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Tiny churches across Kaʻū threw their doors open to everyone last evening and today for Christmas, this one in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Julia Neal |
MELE KALIKIMAKA, Merry Christmas in Hawaiian, "is the thing to say, on a bright, Hawaiian Christmas Day," goes the song, written in 1949 by Robert Alex Anderson and popularized by Don Ho, Alfred Apaka, Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, Bette Midler, Jimmy Buffet, The Beach Boys and many other artists.
The phrase Mele Kalikimaka is the attempt to say "Merry Christmas" in the native language. Without letters such as "r" and "s" in the Hawaiian language, the written form became Mele Kalikimaka. Mele Kalikimaka is celebrated by the Hawaiian community, including on board the Polynesian sailing canoe Hōkūleʻa during its travels.
The celebration of Christ's birth came to the island nation in the late 1700s, from sailing explorers and missionaries, after Capt. James Cook landed in Hawaiʻi on Jan. 18, 1778 .
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| Henry Opukahaʻia |
On Dec. 25, 1786 , Capt. George Dixon of the Queen Charlotte ordered his cooks to prepare a Christmas dinner, with pork, a pie, and a bowl of punch. They fetched a pig from shore and roasted it. They made a spiked punch with coconut milk. In some story telling, the event is called Hawaiʻi's first Christmas.
Henry Opukahaʻia, of Punaluʻu, traveled toNew England on the ship Triumph in 1807 and became one of the first Hawaiians to become a Christian. He experienced Christmas on the mainland. He encouraged missionaries to move to Hawaiʻi to set up schools and churches, and to aid the native population who were losing their culture, and health, with the influx of mercantile trading ship crews coming to the Island . Those trading ships also brought glimpses of Christmas to Hawaiʻi.
Henry Opukahaʻia, of Punaluʻu, traveled to
In 1817, a Christmas dinner was offered to Hawaiian chiefs who visited a sailing ship. The English crew took the feast to the shore on Christmas Day.
In 1819, English Capt. Nathaniel Portlock wrote: "Kiana came off in a long double canoe and brought me a present of some hogs and vegetables which I received gladly, and made in a return that pleased him very much." Since there was giving back and forth, this event has been called the first exchange of Christmas gifts in Hawaiʻi.
The first American missionaries arrived to Hawaiʻi on the ship Thaddeus onMarch 30, 1820 . Hiram and Sybil Bingla, and Asa and Lucy Thurston, brought Christmas with them. The first English missionaries arrived in 1822. Many more missionaries followed.
In 1824, Queen Kaʻahumanu was baptized and Christmas celebrations slowly entered the native culture. By the 1840s, The Polynesian newspaper printed Christmas messages. Schoolmasters noted that students talked about exchanging gifts.
By 1856, King Kamehameha IV, Alex Liholiho, had traveled toEurope , where he witnessed a Christmas celebration. He declared Dec. 25, 1856 , a national day of Thanksgiving in Hawaiʻi. People from many backgrounds celebrated in their own ways and together.
The first Christmas tree and Santa Claus in Hawaiʻi were reported at a Christmas Eve party for youth held by Mary Dominis atWashington Place , the Hawaiian monarch's home in Honolulu .
In 1862, King Kamehameha IV proclaimed Christmas a national holiday in Hawaiʻi. Christmas parades included torches and candles. Fireworks and champagne celebrated Christmas. Newspapers advertised the purchase of gifts to give one another.In 1819, English Capt. Nathaniel Portlock wrote: "Kiana came off in a long double canoe and brought me a present of some hogs and vegetables which I received gladly, and made in a return that pleased him very much." Since there was giving back and forth, this event has been called the first exchange of Christmas gifts in Hawaiʻi.
The first American missionaries arrived to Hawaiʻi on the ship Thaddeus on
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| Capt. Nathaniel Portlock exchanged Christmas gifts with Hawaiians in 1819. |
By 1856, King Kamehameha IV, Alex Liholiho, had traveled to
The first Christmas tree and Santa Claus in Hawaiʻi were reported at a Christmas Eve party for youth held by Mary Dominis at
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THE HELCO NAME WILL BE RETIRED. Hawaiian Electric is the new name for all the utilities under Hawaiian Electric Companies, including Hawaiʻi Electric Light for Hawaiʻi Island. Starting in January, the three utilities that serve 95 percent of Hawaiʻi's residents will be united under the common name: Hawaiian Electric. Operating across Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu,
For six years, states the announcement on the utility's website, Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries, Maui Electric and Hawaiʻi Electric Light, "have worked to align operations and share resources to work more efficiently and deliver greater value to customers. This initiative, known as One Company, has relied on technology, including a new software platform, and continuous improvement practices to reduce redundancies and share expertise and resources."
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| The new logo. |
The transition to the Hawaiian Electric name will take place over the next several months, with changes to signage, bills, correspondence, and websites. The company will continue to use the distinctive logo created by Hilo designer Sig Zane in 2013.
Legally, the company will adopt a "doing business as," dba, model, with the three individual corporate entities remaining but all doing business as Hawaiian Electric.
Maui Electric was acquired by Hawaiian Electric in 1968 and Hilo Electric Light, later named Hawaiʻi Electric Light, was acquired in 1970.
