Kaʻū News Briefs Feb. 18, 2024

Naoho Kanahele, right, with her Halau O Kaleo A Keahilapalapala, gave their first public performance at
Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nāʻālehu on Saturday, as guest of Kumu Debbie Ryder. Photo from Debbie Ryder

KUMU HULA NAOHO KANALEHE AND HALAU O KALEO A KEAHIALAPALAPALA gave their first public performance at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nāʻālehu on Saturday, as guest of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder of Halau Hula O Leionalani. Kanahele is the great granddaughter of Aunty Edith Kanakaole and the daughter of Kumu Hula Kekuhi Kanahele.

Halau O Kaleo A Keahiapalapala. Photo from Debbie Ryder

Ryder shared that Naoho Kanahele noted that Ke Ola Pu'uhonua was a perfect place to share their mele and dances here in Kaʻū where her roots started.
Last year, Kanahele said, "Although my official Uniki commitment and training was a year long journey, I felt like I had been preparing for it since I was a little girl. Hula is my foundation and I have nothing less than absolute love for the art. I have danced and chanted every chance I got growing up, and now my daughters are doing the same.
Mahalo to every single person who contributed to my hula journey. Now I am moving into the realm of teaching and expecting many more wonderful lessons and experiences to come."

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Halau Hula O Leionalani, Keiki and Opi'o under Kumu
Debbie Ryder, performs for visiting Halau O Kaleo A
Keahiapalapala. Photo from Debbie Ryder

OHA AIMS TO SUPPORT HAWAI'I-BASED NON-PROFITS THAT ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH ITS STRATEGIC PLAN. Office of Hawaiian Affairs is giving training sessions to assist with the application process throughout the month of February. See its economic self-sufficiency webpage at https://www.oha.org/economic-self-sufficiency/grants/ for more information about the open grants and application training sessions.

PAKINI LOAN FUND FOR SMALL BUSINESSES offers loans from $1,000 to $30,000 for small businesses in Hawaiʻi. While the Pakini fund prioritizes serving Native Hawaiians, the program fund is open to all eligible small businesses in Hawaiʻi. Visit https://www.oha.org/economic-self-sufficiency/grants/ for more information.

AG CONNECT PROGRAM FOR INTERNS matches current Hawaiʻi ag producers with interns to determine if and how they may want to partner to grow their ag business together. Interested AgPro/AgXcel alumni and those meeting the experience requirement can sign up now at https://hawaii.hawaii.edu/agconnect.

RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES are available from a federal grant administered by Hawai'i Department of Agriculture. The aim is to support processing, manufacturing, storing, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution of agricultural products. Visit https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr24-04rfsigrants/.

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Miloli'i-Kaʻū Volleyball Tournament held over the weekend supports youth traveling for volleyball.

Photo by Ophir Danenberg

Winners in the age 10 group were Mauloa Coed II and most valuable player

is their No. 16. Second went to Miloli'i-Kaʻū team with their coach Jafar.

Photo by Ka'imi Kaupiko

SATURDAY'S RESULTS FROM THE MILOLI'I-KAʻŪ VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT ARE OUT.

Age 10 group winners are on the team Mauloa Coed II. Second went to Miloli'i-Kaʻū team with coach Jafar.

Winner in the 12s Division is Ho'opa with coach Ainsley. Most Valuable Player is No. 13, Makua Miller.

See results of the 28 Sunday games in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. The tournament, sponsored by Ka'imi Kaupiko and the Miloli'i-Kaʻū Volleyball Club, was held at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym and supports travel for youth to other tournaments.