Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, May 20, 2022

Leo Norberte and his JN Coffee took first place for the Kaʻū Coffee Region and second in the state, in the 13th Annual
Hawai'i Coffee Association Cupping Contest, the winners announced on Friday. He is partner in preparing the Bourbon
Fruit-Dried entry with Miguel Mesa. Also working with Norberte is his wife Herme. Photo by Julia Neal

LEO AND HERME NORBERTE AND MIGUEL MESA WON TOP KAʻŪ COFFEE in the 13th Annual Hawai'i Coffee Association's Cupping Contest on Friday. Three Kaʻū Coffees scored in the top ten from throughout Hawai'i. Norberte's JN Red Bourbon Fruit- Dried entry scored 86.90, the third highest score in the state. Rusty's Hawaiian Bourbon Fruit-Dried came in second for Kaʻū, with a score of 86.48, the eighth highest score in the state. Third in Kaʻū is Karina and Armando Rodrigues' Casablanca Farms, LLC with their Typica & Pacamara Fruit-Dried entry, with a score of 86.35, the ninth highest score in the state.

Lorie Obra and Rusty's Hawaiian took second with a Bourbon Fruit-Dried entry.
Photo from Ka'u Coffee Festival

Kaʻū Coffees scoring in the top 20 statewide were Miranda Farms at 14th and 20th, Casablanca at 16th and Zanadu at 19th, with all of their scores above 85.
Silver Cloud scored 22nd and Navarro Farms 22nd i the state, both with scores of 84.6. Statewide, there were 70 entries with scores above 80 points.
The Hawai'i Coffee Association annual conference continues Saturday. See the events and all the cupping scores: https://hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/page-1771671

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/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

For the second year in a row, Armanda and Karina Rodrigues placed in the top three in the annual Kaʻū regional competition

during the Hawai'i Coffee Association Cupping Contest. Photo from the Rodrigues

Co-Valedictorian Morgan Pierpont, of Ocean View, leaves for
the U.S. Army in ten days where she will be an IT specialist.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2022 graduated Friday with 56 receiving diplomas. The ceremony was held in the Robert Herkes Kaʻū District Gym. Immediate family members were allowed to attend inside the gym this year, while throngs of well wishers gathered around Pāhala Community Center down the road to welcome the graduates with lei and gifts as they paraded through town.
The class sang its song Today My Life Begins by Bruno Mars. The class showed its colors of Navy blue and gold, and its class flower, the bird of paradise.
Graduates are: Alazaeh Abellera, Aleia Adam, Cody Ah Yee, Elaina Akiu, Floree Lei Alejo, Raiden Auwae, Collin Ray Barbadillo, Alize Beck-Chong, Johah Beck, Ethan Gabriel Biason, Kevin Bivings, Cherrisse Althea Calumpit, Alohilani Camelo, Desirell Candaroma, Michal Cuison, Shayne Davis, Jasmine del Rosario, Caddy Devera, Shemaya Doi, Cyrus Eder, Brandon Enoch, Michal Espejo, Keahionalani Forcum, Kelson Gallano, Jaisen-Zion Garcia, Jezekial Jara, Trinity Kaawa, Calaysa Koi, Akela Kuahiwinui, Zachary Kuluwaimaka, Johnny Langley, Arniel Libunao, Jr., Kennedy Manthei, Charlane Marquez, Chelstin-Noah Medeiros, Pu'umakaniokamakahea'ananui Millers-Kalhuna, Timothy Moskalenko, Jocyiah Mukini, Shannon Pacheco-Kamali'i, Morgan Pierpont, Ruth Abigail Ramirez-Martinez, David Zachary Ramos, Christopher Ratz Grissom, Jr., Kealiikoa Reyes-Nalu, Trina J. Samuel, Desiree Mae Sembran, Helbina Silk, Grace Smith, Erica Tabilin, Keenan Troiano, Kamalani Tuifagu, Amelia Uribe-Bounos, Mark Angelo Velasco, Heidi Vidal, Lewai Waiwaiole and Caitlynn Wooten.
Co-Valedictorians are Mark Angelo Velasco and Morgan Pierpont. Class President is Cyrus Eder, Vice President is Erica Tabilin, Secretary is Amelia Uribe-Bounos.
Salute to Graduates Award Recipients are: Mark Angelo Velasco for Scholastics, Jasmine del Rosario for Leadership, Morgan Pierpont for Literary & Artistic Performance, David Zachary Ramos for Information Technology and Kelson Gallano for Athletics. A number of the graduates recently received college credits at a graduation ceremony for Hawai'i Community College.

