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| Danny Akaka, Jr. blows the conch shell and blesses the new avocado processing facility at Avoland Hawaiʻi Farms with owner Michael Krones and support staffer Cindy Cohn. Photo by Julia Neal |
The facility is crafted by Avoland owner Michael Krones, with Big Island Coastal Contracting owner Mathias Cuison, of Nāʻālehu, and operator Bernard Hu constructing the building, and the Avoland crew finishing it off. Cindy Cohn is handling outreach to the community of growers and buyers.
The processing plant - a certified kitchen - will be open for those with Sharwil avocado orchards that have USDA certification. Those interested can make an appointment to bring their avocados for purchase and shipping. The processing involves a wash with a light hydrogen peroxide, grading. and placing the avocados in shipping boxes.
The state Department of Agriculture promotes the
Sharwil Avocado as "Only from Hawaiʻi," saying it is "the richest and creamiest avocado you have ever tasted," with a smooth creamy texture and a very small seed. "Grown only in the rich volcanic soils of Hawaiʻi."
Danny Akaka, Jr. led the Hawaiian blessing with ti leaf and water for the inner four corners and outer four corners of the facility and a conch cell ceremony and prayer. In Hawaiian, Akaka
called for the success of Avoland in providing healthy food for people. Attending were numerous avocado growers, neighbors and enthusiasts who helped with the project and will work on the processing to ship Hawaiʻi Island Sharwil avocados to the mainland.
Avoland Hawaiʻi Farms LLC, with its avocado orchard and commercial kitchen for processing, is located at 89-935 Hawaiʻi Belt Road. See avolandhawaii.com. Contact Cindy Cohn at 808-896-5372, cindycohn808@gmail.com
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THE SOUTH POINT WIND FARM'S PLAN TO OFFSET POSSIBLE DEATHS AND INJURY TO BATS, NĒNĒ, AND PETRELS flying into the windmills comes before the state Endangered Species Recovery Committee this Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Honolulu. The owners of the 14 windmills, with blades that reach 328 feet above the ground, is Tawhiri Power, LLC, which operates Pakani Nui Wind Farm and has applied, as required, for an Incidental Take License from the Department of Land & Natural Resources. The license, which covers the next 20 years, would allow for the incidental take of the bat, Lasiurus cinereus semtos; the nēnē, Branta sandvicensis, and the petrel, Pterodroma sandwichensis.
Federal officials held a public meeting recently in Kaʻū regarding a separate federal take license for Tawhiri, involving the same three species. Tawhiri reports no evidence of deaths or injury by windmill to the nēnē nor the petrels. In its proposal, Tawhiri presents evidence of three bats dying since it began operations in April of 2007. |
| Processing Sharwil Avocados with a light bath before boxing them for the mainland. Photo by Julia Neal |
The state Department of Agriculture promotes the
Sharwil Avocado as "Only from Hawaiʻi," saying it is "the richest and creamiest avocado you have ever tasted," with a smooth creamy texture and a very small seed. "Grown only in the rich volcanic soils of Hawaiʻi."
Danny Akaka, Jr. led the Hawaiian blessing with ti leaf and water for the inner four corners and outer four corners of the facility and a conch cell ceremony and prayer. In Hawaiian, Akaka
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| The Hawaiʻi design for Sharwil Avocado shipping boxes from Avoland Hawaiʻi Farms. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Avoland dog and owner Michael Krones, center, flanked by Hawaiʻi Island Coastal Contracting's Bernard Hu, left, and Mathias Cuison. Photo by Julia Neal |
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THE SOUTH POINT WIND FARM'S PLAN TO OFFSET POSSIBLE DEATHS AND INJURY TO BATS, NĒNĒ, AND PETRELS flying into the windmills comes before the state Endangered Species Recovery Committee this Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Honolulu. The owners of the 14 windmills, with blades that reach 328 feet above the ground, is Tawhiri Power, LLC, which operates Pakani Nui Wind Farm and has applied, as required, for an Incidental Take License from the Department of Land & Natural Resources. The license, which covers the next 20 years, would allow for the incidental take of the bat, Lasiurus cinereus semtos; the nēnē, Branta sandvicensis, and the petrel, Pterodroma sandwichensis.
