Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, April 21, 2022

Troy and Ala Keolanui reign over the Merrie Monarch Festival this week. See more below and at www.merriemonarch.com.
Photo from Merrie Monarch Festival by Bruce Omori.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO WAS ON HAWAI'I ISLAND on Thursday, explaining efforts to lower costs for working families and plans to invest in Hawaii communities. She said that amid rising costs around the world, she ad colleagues are doing everything in their power to lower costs for families. She said they have taken action to address short-term supply chain issues, increase oil supply, push for lower prescription drug prices and child care costs, and promote competition. In recent weeks, Hirono introduced legislation to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month and combat price gouging on essentials like food, gasoline, and prescription drugs. She also mentioned that she helped to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to invest in America's infrastructure. The law includes more than $2.8 billion in federal funding for Hawai'i to help upgrade and modernize the state’s infrastructure, which will strengthen supply chains, help goods get to market, and lower costs for Hawaii families, said Hirono.

Sen. Mazie Hirono visted KTA in Hilo on Thursday and reiterated her
support for Da BUX program that helps low income families buy
locally grown produce. Photo from Hirono's office

The Senator started her day with a visit to the KTA Super Store in Puainako, where she discussed DA BUX program, which partners with food retailers to make produce grown in Hawaii more affordable for SNAP-EBT cardholders, and efforts to lower food costs. Senator Hirono is a vocal supporter of DA BUX program. Last year she supported a $5 million federal grant to help the program build capacity. “With food costs rising, we need to do everything we can to help provide families with nutritious, affordable food. Today, I saw firsthand how DA BUX program is helping families with low incomes purchase fresh, locally-grown produce. As we work to make sure every family in Hawai'i has food to eat, I will continue to champion this important program and other initiatives that help to lower food costs for families.”
She toured the Kolekole Bridge in Honomu to discuss infrastructure investments in Hawai'i with Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Highways Ed Sniffen. The Kolekole Bridge is one of many bridges in Hawai'i that will be upgraded. “Thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hawaii is set to receive more than $2.8 billion for infrastructure investments including upgrades to bridges and roads. This historic funding will help make sure Hawaii remains a great place to live, work, and explore for decades to come.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono visited Merrie Monarch artists and
craftspersons on Thursday and called the festival an
important economic driver. Photo from Hirono's office

Hirono also visited a public high school AP Environmental Science class taught by Whitney Aragaki, Hawai'i’s 2022 Teacher of the Year and the Senator’s guest for this year’s State of the Union. Last year, Hirono helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which included more than $412 million for Hawai'i’s public schools.

Said Hirono, “As Hawai'i’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Whitney Aragaki has made substantial contributions to her school, students, and community. I was honored to have her as my guest for this year’s State of the Union, and I enjoyed the opportunity to see her in action in the classroom today with her bright young students. The last two years have been incredibly challenging for students, parents, and educators. As we continue our recovery and work to address learning loss, I’m working to make sure every student in Hawai'i can learn safely in the classroom.”
The Senator ended her day with a visit to the Merrie Monarch festival in Hilo, saying, “The Merrie Monarch Festival is a wonderful celebration of Hawaii’s unique history, culture, and talent—it has also developed into an important economic driver for the Big Island. After two years without the Merrie Monarch Festival, it was great to see the festival back in action this year and to meet so many talented local artists and craftspeople from across Hawai'i.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

Seth White, 21, who died in a motorcycle accident on
Tuesday morning at the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park. Photo from Jada-Simone S. White

SETH WHITE, THE 21-YEAR OLD WHO DIED when a car hit his motorcycle at the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday morning, has been identified on social media as an Ocean View community member who was on his way to visit his mother in Puna at the time of the accident.

His photo has been printed in newspapers across the country, from The Sacramento Bee to Kentucky's Lexington Herald Leader, the image provided by Jada Simone S. White.

Numerous facebook posts to The Kaʻū Calendar express condolences to the family of the victim and to the 65 year old woman who was driving the small SUV that hit the motorcycle. There are also posts concerning improving the safety of the intersection and also the need for drivers to become much more aware of motorcycles on the highway.

