The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and her Halau O Leonalani recently hosted Halau I Ka Leo Ola Nā Mamo under the direction of Kumu Hula Pele Harman, of Kea'au at the Pu'uhonua in Na'alehu. Ryder and halau also danced and are getting ready for Merrie
Monarch week performances. See more below. Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses.

MATCHING GRANTS FOR HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS BENEFICIARIES OF UP TO $5,000 each to help them build or buy homes was announced Monday by Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL has partnered with homestead nonprofit, Hawaiian Lending & Investments, to provide direct assistance to

KipuKai Kuali'i, Chair of the Sovereign Council
of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, which
founded the org that will give grants for building
or buying homes on Hawaiian Homestead land.

beneficiaries looking to construct, or purchase, a home on Hawaiian Home Lands.
DHHL Act 279 Down Payment Assistance Program will match Hawai'i Lending & Investments grants of up to $5,000 that are awarded to eligible DHHL beneficiaries on any of DHHL's Application Waiting Lists and those holding undivided interest homestead leases.
"Getting our families into homes is at the forefront of our mission," said DHHL Director Kali Watson. "Through our collaboration with HLI, we are able to make a direct and immediate difference for our beneficiaries by providing financial support and eliminating obstacles to home ownership."
DHHL's memorandum of agreement with HLI dedicates $250,000 of the department's general revenues appropriated by Act 279 to fund the program.
"Our HLI team, and our board members from every island region, appreciate the purposes of this MOA," said Rolina Faagai, HLI executive director. "HLI will facilitate a matching grant from DHHL to waitlist families that receive funding support from any number of agencies that specialize in down payment assistance."
Founded by the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, HLI will be responsible for determining a beneficiary's eligibility and administering the match awards. Sovereign Council chair KipuKai Kuali'i said, "This initial investment is a great start; it won't resolve 29,000 on the Waitlist, but it supports those DHHL has or will be awarding lots to. As a coalition of Homestead Beneficiary Associations across the state this partnership is exactly the kind of work we want HLI to be doing with the DHHL." For more information contact HLI@hawaiianhomesteads.org.

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Halau Hula O Leionalani hosted halau from Kea'au recently with free performances at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nā'ālehu and heads
to Merrie Monarch week to share hula. Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

HALAU HULA O LEONALANI has a full Merrie Monarch schedule coming up, with a performance on Sunday, March 31 at the Hilo Civic at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, April 3 at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at 1 p.m., and on Saturday, April 6 at noon at Hilo Hawaiian.

The halau, under the direction of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, also performed on Saturday, March 16, hosting a halau from Kea'au at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua. Halau I Ka Leo Ola Nā Mamo is under the direction of Kumu Hula Pele Harman.

Halau Hula O Leionalani is fundraising for a visit to Mexico and leaves April 23, flying to Honolulu to Houston and Cancoon for a six day stay. The halau will perform at Riviera Maya Splash resort and also participate in workshops with the kumu's students from Mexico and Japan. The Mexican and Japanese halau will compete in Cancoon. Hawaiian musician Lorna Lim will teach in the workshops with Ryder.

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PRINCE KUHIO DAY IS TUESDAY AND A STATE A HOLIDAY. A bronze sculpture of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole "in reverent tribute to his leadership and his profound impact on the Hawaiian people," has gone on display in the Mayor's office, according to a statement from the county.
The sculpture, crafted by Allen Ipo Auwae, son of the late Henry Auwae, a respected Hawaiian Kahuna Lāʻau Lapaʻau, "stands as a tribute to Prince Kūhiō's commitment to enhancing the lives of Native Hawaiians. Prince Kūhiō's legacy includes his work in enacting the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act while serving as the second Native Hawaiian elected as a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. This Act has since granted thousands of Native Hawaiians homesteads and continues to be a pivotal part of Hawaiian land policy today," says the statement from Mayor Mitch Roth.
He said, "We are honored to have this beautiful sculpture of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole in our office. Prince Kūhiō's leadership and advocacy for the Hawaiian people continues to inspire us today, and we are proud to pay tribute to his legacy."
The sculpture will be held in the Mayor's Office until the Auwae ʻOhana decides on a final resting place. For more information contact HLI@hawaiianhomesteads.org.

