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| A mermaid greets Halloween celebrants on the Pāhala school campus this evening. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal |
AT LEAST TWO COFFEE FARMS ON THE ISLAND have recently been hit by thieves. In one case, thieves stole two full supersacks and a half a supersack – some 3,000 lbs. of parchment – this past Sunday, Oct. 27. Agriculture Extension Agent Andrea Kawabata urges anyone with information call Hawaiʻi Police Department at 808-935-3311. She noted that ag theft can be prosecuted as theft in the second degree, a Class C felony. She urges farmers to "Protect yourself and your coffee (cherry, parchment, or green) or other agricultural commodities, and be aware of the following law which was created to protect farmers like yourselves:"
For the transport and sale of all agricultural commodities exceeding 200 pounds or with a value of at least $100, the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes section 145-22 requires that (DL-22) records shall include: Seller's name, residence address, telephone number, and license plate number of any vehicle used by the seller to deliver the commodity to the place of purchase; name of farm owner and address of origin; name of buyer or consignee, and destination; and signature of the seller and, upon sale, the signature of the buyer or consignee.
A Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Certificate of Ownership/Movement of Agricultural Commodities (DL-22) is available to download.
Sellers of ag products must be aware that sales over $300 also require the seller to present the buyer with a valid photo ID card or license, issued by a federal or state government agency. Kawabata also urges farmers to take precautions to safeguard coffee and report any thefts or possible thefts to the police. Provide suggestions and ideas on how to protect farms and property from agricultural theft, by contacting Hawaiʻi Police Department agricultural theft investigator Shane Muramaru at Shane.Muramaru@hawaiicounty.gov or 808-961-0466.
She also urges that, for safety, avoid intervening while a crime is in progress and call 911. If a theft has already been committed and for non-emergency situations, call police at 808-935-3311. Once the police arrive, provide them with photographs, videos, written documentation, and serial/identification numbers of stolen items, if possible. The more details and evidence provided, the more it might help the officer make an arrest.
For the transport and sale of all agricultural commodities exceeding 200 pounds or with a value of at least $100, the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes section 145-22 requires that (DL-22) records shall include: Seller's name, residence address, telephone number, and license plate number of any vehicle used by the seller to deliver the commodity to the place of purchase; name of farm owner and address of origin; name of buyer or consignee, and destination; and signature of the seller and, upon sale, the signature of the buyer or consignee.
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| Coffee farms are urged to protect themselves as some 3,000 pounds in superbags were recently stolen from farmers. Photo by Julia Neal |
Sellers of ag products must be aware that sales over $300 also require the seller to present the buyer with a valid photo ID card or license, issued by a federal or state government agency. Kawabata also urges farmers to take precautions to safeguard coffee and report any thefts or possible thefts to the police. Provide suggestions and ideas on how to protect farms and property from agricultural theft, by contacting Hawaiʻi Police Department agricultural theft investigator Shane Muramaru at Shane.Muramaru@hawaiicounty.gov or 808-961-0466.
She also urges that, for safety, avoid intervening while a crime is in progress and call 911. If a theft has already been committed and for non-emergency situations, call police at 808-935-3311. Once the police arrive, provide them with photographs, videos, written documentation, and serial/identification numbers of stolen items, if possible. The more details and evidence provided, the more it might help the officer make an arrest.
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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| Families dressed up for Halloween and came to the Pāhala school campus for a safe celebration, this family with its dog in full gear. See more below. Photos by Julia Neal |
THE COUNTY BUYING UP LAND THAT COULD BE INUNDATED with sea level rise is not the way money should be spent to conserve special properties, says Debbie Hecht, one of the founders of the 2% land fund that uses county property tax income for land conservation. In testimony to the county, she objects to prioritizing oceanfront lands being considered for acquisition by the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission, based on the likelihood they could become unusable.
She said the attempt to prioritize these lands is within a proposal being considered for the next edition of the county General Plan. It would "revise land acquisition and preservation regulations and criteria to include lands impacted by climate change or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation," writes Hecht. She requests the public send emails, by tonight, to GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov, to request that language be removed from the Draft General Plan. She recommends for the county to refrain from using PONC funds to buy coastal properties affected by climate change.
In a letter to The Kaʻū Calendar, she explained that "The Land Fund sets aside 2% of our tax dollars each year to purchase open space, parklands, access, trails, ecosystems, and cultural spaces. I am against using funds from the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Fund for purchases of property that will be subject to coastal erosion or be underwater as a consequence of sea level rise because:
There is already a rigorous process in place for the PONC commission to evaluate any lands that are proposed by the public. Properties impacted by climate change, sea level rise, or coastal erosion can be proposed and evaluated according to the commission's process that has been in place since 2006.
