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| Old plantation flumes that brought water down the mountain to transport sugar cane to the mill. The pipes now carry the water for irrigation in the Keāiwa Water system. Photo by Julia Neal |
The system involves old water tunnels from Keāiwa reservoir, dug by the now-defunct Kaʻū Sugar Co. at the turn of the 20th Century. Cross pointed out that the water was used to transport cane to the mill in Pāhala, and not for irrigation. The system has existed, mostly unaltered, since the plantation shut down in 1996, except that former wooden flumes and trestles were replaced with PVC pipes and
Trust. With new piping by Olson, the water is distributed to farms and orchards, and is available for crops planted by many farmers.
Under Hawaiʻi law, water belongs to the people, to be managed by the state. Under federal law, 30 percent of the income from water must go to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, which also has the right to set aside water, in reserve, for its future uses.
During the meeting, representatives of DHHL said that Kapāpala, Wood Valley, and Keāiwa water sources are too far from Hawaiian Home Lands, where its farming and residential communities are planned. DHHL lands are mauka of Punaluʻu, in Waiʻōhinu andDiscovery Harbour South Point Road .
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| In 2011, Ed Olson, Glenn Panglao and John Cross celebrate renovation and use of the old plantation water system at Keāiwa for irrigation. Photo by Julia Neal |
Under Hawaiʻi law, water belongs to the people, to be managed by the state. Under federal law, 30 percent of the income from water must go to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, which also has the right to set aside water, in reserve, for its future uses.
During the meeting, representatives of DHHL said that Kapāpala, Wood Valley, and Keāiwa water sources are too far from Hawaiian Home Lands, where its farming and residential communities are planned. DHHL lands are mauka of Punaluʻu, in Waiʻōhinu and
Olson and other entities across Kaʻū are seeking long-term state leases to water they have been using for many years. Cross said that Olson applied for a long-term lease as early as 2016. New state regulations require all agricultural water users with sources on state land to convert their short-term revocable permits to long-term leases. The water will go up for public auction but those close to the source with infrastructure in place will most likely have the better opportunity to bid on the water, said state officials.
All parties acknowledged that the volume of water from their sources depends on rainfall, and is often many times more than current farmers need. However, in drought years, the supply can dwindle to almost nothing. It was predicted, however, that with secure water leases, the number of acres in coffee and macadamia orchards will grow.
Rancher Kyle Soares asked DHHL to consider the possibility of future water needs for agriculture makai of Highway 11, below Pāhala, an area more arid than the Keāiwa farming area.
See more on the meeting and proposals for other water systems in Kaʻū in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. Comments on the plan are due Sept. 23. Contact andrew.h.choy@hawaii.gov.
See more on the meeting and proposals for other water systems in Kaʻū in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. Comments on the plan are due Sept. 23. Contact andrew.h.choy@hawaii.gov.
BOY'S & GIRLS CLUB WILL SERVE IN OCEAN VIEW ONCE AGAIN, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3. Its Big Island After School Youth Development Program will be held at Ocean View Community Center 92-8924 Leilani Circle . Hours are after school until 5:30 p.m.
Up to 40 Ocean View youth can sign up for Monday through Friday for the program that includes: transportation by DOE public school bus from Nāʻālehu Elementary; homework assistance; recreational youth development activities; and snacks. Boys & Girls Club Big Island is also developing a plan to provide OV youth with a full meal.
Up to 40 Ocean View youth can sign up for Monday through Friday for the program that includes: transportation by DOE public school bus from Nāʻālehu Elementary; homework assistance; recreational youth development activities; and snacks. Boys & Girls Club Big Island is also developing a plan to provide OV youth with a full meal.
Pāhala Intermediate is also holding open enrollment for BGCBI for youth ages 6 to 17, Monday through Friday, after school until 5:30 p.m.
See BGCBI.org, email info@bgcbi.org, or call 808-961-5536.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE, Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple will hold a Bon Dance Festival, with a Twilight Lantern Parade. The free community event, open to all, happens Saturday, Aug. 31 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the Lantern Parade at 7:30 p.m.
Taiko drums, Hachimaki headbands, saimin, teriyaki bowls, vegetable bowls, and "fun for the whole family" will be on offer at the "Celebration of Remembrance." Contact Temple President Robert Kobzi, robertkobzi@aol.com with questions and for more info.
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| Sheep riding is popular in family rodeo events. Photo by Charles McKeand/HawaiiRodeoPhotos.com |
fees to Kaʻū Roping and Riding Association,
The events available are: Dummy Roping, for 4 & under and ages 5-8; Goat Undecorating, for 4 & under and ages 5-8; Barrels for keiki, youth, and open; Poles for keiki, youth, and open; Youth Breakaway; Calf Riding; and Youth Team Roping. Sheep Riding may also be available.
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| Area marked in red will be closed for LFA treatment. NPS map |
STEAM VENTS PARKING LOT in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park 8 a.m. to noon . Park staff is continuing efforts to eradicate little fire ants from the area. In case of rain, the back up date will be Thursday, Sept. 5.
Only the Steam Vents parking lot and the trail from the parking lot to Wahinekapu, Steaming Bluff will be closed; Wahinekapu and Crater Rim Trail will remain open. Park pest control workers will treat Steam Vents every four to six weeks and will announce closures in news releases, the park website, nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes, and via social media. The goal is to completely exterminate the ants from the area.
For more information on LFA, how to control them and how to prevent spreading them, visit littlefireants.com.
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THE TROJANS' FIRST 11-MAN FOOTBALL GAME in seven years was played yesterday in Pāhala against the Kamehameha Schools Warriors. "Jitters" might be the reason the Kaʻū High team was shut out, with a score of 48, said Coach DuWayne Ke in a Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald article for Kamehameha that Kaʻū Athletics posted to Twitter yesterday. Kamehameha won the BIIF Division II Championship last year in 11-man football. Kaʻū decided to revert to 11-man football after winning the BIIF 8-man football championship for years.
