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Pāhala's Alfred Ibarra, at right with his sister Betsy Potter, won the 5K in the 60-69 age group in today's Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run, which drew a record breaking 226 runners in three events. At left, a Youth Challenge cadet greets a runner. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Barry Taniguchi. Photo from UH Hilo's Chancellor's Blog |
Taniguchi, 72, chaired the board of KTA Super Stores, where he was CEO. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and children Tracy, Toby, Terri, Amanda, and Ryan, as well as grandchildren.
The University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo's Chancellor's blog described Taniguchi and KTA on its 100th birthday in 2016. The journey started with Taniguchi's great grandparents, who immigrated from Japan and opened a 500 square foot store in Hilo, delivering food to plantation camps and allowing sugar workers to buy on credit. Barry Taniguchi worked in a KTA from the time he was 12.
Don Straney wrote that Taniguchi concluded that KTA lasted this many years because of their employees. Straney concluded that the success was due to "this feeling of ‘ohana and KTA's dedication to caring for the communities they serve that has made them such a lasting and important business on Hawai‘i Island." The number of its employees is more than 800.
Straney wrote that KTA is an anchor institution, a foundation for the communities it supports. He wrote that as business anchors, KTA Super Stores "have a stake in the health and well-being of our families and communities, have an economic impact, generate employment, have an identity that makes it improbable they will ever relocate, have highly skilled administrators and staff, and are considered some of the centers of culture." He wrote that KTA is a "key engine of economic growth and revitalization of our communities."
To inspire healthy eating, KTA is known for its in-store demonstrations and displays, and for partnering with Hawaiʻi Island food Bank, the Kohala Center, Blue Zone Project, state Department of Health, and many others.In the 2016 University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo Chancelor's blog, Toby Taniguchi, Chief Operating Officer and President of KTA, gave recognition to the KTA leaders who came before him. "The Japanese call that on giri, the concept of feeling indebted to those who came before you and an obligation to do things in a way that honors them."
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HAWAIʻI IS FIRST IN RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY, according to a recent WalletHub report. WalletHub compared the 50 states across six key categories: socio-economic, cultural, economic, household, religious, and political diversity.
Hawai ʻi ranks second in Generational Diversity, third in Income Diversity, Worker-Class Diversity, and Household-Size Diversity, and ninth in Linguistic Diversity.
The Aloha state ranks 14th in Birthplace Diversity, 20th in Industry Diversity, 27th in Educational-Attainment Diversity, and 29th in Occupational Diversity.
See the full report at wallethub.com/edu/most-least-diverse-states-in-america/38262/.
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KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUN broke its participation record today under sunny skies with 226 runners. The 5 K hosted 119, with 54 in the 10K, and 53 in the half marathon.
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| On the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run, through the orchards at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Photo by Julia Neal |
The sixth annual race saw participants climbing the slope behind Kaʻū Coffee Mill into the rainforest, runners weaving through orchards of Kaʻū Coffee with their red berries ready for the height of coffee picking season.
Co-sponsored by Kaʻū Coffee Mill, the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run raises about a third of the budget for the local community organization ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Local families set up refreshment booths to raise money to send children to Kamehameha Schools
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Second and third place winners of the 60-69 age group in the 5K, Dennis McClellan and Charles Laird, with Kaʻū Coffee Queen Helena Sesson, Princess Liliana Marques, and Miss Flower Kysha Manini Kaʻupu. See the 5K winner at top of Kaʻū News Briefs. Photo by Julia Neal |
Miss Kaʻū Coffee Helena Sesson presented the awards, accompanied by Kaʻū Coffee Princess Liliana Marques and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower Kysha Manini Kaʻūpu.
Here are the winners:
The overall winner of the men's Half Marathon was Zachary Songa, at 1:28:51.8, in the 30-39 age group. Overall winner of the men's 10K was Jeffrey Iverslie, at 51:37.0, in the 50-59 age group. Overall winner of the men's 5K was Jared Barrett, at 21:59.3, in the 19 & under age group.
Overall winner of the women's Half Marathon was Amy Young, at 1:48:03.7, in the 30-39 age group. Overall winner of the women's 10K was Lucile Redon, at 58:03.6, in the 20-29 age group. Overall winner of the women's 5K was Megan Denny, at 21:01.3, in the 40-49 age group.
