Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, June 12, 2022

PLACE NAMES & LEGENDS OF KAʻŪ: Dozens of Ka'ū residents and those with connections to the area gathered Saturday in Nāʻālehu at Punaluʻu Bake Shop to celebrate the launch of the book Nā Ala Kūpuna O Kaʻū Place Names and Legends.  The book is described as "a special 144-page collection of memories about storied places, songs and riddles that honors the traditions and people of this wahi pana (legendary place)" as shared by Tūtū Herbert Kūʻumi Kin In and Tūtū Mary Kawena Pukui, with the book's author Dr. Richard K. Paglinawan. Each person attending received a free copy made possible by Punaluʻu Bake Shop owner Duane Kurisu and the aio Foundation.

The book launch poster, signed by attendees who received  free copies of the book courtesy of Duane Kuisu and the aio Foundation. Photo by Nalani Parlin

    Dr. Lynette K. Kaopuiki Paglinawan, the author's wife, attended the launch with her family fulfilling a decades-long promise her late husband made to Kūʻumi Kin In to preserve and make the moʻolelo (stories) and ʻike (ancestral knowledge) shared available to present and future generations of his and other Kaʻū ʻohana.  

    Lynette Paglinawan was instrumental in getting the book published with the help of Kaiao Press by Native Books and the Puʻuhonua Society, after non-interest from other local publishing houses that stated that the book was too narrow and needed more to appeal to a broader audience to recoup expenses. When her husband was nearing the end of his life, he told her, "I never finish my promise," she shared.  Lynette responded, "I'll make it happen, but it's going to happen my way."  She said that she was grateful to those that helped her and stayed true to her husband's original manuscript.

    After sharing highlights from the book with the crowd, Aunty Lynette signed personalized copies of the book, meeting and greeting each person like ʻohana. "This (ʻike and moʻolelo) was given with aloha and now it comes back (to Kaʻū) with aloha," she said.  Book editors, Līhau Collier and Hauʻoli Lorenzo-Elarco, invited attendees to sign a book poster commemorating the event.

    Some attendees were known ʻohana, including Agnes Pake Kin In Publico, of Nāʻālehu, one of Kūʻumi's family members to whom the book is dedicated. Others were newly discovered relatives to Aunty Lynette. Mary Kawena Pukui's granddaughter Pelehonuamea Puku'i Suganuma Harman honored Paglinawan and the festivities with oli (chant) and a hula performed by keiki of her hula hālau. Local non-profit Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū assisted in the event setup.

    A second celebration of the book's release will be held on Saturday, June 25 on Oʻahu.  The event will take place from 4-6 p.m. at Arts and Letters located at 1164 Nuʻuanu Ave in Chinatown. All those with ties to Kaʻū are encouraged to attend. 

    Order Nā Ala Kūpuna O Kaʻū Place Names and Legends  at https://www.nativebookshawaii.org/collections/new-arrivals.

    U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele participated in Capitol Hill Ocean Week this past week. Referring to the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, Kahele said said "it was an honor to commemorate the 50th anniversary of groundbreaking legislation to protect our oceans, lakes and coasts ....As we celebrate the past, it is equally important to look toward the future to protect our ocean environments for our keiki. Let’s continue to draw on the vast knowledge of our kānaka maoli who mastered sustainable resource management and coexistence with the environment in order to preserve the natural treasures and resources of Hawai’i and future generations to come."
    Earlier in June the U.S became the newest member of the UN Environment Program’s Clean Seas Campaign. Launched in 2017, the Clean Seas Campaign serves as a voluntary, multi-stakeholder platform for individuals, civil society groups, industry and governments to promote policies, standards, and practices to reduce marine litter. The United States joins 64 countries, covering more than 60 percent of the world’s coastlines. Earlier this year, the United States also joined more than 90 other countries in signing on to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People and its goal to conserve or protect at least 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030.
    The U.S. also announced the Ocean Conservation Pledge, by which countries commit to take voluntary actions to conserve, protect, and restore at least 30% of waters under their national jurisdiction. "The pledge is non-binding, but aims to catalyze political action to significantly enhance ocean conservation efforts," says a statement from the White House.

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

JEANNE CAPELLA RELEASED THIS STATEMENT about her recent endorsement from the Hawai'i State Teachers Association to represent all of Ka'ū into Kona in the state House of Representatives. Her district, where she now serves, from Kona to Honu'apo is expanded to cover all of Ka'ū through reapportionment. Here is her statement:
    "West Hawai'i is hard hit by our state's teacher shortage. Our classrooms are in disrepair, leaving our children without adequate spaces in which to learn. We lack the resources given to more affluent communities.

State Rep. Jeanne Kapela sent out a message on Sunday  regarding her HSTA  endorsement to represent all of Ka'ū and beyond in the state House  of Representatives. Photo from Kapela campaign

    "That needs to change. I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association in my campaign for re-election. I am committed to improving pay and working conditions for teachers, who have dedicated their professional lives to providing a quality learning experience for our keiki.
    "I will fight to increase education funding, so that our schools have the resources they need to help our children achieve their dreams. I will support legislation to replace testing with arts, cultural, vocational, and place-based curricula. And I will champion community schools that offer social services on campus.
    "Our schools should be a sign of our commitment to our children. To champion a well-rounded education for our keiki, donate today to our campaign for change. Every dollar you contribute will support a brighter future for our children.
    "Education is the pathway to a more compassionate and prosperous society. For that reason, I will work each day to deliver the schools our keiki deserve."

    Kapela is challenged by Republican Lohi Goodwin of Ocean View and Libertarian Michael Last, of Nāʻālehu.

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

EXPERIENCE VOLCANO IS OFFERING SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. Organizers of the July 30 and 31 event provide four sponsorship levels: Apapane Sponsor $300; Lehua Sponsor $500; Kilauea

Sponsor $800; and Mauna Loa Sponsor $1,000 (only one available). Experience Volcano 2022 relies on
no County or State funding and is sourcing support from the Volcano business and residential community and beyond.
    Experience Volcano is free to the public. Organizers report more than 2,500 visitors and more than 40 events during the festival in 2021. "Our sponsors had a fantastic opportunity to engage with visitors and locals from around the world. As we countdown to the festival in late July, we need your support as a sponsor!" says their statement.
    Sponsors are highlighted on the map and list of events with approximately 5,000 printed out each year.