 |
| Young dancers from Ka`u performed at Merrie Monarch Festival presentations in 2019 and Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder plans to return this April 16 at 2 p.m. in the Hilo Civic Auditorium Merrie Monarch will resume its live competition and related cultural activities and performances. Photo by David Berry |
The optimism comes with a drop in the daily count of Covid cases. Merrie Monarch organizers have chosen to go forward, with and audience and without selling tickets. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder said she looks forward to bringing dancers from Kaʻū to Merrie Monarch events to perform and immerse themselves in hula from around the world.
Her Halau Hula O Leionalani will participate on Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m. during the Merrie Monarch opening at the Hilo Civic Auditorium. Ryder said, "It will be a reunion for the hula sisters" from Japan's Kanegawa, Iwate, Saitama and Okinawa, as well as Virginia and O'ahu. "The last time they were together was during the Ho'okupu Hula Festival at Pahala Community Center in 2019."
Ryder's own Hula No Kaʻū Ho'okupu Cultural Festival in Pahala was cancelled in 2020 and Ryder said she did not want to go another year without it. "We needed to ho malu - go forward and not let this pandemic take control of our lives."
 |
| Mexican, Japanese, Hawaiian and other cultures come together at Hula No Ka'u Ho'okupu Cultural Festival in Pahala, which Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder plans to bring back live in 2023. Photo by Julia Neal |
The Ho'okupu Festival went virtual on Dec. 11, 2021 from Na'alehu Hongwanji with sister halau performing from around the world. Performances included cultural dances from Mexico, Taiko drumming, traditional Okinawan music, other dances and hula. "Participants shared videos of their historical sites, food and culture of their countries."
Ryder noted that "While there were some technical difficulties, it turned out to be a wonderful festival and a great learning experience for all of us. I am hopeful that we can continue the annual Ho'okupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival in November of 2023 and can welcome back all of our participants from around the world, our. cultural practitioners, local vendors and community to enjoy with their 'ohana and friends."
Another large Hawai'i Island event that plans to return with audience is the Ironman World Championship, which moved to Utah last year, but will come back to Kona in October.
One event that kept running during the pandemic with special Covid protocols last year and returns this year is Kaʻū Coffee Trail Runs, which is scheduled for July 3 and open for registration.
![]()
These events are a follow-up to last year’s Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna Hawaiian Culture-Based Education for ALL conference, which saw over 2,000 people worldwide register to participate.
The statement from OHA says, the Board will take action in February to fill the vacancy as outlined under state law. OHA’s Board of Trustees will have 60 days to appoint a new trustee for Hawaiʻi Island, who will serve in the position until the next Hawaiʻi state general election in November 2022.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS are offered by American AgCredit Hilo Branch. Deadline to apply is April 1. Selected students will each receive a $1,500 scholarship that can be used at the school of the recipient's choice.
One of the key requirements is for applicants to write a short essay on "what future does Tropical Agriculture have for the young." Applicants must also express an interest in furthering education in an agricultural field. According to the 2022 Application, "it is the sincere hope of the boards, management, and staff of American AgCredit that this $1,500 scholarship will be beneficial to our youth in promoting the future of Hawaii's agriculture."
![]()
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com.
TREASURE OF OUR ANCESTORS, the Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna Virtual Summit & Workshops are open for registration through March 2. The free events, focused on the sharing and discussing of Hawaiian Culture-Based Practices, will take place via Zoom on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5
A panel discussion, presentations and workshops, led by a variety of Hawaiian cultural practitioners, are organized with this Summit Guiding Question in mind: “Amidst the uncertainty and dynamic challenges of today’s modern world, how might one engage in Hawaiian Culture-Based Practices to build connections with others, improve total well-being, and perpetuate Hawaiian cultural traditions for future generations?”
These events are a follow-up to last year’s Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna Hawaiian Culture-Based Education for ALL conference, which saw over 2,000 people worldwide register to participate. This year, the Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna planning team invites “all to join the 2022 virtual HCBP movement and cultivate a relationship with the practices of our kūpuna to build resiliency, foster a sense of personal balance, and support total well-being.”
Presenters include Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole, representing Lonoa Honua. She is well known internationally and in Kaʻū and has held her own hula, music and cultural workshops and retreats here.
Kealiʻikanakaole is an educator who has trained in the tradition of Hula ʻAihaʻa and Hula Pele, chant and ritual for 39 years under Hālau O Kekuhi, named for her grandmother, Edith Kekuhi Kanakaʻole.
She was ritually elevated to the status of Kumu Hula (hula master) of Hālau o Kekuhi by her mother, Kumu Hula Pualani Kanahele, and her aunt, Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaʻole. Kekuhi has co-produced some of Hālau O Kekuhi’s most significant contributions to oral and ritual arts stage performances, namely, Holo Mai Pele, Kamehameha Paiʻea, Kilohi Nā Akua Wahine, Hānau Ka Moku, Wahinepōʻaimoku, Ka Hana Kapa, and CD resources Uwolani, Puka Kamaʻehu and Hiʻiakaikapoliopele.