Maui Electric was acquired by Hawaiian Electric in 1968 and Hilo Electric Light, later named Hawaiʻi Electric Light, was acquired in 1970.
For many years, the companies "operated as three separate organizations under separate leadership, sharing few common practices even though they were doing the same kind of work," states the announcement. "Aided by technology and driven by the transformation of the utility industry from a regulated monopoly to a highly competitive business, the One Company strategy has consolidated purchasing power, aligned operations under common management, and instituted best practices for safety and efficiency."
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| The old logo. |
The company states the representatives at the three call centers can now help customers on any island, and are able to back each other up when call volume is heavy due to an outage or some other event. "That's resulted in faster, more responsive service, and shorter wait times," states the announcement.
Hawaiian Electric has also committed to $246 million in customer savings over 12 years.
Leadership of the company's operating areas comes not just from Oʻahu, Maui , and Hawai ʻi Island .
President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric, Alan Oshima, said, "We're taking this step as the logical completion of our One Company strategy. This transformative effort has created an enterprise that is unified in its commitment to our customers and our state, and we want to communicate that through one familiar and trusted name.
"Maui Electric and Hawaiʻi Electric Light are names with proud histories and they won't be forgotten. Hawaiian Electric is an inclusive name that is true and authentic, given our 128-year history of local ownership. It conveys that we're not just in Hawaiʻi but that we're of Hawaiʻi.
"Having three different names continues the three-company mindset," continued Oshima. "By having one common and inclusive name that is of Hawaiʻi, not just of one place, we signal that we are a strong and united team working for all the people of the five islands we serve."
See hawaiianelectric.com.
See hawaiianelectric.com.
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FIREWORK SAFETY IS ON THE MIND of Hawaiʻi Fire Department, which asks "everyone to please Kokua" in helping to prevent fires and avoid unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year:
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| Fireworks are festive staples of the New Year celebration, but HFD urges caution when using the incendiary devices. Photo by Julia Neal |
•Use extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children interacting with or near fireworks should be under a sober adult's close supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the holidays.
•Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.
•Fireworks should be completely extinguished and cool before being disposed of.
•Have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use. Be sure water can reach all areas fireworks activities and around any buildings. Wetting down any dry, grassy areas before and after setting off fireworks is recommended. Preparing will verify water can reach any places necessary in case of an unexpected fire.
For more information on purchasing fireworks permits, or the use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2911 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).
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For more information on purchasing fireworks permits, or the use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2911 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).
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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.
2019-2020 Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball
Tue., Jan. 7 @Kohala
Fri., Jan. 10 host Honokaʻa
Boys Basketball
Sat., Dec. 28 host Kohala
Fri., Jan. 3 host HPA
Sat., Jan. 4 host Pāhoa
Thu., Jan. 9 @Waiakea
Sat., Jan. 11, @Konawaena
Wrestling
Sat., Jan. 4 @Waiakea
Sat., Jan. 11 @Kealakehe
Soccer
Sat., Jan. 4 Girls host Honokaʻa, 3pm
Mon., Jan. 6 @HPA
Wed., Jan. 8 host Kealakehe, 2pm
Sat., Jan. 11 @Honokaʻa
Swimming
Sat., Jan. 4 @Kamehameha
Sat., Jan. 11 @Kona Community Aquatic Center
UPCOMING
THURSDAY, DEC. 26
Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday – last Thursday, monthly – Dec. 26, 11a.m. -noon , Pāhala Community Center
FRIDAY, DEC. 27
Kahuku Coffee Talk: Artist in the Park, Friday, Dec. 27, 9:30-11a.m. , Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. F
Monthly Mele & Hula ‘Auana Performances, Friday, Dec. 27, 4-5:30p.m. , Volcano Art Center
SATURDAY, DEC. 28
Birth of Kahuku, Saturday, Dec. 28, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to
Ocean View Skatepark Design Workshop, Saturday, Dec. 28, 3-5 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Help create a design plan and drawings of skatepark features to present to County Council. Organized by Kalanihale 501- 3c NPO. Public welcome. Kaimi Kaupiko, 808-937-1310
Final Gymkhana Event of 2019, Sunday, Dec. 29, 9a.m., Nā‘ālehu Rodeo Arena. Sign-in and check-in 8:30a.m. Hosted by Ka‘ū Roping & Riding Association.
People and Land, Sunday, Dec. 29, 9:30-12:30p.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate,
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday – last Tuesday, monthly – Dec. 31, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
KMC New Year's Eve Party, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5-8p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. Blue Tattoo and midnight toast. $10 cover charge for non-KMC guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply
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ONGOING
Christmas in the Country featuring 20th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, daily, through Dec. 31, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees app
Vote for the Best Cottage Decorations atKīlauea Military Camp through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The public is invited to stroll along the sidewalks around the KMC Cottages where the staff has entered a contest for best Christmas decorations. The outdoor displays are best seen at night. KMC is located within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Vote for the Best Cottage Decorations at
KMC hosts a Christmas Day dinner buffet, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. , on Dec. 25 at Crater Rim Café. Main entrees of Prime Rib, Roast Turkey, and Holiday Lamb Stew. $29.95/adult, $16.95/child for ages 6-11, five and under free. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
Call 967-8356 or see kilaueamilitarycamp.com.
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays,
Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511Tūtū & 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 808-938-1088.
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