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| Ranching and conservation converge were cattle lands stand above the Kaʻū Coast at Waikapuna Photo from the state Legacy Lands Commission |
KUAHIWI RANCHER MICHELLE GALIMBA shared her approach to ranching and land conservation in Kaʻū at the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference last week on Oʻahu. See the entire talk at animasoul.org or part one in yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs. Here is more of her talk during the gathering, sponsored by Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi:
To be skillful as a rancher you have to think with the landscape, with the many, many animate and inanimate beings on the landscape. Think with them and work with them. As the Native American ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer says: "The animacy of the world is something that we already know, but the language of animacy teeters on extinction – not just for Native peoples but for everyone."
Ranching, for me, is one way to revive and live this language of animacy, with all its sharp edges of life and death, and in all its mesmerizing beauty.
The district of Kaʻū, where I ranch, is a very special place. It's a wild place. It's bigger than the entire island of Oahu
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| A cultural landscape on ranchlands. Photo from animasoul.org |
In Kaʻū, the presence of the native Hawaiian past is a deep undercurrent that you don't have to be native by blood to experience. The presence of the past and the land itself, in all its wildness, evokes an elusive but distinct feeling of participating in something larger than ourselves. We have memories and stories and whispers on the wind. We are connected to what the Muskogee poet Joy Harjo called "the breathing beneath our breathing." This is something that we value deeply in Kaʻū, this connection to the living presence of the land and ocean.
It is in the context that I would like to talk about another collaboration, this time between multiple (human) stakeholders.
Our ranch is very much the collaborative endeavor of many different organizations and programs, public and private, that helped us to keep going and keep building the ranch over the years. The collaborative project that I would like to highlight has to do with the intersection of conservation, culture, and agriculture, and about strengthening the special qualities of our landscape and our community. Our ranch recently had the opportunity to purchase a piece of land that we have been grazing for many years. As I mentioned before, it is common for ranch land in Kaʻū to be rich in cultural resources and such is the case for this piece of land. We had the further opportunity to place this parcel under an agricultural conservation easement.
An agricultural conservation easement means that you dedicate your land to agriculture in perpetuity. Our ranch still owns the land but we have sold the development rights to a non-profit that agrees to steward the easement and verify – on an annual basis – that the easement is still being honored.
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| Rancher Michelle Galimba. Photo from Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture |
Conservation and Agricultural Easements are relatively unknown in Hawaiʻi, but with the help of multiple community partners acting as a team, Conservation Easements can be a powerful way to support agriculture and protect important working farm lands. We have been fortunate to work with the Trust for Public Land who championed and facilitated the details of the deal, with funding support from the Freeman Foundation which has a special interest in helping farmers and ranchers here in Hawaiʻi, and lastly with stewardship support from Ala Kahakai Trail Association who will be the primary holder of the conservation easement.
An agricultural conservation easement made sense for us by lessening the financial burden of the land purchase and by ensuring that the land will remain in agriculture which is something that we value as a family and that our Kaʻū community values as well. The conservation easement also provides for non-profit stewardship of the archeological and cultural sites, so that we can do right by the cultural legacy that is present on our ranch. This agricultural conservation easement works on many levels: it lets us continue ranching and gives us secure land tenure so that we can implement the best possible practices for our land and soils; it relocalizes land ownership and helps us to provide food and employment for our local community; it protects the cultural resources of the place; and it protects the land itself, to be itself with minimal disturbance, in perpetuity.
In perpetuity means forever, so in drafting our conservation easement I've had to attempt to think about agriculture and land-use in terms of forever, and try to make practical decisions for that infinite timeline. Of course I don't have the brain power to forecast forever. Even trying to think forward a century is tough.
What will agriculture be like 100 years from now? 500 years from now?
One way of trying to think about it is the question my daughter taught me to ask: what does the land want? What kind of agriculture is right, not just for human interests, but for nature too, for the long run?
Another way is to ask: what do we want it to look like? What kind of agriculture do we want to shape in the next 100 years?
We are heading towards increasingly wicked problems associated with environmental limits. There is no question about that; it's the simplest kind of logic. Exponential growth meets finite planet.
Which brings me back to that idea of paradox that I talked about earlier: this co-existence of two seemingly incongruous things at once. Because working with paradox or as the philosopher Donna Haraway puts it, "staying with the trouble" is going to be an important adaptive skill as we face these wicked problems on a global scale.
See more in tomorrows' Kaʻū News Briefsand see the entire speech at animasoul.org.
