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Kaʻū Coffee farmers were serious about their challenges at Kaʻū Coffee College last week in Pāhala. Miles Mayne of Silver Cloud Coffee in See story below. Photo by Lora Botonov |
The airline expects to soon start service from Hilo International Airport (ITO). Yesterday, a Southwest spokesperson said the carrier intends to add a fifth service point in the Hawaiian Islands: " Specific details regarding both the timing and the number of interisland flights offered to and from Hilo will be shared at a later date." Lihue (LIH) is also on the list of Hawaiʻi locations Southwest plans to add. The airline is already flying between Maui (OGG) and Honolulu .
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Volcano School
VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ART AND SCIENCES' NEW CAMPUS WILL RECEIVE MONEY through state Capital Improvement Project funds. The school serves 215 PreK through 8th grade students, hailing mostly from Puna, Kaʻū, and South Hilo at two campuses. The facilities at Keākealani on Haunani Road and on Old Volcano Road – while maintained by the community since the school's founding – are old and deteriorating, says a release from the school. The new campus "is critical for the school's sustainability and growth so that it can continue to provide a quality, place-based educational program for students," says the release.
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East Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi fought for the $12 million in CIP funds: "VSAS is doing terrific work, and I am very happy to support the school. I'm thrilled that our children from Volcano and from all of East Hawaiʻi will have the opportunity to attend a public charter school that is doing such good work. We realize that not all charter schools are able to access state CIP funds, so we are especially fortunate that VSAS is on Department of Education land and the legislature was able to support the school in this way."
VSAS Principal Kalima Kinney said, "We are immensely grateful to Rep. Onishi for making this possible. His dedication and service to the people he represents make us so proud to be in his district! We cannot thank him enough for responding to this critical need and for carrying out the esteemed late Sen. Gil Kahele's vision to see this project completed. We would also like to thank both Rep. Onishi and Sen. Russell Ruderman for their long-standing support for our school and community."
The Friends of The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the growth and sustainment of VSAS and the communities it serves, is responsible for overseeing construction and fundraising for the campus. The total project is estimated at $16.4 million. $1.4 million was raised via grants-in-aid, the Atherton Family Foundation, and private donors. VSAS and Friends of VSAS are pursuing private and federal funding to raise the remaining $3 million needed to complete the project.
The late, renowned Volcano architect Boone Morrison provided the design for the new campus on Haunani Rd. It complements the surrounding landscape while providing adequate space for learning and play, says the release. When completed, the campus will accommodate up to 250 students and will consist of 16 classrooms for PreK through 8th grade, including space for experiential, project-based learning; group breakout spaces; two STEAM labs; gardens; a multi-purpose center; a commercial kitchen; and an administrative building. The campus design "reflects the VSAS vision of a learning village surrounding a center piko courtyard for gathering, outdoor learning, and play," says the release.
An existing two-story historic classroom building built circa 1933 will be preserved and become an integral part of the new campus design in a manner that both enhances its historic status as a community landmark and provides an ideal environment for students.
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REOPENING CLOSED AREAS OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK was the subject of a special After Dark in the Park presentation by Park managers Thursday night. During the free, public event, Road to Recovery: One Year Later, attendees learned how the Park came to its current state of recovery, and how the future may look, reported Michael Brestovansky of Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald.
The presentation began with a review of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption events. The frequent – usually less than 36 hours apart – 5.3-magnitude-equivalent earthquakes, thousands of smaller quakes, and explosive events of ash and ejecta from Halemaʻumaʻu, were main causes of the Park shuttering for 134 days. This closure kept all humans – including Park staff – from entering the Park.
Foster said it's possible areas around Jaggar might be opened so visitors can see the damage from thousands of earthquakes during the eruption, but that safety considerations will dictate that decision.
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KAʻŪ COFFEE COLLEGE drew many coffee farmers, buyers, roasters, and enthusiasts to Pāhala Community Center to wrap up the eleventh annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival last Sunday.
Andrea Kawabata, of the University of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Extension Service, gave a presentation on increasing yields on farms. She laid out some basic rules: Seek science, keep records, spend wisely. Understand that time is money and be committed.
She advised that the simplest way to grow more coffee is to plant more coffee in areas where coffee trees are weak. Replace them where coffee trees have died or been taken out.
