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| Hurricane Erick could pass south of Kaʻū overnight on Thursday as a strong Tropical Storm, if it continues its predicted course and intensities. See more below. Map by Dennis Mersereau |
Glen Winterbottom, of Nāʻālehu, a longtime advocate of restoration of the historic theatre, released a letter to the Kurisu's and the public, saying in part that he has made "some humble efforts over the past few years to promote the restoration or reconstruction" of the "1925 Hutchinson Plantation Company structure for some sort of beneficial usage, but those have regrettably been unsuccessful and the structure has continued to deteriorate."
He said there was some interest among state and county officials in early 2018, but without response from the owners, and with much other work to do with the volcanic eruption disaster.
Writes Winterbottom, "It just seems a terrible shame and waste that this economically-depressed town might lose its last major unaltered landmark associated with the incredibly transformative sugar industry that dominated the Big Island
"If restoration of the landmark, which looms over the town center and has anchored it for nearly a century, were to prove unfeasible, there's no overriding reason why it couldn't be faithfully reconstructed on the exterior from measured drawings, as was done with most of the structures atWaipahu 's Plantation Village
"If restoration of the landmark, which looms over the town center and has anchored it for nearly a century, were to prove unfeasible, there's no overriding reason why it couldn't be faithfully reconstructed on the exterior from measured drawings, as was done with most of the structures at
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| Interest in revival of Nāʻālehu Theatre is growing. Photo by Peter Anderson |
"The nearby Nāʻālehu Library is currently situated in a cramped single-wide trailer, so
perhaps the State would be interested in leasing space for an expanded facility with plenty of parking. Or the structure could also be an appropriate site for a wide array of retail and/or tourism-related ventures, and there's probably room within for a full second floor as well."
Winterbottom says that the Kurisus' interest could help inspire others to join in with grants and in-kind donations "to achieve a positive outcome for this community."
He said he was formerly employed by C. Brewer's Nāʻālehu Dairy. "My great-grandfather spent most of his 20-year contracting career doing masonry work for Castle & Cooke's various sugar plantations, including constructing a widely admired 125-foot brick chimney for the Kohala Sugar Company in 1892."
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HPD AND PARK RANGERS ARE LOOKING FOR CLUES to the cause of the fatal accident along Hwy 11 in the Kaʻū Desert last week. On Thursday, July 25, Jonathan Milo Brown, 57, of Iowa, a professor at Grinnell College, was driving Hilo-bound on Highway 11 in the Kaʻū Desert area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, just before 2 p.m. His vehicle wrecked near mile marker 35. Brown was found by Park rangers, pinned beneath his older model SUV. He was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
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| Kaylynne Santana and Toni Romp-Friesen had a great time during Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon. Photo from Mikey Brown Photography |
THE INAUGURAL VOLCANO'S ʻŌHIʻA LEHUA HALF MARATHON & 5K last Saturday was well received by runners and locals. The Half Marathon recorded 119 participants, the 5K 107 participants. The youngest 5K entrant was 6; the youngest finisher, 8 year old Maya Limmolt. The youngest Half Marathoner to finish was 14 year old Parker Smith. There were also Keiki Dashes for 6 and under, and 7 to 10, held at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
Female 5K Top Five Winners
The 60-69 group in the 5K saw Marta Ciancio place first, in 34:02.5. In second, Kathy Sweo, in 36:47.4, and Margaret Wassner in third, in 37:47.9. Robin Stratton placed fourth, in 39:35.5, and Judy Ann Williams finished fifth, in 41:53.8.
Second place in the 30-39 group was achieved by Bastian Rebhan, in 26:29.8. Third was captured by Jonathan Leiner, in 30:18.4; fourth by John Monnette, in 32:02.2; and fifth by Daniel Loo, in 36:33.5.
See the event website, ohialeahuhalf.com.
The new race, organized by Keely McGhee, and Kelly and Nick Muragin, seeks to raise money to help save ʻŌhiʻa forests, and fill the gap left by Volcano Rain Forest Runs, which retired in 2018. See yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs for comments on the races and the Half Marathon results. Here are the 5K results:
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| A seedling ʻŌhiʻa Lehua was given as a trophy to those who finished the races. Photo from Mikey Brown Photography |
Aria Heil, age 16, took first place for the 5K for women, sixth place overall, and first in her age group, 19 and under, in 24:55.6. Daniela Rebhan, in the 30-39 group, placed second for women, seventh overall, and first in her group, in 26:04.8. Cynthia Hartman finished third for women and second in her group, 30-39, in 28:13.0. Fourth overall for women went to Volcano local Aubrey Hawk, group 50-59, in 28:17.4. Hawk participates in the Volcano Winery fundraiser, which benefits VSAS; tickets are on sale as of Aug. 8. Jade Ivey, age 12, took fifth for women overall, and second in her group of 19 and under, in 29:03.5.