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Department of Hawaiian Home Lands employee Halealoha Ayau announced his resignation Monday. Photo from Big |
During its meeting in Hilo on Monday, the Hawaiian Home Lands Commissioners agreed to hire an outside attorney to determine how much DOT should pay for the road and surrounding lands. The location is a hot topic because a group of native Hawaiian elders have blocked the road since July, in protest of the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope near the top of Maunakea. An investigative committee to look into the committee is made up of Commission Chairman William Aila and his three appointees, himself and West Hawaiʻi Commissioner David Kaapu, and Oʻahu Commissioner Pauline Namuo. Aila said yesterday that the committee will to ensure beneficiaries receive land or monetary compensation for 1,328 acres, including 346 acres of roads. Settling ownership of the land was supposed to be resolved by Act 14 in 1995.
During the Commission meeting on Monday, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands employee Halealoha Ayau announced his resignation. In charge of water quality testing for the department, Ayau said he will sue DOT and the attorney general for a breach of trust over the land issue and for the arrests at Maunakea Access Road in June.
Ayau stated, "Working for the department, (I had) the sacred duty of doing the people's work. That's what I signed up for and I can no longer do that." He also said the state is "compromising" the abilities of the Commission. He sat down to a standing ovation from the more than 200 people in the audience.
Emily Naeole, a former County East Hawaiʻi seat on the commission has been vacant for more than a year. She urged the Commission to prevail upon Gov. David Ige to make an appointment.
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Steer kicks up his heels after launching a paniolo into the dust. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE RESULTS ARE IN FOR THE RODEO last weekend at Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds, sponsored by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and organized by Tammy Kaʻapana. The free event featured paniolo from all over Hawaiʻi Island. Saturday's events included double mugging, poʻowaiu, goat undecorating, and barrels. Sunday featured a Gymkhana.
Rodeo results are:
Rodeo results are:
In Poʻowai U, first place was taken by Jordan Gomes, second by Allen Aku.
In Tie Down Roping, Herman Hollan took first, Allej Aku took second. In Wahine Breakaway, Denicia Derasin placed first, Kassey Hanoi second.
In Youth Barrels, first place was taken by KayleeAnn Holland, second by Breanna Gomes.
In Dummy roping, Kanai Pieper took first in 4 & Under, Katum Malicki took first in 5 to 8, and LeeAnn Yanag took second in 5 to 8.
In Goat Undecorating for 4 & Under, Kanai Pieper took first. In Goat Undecorating for 5 to 8, LeeAnn Yanag took first and Kassidy Pieper took second.
In Open Dally, Gilbert Smith and Allen Gomez placed first, Stetson Branco and Troy Gomes placed second, and Allen Gomes and Lyons Deguair placed third.
In Kane-Wahine Dally, Brandy Gomes and Keith Gomes placed first.
In Century Team Roping, Allen Gomes and Walter Gomez took first, Cookie Kawamoto and Walter Gomes took second.
In Double Mugging, first place went to Westin Joseph and Richard Souza III, second to Bobby Boy Manuel and Troy Wood, and third to Stetson Branco and Troy Wood.
In Kane-Wahine Mugging, Lorilee Lorenzo teamed up with Ikaika Grace for first, and with Frank Lorenzo Jr. for second place.
In Wahine Mugging, Justina Wood and Lauren Santiago took first.
To donate to Kaʻū Roping & Riding and to help expand parking for events, call Kaʻapana at 808-854-78917.
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CELEBRATE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE in health and Hawaiian culture at the 5th Annual La ʻOhana, Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Miloliʻi Park. Attendees of the free event can receive health screenings from University of Hawaiʻi
The Miloliʻi Hipuʻu online virtual academy of Kua
For more, contact Kaimi Kaupiko at (808) 937-1310 or kkaupiko@gmail.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
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See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23
Nāʻālehu School Parent Conferences, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23 and 24, Nāʻālehu Elementary School; Friday, Oct. 25, Ocean View Community Center
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
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
FRIDAY, OCT. 25
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
Free Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs offered by KARES in Ocean View on Saturday, Oct. 29. For info and to register, 328-8455.
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
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. 27Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sunday, Oct. 27, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo/
MONDAY, OCT. 28
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Kapa Aloha ‘Āina, the fabric of Hawai‘i with Puakea Forester, Monday, Oct. 28, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
TUESDAY, OCT. 29
Trail Less Traveled, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m., Devastation Trail Parking Lot, HVNP. Moderate, 2 mile, 2 hour roundtrip hike. $40/person. Register online. Family friendly. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
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
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.
King Cab 2016 Nissan Frontier for Sale Holy Rosary Church Heart Church 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at 928-8208.
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.
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