Tawhiri's plan describes its knowledge of fatalities: "The first Hawaiian hoary bat fatality was found on August 31, 2013, during a scheduled search the first week of initiating a weekly monitoring effort. The second Hawaiian hoary bat was found on March 1, 2016, and the third Hawaiian hoary bat was found on April 12, 2018. Prior to the weekly searches, Tawhiri performed monthly searches of all turbines starting at the beginning of commercial operations on April 4, 2007. During this monthly search period, no fatalities of state- and ESA-listed species were found. The Hawaiian hoary bat is the only state and ESA listed species that has been found at the Pakini Nui Wind Farm."
Tawhiri plans to offset any Hawaiian hoary bat takings by improving bat habitat in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, by planting native plant species where bats live and by removing invasive plants.
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.
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.
See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
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Guided Hike On A 60 Year Old Lava Lake , Wednesday, Oct. 23, 10a.m.-2p.m. , Kīlauea Iki Overlook Parking Lot, HVNP. Moderate to challenging 2.4 mile hike (one way). $80/person. Register online. Park entrance fees may apply. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
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FRIDAY, OCT. 25
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Help Shape Hawaiʻi Island at upcoming SpeakOuts and workshops on the General Plan. The community is encouraged to "come share your manaʻo," opinion.
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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.
Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival Booths can be reserved. The free event on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center, will feature cultural practitioners and demonstrators; workshops; crafts; food; music and entertainment from artists such as Bali Hai from Mexico, Vero Cruz Folklore Dancers, taiko drummers, UH-Hilo Filipino/Samoan dancers; and hula from Mexico, Japan, Virginia, ʻOahu, and Hawaiʻi Island. Interested vendors can apply for food, craft, or information booths. Email leionalani47@hotmail.com or call 808-649-9334. See hookupukau.com.
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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 .
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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.
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| Kihei, an endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, is one of two endemic mammal species of Hawaiʻi. Photo from Honolulu Zoo |
To offset the windmills possible injuries and deaths to petrels, Tawhiri plans to contribute to maintaining the fence surrounding a Hawaiian petrel nesting colony in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and to help trap the petrel's predators.
To offset dangers to nēnē, Tawhiri plans to help with predator controls and nest protection at a breeding pen at Piʻihonua.
Tawhiri's proposal is called the Pakini Nui Wind Farm Habitat Conservation Plan. The Endangered Species Recovery Committee meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Klanimoku Building in Honolulu.
See the complete Tawhiri license application at dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2019/10/RevisedDraftPakiniNuiHCPandAppendices_23Sep2019_Clean.pdf.
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.
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.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DEFENDED TULSI GABBARD over the weekend, following Hillary Clinton intimating that Gabbard is a Russian asset.
Beto O'Rouke said, "That's not correct. Tulsi is not being groomed by anyone"..."She's her own person, obviously has served this country and continues to serve this country in uniform, in Congress, as a candidate for the presidency. And so, I think those facts speak for themselves."
Andrew Yang said, "Tulsi Gabbard deserves much more respect and thanks than this. She literally just got back from serving our country abroad."
Mayor Pete Buttigieg said that instead of talking about Gabbard as a Russian asset, "I would prefer to have the conversation be about policy... I consider her to be a competitor... I respect her service... Statements like that ought to be backed by evidence."
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 Fall Athletics Schedule
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates
Football, Division II:
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:
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu
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.