Elaina Head, 12 year of age, took third in 19 and under, in 35:11.0. Helena Rataj, 10 years of age, took fourth, in 38:19.0. Maya Linnolt, age 8, took fifth, in 42:18.6.
Age group 20-29 saw Midori Matsuo take second, in 30:28.4; Ariel Imoto third, in 35:02.4; and Emily Fernandes fourth, in 39:56.6. There was no fifth place finisher in the group.
Elyse Cummins placed third in the 30-39 group, in 29:27.0. Fourth went to Jessie Deakins, in 31:51.3; fifth to Jessica Hartong, in 34:20.0.
Women in the 40-49 group were led by Yuko White in first place, in 31:19.0. She was followed closely by Andrea Christensen in second, in 32:23.7; Jane Hansen, third, in 33:48.5; Jolene Head, fourth, in 35:11.1; and Heather Yost, fifth, in 35:25.5.
Dawn Tillery followed Hawk in second for the 50-59 group, in 29:33.6. Third went to Kathy Baxter, in 35:35.6; fourth to Jeannette Heil, in 38:25.6; and fifth to Rachel Rimel, in 39:03.3.
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| Shaka at the start of the first Volcano'sʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon. Darian Basacdua, #147, took first in his 20-29 age group for the Half Marathon. Photo from Mikey Brown Photography |
Fia Mattice, in 34:00.1, and Dee Wiecher, in 54:09.2, represented the 70+ group.
Male 5K Top Five Winners
Rylie Cabalse placed first overall in the 5K, and first in his 19 and under group, in 18:55.8. More than a minute and a half later, second place overall, and first for his 50-59 group, Todd Marohnic finished in 20:29.0. Ryan Williams was third, in 22:11.4, and second in his 19 and under group. Bryce Harada, 20-29 group, placed fourth overall and first in his group, in 22:14.5. James Twigg-Smith took fifth overall, and first in his 30-39 group, in 23:43.4.
The 19 and under group top five was filled out by 11 year old Caleb Crook, third, in 27:08.0. Asher Rataj, 12, took fourth in the group, in 27:10.5. Eli Crook, one of two youngest males – at ten years old – to finish the race, placed fifth in the age group and 23rd overall, in 30:28.8.
Ramaiah Ojeda, in the 20-29 group, placed second, in 26:15.4. Close on his heels was Francis Sakai-Kawada, third, in 29:26.5. Fourth went to Nick Jack, in 35:18.7. There was no fifth entrant in the group.
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| 119 people entered the inaugural Volcano'sʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon. Jesse Houlding, Sharla-Ann Fujimoto, and Nicole Lewien start the race together. In the Half Marathon, Lewien took first in her 20-29 age group, Fujimoto fifth in her 30-39 age group, and Houlding sixth in his 50-59 age group. Photo from Mikey Brown Photography |
Jarvis Valera, first, in 31:18.5, and Andrew White, second, in 31:19.4, represented the 40-49 group. There were no more entrants in the group.
Reed Brozen, in the 50-59 group, followed Marohnic, in 26:10.0. Swiftly thereafter came Jeffrey Hawk, in 28:14.8, at third place; Christian Engelhardt, in 28:39.6, at fourth; and Patrick Adams, in 30:48.3, at fifth.
Zinn took the first place slot in the 60-69 group, in 35:59.1. He was followed by Timothy Kale, in 43:59.2. There were no more finishers in the group.
Jeff Hamilton, the eldest runner to finish the race, represented the 70 and older males, in 32:47.5.See the event website, ohialeahuhalf.com.
See race results at webscorer.com/race?raceid=189374.
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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| Erick, center, and Flossie, coming up from the west, wind forecasts. Image from nhc.noaa.gov |
Tropical Storm Flossie is much farther away, but forecasters expect the storm to develop into a hurricane by tomorrow and stay strong until at least the weekend. She is also on track to make her way toward the islands.
See nhc.noaa.govfor more.
