Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, July 7, 2023

HĀLAU HULA O LEIONALANI SENT MEMBERS TO JAPAN THIS WEEK. Based in Pāhala, Kumu Debbie Ryder and halau members left Kaʻū before dawn on Thursday to fly to Tokyo. By Friday they were visiting Japanese temples and standing before a sitting Buddha.

    They will perform at a concert hall in Kawasaki about 30 miles from Tokyo. The Pāhala halau is joined by sister halau from Japan, Okinawa, Mexico and Virginia, all under the tutelage of Kumu Ryder. 

    Hālau Hula ‘O Leionālani danced in recent Merrie Monarch festivities in Hilo, performed for residents and staff at Kaʻū Hospital and Otsuka Veterans Home in Hilo and regularly performs at Keola Pu'u Honua Cultural Gardens on the grounds of Punalu'u Bakeshop in Nā'ālehu.

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ADVISORS FOR HAWAI'I ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY ARE SOUGHT. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill 16 primary and 15 alternate seats on its advisory council.
    The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats: Business/Commerce (primary); Commercial Shipping (primary & alternate); Conservation (primary & alternate); Education (primary & alternate); Fishing (primary & alternate);Hawai'i Island Representative (primary & alternate); Kauaʻi Island Representative (primary & alternate); Lāna'i Island Representative (primary & alternate);
Maui Island Representative (primary); Moloka'i Island (primary & alternate); Native Hawaiian (primary & 2 alternates); O'ahu Island (alternate); Ocean Recreation (primary & alternate); Research (primary); Tourism (primary & alternate); Whale Watching (primary & alternate); and Youth (primary & alternate).
 

Hawaiian Humpback Whale Sanctuary seeks new advisory council members. Photo from NOAA

  The council ensures public participation in sanctuary matters and provides advice to sanctuary management.
    Sanctuary Superintendent Kim Hum said, "The members of our sanctuary advisory council are essential to ensuring community input and engagement in our sanctuary management. We rely on their local knowledge, experience, and expertise to assist us in making informed and timely decisions on how best to protect and conserve humpback whales and their habitat as well as important cultural and other natural resources." 
   Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as primary or alternate members should expect to serve a three-year term and regularly attend quarterly meetings.
   Applications are due by 5 p.m. HST on Sept 1. To receive an application kit or for further information, please contact Sara Wood via email at sara.wood@noaa.gov or visit the sanctuary website at https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/management/advisory/recruitment.html

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TWO DAYS OF RODEO BEGIN SATURDAY MORNING at Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds to honor Independence Day. Tickets are $10 at the gate. The sponsor, Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association, is a non-profit 501C3. To support the organization, there are sponsorships for belt buckles and arena advertising, as well as opportunities for direct contributions. The

Roping is a required skill on Ka'u ranches. Photo by Julia Neal

group is raising money to purchase land to expand the rodeo grounds to include more parking. Call or text Tammy Kaapana at 808-854-7917

    The annual rodeo starts with Slack Roping at 8 a.m. both days, July 8 and 9, with competition beginning at noon. Paniolo will vie for the titles of All Around Cowgirl and All Around Cowboy. Working and recreational paniolo from keiki to kupuna compete. Events include: Open Dally, Kane-Wahine Dally, Century Team Roping, Ranch Mugging, Double Mugging, Rescue Race and Po'o Wai U, Tie Down, Wahine Breakaway and Youth Barrels. Events for keiki include: Goat undecorating and dummy roping.
    Kaʻū Roping & Riding is considered the organization that puts on one of the most traditional family style rodeo experiences in all of Hawai'i.

TIGER SHARK CAPT. MARK

HALAU IN JAPAN

Newspaper with link

 

The Department of Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with Friends of the Pana'ewa Zoo, is pleased to announce Tiger Fun Day 2023 on Saturday, July 22, 2023, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm at the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo.

 

Tiger Fun Day is the annual birthday celebration for the zoo's two Bengal tigers.  Tzatziki and Sriracha are both turning eight years old, and they will get special birthday gifts and treats. 

This exciting event promises a day filled with thrilling activities, educational experiences, and a chance to witness these majestic tigers up close.

 

Families and friends can embark on a wild adventure at an event that aims to raise awareness about animal conservation efforts. 

 

"We are excited to bring back Tiger Fun Day," said Zoo Administrator Mindy Runnells.  "We welcome everyone to engage with our zookeepers and conservationists as they share their roles in maintaining our balanced zoo ecosystem and reveal fascinating facts about the tigers and other zoo exhibits." 

 

The petting zoo will also be open from 1:30 – 2:30 pm.

 

Proceeds from the annual Tiger Fun Day fundraisers assist the Friends of the Pana'ewa Zoo, a non-profit entity dedicated to zoo facility improvements, fabricating new animal enclosures, and purchasing animal enrichment items.  To donate to the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, volunteer at the zoo, or become a Friends of the Pana'ewa Zoo member, please visit their website at www.hilozoo.org. 

 

For more information, please contact the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens at (808) 959-7224.