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Junson Heckerz, wanted by HPD

TWO OCEAN VIEW RESIDENTS ARE BEING SOUGHT BY POLICE. Hawai'i Island police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating 27-year-old Junson Heckerz and 34-year-old Justina Alves, both wanted for outstanding bench warrants and for questioning in other criminal investigations.
Heckerz has two outstanding warrants for his arrest that were issued in 2022 and is wanted for questioning in five separate theft investigations.
Heckerz, who also goes by “Jay” or “Noel”, is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has the tattoo of his last name on his left arm.
Alves has an outstanding warrant for her arrest which was issued in 2022 and is wanted for questioning in four different criminal investigations, including theft and narcotics investigations. She is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 125 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo on her left neck area that reads "Ronald" and has tattoos on both thights.

Justina Alves, wanted by HPD

The Hawai‘i Police Department would like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbors or conceals the wanted person.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Heckerz or Alves is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make a tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

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MATTHEW KOI, OF NA'ALEHU, is sought by Hawai‘i Island police who are requesting the public’s assistance in locating the 20-year-old. He is wanted for an outstanding bench warrant, as well as for questioning in two investigations regarding an auto theft and a separate unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
Koi is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, 155 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Matthew Koi, wanted by HPD

He is known to frequent the Nā‘ālehu town area.
Hawai‘i Police Department would also like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbors or conceals the wanted person.
Persons with information on Koi’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can report a tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

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Kaʻū Coffee growers will be represented along with other Hawai'i Coffees by Hawai'i Coffee Association at the Specialty
Coffee Association Expo April 12-14 in Chicago. Image from HCA

Ralph Gaston invites Kaʻū Coffee growers to promote
their coffee at the SCA Expo in Chicago in April.
Here he is shown with Rusty's Hawai'i Kaʻū Coffee
Grower Lorie Obra. Photo by Julia Neal

KAʻŪ COFFEE AND ITS LOCAL GROWERS ARE HEADED TO CHICAGO for the Specialty Coffee Association Expo from April 12-14. Kaʻū Coffee has been represented at HCA's Expo for many years and has taken top awards in the past.

In preparation for the event, Kaʻū Coffee grower Ralph Gaston, who chairs Hawai'i Coffee Association's SCA Planning Committee, sent out this message: "HCA team is attending the 2024 SCA Expo in Chicago next month where we will be promoting Hawaii coffee. If you produce green 100% Hawaii coffee and have any of it available for sale, please fill out this survey, so we can give out your contact info to any interested buyers. Please submit this survey no later than April 5." The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024_SCA_Expo;

Among coffee local representatives attending the Expo are two from Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

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GENERATIONAL ECONOMIC PROFITABILITY FOR HAWAI'I AGRICULTURE is the subject of a survey by the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture. Its leader and Chair of Hawai'i Board of Agriculture Sharon Hurd is "requesting your input to identify the underlying issues impacting your achieving success as an agriculturist in Hawaiʻi. HDOA needs to understand the obstacles you are confronting and develop strategies, investments, and legislative priorities to support a vibrant agriculture industry in Hawaiʻi. Your input on these issues is necessary for HDOA to put together programs and provide the

resources you identify as important to achieve Generational Economic Profitability." The survey can be taken at

https://qualtricsxmntvc3cpf3.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dgPkAFacWR7bfts.

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HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC IS ASKING ALL HAWAI'I ISLAND CUSTOMERS to reduce or shift their electricity use over the next month. "This is an unusual situation, driven mainly by the unavailability of several large generators that have experienced mechanical problems, are at reduced output, or are undergoing maintenance," says the statement from the utility.

"The largest generator, an independent power producer that sells electricity to Hawaiian Electric, is offline with significant mechanical issues. The plant generates 60 megawatts or nearly one-third of the typical peak demand of 180 megawatts on the island."
The company reports that Hawaiian Electric is using companywide resources and working with its independent power producers to return units to full service as soon as possible. "At least through the middle of April, when one of the company's larger generators is scheduled to return from an overhaul on the mainland, generation margin will be extremely tight, especially when wind, solar and hydroelectric output is lower than forecast.