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Amy Young, the first place women's Half Marathon winner. Photo by Julia Neal |
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A PROPOSED SPACEPORT ON THE ISLAND, this one in the Hilo-Panaʻewa area, received opposition from Uʻilani Naipo during the Office of Hawaiian Affairs meeting in Pāhala, Wednesday, Sept. 18. She said a major concern is proximity to the charter school Nawahi o Kalaniʻopuʻu, and University of Hawaiʻi
She described the technology for space launches, as preliminary, in development, and contended that launches would be subject to a higher likelihood of failure, "endangering our youth" at nearby facilities. Naipo said that earlier reports that Alaska Aerospace Corp., the company orchestrating construction of the spaceport, is in partnership with University of Hawaiʻi
Ka Lae, South Point, has also been a site of numerous spaceport proposals. A proposal for a Spinlaunch site makai of Ocean View drew opposition in the community last year. The founders found a different location, outside of Hawaiʻi.
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Youth Challenge sent 67 cadets to assist with the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run. A dozen competed, the other volunteers assisted at each mile marker and with other duties. Photo by Julia Neal |
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The Senators wrote, "In July, NASS announced that it would suspend the collection of quarterly data for the annual Honey Bee Colonies report. The Honey Bee Colonies report, first published in 2016, is the only national survey tracking honeybee loss that is overseen by the federal government. It not only provides key data to beekeepers, the honey industry, and farmers whose crops rely on honeybees for pollination, but also helps to guide honeybee management decisions and identifies colony health stressors. USDA's recent announcement that it would resume the Colony Loss Survey, following a one-quarter suspension, to inform the Honey Bee Colonies report is welcome news. However, USDA's prior actions to suspend or scale back the collection of additional honeybee data remains a concern."
Eric Silva, Federal Policy Counsel, American Honey Producers Association, said "The NASS reports on colony numbers, honey production, and pollination contracts are foundational data reports upon which the industry, academia, and government agencies base decisions. Without these reports, we can only regress in our understanding of what is happening to the health and vitality of America 's honey bees and America 's beekeeping operations. As an industry, we need more not less data if we hope to arrive at better solutions for ensuring that honey bees stay alive and thrive, to produce high quality honey and pollinate $20 billion in specialty crops annually."
CONTINUE HONEYBEE DATA COLLECTION, urges Sen. Mazie Hirono and 22 of her colleagues. In a letter to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, the democrats expressed concerns over the Department's National Agricultural Statistics Service's decision to reduce or even suspend the collection of honeybee data across the nation.
The Senators also requested information on the amount that Congress provided NASS to collect information for the Cost of Pollination Survey and the Honey survey in fiscal year 2019, how much was left over when the decision was made to suspend or scale back these surveys, how much money was saved in doing so, and where those funds are.
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| Bee keepers in Kaʻū can benefit from USDA reports. Photo from artemissmiles.com |
The Senators' efforts are supported by national groups such as the American Honey Producers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation. Local support includes Big Island Bees, an apiary on Hawaiʻi Island that Senator Hirono visited last month, to learn more about the importance of honeybee production in Hawaiʻi.
Said Garnett Puett, Big Island Bees co-owner and beekeeper, "Data collection has saved our operation. Without an understanding of the issues we face, we would be left out in the dark on how to best keep our bees alive. Information provided in USDA reports and surveys allows researchers to develop methods that allow us to maintain healthy colonies. The more data we have, the better our ability to protect honeybees here in the U.S. and across the globe."
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| Honey bees love their combs. Bee keeping in Kaʻū, and Hawaiʻi at large, depends on USDA reports. Photo from artemissmiles.com |
Tim May, President of the American Beekeeping Federation and commercial beekeeper, said, "The American Beekeeping Federation is in full support of USDA's decision to resume the NASS on the health of managed honey bees. Honey bees are so important to our country's agriculture and with their continued declining health it is imperative that the USDA continue to monitor colony health regularly it is critical to the future of U.S. agriculture production."
The full text of the letter to Secretary Perdue is available here.
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| At South Point Road, Hwy 11 motorists saw signs for change today. Photo by Melissa Wheeler |
GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE WEEK was visible in Kaʻū today, with members of Kaʻū Voices waving signs at South Point Road and Highway 11 to encourage people to take action to stem the rising oceans, temperatures, greenhouse gases, and climate disasters.