She also emphasized proper use of pesticides, and provided examples of using poisons that can weaken the coffee plant and lead to mites and other infestations, that lead to a higher cost and losses in the long run. She said that keeping trees healthy is the best practice, along with careful pesticide management when needed.
Kawabata provides coffee berry borer integrated pest management recommendations to growers throughout the state, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and in an emerging coffee growing business in California.
Dr. Adel Youkhana, of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, advised farmers on making accurate predictions of their Kaʻū coffee crops. He is also an expert on productivity and carbon sequestration on the growing of coffee, particularly in shade grown coffee.
Brittany Horn, founder and owner of Pacific Coffee Research, talked about introduction of coffee yeast to the Kaʻū Coffee fermentation process. Ongoing trials with coffee cupping feedback help each farmer to determine the yeast protocol for coffee. Yeast helps to quicken the fermentation process, which is one of the key steps in processing coffee.
Cal Westergard, of the state Department of Agriculture, advised farmers on the safe use of pesticides on their Kaʻū Coffee farms.
See more soon about Kaʻū Coffee College on kaucoffeefestival.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.
REOPENING CLOSED AREAS OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK was the subject of a special After Dark in the Park presentation by Park managers Thursday night. During the free, public event, Road to Recovery: One Year Later, attendees learned how the Park came to its current state of recovery, and how the future may look, reported Michael Brestovansky of Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald.
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| Two Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park staff, assessing damage to Crater Rim Trail. NPS photo |
Jon Christensen, Chief of Facilities Management, said, "I'm in charge of the built environment, which is pretty much everything that was damaged during the eruption." He said after the eruptive events at the summit died down, park staff returned to assess damage from the eruptive events and the effects of nature having free reign. There was substantial damage to trails, buildings, and utilities, said Christensen, and grass and mildew had grown wild.
Christensen said staff shortage was a main reason some parts of the park have taken – or are still taking – time to reopen. He said personnel who needed to work to reopen the Park also had to run it. Trail assessment is assigned only two staff members, said Christensen.
In addition, Christensen said, "It takes all kinds of 'ologists," to study areas of the Park to see if they can safely be reopened.
Danielle Foster, Environmental Protection Specialist, said most of the Park has been reopened to some capacity. She provided a list of two kinds of Park features that remain closed. The first group are areas that need further evaluation, like Kaʻū Desert Trail, parts of Crater Rim Drive and Trail from Jaggar Museum to Keanakako‘i Crater, Napau Trail, and Thurston Lava Tube. She said Thurston has been looked at but results are still pending.
The second group consists of Park features whose futures are yet to be determined, including Iliahi Trail, parts of Halema‘uma‘u Trail, parts of Crater Rim Drive and Trail, part of Devastation Trail, and the area around Jaggar Museum.
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| Andrea Kawabata from University of Hawaiʻi Extension Service encourages coffee farmers to seek science, keep records, and spend wisely. Photo by Lora Botonnova |
Visitor rates have dropped from early last year, said Director of Interpretation Ben Hayes. However, he said, the Park is unique among national parks, since higher visitor numbers are frequently tied to more dramatic volcanic activity. Hayes said the park is updating visitor publications, including the drive guide and visitor brochure, which is usually updated only every two years.
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 COFFEE COLLEGE drew many coffee farmers, buyers, roasters, and enthusiasts to Pāhala Community Center to wrap up the eleventh annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival last Sunday.
Andrea Kawabata, of the University of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Extension Service, gave a presentation on increasing yields on farms. She laid out some basic rules: Seek science, keep records, spend wisely. Understand that time is money and be committed.
She advised that the simplest way to grow more coffee is to plant more coffee in areas where coffee trees are weak. Replace them where coffee trees have died or been taken out.
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| Gloria Camba and Bong Aquino, right, still smile after a week of Kaʻū Coffee events. Photo by Lora Botonova |
Kawabata provides coffee berry borer integrated pest management recommendations to growers throughout the state, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and in an emerging coffee growing business in California.
Dr. Adel Youkhana, of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, advised farmers on making accurate predictions of their Kaʻū coffee crops. He is also an expert on productivity and carbon sequestration on the growing of coffee, particularly in shade grown coffee.
Brittany Horn, founder and owner of Pacific Coffee Research, talked about introduction of coffee yeast to the Kaʻū Coffee fermentation process. Ongoing trials with coffee cupping feedback help each farmer to determine the yeast protocol for coffee. Yeast helps to quicken the fermentation process, which is one of the key steps in processing coffee.