TROY AND ALA KEOLANUI are the King and Queen of the 2022 Merrie Monarch Royal Court. The Keolanui's are long associated with the Olson Trust and its OK Farms in Hilo, as well as its Ka'u Coffee Mill and macadamia orchards in Kaʻū.

Merrie Monarch Festival described the couple on its facebook: "Mōʻī Kāne Troy David Keolanui and Mōʻī Wahine Alaʻamoe Kahanuola Kuʻikahi Keolanui Kahanu have five children and one grandchild.

Troy and Ala Keolanui who work with Edmund C. Olson Trust and OK Farms are
king and queen for Merrie Monarch. Photo from Merrie Monarch by Cody Yamaguchi
See livestream, results and more at www.merriemonarch.com

They farm macadamia nuts, coffee, citrus, tropical fruits, spices, cacao and hearts of palm on their Olson Keolanui Farms (OK Farms) in Amaʻulu, Hilo.
"Troy, born in September 1963, is the son of Norbet Kahalehili Keolanui and Rachel Keolanui Epperson. A Hilo High School graduate, he attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, then embarked on a career in construction and management, and in 1989 began working for the Edmund C. Olson Trust. In 2002, in partnership with Edmund Olson, Troy founded the

OK Farms on former cane land at Amauʻulu. He has also served as a soccer coach, referee and youth administrator.
"Ala'amoe was born in Hilo in October 1978 to Gary and Barbara Kuʻikahi. Raised in Keaukaha and Waiākea Uka, she graduated from Waiākea High School, then earned a certificate in Human Services from Hawaiʻi Community College. After a career in admissions at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi for many years, ʻAlaʻamoe began to work full-time on the OK Farms in 2013."

Kehau Ke will represent Ka'u in the Merrie Monarch Parade

on Saturday. Photo by Kamalani Kualahine-Salmo

As king and queen of the festival, the two participate in processions and grace their thrones to oversee the competitions and performances. Other participants with Kaʻū connections include those in the Merrie Monarch parade this Saturday, including a riding group led by Kehau Ke, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and county Department of Environmental Management with Brenda Iokepa Moses. Area artists and craftspersons have been showing and selling their creations at Merrie Monarch venues in Hilo and Debbie Ryder's Hālau Hula ‘O Leionālani opened the week of events at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

See live streaming of Merrie Monarch hula events and more at www.merriemonarch.com

CONCERT AT THE CRATER ON SATURDAY, MAY 21 has been announced as a free community live music event at Kilauea Theater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music to begin at 6 p.m. . The event will feature two local music groups.

Hawaiian-fusion singer/songwriter Patrice Ka'ohi will perform with Jefferey O'Casey. Chris Carr, organizer of Concert at the Crater said Kaohi is renowned for her soulful vocals and unique jazz and motown influences. Hailing from O'ahu, she has lived on Big Island for the past several years. Headlining the event will be Carr's band, The Kilt Lifters, a four-piece ensemble performing their eclectic folk-rock with celtic and historic influences. The Kilt Lifters have performed throughout Hawaii the Mainland and beyond, at festivals and special events, from as far as Alaska to small town pubs of rural Ireland.

Carr said Kilauea Theater, built in 1924, "is an asset in our community. Seating over 300 people, the theater has the potential to bring the community together as a community cultural and entertainment resource. It is our hope to bring events to the theater regularly for the benefit of our residents and visitors to the area."
The event is free to the public, with the community and visitors "being warmly welcomed," said Carr. Park entrance fees apply.

Kilauea Theater in Kilauea Military Camp is located at 99-252 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785. To find the theater, enter Hawaii Volcanoes National Park through the main entrance gate, go straight for 1.3 miles and make a right turn onto the service road before the main KMC driveway. KMC is open to the public and offers meals at Crater Rim Cafe and cocktails at Lava Lounge.

Any questions, call Carr at 808-298-7254.