Kaʻū Voices' organizer Melissa Wheeler said Kaʻū Voices urges everyone to "be a part of the solution, not the problem, and be aware!"
Kaʻū Voices encourages people to attend other Climate Strike events, through Friday, Sept. 27, at Maunakea Access Road every day, and in Hilo , to wave signs at the downtown post office on Friday, Sept. 27.
PICNIC IN THE PARK at Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will be held tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 22,
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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 Fall Athletics Schedule
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates
Football, Division II:
Thu., Oct. 3, 7 p.m. Kamehameha hosts Kaʻū
Sat., Oct. 12, 1 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts HPA
Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m. , Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa
Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m. , Kohala hosts Kaʻū
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 1 and 2, Div II BIIF Championship
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 15 and 16, HHSAA Div II Semifinals
Fri., Nov. 29, HHSAA Div II Championship
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Tue., Sept. 24, 6 p.m. , Makualani hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts HPA
Wed., Oct. 2, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa
Fri., Oct. 4, 6 p.m. , Parker hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Oct. 8, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts Ehunui
Thu., Oct. 10, 6 p.m. , Konawaena hosts Kaʻū
Mon., Oct. 14, 6 p.m. , BIIF Div II First Round at
Tue., Oct. 15, 2:30 p.m. , BIIF Div II Semifinals at
Wed., Oct. 16, 4 p.m. , BIIF Div II Finals at
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu
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UPCOMING
SUNDAY, SEPT. 22
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Ka‘ū Community Coastal Cleanup and Debris Survey, Saturday, Sept. 22. Free; donations appreciated. Limited space available; B.Y.O.-4WD okay. R.S.V.P. required, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. 769-7629, wildhawaii.org
Kahuku ‘Ohana Day, Sunday, Sept. 22, noon-3p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Live music, family-friendly activities, hikes and more. Free. nps.gov/havo
TUESDAY, SEPT. 24
H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 11:30a.m.-1p.m. , St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, Sept. 25 – 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
Pū‘ohe Demonstration, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Make a Hawaiian bamboo trumpet. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26
Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday, Sept. 26, 11a.m. -noon , multipurpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala.
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Sept. 26, 4-6p.m. , Cooper Center Volcano Village
Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, Sept. 27, 9:30-11a.m. , Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
Fee-Free Day: National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 28. Park entrance is free. neefusa.orgNational Public Lands Day Volunteering, Saturday, Sept. 28, 8:45a.m.-noon, meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent required for under 18. No advance registration required. Volunteers receive pass to return and enjoy park fee-free another day. No entrance fees. nps.gov/havo
Nature & Culture, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate hike, approx. 2 miles. nps.gov/havo
Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Friday, Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.
Tiny Treasure Invitational Exhibit at Volcano Art Center 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free; Park entrance fees apply. The exhibition also celebrates VAC's 45th anniversary, Oct. 21 .
Artists include Daniel Rokovitz, Stone O'Daugherty, Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Pat Pearlman, and Amy Flanders, Karen and Mark Stebbins. Also on display, small works from the annual Volcano Art Collaboration from June, featuring Rose Adare, Nash Adams-Pruitt, Lisa Louise Adams, Ed Clapp, Amy Flanders, Bill Hamilton, Liz Miller, Joe Laceby, and Erik Wold. volcanoartcenter.org
Vendor Booth Space is Available for the Kamahalo Craft Fair. The 12th annual event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. , and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center. Booths are open for crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Food vendors must prepare all food items in a certified kitchen and must have a Department of Health permit displayed prominently at their booth. Application online at thecoopercenter.org. Direct questions to 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.
Girls Exploring Math and Science Registration is open to Kaʻū students The annual event for fifth graders will be held on Dec. 10 at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. The mission of the American Association of University Women is to advance equity for women and girls though advocacy, education, and research.
"First Come, First Served" registration forms were mailed to allWest Hawaiʻi and Kaʻū schools on Sept. 9. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need. Once the 336 available spots are filled, no registrations will be accepted.
"First Come, First Served" registration forms were mailed to all
All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawaiʻi School complex and Kaʻū who attend public, private, or home schools are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to volunteer or sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Applications are also available at Kona-hi.aauw.net.
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