Kaʻū News Briefs April 6, 2024

    Kehau Kalani's Pā'u riders represented the Island of Hawai'i during the parade. Lorilee Lorenzo's Pā'u riders represented O'ahu.

    At noon Debbie Ryder's Halau Hula Leionalani performed at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

     Results were released for both the Kahiko, ancient, and 'Auana, modern hula competitions for men and women on Saturday night. Also announced was the overall winning halau, led by nā Kumu hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes of O'ahu. Their hālau Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha’e took the award for the second straight year. The halau also took the title of Miss Aloha Hula for the fourth consecutive year with Ka'onohikaumakaakeawe Lopes who also won  the Hawaiian language award from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     Winner on Saturday evening for Wahine 'Auana modern hula category was Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha’e. Winner for Wahine Kahiko ancient hula, performed Friday and announced Saturday, was kumu hula Kunewa Mook's Halau Kau‘ionalani Kamana‘o.

    Winner for Kane 'Auana modern hulia category was Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu'uanahulu with nā kumu hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu'u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera.
        Winner for Kane Kahiko, ancient hula competition, held on Friday and announced on Saturday, was Halau Hi‘iakainamakalehua, and its na kumu hula Robert Keano Ka‘upu IV and Lono Padilla.

Outriders Mauna Ke and Kai Kalani representing Hawai'i Island and Kaʻū in the Merrie Monarch Parade. Photo by Marc Chun/Merrie Monarch Festival

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Committee for Water & Land approved Ryan Kanaka'ole nomination for  Deputy DLN Director

RYAN KANAKA'OLE DESCRIBED KAʻŪ AND HIS ROOTS IN THIS PLACE during his confirmation hearing Friday for Deputy Director of state Department of Land & Natural Resources. The state Sentate's Committee on Water & Land approved the nomination and it moves onto the full Senate for a final vote. Kanaka'ole told the committee:
    "I was raised in Kaʻū district. I’m from a small place called Waiohinu. My mother’s family has been there for a very long, long time. And we’re still there. Most of you are familiar with Kaʻū. It’s a big place. It’s bigger than this, the island of Oʻahu. It has one percent of the population. It’s remote. The amenities of modern life are few and far between. And just very, very far away. But it’s beautiful, and wild, and awe-inspiring place. And the people there are extremely self-reliant. "My family, all the families around me, we rely on the land, on the ocean, to provide. And that’s just the way of life out there. When that way of life is threatened, the people out there, they speak up. And they speak loudly.
    "Typically, it’s from economic forces from the the outside that often have entry to rooms that make decisions. Buildings like this one that, you know, it’s just easier for them to come in. And for the lack of a better way to describe it, the people impacted end up on the outside and protest.
    "I grew up on the outside, and I don’t ever want to forget that."
Kanaka'ole graduated from Kamehameha Schools on O'ahu. He graduated from University of Hawai'i Law School in 2011. He also earned the law school's Native Hawaiian Law Certificate. He worked as an attorney for the County of Hawai'i Corporate Counsel. He assisted in the formation of Na Mamo o Kawa when it was purchased for conservation. The organization became the steward of Kawa and he served as its Director and Interim Chair.
    With the state, Kanaka'ole focused much of his work on accountability and served as an auditor for various agencies and programs. He has served as Deputy Attorney General for the state since 2018.
During the hearing on Friday, Kanaka'ole was also questioned about the DLNR's responsibility for the stewardship of Mauna Kea. He said the DLNR's "position regarding the Conservation District responsibilities over Mauna Kea - that remains with the Department of Land & Natural Resources, regardless of whether - what the Act authorizing the Maunakea Stewardship Oversight Authority says."