See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
TUESDAY, OCT. 22
Birding at Kīpukapuaulu, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 8-10a.m., Kīpukapuaulu - Bird Park - Parking Lot, HVNP. Led by retired USGS Biologist Nic Sherma. 2 hour birding tour. $40/person. Register online. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23
Nāʻālehu School Parent Conferences, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23 and 24, Nāʻālehu Elementary School; Friday, Oct. 25, Ocean View Community Center
Lei Kukui Demonstration, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Make hīpu‘u - a style of lei making in which the steams and leaves of the Kukui tree are tied together - with rangers and staff. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo/
THURSDAY, OCT. 24
Birding at Kīpukapuaulu, Thursday, Oct. 24, 8-10a.m., Kīpukapuaulu - Bird Park - Parking Lot, HVNP. Led by retired USGS Biologist Nic Sherma. 2 hour birding tour. $40/person. Register online. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Oct. 24 - fourth Thursday monthly - 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
Kahuku Coffee Talk: Creatures That Have Evolved in the Dark, Friday, Oct. 25, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Join local experts to learn about lava tubes and some interesting animals that call them home. Free. nps.gov/havo
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Mele & Hula ‘Auana Performances, Friday, Oct. 25 - fourth Friday monthly - 4-5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free and open to public. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Chicken Skin Stories, Friday, Oct. 25, 7-9p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Theater, in HVNP. DJ KTA. $20/person in advance, $25/person at the door. Open to eligible patrons; certain Terms of Service. Free; park entrance fees apply. Purchase online at bigisland.ticketleap.com (+$2 fee online). mariner@kimurabrands.com
Halloween Party, Friday, Oct. 25, 7p.m.-midnight, Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. DJ KTA. $5 cover with costume, $7 cover without. 21+. Open to eligible patrons; certain Terms of Service. Free; park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8365 after 4p.m. , kilaueamilitarycamp.com
SATURDAY, OCT. 26
Free Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs offered by KARES in Ocean View on Saturday, Oct. 29. For info and to register, 328-8455.
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Paint Your Own Silk Scarf Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, Oct. 26, 9a.m.-12:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Students complete one 8"x 53" scarf. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee per person. All materials supplied. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register - 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Nature & Culture, Saturday, Oct. 26, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate hike, approx. 2 miles. nps.gov/havo/
Kimchi & Kombucha/Jun, Hands-On Fermented Foods Workshop with Jasmine Silverstein of HeartBeet Foods, Saturday, Oct. 26, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $15/person supply fee (includes organic ingredients). Pre-registration required. No cooking skills necessary. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Chicken Skin Stories, Saturday, Oct. 26, 7-9p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Theater, in HVNP. DJ KTA. $20/person in advance, $25/person at the door. Open to eligible patrons; certain Terms of Service. Free; park entrance fees apply. Purchase online at bigisland.ticketleap.com (+$2 fee online). mariner@kimurabrands.com
SUNDAY, OCT. 27
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sunday, Oct. 27, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo/
ONGOING
Help Shape Hawaiʻi Island at upcoming SpeakOuts and workshops on the General Plan. The community is encouraged to "come share your manaʻo," opinion. The last scheduled SpeakOut meeting will be held in Waikaloa, Thursday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. , Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School.
A Topic Workshop will be held in Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Office of Aging on Saturday, Oct. 26, on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. tonoon and Natural Resources from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Submit feedback online by Thursday, Oct. 31. See more Info on the Draft General Plan at hiplanningdept.com/general-plan/.A Topic Workshop will be held in Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Office of Aging on Saturday, Oct. 26, on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to
Trunk or Treat at Kaʻū District Gym will be held Thursday, Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Organized by Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary school, the free event offers a haunted house, healthy recipes, a family-friendly atmosphere, and Trunk or Treat, where keiki and youth go from parked car to car, asking for treats.
For those interested in participating in Trunk or Treat, distributing goodies, prizes will be awarded for the best decorated car: Most Beautiful, Most Original, Spookiest, and a special awards for teachers or staff who decorate; decoration not required. Contact Nona at 928-3102 or Angie Miyashiro at 313-4100.
Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival Booths can be reserved. The free event on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center, will feature cultural practitioners and demonstrators; workshops; crafts; food; music and entertainment from artists such as Bali Hai from Mexico, Vero Cruz Folklore Dancers, taiko drummers, UH-Hilo Filipino/Samoan dancers; and hula from Mexico, Japan, Virginia, ʻOahu, and Hawaiʻi Island. Interested vendors can apply for food, craft, or information booths. Email leionalani47@hotmail.com or call 808-649-9334. See hookupukau.com.
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
King Cab 2016 Nissan Frontier for Sale Holy Rosary Church Heart Church 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at 928-8208.
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Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call Tata Compehos and Melody Espejo at 808-938-1088.
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call Tata Compehos and Melody Espejo at 808-938-1088.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.