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| Culinary teacher ʻĀina Akamu with no tricks, free treats made by his students. Photo by Julia Neal |
She said the attempt to prioritize these lands is within a proposal being considered for the next edition of the county General Plan. It would "revise land acquisition and preservation regulations and criteria to include lands impacted by climate change or those with beneficial attributes for climate adaptation and mitigation," writes Hecht. She requests the public send emails, by tonight, to GeneralPlan@hawaiicounty.gov, to request that language be removed from the Draft General Plan. She recommends for the county to refrain from using PONC funds to buy coastal properties affected by climate change.
In a letter to The Kaʻū Calendar, she explained that "The Land Fund sets aside 2% of our tax dollars each year to purchase open space, parklands, access, trails, ecosystems, and cultural spaces. I am against using funds from the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Fund for purchases of property that will be subject to coastal erosion or be underwater as a consequence of sea level rise because:
There is already a rigorous process in place for the PONC commission to evaluate any lands that are proposed by the public. Properties impacted by climate change, sea level rise, or coastal erosion can be proposed and evaluated according to the commission's process that has been in place since 2006.
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| A wheel to spin for Halloween celebrants to receive gifts this evening. Photo by Julia Neal |
The PONC funding can be better used for other purchases.
The 2% Land Fund has been very successful with the criteria established in the charter that was approved by voters 3 times. Monies in this fund shall be used solely to: purchase or otherwise acquire lands and easements in the County of Hawaiʻi for public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains; preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites; protection of natural resources, significant habitat or eco-systems, including buffer zones; preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty and agricultural lands; and protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply."
See more at debbiehecht.com.
See more at debbiehecht.com.
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| A skeleton driver in a convertible at the Pāhala campus on Halloween. Photo by Julia Neal |
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HALLOWEEN IN PĀHALA drew many families to the school campus for interactive displays, treats, games and fund and a hallway in the gym designed to scare everyone with many Booh! stations. Trick or Treat handouts included books for young children and health education materials from Hui Mālama. Kaʻū High School's culinary class made decorative treats under the direction of teacher ʻĀina Akamu.
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| T-Rex and Pikachu with Jovena Moses, of Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal |
DEEPFAKE REPORT ACT passed the U.S. Senate today. Sen. Brian Scahtz said the bipartisan legislation would direct the Department of Homeland Security to conduct an annual study of deepfakes – hyper-realistic, digital manipulations of real content that depict events that did not actually occur – and other types of similar content. He said that deepfakes "can damage our national security and undermine our democracy. Our bill… directs the federal government to learn more about the scope of deepfake technology. It's an important first step in fighting disinformation."
The legislation requires DHS to assess the technology used to generate deepfakes, the uses of deepfakes by foreign and domestic entities, and available countermeasures to deepfakes, to help policymakers and the public better understand the threats deepfakes pose to our national security and election security.
The bill heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The legislation requires DHS to assess the technology used to generate deepfakes, the uses of deepfakes by foreign and domestic entities, and available countermeasures to deepfakes, to help policymakers and the public better understand the threats deepfakes pose to our national security and election security.
The bill heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
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| Uncle Waltah, with a post from a traditional Hawaiian hale at Hōnaunau, which he has helped construct. He shares his skills this Saturday in Pāhala at Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū. Photo from Hōnaunau Ola Mau Loa |
Wong is a teacher of the construct of the traditional Hawaiian Home, the Hale. He aims to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and to bring back the skills of building a structure out of materials from the ‘āina. Every part of his hale waʻa come from the land — the pohaku - rocks for foundations, the tree poles and the thatching. Wong learned hale building fro Kumu Francis "Palani" Sinenci of Maui. The two partner on many hale projects around the state.
See honaunau.org/blog/page/3/.
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.
KAʻŪ ART FAIR at
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.PARKING AT KĪLAUEA VISITOR CENTER during the holiday season will be a little better, with the addition of 20 new parking spaces. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park stated that the spaces are being added due to loss of parking capacity from seismic activity in 2018, and in anticipation of heavy visitation during the upcoming holiday season. The new parking stalls will be added to the overflow parking lot, east of the Center.
Construction on the new gravel lot began this week on previously disturbed land. The park plans to open the new gravel lot by Thanksgiving.
According to the Park, the short-term fix adds much-needed parking spaces for visitors. The closure of Jaggar Museum Kīlauea summit greatly reduced the number of available parking spots for visitors.