The Espejo family honoring the graduation of Micah Espejo, draped in lei. His mom, Cassie Espejo, to his left, flew in in from Lakeland, Washington for the Friday ceremony. Michah plans to attend Hawai'i Community College in Hilo to become a diesel mechanic. Photo by Julia Neal

PRINCIPAL SHARON BECK UNDERSCORED THE DIVERSITY OF KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL during her commencement address on Friday. She said, "Each class that comes through our school develops its own identity. These students come from very diverse backgrounds, have different interests and this class has demonstrated how to work together and accept each other for who they are. This class has been a role model for underclassmen on how to get along, work together, and have fun! You are an amazing class. As members of our school community, our graduates have made significant contributions throughout the year. I like to highlight these contributions.

As ceremonies took place indoors, a group of Marshallese women, speaking in their native
tongue, waited outside to congratulate Ka'u High 2022 Marshallese graduates Trina Samuel,
Brandon Enoch, Caddy Devera, Helbina Silk, and Johnny Langley. Left to right are well
wishers Naynay Hezkeia, who flew in from Salt Lake City where she works in a bank;
KTA Jay, who lives and works in Kona; Mali A, as well as Mayomi Harry, and Matilda
Jeik, who all live in Ocean View. Photo by Julia Neal

"At Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School we strive to provide opportunities for students to be college, career, and community ready. Career and Technology Education is a program that gives students real world 21st century skills in health and human services, arts and communication, industrial and engineering technology and natural resources. The state Department of Education goal is to have 61% of our graduates to be CTE completers. This class has surpassed that goal and 74% of our students completed their program of study with one student receiving CTE Honors and STEM honors."
She noted the school's partnership with Hawai'i Community College to offer dual credit through the Early College program where students earn college credits while still in high school. "We have graduates earning between 18 and 30 college credits. I would like to give a huge shout out to six of our seniors who were the first Kaʻū High students to participate in the Hawai'i Community College Commencement last week and received college certificates in Agriculture." Beck also pointed to Advance Placement courses that provide a rigorous curriculum for students which allows students to earn college credits. She applauded ten of the graduates who are members of the National Honor Society, which recognizes outstanding high school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of academics, service, and character.

Grandpa Dane Sesson, center back, celebrates graduation of his granddaughter Alazaeh Abellera and graduate Jezekiel Jara. Photo by Julia Neal

She noted the ten members of Health Occupation Students of America, the nationwide student-led organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education of the Association for Career and Technical Education. The ten senior member students of HOSA competed at the district level.

"In athletics, our students learn teamwork, goal setting, and time management to ensure they are keeping their grades in good standing. Thirty of our seniors are student athletes," said Beck.

The principal also applauded "an amazing partnership with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. They continue to recruit, train and hire juniors and seniors to work summer jobs at the various park locations. We have five of our seniors ready to work at the park this summer."

The principal noted that the Class of 2022 is launching graduates ready to attend four-year colleges, two-year colleges, trade schools and the military. "Graduates, we are proud of you and your service to our school and community. As you leave tonight, remember where you are from and maintain the values you have strengthened here." Beck ended her speech with a quote from Kerry Washington, “Your life is your story, and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.”

A PUBLIC VOLUNTEER CLEANUP OF PUNALU'U BLACK SAND BEACH POND will be sponsored this Saturday, May 21 by the O Ka'ū Kakou community group and Black Sand Beach, LLC. The cleanup is from 7:30 a.m. to noon, with a free lunch for volunteers, including pizza from Black Sand Beach, LLC's food truck and fresh salad from OKK, grown at Ulu Ka'ū Farm. Also volunteering are some of the homeowners at Colony I at Punalu'u. The public is invited.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html