Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, June 2, 2022

Na Kūpuna O Ka‘ū hālau, performing at the 36th annual Kūpuna Hula Festival. They won third place in the Hui Puʻia (mixed) division, second in Tutu Wahine and Hui Kane, and third in Tutu Kane. Photo from Hawaiʻi Park & Rec/Laura Ruminski

THE 38TH ANNUAL HAWAIʻI KŪPUNA HULA FESTIVAL IS CANCELED. The annual event has drawn many kūpuna from Kaʻū who have done well in past competitions, many of them led by Kumu Hula Lorie Lei Shirakawa.
The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks & Recreation made the cancellation announcement Thursday, with regrets. The festival was initially scheduled for Sept. 7 - 8 at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

Na Kūpuna O Ka‘ū, led by Lorie Lei Shirakawa.
Photo from Hawaiʻi Park & Rec/Laura Ruminski

at Keauhou Bay but was cancelled due to a lack of hālau being able to participate. The Hawaiʻi Kūpuna Hula Festival showcases talented hula dancers from across Hawai‘i, the mainland, and Japan. Festival highlights include fellowship, a craft fair, and two evenings of solo and group competitions, followed by a hoʻolaulea.
The statement says that Parks & Rec "looks forward to next year’s Annual Kūpuna Hula Festival, scheduled for September 13 - 14, 2023. For more information, call Elderly Recreation Services office in Hilo at 961-8710 or in Kona at 323-4340.

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THE EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL, set for July 30 and 31, is experiencing a quicker sign-up for vendors this year than in previous years, according to a statement from organizers released on Thursday.

Desiree Moana Cruz demonstrates Hawaiian Poi Pounding during

an Experience Volcano Festival. Photo from Experience Volcano

Officers of Experience Volcano are: President Ira Ono, Vice-President Chris Becker, secretary Judy Hall-Stapes and Treasurer Jim Wilson. The Steering Committee which acts as the administrative body is comprised of Lorna Larsen-Jeyte, Marilyn Nicholson, Ira Ono, Mike Nelson, Jesse Tunison, Janet Coney and Barbara Dunn.

They said they are doing their best to accommodate each vendor's desired location for a booth. "With that in mind we would like to remind everyone who is looking to be a vendor that locations are first come first served until a hosting location is full. Kilauea Lodge & Lava Rock/Kilauea General are now full."

Organizers report that more than 2,500 visitors attended and more than 40 events were held during the festival last year, giving vendors "a fantastic opportunity to engage with locals and visitors from around the world." They said that many events featured in previous years will be coming back including local musicians, cultural demonstrations, hula, artists in action, agricultural tours, cultural tours, and much more.

Volcano's 'Ohi'a Lehua Runs will be held on Saturday, July 30, in association with Experience Volcano Festival. Each year the Ohia Lehua Runs bring in more than 200 runners with their friends and family to the weekend's festivities.
The July 30 and 31 Experience Volcano Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
All vendor spaces are $50 for both days of the festival. Open vendor spots currently include Volcano Art Center & Volcano Garden Arts. There is a possibility of more vendor sites opening.

The Keiki Run is part of the Experience Volcano Festival and 'Ohia Rainforest Runs,
coming up July 30. Photo from Experience Volcano

THE KOHALA CENTER'S KULA AGROECOSYSTEMS TEAM, with the aim to strengthen Hawai'i's rural, agricultural, and cooperative businesses, has released the following opportunities for input and funding in its latest Agriculture Resource Bulletin, issued June 2:

USDA IS ASKING FOR INPUT ABOUT COMPETITION IN ACQUIRING SEED, FERTILIZER, OTHER INPUTS, AS WELL AS COMPETITION IN THE RETAIL MARKET for farm products. Deadline for public comment extended for competition challenges in agricultural inputs and retail markets. Deadline is Wednesday, June 15. See https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/usda-extends-deadline-public-input-identify-competition-challenges-seed-fertilizer-other

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTIFIED ORGANIC AND TRANSITIONING OPERATIONS is available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic and Transitional Education and
Certification Program and Organic Certification Cost Share Program. They help cover the cost of organic certification and related expenses. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 31. Refer to the agency's press release for more information. See https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance/otecp and also https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index.

SPECIALTY CROP GRANTS TO ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HAWAI'I'S SPECIALTY CROPS are available through the state Department of Agriculture which plans to provide up to $500,00 per grantee. The application deadline is noon on June 24. See https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr22-06-scbgp/.

See The Kaʻū Calendar June Edition at www.kaucalendar.com