Long-term planning to address parking and post-eruption recovery continues at the park. For more information, visit the park website's recovery page, nps.gov/havo/recovery.htm.
MAUNA LOA VOLCANO'S Alert Level is ADVISORY and Aviation Code is YELLOW. The mauna is not erupting. Rates of deformation and seismicity have not changed significantly over the past week and remain above long-term background levels.
During the past week, approximately 147 small-magnitude earthquakes (nearly all smaller than M2.0) were detected beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa. Most of the earthquakes occurred at shallow depths of less than 5 kilometers (~3 miles) below ground level, but a couple were as deep as 12 km (~7.5 mi).
Global Positioning System (GPS) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) measurements show continued summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system.
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View of cinder cones in the northeast rift zone near the summit of USGS/Matt Patrick photo |
For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.
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.
A CIVIL DEFENSE WARNING SIREN TESTING TODAY IN OCEAN VIEW and at Shipman Park in Keaʻau was described by the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense message as "a series of burps" being part of the testing. Any questions from the public about these tests, call 935-0031.
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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Stained Glass Basics I, Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 and 16, 9a.m.-1p.m. , Volcano Art Center
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Keiki Science Class, Saturday, Nov. 2 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m.-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com
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Grand Slam Band, Saturday, Nov. 2, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
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MONDAY, NOV. 4
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Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Tuesdays, Nov. 5, 19, and Dec. 3, 9a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Call to confirm location before attending. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
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Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, Nov. 7, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
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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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 |
See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, NOV. 2
Jumble, Plant Sale 8a.m. , St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. $3/person, $1/child (6-10), younger children eat for free. For sale: potted plants, kitchen tools, hand tools, home made cookies, gourmet whole grain mustard, St. Jude's Coffee, mac nuts, craft products, jam, jelly, and more. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org
Stewardship at the Summit, Nov. 2, 8, 15, 23, and 30, 8:45a.m. , meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center
Palm Seed Stem (Inflorescence) Random Weave Baskets with Jelena Clay, Saturday, Nov. 2, 9a.m.-1p.m. , Volcano Art Center
Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival, Saturday, Nov. 2, 10a.m.-10p.m. , Pāhala Community Center
Sounds at the Summit featuring Wendell Ing with the release of Jazz Avenue, Saturday, Nov. 2, 5:30-7:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Ticket are $15/VAC member, $20/non-member; includes a free CD of Jazz Avenue. Purchase tickets online, VAC Admin Office or VAC Gallery. Pupu, wine and beer available for purchase. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Bring Micah Reep Home Prayer Vigil, Saturday, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m. , Nāʻālehu Assembly of God, 95-5678 Mamalahoa Hwy. "Join us as we come together as a community and pray for the safe return of Micah Reep. 'The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.'– James 5:16."
Night of the Dead: A Grateful Dead Tribute Experience featuring Bottle of Blue and Company, Saturday, Nov. 2, 6:30-9:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. First concert takes place Friday, Nov. 1, Mahukona Beach Park. Two unique shows. $25 for one day or $40 for both days. Tickets available at door; pre-sale at eventbrite.com. Rocket and Rise Productions. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
SUNDAY, NOV. 3
Palm Trail, Sunday, Nov. 3, 9:30-12:30p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult hike - 2.6 mile loop. nps.gov/havo
Fused Glass Basics: Ornaments Workshop with Claudia McCall, Sunday, Nov. 3, 11a.m.-3p.m., Volcano Art Center. One day kilnforming workshop introducing basic techniques of glass fusing. $25/VAC member, $30/non-member, plus $20 fee, includes supplies. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, Nov. 3 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/viewith southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
Fall Wreath Activity Registration, Nov. 4-12, Ka‘ū District Gym. Program takes place Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3:30-5p.m., multipurpose room. Grades K-6. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
Cultural Understanding through Art & the Environment: Dietrich Varez Block Printing with Desiree Moana Cruz, Monday, Nov. 4, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. No registration required. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, Nov. 4, 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
TUESDAY, NOV. 5
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Nov. 5 (Committees), Wednesday, Nov. 6 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Empower Meeting, Tuesdays, Nov. 5 and 19 – every other Tuesday, monthly – 1p.m., PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Empowering girls group. Registration required. Diana, 935-4805
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6-8p.m., Pāhala Community Center.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6
Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Pele Kaio, Wednesday, Nov. 6 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. No December program. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
THURSDAY, NOV. 7
Women's Expression Group, Thursday, Nov. 7 – 1st Thursday monthly – 3-4:30p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
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.
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.
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.