"Customers may see alerts asking them to conserve energy, especially on days when there isn't much wind, which can generate up to 15% of the electricity on the grid. When the alerts are issued, customers are asked to take immediate action to minimize the use of electricity.
"Even without an alert, customers – including hotels and large retailers – are urged to reduce their electricity use as much as possible, especially between 5 and 9 p.m. weekdays. Suggestions include turning off air conditioners and unneeded lighting, shutting off water heaters and pumps, and shifting activities like cooking, showering, laundry, and dishwashing. Shifting large appliance use to the daytime, when solar is abundant, is also recommended.
Without enough supply to meet electricity demand, the company may initiate rolling outages of up to an hour around the island. The impacted areas and the timing will be based on the amount of demand that needs to be reduced. Hawaiian Electric will post alerts on its X (formerly Twitter) @HIElectricLight and Facebook account. Customers also are encouraged to subscribe to Hawai'i County Civil Defense's emergency notification system, Everbridge, to receive alerts.
"Customers may experience delays or busy signals on the Trouble Line (808) 969-6666 due to high call volume. Other options are calling Customer Care (808) 969-6999 or direct messaging on X or Facebook.? For more information, visit hawaiianelectric.com/HawaiiIslandUpdate.

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A PHONE SCAM IS THE TARGET OF Hawai‘i Police Department, which is warning the public, after

receiving an uptick in reports of unknown individuals calling Big Island residents posing as Hawai‘i Police Department officers or court officials.
According to HPD, scammers are calling with altered caller ID numbers displaying Hawai‘i Police Department phone numbers, posing as police officers telling victims that they have outstanding warrants. The individuals then ask the victims to divulge personal information or make payments.
"While Hawai‘i Island police officers have called individuals with outstanding warrants as a courtesy in hopes that they may turn themselves in, they will never ask for personal information or payment of any kind over the phone, says the statement from HPD.

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Kaʻū Little League registration deadline is April 2.
Photo by Elizabeth Crook

REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR KAʻŪ LITTLE LEAGUE IS APPROACHING. Last day to register is Tuesday, April 2. Children ages 8-14 can register for either Ocean View or Nāʻālehu teams.

Practices for both locations are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Practice for the Minors team (ages 8-10) is from 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Practice for the 50/70 team (ages 11-14) is from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Kaʻū Little League is also looking for coaches and umpires. Information can be found for parents and players on the Kaʻū Little League Facebook page. Information about games for the community can be found on the Kaʻū Little League Hawai'i Facebook page. Registration is $100, but scholarships for registration are also available. For more information on scholarships or Kaʻū Little League contact Elizabeth Crook at 808-345-0511

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‘Ahi, giclée by Dietrich Varez, the artist honored with March 28 declared as Dietrich Varez Day and a special presentation at Volcano Art Center on April 7.

DIETRICH VAREZ DAY IS MARCH 28. In honor of the late artist's birthday, Mayor Mitch Roth signed a proclamation and Volcano Art Center extends an invitation to a free program in April to share life, art and legacy of the renowned printmaker, painter and author. The Varez Legacy program will be a movie screening and talk-story event on Sunday, April 7 at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. in Volcano Village.
The free event highlighting Varez's connections to Hawaiʻi's people, stories, and places will begin
with a Spectrum Documentary filmed in 1983 that focuses on the Volcano Art Center and features Varez

1801 eruption with Pele and Kamehameha.
Art by Dietrich Varez

and his wife Linda and volcano artist Chiu Leong. The 25 minute film looks back in time when Dietrich was prolifically producing new prints year after year, signing each image by hand. The film is available through VAC's Heritage and Archive Program which catalogues an extensive collection of archive material including photographs, imagery, audio and films.
After the film screening, a panel discussion will reveal the man behind the iconic images. It will include leader Desiree Moana Cruz and participants who worked closely with artust. Volcano Art Center encourages all those who have been touched by his story to attend the event which will be held in Dietrich Varez Hall at VAC's Niaulani Campus.
The Varez Legacy Program also invites participants to visit the free exhibition titled Dietrich Varez Legacy: The Expanded Collection, at VAC Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Featuring unpublished works recently made available through the Varez Family Estate, the exhibit runs through May 26, 9 a.m -5 pm, daily. For more information call (808) 967-7565 or visit the exhibition online at https://volcanoartcenter.org/product-category/featured-exhibit/the-dietrich-varez-legacy-expanded-collection/
A statement from VAC says, "A true artist for the people, Varez carved a deep understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian values and lifestyle that can be learned and perpetuated through his art. The event is funded by a grant from the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

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DR. KIMO ALAMEDA, CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF HAWAI'I COUNTY, will talk story with Kaʻū residents at Pāhala Community Center this Thursday, March 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. He will also provide dinner. He said he asks the public to ask the tough questions and "hear for yourself why Dr. Kimo for Mayor."