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| Some 2,500 peacefully marched on Kauaʻi Sunday, in solidarity with the Kiaʻi, Protectors, of Maunakea. Photo from Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu Maunakea Facebook |
MAUNAKEA NEGOTIATIONS WERE THE SUBJECT OF MAYOR HARRY KIM'S press conference today. The mayor said he aims to help normalize operations on Maunakea, hoping that Maunakea Access Road will reopen to the public, telescope operators, religious practitioners and stargazing businesses.
Kim said he met with Protectors of Maunakea and state officials involved with the Thirty Meter Telescope on Friday. He said there were no conclusions drawn regarding ending the blockade by Protectors who propose constructing the TMT, and that parties acknowledge their "different viewpoints," and plan more meetings. Kim said he supports construction of the world's most powerful telescope on Maunakea, "I support TMT as a resource of science. I support TMT to be done in a good way, a right way." He also called for any solution to be peaceful.
While the mayor has visited the Protectors of Maunakea encampment at the Access Road several times, University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner visited on Sunday. "I am committed to try to find a peaceful way forward for all people of Hawaiʻi," said Lassner. He said it "requires that I understand better than I did before I came here."
Also visiting and performing at the encampment along Maunakea Access Road was Damian Marley, a recording artist and son of the late Bob Marley. The gatherings have grown to thousands of people, according to Protectors. On Kauaʻi this weekend, thousands marched in support.
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| A youth, walking down Daniel K. Inouye Hwy, with an inverted Hawaiian state flag - the sign of a distressed nation. Photo from Ikaika Marzo Facebook |
While the mayor has visited the Protectors of Maunakea encampment at the Access Road several times, University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner visited on Sunday. "I am committed to try to find a peaceful way forward for all people of Hawaiʻi," said Lassner. He said it "requires that I understand better than I did before I came here."
Also visiting and performing at the encampment along Maunakea Access Road was Damian Marley, a recording artist and son of the late Bob Marley. The gatherings have grown to thousands of people, according to Protectors. On Kauaʻi this weekend, thousands marched in support.
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 |
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.
Football, Division II:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Cross Country:
Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty
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Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty
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
TUESDAY, JULY 30
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, July 30, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
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Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, July 31 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.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
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Women's Expression Group, Thursday, Aug. 1 – 1st Thursday monthly – 3-4:30p.m. , PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
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FRIDAY, AUG. 2
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Flameworking - An Introductory Class with Nash Adams-Pruitt, Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, 2-4:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee. Class size limited; advanced registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
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ONGOING
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Exhibit -The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily through Sunday, Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Enroll in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 & 6, with programs continuing following week in Nā‘ālehu on Monday & Wednesday, 8:45-10:45am, and Pāhala, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30-10:30am. Space is limited. pidfoundation.org
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, July 31 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.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.orgTHURSDAY, AUG. 1
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival tickets go on sale Aug. 1 at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit Volcano School 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The $50 per person tickets include live music entertainment by Young Brothers; delicious food and drink from local restaurants; award-winning wines and teas from the Volcano Winery; tours of the vineyards and a huge raffle.
Mayor Kim & Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, Aug. 1, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Registration Open: Sunflower Craft, through Monday, Aug. 5, Kahuku Park Hawaiian Ocean 12:45-3:30p.m. Free. 939-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Registration Open: Shrink Art Keychain, through Tuesday, Aug. 6, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Stewardship at the Summit, Aug. 2, 10, 16, 24, and 28, 8:45a.m. -noon , Kīlauea Visitor Center
SATURDAY, AUG. 3
Edible Landscaping for Backyards and Beyond with Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group, Saturday, Aug. 3, 9a.m.-2:30p.m. , Volcano Art Center
Keiki Science Class, Saturday, Aug. 3 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m. -noon , Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com
SUNDAY, AUG. 4
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, Aug. 4 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park
MONDAY, AUG. 5
Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool Accepting Enrollment Applications - orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 and 6, with programs in Nā‘ālehu/Wai‘ōhinu at Kauaha‘ao Church on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:45-10:45a.m., and Pāhala Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-10:30a.m. Limited space. 939-8573, pidfoundation.org
Enroll at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for the 2019-2020 school year, which starts Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education (CBE) Program; the school may also have space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800 or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll.
Talk Action, Take Action: surveys available through Aug. 4, recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite. The surveys focus on different areas of recovery after the 2018 Kīlauea eruption: households, businesses, and community.
6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com
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