Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, April 3, 2023

    Guerpo himself was an island champ in cross country in high school where he also participated in football, basketball and track and field. In addition, he won a state boxing title. In college, he ran away with the California state cross country championship. He served as head cross country coach at Azusa where he coached a national champion and a runner-up national champion.
    The new Kaʻū Athletic Director coached University of Hawai'i-Hilo's Men's Cross Country for 12 seasons, until the sport was retired, and UH-Hilo's women's Cross Country for 23 seasons, through 2022. He won coach of the year and other honors. In addition, he worked as Recreation Director at Shipman Park for 13 years and has ties to Nona Makuakane and Sam here.
    Regarding working in Kaʻū, Guerpo said, "Growing up in Kaʻū is similar to Honoka'a. Small town people are nice; you know everyone. So far everyone at the school is supportive. I feel welcomed. I haven't met all the coaches yet but the ones in season, I have. They are all good." He said that the scenery is beautiful driving from his home in Mt. View to Pāhala.

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TROJANS ARE TRAVELING ISLANDWIDE, WELCOMING TEAMS IN APRIL for Track, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball and Boys Volleyball with the Trojans representing Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences.

Cheska Aurelio runs for the Trojans. Photo by Coach Tolu Rasmussen

    Track & Field sees events every weekend, under Coach Tulu Rasmussen. The Trojans headed to Kealakehe for islandwide competition on April 1 and to Waiākea on April 8. They go to Kealakehe on April 15. The Freshman-Sophmore Invitational is on Saturday, April 22 at Kea'au and BIIF Finals are Saturday, April 29 from at Kea'au.
    In Boys Varsity Volleyball, under Coach Josh Ortega, Kaʻū hosted Mauna Lani on April 1. Trojans travel to St. Joseph's on April 4. Trojans travel to Christian Liberty on April 7. Trojans host Ka Umeke on April 11. Trojans host Laupahoehoe on April 15. April 21 through April 26 are playoffs and championship games.
   In Girls Softball, under Coach Donovan Emmsley, Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a on April 4. On April 8, Kamehameha comes to a Kaʻū. On April 13, Kaʻū travels to Pāhoa. On April 15, Kaʻū hosts Kohala. BIIF playoffs for Girls Softball start April 17 with finals ending on April 29.
    In Boys Baseball, under coach Rolland Alcoran, on April 4, Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a. On April 8, Kamehameha comes to Kaʻū. On April 15, Kaʻū hosts Kohala. BIIF playoffs for Boys Baseball start April 17 with finals ending on April 28.

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REGISTRATION FOR THE KA'U COFFEE TRAIL RUN will open on April 10. Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run is set for its ninth year on Saturday, Sept. 23. Races include the moderate to highly-challenging 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and 50K races through macadamia nut and coffee fields. The races start and end at Kaʻū. Coffee Mill. Organizers note that "While crossing the beautiful slopes of rural Kaʻū, you will be treated to breathtaking, 180-degree views of the ocean."
   Registration fees are $90 for the 50K, $80 for the Half Marathon. $50 for the 10K and $45 for the 5K, going up on June 1 and again on Sept. 1. Proceeds benefit the non-profit O Kaʻū Kakou community group.

Registration opens April 10 for the Ninth Ka'u Coffee Trail Run events. See www.kaucoffetrailrun.com. Photo from Ka'u Coffee Trail Run.

FRIENDS OF THE KAʻŪ LIBRARIES IS BACK and the libraries are flourishing.  The organization supports Nā'ālehu and Pāhala libraries with funds for programming, activities and items the lack otherwise. The group will be at the OKK Farmers Market in Nā'ālehu this Wednesday with books, bags and T-Shirts. Donations and volunteering are welcome. Contact Friend of the Kaʻū Libraries through librarians, at the market and their events.

    Director of Memberships Chair Kirsi Klein said that memberships are available for $5 a year, $100 for lifetime, $10 for family, $2 for seniors. $20 for senior lifetime and $2 for youth. Membership fees and donations can be mailed to Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries, P.O. Box 400, Pāhala, HI 96777 or drop them by either Kaʻū library.