Alameda is former administrator of Bay Clinic and worked in the Mayor Billy Kenoi administration. He had this to say on Wednesday evening ahead of his Talk Story on Thursday in Pāhala:

"I'd like to ask that the people in Pāhala and surrounding areas come out to hear my story. I'm not your traditional politician. I've never ran for office before but I did run a major county department, several state departments, and the largest health center on the island. I come to Pāhala humbled with an open heart, hearing what I can do for the community and for you.

"As an extension of our gratitude, my wife and I will be preparing dinner for attendees and we will also have a few prize giveaways.

"For those who already know me and my track record in serving this island, please come and let's sign wave together right up the street from the event at 5 p.m. I'll bring the signs and the shirts. You just bring yourself and a double shaka."

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2024 SUMMER FUN IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION IN KAʻŪ. Venues will be Nā'ālehu Community Center and Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium in Pāhala. For more on the Pāhala program, call Nona Makuakane at 808-928-3102. For Nā'ālehu, call Elijah Navarro at 808-939-2510.

County of Hawai'i Department of Parks & Recreation announces its 2024 Summer Fun Programs will provide recreational opportunities for teens and youth at locations island-wide during summer break.

"We take pride in offering our keiki a safe and enjoyable environment for play and learning during their summer break," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "These programs are a lifeline for many working parents who would otherwise face challenges in finding appropriate care for their children. By providing these opportunities, we are not only enhancing the lives of our young ones but also bolstering the overall health of our families and communities."

The offerings include 16 Summer Fun Programs for elementary-aged children who have completed Kindergarten to 6th grade, five teen enrichment programs, and two specialized enrichment programs. All summer programs will be in operation from June 12 to July 19.
"It is so important for keiki and teens to engage in healthy, safe, and fun activities during the summer months," said Maurice Messina, Director of Parks & recreation. "With our 2024 Summer Fun Programs, we are proud to offer a range of affordable recreational opportunities to support Hawai'i County youth and their families."
The programs include arts and crafts projects, indoor and outdoor games, sports, music, dance, special events, and excursions.

Detailed information about program hours, registration dates, cost, and age groups can be found online at https://www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities-parks/recreation. For more information, please contact the respective Hawai'i County Recreation Division facilities listed in the program flyers.
Other locations for Summer Fun around the island are:

Hilo District Sites: Kawānanakoa Gym, Pana'ewa Park, Andrews Gym, Hilo Armory, Waiākea Uka Gym and Pi'ihonua Gym
Hāmākua District Sites: Pāpa'ikou Gym and Honoka'a Sports Complex
North & South Kohala District Sites: Spencer "Kalani" Schutte District Park in Waimea, Hisaoka Gym in Kohala, Pu'u Nui Park in Waikōloa
North & South Kona District Sites: Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona
Puna & Ka'ū District Sites: Nā'ālehu Community Center, Rep. Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium in Pāhala, Kea'au Armory, William "Billy" Kenoi Park in Pāhoa,

TEEN PROGRAMS:Programs for teenagers will be offered at the Pu'u'eo Community Center in Wainaku; Pāpa'ikou Gym; Shipman Park in Kea'au; Hale Hālāwai in Kona; and Spencer "Kalani" Schutte District Park in Waimea.
SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS:The 'Ike Kai program will engage children, ages 8-12, in lessons about the ocean. This specialized program will be held at the Richardson Ocean Center with three two-week sessions available. The 'Ike Pono-Hāmākua program will host children Kindergarten to 6th Grade with one 3-week session at Kula'imano Community Center and one at Pāpaʻaloa Annex.

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DORSON "BUDDY" BEHRENDT OF OCEAN VIEW was arrested in Ka‘ū on Saturday, March 23. The Hawai‘i Police Department previously issued a media release requesting the public’s assistance locating Behrendt after he was indicted for the shooting of a 53-year-old Ocean View man last October. Behrendt was also wanted on a warrant issued by the Kona District Court in December 2023 for violating his terms and conditions of release on bail.

Buddy Behrendt arrested. HPD photo

Behrendt was taken into custody after Ka‘ū patrol officers conducting area checks observed him crouched down behind a parked vehicle on a public roadway near the intersection of Paradise Parkway and Luau Drive. When police tried to contact Behrendt, he attempted to flee and was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
Upon being taken into custody, Behrendt was found to be in possession of 1.4 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
He was subsequently charged with one count of violating his terms and conditions of release on bail, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, and possessing drug paraphernalia. His bail for those offenses was set at $6,000.
Behrendt’s bail was set at an additional $500,000 after he was indicted for one count each of: second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted robbery,
two counts of carrying or using a firearm in the commission of a felony. His total bail is set at $506,000.
The indictment was obtained after Behrendt was arrested on October 30, 2023, for a shooting that occurred on October 15, 2023, in Ocean View and he was subsequently released on his own recognizance.
Behrendt was scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Monday, March 25, 2024, in both District and Circuit courts in Kona.