The background posted for Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna event says, “One of Kekuhi’s passion’s is strengthening the relationship between Hawaiʻi ecological wisdom and scientific wisdom. Kekuhi served as the Senior Scholar at The Kohala Center for 20 years. She has the honor of working with some of Hawaiʻi’s most passionate committed conservation and restoration organizations, individuals, and initiatives, one of them being Kā Mauli Hou - the statewide Hawaiʻi Conservation and Restoration Initiative. Kekuhi continues to facilitate ways of improving how Hawaiʻi consciousness and science & technology consciousness can work in harmony for the well-being of Hawaiʻi and the world. Kekuhiʻs most important message in this effort is: ‘I ola ʻoe, i ola mākou nei,’ my life is dependent on you and your life is dependent on me."
 |
| Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole is a key presenter at Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna Virtual Summit & Workshops March 4-5. |
The bio also notes that “In an effort to broaden her service to people beyond the hālau, Kekuhi has developed Ulu Ka ʻŌhiʻa - Hula Consciousness Seminar and Hālau ʻŌhiʻa - Hawaiʻi Stewardship Training to teach basic Hawaiʻi practices that can connect anyone, anywhere, to their inner and outer landscapes. Kekuhi and her husband Tangaro also offer an annual Kū E Ke Olioli: Chanting for Wellbeing Series. Additionally, she has created an online chant program, Oli Honua, to support learners worldwide.”
See her website at: www.kekuhi.com/.
To learn more about other presenters, more details and to register, visit the site at bit.ly/HCBE4ALL. As the programing evolves, updates are posted on the event website and Kawaiwainonakupuna on Instagram.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com.
OHA's HAWAI'I ISLAND TRUSTEE BENJAMIN KEOLOA LINDSEY STEPPED DOWN FEB. 1. He said he plans to "focus on the well-being of 'ohana." Lindsey, the nephew of former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Robert Lindsey, was elected to his first term in office in November 2020.
Keola Lindsey, 45, is a graduate of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy in Waimea, and earned a bachelor’s in
Hawaiian studies and master’s in public administration from University of Hawai'i - Mānoa. He was the owner of Onipa’a Mahia’i Farm- Owner from 1999-2002 and served as the state Department of Land & Natural Resources Cultural Historian from 2002-2007. He is a former OHA staff member and chief advocate before being elected trustee. He also served as OHA’s inaugural Papahānaumokuākea program manager and was elected to serve as chair by fellow co-trustees of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Management Board.
During his time in office, according to OHA, Lindsey served as the vice chair of the OHA Board of Trustees’ Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment Committee. He also led the Board’s Permitted Interaction Group which dealt with audit reviews for the agency. Lindsey also brought attention to the need for disaster response for Native Hawaiians affected by the fires in Waimea, and he advocated for the protection of Hawaiʻiʻs natural and cultural resources. |
| Keola Lindsey stepped down Feb. 1 from the elected Board of OHA to "focus on the wellbeing of 'ohana." |
The statement from OHA says, the Board will take action in February to fill the vacancy as outlined under state law. OHA’s Board of Trustees will have 60 days to appoint a new trustee for Hawaiʻi Island, who will serve in the position until the next Hawaiʻi state general election in November 2022.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com.
 |
| Apply by April 1 for scholarship to study agriculture. Flyer by Katie Graham |
One of the key requirements is for applicants to write a short essay on "what future does Tropical Agriculture have for the young." Applicants must also express an interest in furthering education in an agricultural field. According to the 2022 Application, "it is the sincere hope of the boards, management, and staff of American AgCredit that this $1,500 scholarship will be beneficial to our youth in promoting the future of Hawaii's agriculture."
For more information concerning the application, contact Linus Tavares in Hilo at 961-3781.
KA'U TROJANS HOSTED CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY IN GIRLS BASKETBALL on Tuesday, with CLA coming out on top with a final score of 37 - 34. The first quarter was a 9-9 tie, follwed by CLA taking the scond with 14- 8, Ka'u taking the third with 7-4, and a tie of 10-10 in the fourth.
UPCOMING TROJAN SPORTS are scheduled with high school players representing Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences:
The Trojans travel to Honoka'a to play the Dragons on Friday, Feb. 4 at 4:30 pm. Big Island Interscholastic Semi's happen on Monday, Feb. 7 with Finals Wednesday, Feb. 9. State Finals are set for Wednesday, Feb. 16-19.
Trojans Boys Basketball comes home to host Ka Makani on from Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Monday, Jan. 31 at 6 pm., followed by another home game on Thursday, Feb 3 at 5:30 p.m., taking on the Hilo Vikings. The Trojans head to Honoka'a in Friday, Feb 4 to take on the Dragons, with a 6:30 p.m. JV game and a 7:30 p.m. varsity game.
Trojans Boys Basketball comes home to host Ka Makani on from Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Monday, Jan. 31 at 6 pm., followed by another home game on Thursday, Feb 3 at 5:30 p.m., taking on the Hilo Vikings. The Trojans head to Honoka'a in Friday, Feb 4 to take on the Dragons, with a 6:30 p.m. JV game and a 7:30 p.m. varsity game.
Back home on Saturday, Feb. 5, the Trojans host Kohala Cowboys at 11 a.m. The next game remains at home taking on Kea'au Cougars on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. The Trojans travel to play the Pahoa Daggers on Friday, Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. and Waiakea Warriors on Monday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.![]()
BIIF Division II Semi Finals are Monday, Feb. 21. Finals are Wednesday, Feb. 23. The state Finals are March 3-5.
Swimming takes the Trojan team on Saturday, Feb. 5 for islandwide competition to be hosted at Kamehameha School in Kea'au. Swimmers travel again to Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, Feb. 12. The BIIF finals are a two-day event on Friday Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19. State finals are March 4 and 5.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com.