Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, March 4, 2023

Halau Hula O Leionalani at the public opening of Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nā'ālehu on Saturday. Photo by Lee McIntosh

PUBLIC OPENING OF KE OLA PU'UHONUA CULTURAL GARDENS, on the grounds of Punalu'u Bakeshop in Nā'ālehu, drew family and community members to enjoy hula from Halau Hula Leonalani 

Kumu Debbie Ryder with woven gift baskets and local fruits at the fundraiser on Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

under the direction of Kumu Debbie Ryder.
    Music filled the air from Demetrius Oliveira, Gene Beck and Hulali.   Uncle Chucky Leslie provided education in fisheries. Kupuna Linda Saffery taught lauhala and makaloa weaving. Kupuna Bully Davies demonstrated coconut weaving; and Uncle Waltah Wong's traditional hale was featured.
    Ke Ola Pu'uhonua will be open to the public and visitors with performances by the halau and cultural presentations on a regular basis. The gardens include many native plants and trees. The program is headed by Kawehi Ryder and Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder.

    The event on Saturday included fundraising for an educational journey and performance by halau members who will travel to Japan in July. To donate, contact Debbie Ryder at leionalani47@hotmail.com.

Dancing on the hula platform with its rock walls at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua public opening. Photo by Julia Neal

Students of Halau Hula O Leionalani are raising money to travel to Japan in July. Photo by Lee McIntosh

Families like the Ortegas are gathering community support to send keiki  of Halau Hula O Leionalani to Japan for a cultural tour and to dance hula there. They took their appeal to the opening of the cultural gardens with this photo display.

Take a survey on the impact of wild goats and other ungulates on ranching and farming. Photo from DLNR

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WILD UNGULATES AND THE IMPACT ON FOOD PRODUCTION IN HAWAI'I is a survey being conducted by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agricultureand the Natural Resources Conservation Services team. For this island the survey involves impact of wild pigs, mouflon sheep and feral goats. Livestock producers and farmers are encouraged to help tell the story of the economic impact of these wild ungulates. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes and answers will remain confidential. See https://tahr.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCJVou5etIE4Whg.

MICROLENDING FOR FOOD BUSINESSES is an online workshop for food businesses

FREE FOOD

St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS

https://www.okaukakou.org/scholarships -for-local-students

Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.                                                                                                                                  Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.