Kaʻū News Briefs Oct. 2, 2024

 NĀ’ĀLEHU AND PĀHALA LIBRARIES ARE INVITING THE PUBLIC TO RESEARCH FAMILY HISTORY. October is Family History Month and Hawai'i's public libraries invite people to trace 'ohana lineage and "uncover stories of your ancestors using a variety of tools at your local library, in person and online." Use the Ancestry Library Edition on a public-access computer or on a device connected to the library's Wi-Fi.
    An internet connection and a library card are all that's needed to access HeritageQuest, a collection of American genealogical sources (primary sources, local and family histories, convenient research guides, interactive census maps, and more) from the 1700s on. In these HSPLS YouTube videos, Hawaiʻi librarians show the use of genealogy resources specific to Hawaiʻi

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NEW IN-HOUSE BUILDING PERMITS FOR DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS were announced this week by DHHL Director Kali Watson. He said the program "not only accelerates our ability to construct houses but significantly changes the pace at which we cat our beneficiaries off our waitlists and into homes." Watson said, "This is an exciting time for the program, and we remain committed to finding innovative solutions to move the department forward." See the DHHL plan specific to  Kaʻū at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2iG0BA3x9I

DHHL Director Kali Watson signs the first in-house building permits under a new program that the agency says will  speed up housing for native Hawaiians.

    A statement from DHHL says the "new approach is set to streamline the building permit process and
will enable the department to advance on the development of more than 20 homestead projects statewide."
    "The pilot will involve the same process, and much of the same work the counties would perform when processing building permits," said Timothy Hiu, DHHL program specialist. "By granting the department with the ability to process these permits independently, we relieve the counties of this burden, fast-tracking DHHL's ability to expedite services to its beneficiaries."
    The first demonstration project using the inhouse permitting is on O'ahu. Located on DHHL's landholdings in Kalaeloa, the Yorktown transitional housing project includes 18 studio units, a shared laundry room and an office space. DHHL states that it aims " to offer a safe and affordable housing solution for houseless individuals on DHHL's residential waitlist. To qualify for the project, residents must be below 80-percent of the area median income as specified in the requirements of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA)."
    Cynthia Rezentes, DHHL's NAHASDA Government Relations Program assistant manager, said, "This is a way in which we can help our beneficiaries, mainstream them, and get them into better living situations through the utilization of funds from the federal government,"
    Prior to the property's conversion, the former quarters for visiting U.S. Navy officers remained primarily unoccupied for many years. Renovations are underway with completion the next six months preceding another three months for the parking lot and photovoltaic system. Project costs stand at nearly $6.3 million. Move-ins are projected for late-2025.

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KAʻŪ BEAT LAPAHOEHOE IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL on Monday, 25-5, 25-7 and 25-12. During

the away game Zia Rae Wroblewski pounded 9 Kills, 1 Ace. Jezerie Rose Nurial-Dacalio slammed 8 Kills, 1 Block. Leahi Kaupu scored with 8 Kills, 1 Ace. McKenzie Decoito nailed 6 Kills. Alajshae Barrios came up with 3 Kills, 2 Aces. Kiara Ortega-Oliveira achieved 1 kill, 2 Aces. CaLiyah Silva-Kamei made 2 Aces. Jazmyn Navarro recorded 1 Block, 1 Ace.THIS YEAR'S PĀHALA TOWN LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE IS SET for Dec.

Shai Lopez-Castaneda to the right of Santa and his Pāhala Town  Lighted Christmas Parade Committee.

14 and participants can sign up, reports Parade President and Chair of the Committee Shai Lopez-Castaneda. He notes the addition of a Pāhala Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. at the corner of Kamani and 'Ohia Streets just above the gas station. "  Please come and help us light the Pāhala Town Christmas Tree with special performances," said Lopez. Next day is the parade on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. as it makes its way up Pikake street and down Kamani in Pāhala.
Lopez said there will be "lots of candies for each and everyone of the Keiki. Please come and join us at Pahala Community Center after the parade as we will be serving light refreshments and a chance to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. We will have vendors on both nights and all events will be free to the community. Please come and enjoy with us as we start the Christmas season here in Pāhala Town."

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