Cal Westergard, of the state Department of Agriculture, advised farmers on the safe use of pesticides on their Kaʻū Coffee farms.
See more soon about Kaʻū Coffee College on kaucoffeefestival.com.
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| Brittany Horn instructed coffee farmers on using yeast during processing. Photo by Lora Boronova |
HIGH SURF ADVISORY for south-facing shores of all Hawaiʻi Islands is in effect through 6 p.m. Monday, reports the National Weather Service. Surf of five to nine feet is expected. Strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents are expected to make swimming difficult and dangerous, reports NWS. "Heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution. Boaters should expect recreational surfers utilizing harbor channels to access surfing areas."
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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 |
UPCOMING
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
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
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, May 15, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Instructional Tennis, Wednesday, May 15-June 19, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 6-10. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
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Arts and Crafts Activity: Watercolor Painting, Wednesday, May 15, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 9-14. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, MAY 16
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, May 15, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Instructional Tennis, Wednesday, May 15-June 19, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 6-10. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, MAY 16
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thursday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571
Family Reading Night, Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle School Theater Night, Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Each grade will perform a one-act murder mystery. Free admission, donations welcome. Park entrance fees may apply. volcanoschool.net
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SATURDAY, MAY 18
Stained Glass Basics I, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 25, and June 1 and 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 6 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hula Kahiko – Kumu Hula Wahineaukai Mercado with haumana (students) of Ke Ana La‘ahana Public Charter School, Saturday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
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Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Saturday, May 18, 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
Arts & Tea Culture Workshop Series #1, Saturday, May 18, noon – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Hand-build porcelain ceramic tea bowls with Volcano artist and tea farmer Chiu Leong. Includes history of tea bowl culture and brief overview of local tea farming by Eva Lee. Focused cupping, tasting and education on Hawaii grown white teas. Pre-event for A Taste of Tea Pottery Fundraiser on August 25. Workshops designed to be attended as a series; #2 set for May 18, #3 set for July 27. No experience necessary. $60/VAC member, $75/non-member for series. Individual workshop, $25 each. Registration limited. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
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Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org
SUNDAY, MAY 19
Family Reading Night, Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle School Theater Night, Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Each grade will perform a one-act murder mystery. Free admission, donations welcome. Park entrance fees may apply. volcanoschool.net
Stained Glass Basics I, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 25, and June 1 and 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 6 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hula Kahiko – Kumu Hula Wahineaukai Mercado with haumana (students) of Ke Ana La‘ahana Public Charter School, Saturday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
Arts & Tea Culture Workshop Series #1, Saturday, May 18, noon – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Hand-build porcelain ceramic tea bowls with Volcano artist and tea farmer Chiu Leong. Includes history of tea bowl culture and brief overview of local tea farming by Eva Lee. Focused cupping, tasting and education on Hawaii grown white teas. Pre-event for A Taste of Tea Pottery Fundraiser on August 25. Workshops designed to be attended as a series; #2 set for May 18, #3 set for July 27. No experience necessary. $60/VAC member, $75/non-member for series. Individual workshop, $25 each. Registration limited. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.orgSUNDAY, MAY 19
Ka‘ū Little League Benefit Concert, Sunday, May 19, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Terraces, 92-1885 Princess Ka‘iulani Blvd., Ocean View. Lopaka Rootz and D-Tech Solutions, live. Tickets, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, plus can of food at entry. Sponsored by Criminal Justice Solutions and Kahuku Park Block Watch. Gabe Morales, gcmorales2020@gmail.com, Kathi Griffeth, kathiegriffeth@gmail.com
ONGOINGFull-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.
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A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAʻŪ COAST will be held on Saturday, May 25, 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 |
Donations accepted at the event go to Kaʻū Coast non-profit stewardship organizations, including Nā Mamo O Kāwā, nmok.org; Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo, honuapopark.org; Ala Kahakai Trail Association, alakahakaitrail.org; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, wildhawaii.org; and Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, hoomalukau@gmail.com.
In addition to the opportunity to donate to coastal stewardships, an opportunity to support Hawaiʻi International Music Festival is available by reserving best seats for $25 each. They are available at recitalpahala.bpt.me and at the door – cash or 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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