Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, September 15, 2019

     Two weather disturbances popped up nearer the islands, one southwest, one southeast. The one to the southwest has a ten percent chance of forming into a major storm. The other has a zero percent chance. Two other disturbances, both south of Mexico, each have a 30 percent chance of forming into major storms. None of these weather systems are expected to impact Kaʻū.

     "The 11-man revolution is on," wrote Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald writer Matt Gerhart, who came out to cover the game Saturday. "The run-heavy mantra was grounded, and the air was open for business… Yet, when the rubber met the road, the Trojans turned to an old eight-man reliable, hit the ground and plowed their way to 28-22 Division II victory that doubled as the BIIF game of the year so far."

     The Trojans debuted their five-receiver spread on Saturday, Gerhart reports, and Trojans coach DuWayne Ke told him, "Every week, we're bringing something different to the game, so no one knows what we're doing."

     Kohala took the first score of the game, but Izaiah "Bobby" Pilanca-Emmsley, the national eight-man rushing leader last season, and Loea Kaupu worked together to tie the game. By halftime, Keliʻikoa Reyes-Nalu and Kainalu Satkofsky also made strides, achieving a 22-14 lead for Kaʻū. In the third quarter, Kohala tied the game, but Kaʻū came through strong, with Luke Watson and Jonah Beck sacking players in the backfield, leading the Trojans to end the game 6 points ahead.

     Reyes-Nalu, after his first game as a passing quarterback, told the Tribune Herald, "It was better than I thought it would be. Just staying calm, trusting my lineman and trust your receivers."

KAʻŪ TOOK ALL SETS in Girls Volleyball games at Honokaʻa on Friday. The Dragons defended their home turf, but were overcome by the Trojans' efforts on the court.

     Kaʻū Varsity had to fight hard in the first set, but triumphed over Honkaʻa at 25 to 23. The next two sets were also close, 25 to 17 and 25 to 21, but Kaʻū took the game.

     Junior Varsity Trojans ladies also stormed the court, scoring 25 to 14 and 25 to 21.

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Join a brand new ranger guided walk through the fascinating geologic  features of Kīlauea and learn about their deep connections to Hawaiian  history and culture. NPS photo/Pono Christianson

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK continues to share Hawaiian culture and tradition through ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau demonstrations, After Dark in the Park talks, volunteer programs, and opportunities to explore the Park's Kahuku Unit. Unless otherwise noted, events are free:

     Enjoy the annual Picnic in the Park at Kahuku Unit on Sunday, Sept. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The evednt features taiko drumming and other live, musical entertainment from noon to 3 p.m. Food and shave ice will be available for purchase. Information booths will be set up. ʻOhana Day Hike & Craft Activity for attendees 18 and under runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon; registration required, leileni_rodrigues@nps.gov.

     E mākaʻikaʻi iā Kaʻauea: Explore the Summit, daily at 11 a.m., staring Oct. 1.  Meet in front of Kīlauea Visitor Center. Join a park ranger for a brand new ranger guided walk. Discover the fascinating geologic features of Kīlauea and their deep connections to Hawaiian history and culture. All ages.

     Shape America's Future: Find Your Fit in the Federal Government, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Join Park Ranger Ben Hayes as he shows how to find career opportunities in the Federal Government by navigating the USAJobs website, sharing resume writing tips, and explaining how people can "find your fit in the National Park Service" and other Federal agencies. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series.

Take a step back in time to 1912 and meet the founder  of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A.  Jaggar. NPS photo/Jamie Richards

     Every Kid Outdoors Day, Saturday, Oct. 12. Kid-friendly activities offered throughout the park, including the chance to complete the new Junior Ranger program at the Kahuku unit in Kaʻū. To celebrate the recently-passed Every Kid Outdoors Act, fourth-grade students can earn a free entrance pass to all national parks. To earn a pass, students must fill out and present the paper voucher at the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park entrance station. Everyone in the vehicle gets in with the student for free.

     Why Hawaiian Honey May Be the Best on Earth, Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Join local beekeepers and representatives from the Big Island Beekeepers Association to learn more about island varieties of honey and to taste some varieties first hand. Hawai‘i is one of the few places on earth that exposes honeybees to a vast variety of tropical fruit trees and flowers – some found nowhere else on earth. Hawaiian honeys include Lehua, Kiawe, Coffee, Mac Nut, and many more. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series.

     Lei Kukui Demonstration, Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., meet in front of KīlaueaVisitor Center. Join Park Rangers and staff from Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association to learn about, and how to make lei from, one of the most used plants in Hawaiian culture. Nearly every part of the kukui has a use. Hīpuʻu is a style of lei making where the stems of the leaves are tied together to produce lei. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes'‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops.

     Kahuku Coffee Talk: Creatures That Have Evolved in the Dark, Friday, Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Visitor Contact Station at the Kahuku Unit. Join local experts to learn about lava tubes and some of the interesting animals that call them home.

Join Park Rangers to learn about one of the  most used plants in Hawaiian culture, the  kukui. Nearly every part of the  kukui has a use. NPS photo

     A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar. Meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center Tuesdays in October at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Each performance is about an hour. Walk back to 1912, and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea Volcano. Dressed in period costume, Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Dr. Jaggar leads a tour of his tiny lab located below Volcano House, showing original seismograph equipment and other early instruments. Learn what motivated Dr. Jaggar to dedicate his life to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes and how his work helps save lives today. Space is limited; pick up free ticket at Kīlauea Visitor Center's front desk the day of the program. Program includes climbing stairs and entering a confined space. Supported by the Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network.

     Explore Kahuku. Kahuku Unit is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free. Take a self-guided hike, or join rangers on Sundays for a two-hour guided trek at 9:30 a.m.; the trail will vary depending on visitor interest. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5. Kahuku is located in Ka‘ū, and is about a 50-minute drive south of the park's main entrance. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended for all hikes.

     See updates on the Park's online calendar of events, and look for program flyers posted after 9:30 a.m. on the bulletin board at Kīlauea Visitor Center.
     Park programs are free, but entrance fees apply. Some programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association.

Sat., Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m., HHSAA @Maui