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As a sophomore, #7 Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley was instrumental in the Trojans' win of the 8-man BIIF Championship on |
Said Ke, "It was a good experience coming back [to 11-man], but now we have to work a little bit harder. The first game is out of the way. Maybe the jitters are, and we can move forward."
Kaʻū's Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley, a junior, is the 2018 national 8-man rushing leader with an average of 293.3 yards per game. He managed to carry the ball 28 times for a total of 86 yards during the game, with a long gain of 14. He also scored a 98-yard kickoff return, but it was negated by a penalty.
Loea Kaupu followed Pilanca-Emmsley, with 13 carries for 34 yards.
The team is co-coached by Ke and his wife, Tammy Mareko-Ke. They are assisted by Nainoa Ke, who works with the offensive line, Kainalu Ke, who works defense, and Talai Ke.
In another article by Matt Gerhart of the Tribune-Herald from Aug. 14, Ke expressed his pride in the team for doing things like "running their drills, no coach there" and holding each other accountable for using foul language.
Gerhart asked an excited Pilanca-Emmsley how he thinks the transition from 8-man to 11-man would go. "Harder to score, harder to find holes. It's always a good time to move up. More challenging and we get to play different teams."
The Trojans have about 40 players. Freshmen make up 19 of the roster. Only 12 of the roster played last year.
In the Tribune-Heraldarticle, Mareko-Ke said, "Everybody in the town is like, 'Oh, this is 11-man, you guys are going to get creamed,' but we're trying to keep the boys on the positive. We've never played Kamehameha, this is going to be our first time, and this is going to be their first time playing us. What makes you think they can try to run over us right away?"
Defensive end player Weston Davis told Gerhart, "Coming from a small town, we want to show these guys what we can do. We're going to get there. I think they are going to take us lightly."
Defensive end player Mana Beck-Chong told Gerhart, "I have faith in my players. We just have to push hard and be aggressive. I'm excited about my defense, we push as a family out there. It feels like family no matter what."
The next game, hosting Kohala, happens Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. See the schedule through September, below.
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 |
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through September
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates
Football, Division II:
Sat., Sept. 7, 2 p.m. , HPA hosts Kaʻū
Sat., Sept. 14, 11 a.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Thu., Sept. 19, 7 p.m. , Pāhoa hosts Kaʻū
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Wed., Sept. 4, 6 p.m. , Christian Liberty hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 6, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha
Tue., Sept. 10, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Kealakeha
Fri., Sept. 13, 6 p.m. , Honokaʻa hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 17, 6 p.m. , Waiakea hosts Kaʻū
Thu., Sept. 19, 6 p.m. , Keaʻau hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 24, 6 p.m. , Makualani hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts HPA
Cross Country:
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m. , @Christian Liberty
Sat., Sept. 7, 10 a.m. , @Kamehameha
Fri., Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. , @HPA
Sat., Sept. 21, 10 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m. , @Keaʻau
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UPCOMING
MONDAY, AUG. 26
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, Aug. 26, 1p.m. , contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, AUG. 27Registration Open: Door Knob Hangers, Tuesday, Aug. 27-Sept. 6, Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean 12:45-3:30p.m. Free. 939-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Aug. 27, 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28
Kōkua Kūpuna Project, Wednesday, Aug. 28 – 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
Private Guided Hike: Kīlauea Iki Crater, Thursday, Aug. 28, 10a.m.-2p.m. , Kīlauea Iki Overlook, HVNP. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
THURSDAY, AUG. 29
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Aug. 29, 4-6p.m. , Cooper Center Volcano Village
Coffee Talk at Kahuku: ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou - We Are All Ka‘ū, Friday, Aug. 30, 9:30-11a.m. , Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Learn about OKK and all their community projects. Free. nps.gov/havo
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Ka‘ū Community Clean-up, Saturday, Aug. 31. Free; donations appreciated. Full – waitlist only; B.Y.O.-4WD okay. R.S.V.P. required. 769-7629, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com
Paths and Trails, Sat., Aug. 31, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, 2-mile, hike. nps.gov/havo
Healing Through Words creative writing workshop with Dr. Heather Rivera, Saturday, Aug. 31, 10-11:30a.m., Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Bon Dance Festival and Twilight Lantern Parade, Saturday, Aug. 31, 6-10p.m., Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Lantern Parade at 7:30 p.m. Taiko drums, Hachimaki headbands, saimin, teriyaki bowls, vegetable bowls, and fun for the whole family. First time the temple has held this event in over 10 years, a Celebration of Remembrance. All are welcome. Free. Temple President Robert Kobzi, robertkobzi@aol.com
ONGOING
Talk Action, Take Action Surveys Deadline is Saturday, Aug. 31. The surveys ask for information regarding 2018's Kīlauea eruption recovery. Hawaiʻi County residents are encouraged to take the surveys at recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite. Hard copies of the surveys can also be picked up at Council member offices, the Department of Research & Development, and the Planning Department. Unless one chooses to be contacted individually, the information from the surveys will be anonymous.
Applications for Grants to Steward PONC Protected Lands on Hawaiʻi Island are open through Friday, Aug. 31. In Kaʻū, areas of the
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival Tickets are on sale at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit
Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Volcano local photographer Jesse Tunison, daily through Sunday, Sept. 15, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Nani Ka ʻIkena, that which is seen is beautiful, features vibrant colors and crisp, wide vistas which highlight the character and drama of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. The collection of ten photographs were captured over the past decade by Tunison and also document the dynamic changes which have occurred in such a short period of time. "While the landscape has changed the beauty has endured." Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
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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