Spirit by Ken Goodrich of Hawai‘i Photo Retreat, Friday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Talk and presentation of seven videos synthesizing music and projected imagery. Free, $5 donation suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Community Dance, Friday, May 10, 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
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, Saturday, May 11-June 16, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Opening reception Saturday, May 11, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day – Wildfire Preparedness, Saturday, May 11, meet 9:30 a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Bring a water bottle, lunch, closed toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirt, and pants. Tools, gloves, water, and light refreshments provided. nmok.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii
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Zentangle Inspired Labyrinth Art with Lois and Earl Stokes, Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. All welcome, no prior experience necessary. Supplies provided. Students invited to bring snack to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
SUNDAY, MAY 12
Kauwela Tour, The Mo‘olelo of Mana Wāhine – Nā Wai Chamber Choir Concert, Sunday, May 12, 11:30 a.m., Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church. Free admission. Donations welcome. nawaichamberchoir.com
3rd Annual Mother's Day Chamber Music Concert, Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Music by Volcano Chamber Players Susan McGovern, viola, Glenda Johnson, violin, Meg Saunders, cello, Rumi Reeves, violin, guest Gerdine Markus on recorder and operatic vocals of D'Andrea Pelletier. Complimentary pupu. Beverages and flowers for purchase. $20/VAC ember, $25/non-member, free to children 12 and under. Funds raised support Niaulani Sculpture Garden and ongoing programs. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
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Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, May 12 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527
Mother's Day Buffet, Sunday, May 12, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish w/Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/Adults, $14.95/Child (ages 6-11). Reservations required, 967-8356. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Free STD Testing, Monday, May 13 – 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. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927
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MONDAY, MAY 13
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, May 13, and 27, 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, MAY 14
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Tuesday, May 14, 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 phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107
Wonderful World of Wine & Watercolor, Tuesday, May 14, 4 p.m. – 7pm, Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC members, $35/non-member, plus $17 supply fee.Learn to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper while sampling several wines from Grapes in Hilo. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
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After Dark in the Park – Kauwela Tour, The Mo‘olelo of Mana Wāhine – Nā Wai Chamber Choir Concert, Tuesday, May 14, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Musical journey that honors the music of both historic and modern-day mana wāhine. Honolulu-based Nā Wai Chamber Choir is a professional vocal ensemble that preserves, propagates, and innovates the legacy of Hawaiian choral music. Hilo native Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan leads ensemble on annual kauwela tour. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, Saturday, May 11-June 16, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Opening reception Saturday, May 11, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day – Wildfire Preparedness, Saturday, May 11, meet 9:30 a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Bring a water bottle, lunch, closed toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirt, and pants. Tools, gloves, water, and light refreshments provided. nmok.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii
SUNDAY, MAY 12
Kauwela Tour, The Mo‘olelo of Mana Wāhine – Nā Wai Chamber Choir Concert, Sunday, May 12, 11:30 a.m., Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church. Free admission. Donations welcome. nawaichamberchoir.com
3rd Annual Mother's Day Chamber Music Concert, Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Music by Volcano Chamber Players Susan McGovern, viola, Glenda Johnson, violin, Meg Saunders, cello, Rumi Reeves, violin, guest Gerdine Markus on recorder and operatic vocals of D'Andrea Pelletier. Complimentary pupu. Beverages and flowers for purchase. $20/VAC ember, $25/non-member, free to children 12 and under. Funds raised support Niaulani Sculpture Garden and ongoing programs. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Mother's Day Buffet, Sunday, May 12, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish w/Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/Adults, $14.95/Child (ages 6-11). Reservations required, 967-8356. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Free STD Testing, Monday, May 13 – 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. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, May 13, and 27, 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, MAY 14
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Tuesday, May 14, 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 phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107
Wonderful World of Wine & Watercolor, Tuesday, May 14, 4 p.m. – 7pm, Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC members, $35/non-member, plus $17 supply fee.Learn to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper while sampling several wines from Grapes in Hilo. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
ONGOING
Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.
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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Summer Fun Registration runs through Thursday, May 9, 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., at Nā‘ālehu Community Center and at Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. The Summer Fun Program, for keiki completing grade K-6, runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., June 12-July 19. $40 fee; $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
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Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.
Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.
Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.
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.
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.