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HPD ARRESTED 19 FOR DUI, during the week of March 18, through March 24. Hawai‘i Island police arrested the motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Eleven were involved in a traffic

accident. Two of the drivers were under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 216 DUI arrests compared with 245 during the same period last year, a decrease of 11.8 percent.
Hawai'i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 224 major crashes so far this year, compared with 217 during the same time last year, an increase of 3.2 percent.
To date, there have been 10 fatal crashes, resulting in 11 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths), compared with four fatal crashes, resulting in five fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 150 percent for fatal crashes and 120 percent for fatalities.
In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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Kaʻū High students are learning to become Student Resource Ambassadors. See more below. Photo by Jennifer Makuakane

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER MICHELLE GALIMBA has announced her bid for reelection. She issued the following statement:

"I would like to announce that I will be seeking re-election for the Hawaiʻi County District 6 County Council seat for the 2024-2026 term. It has been a privilege and honor to serve as the County Councilmember for our District for the past year.
"I love the un-spoiled natural and cultural beauty of our district: its wide-open spaces; its farms and ranches; its rocky coastline and pristine waters; its tight-knit, deep-rooted communities; and the richness of place - both in present time and in the traces of the past - that makes living in our district so unique and profound an experience. To serve this place and its people by advocating for our interests at the County government and by ensuring that our perspective is represented at the County Council is the reason I sought election two years ago and is the reason I seek re-election for the next two year term.
"I have learned a lot about the specific needs of the many communities in our far-flung district - stretching from the rain-forests of Volcano Village to the southern tip of our island at Ka Lae to the fishing villages of South Kona. Ours is a diverse district - and island - but we share many common concerns. Safe, decent housing that is affordable and accessible for working people, as well as for our young people and kupuna is one of those common and critical concerns. I am proud to say that in the past term, the County Council has authorized the allocation of over $15 million in funding to affordable housing projects around the island.

Michelle Galimba seeks second term on the County Council.
Photo from votegalimba.com

"Another critical concern in our district is public safety. I have advocated for increased public safety resources for our district, especially for the fast-growing community of Ocean View, including increased police presence and, in the long run, a fully-staffed police station.
"Another key area of public safety is animal control. Unfortunately our island suffered a breakdown in its animal control services in 2020. The tragic mauling death of one of our community members last year underlined the gravity of the situation. It has been and will continue to be a long road to get our animal control services back on track. Early last year, the Council established the Animal Control and Protection Agency. I have been working closely with the new Administrator of the Agency to ensure that animal control officers are deployed in our district, and to establish an Animal Control and Protection Agency base of operations in our District, so that officers and facilities will be available to address our animal control needs in a timely and accessible manner.
"With the recent application by Black Sands LLC for a Special Management Area permit for Punaluʻu, the future of this beloved place has again become the subject of intense discussion for our community. As for so many, Punaluʻu is a place entwined with my life from early childhood onward. The importance of protecting the natural and cultural heritage of Punaluʻu - and other sites in our District - is unquestionable. It is also critically important that all voices be heard in the discussion about the future of Punaluʻu. This is a place with a complex history and present. Finding our way to the best possible future for Punaluʻu will not be simple, and we need to hear each other with respect and aloha. Having served for many years on the Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP) Steering Committee, I am glad to see that the CDP is an important part of the discussion and the framework for the future of Punaluʻu. I also support the work that the members of the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee are doing to create an ongoing space for bringing the ideas and aspirations of the Kaʻū CDP forward into fruition.
"Supporting our communities by advocating for the repair and maintenance of our parks and other recreational facilities has been a priority for me during the last year, as well as working with the Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Public Works to address the problem of abandoned cars and other trash issues in public areas.
"I humbly ask for your vote so that I can continue to serve our communities, district and island. If you would like to learn more about my background, values, and vision, please visit my website at https://votegalimba.com/."

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KAʻŪ STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN RECYCLING EDUCATION & OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY over the next three years to become Student Resource Ambassadors. Three cohorts of 20 students each are offered training for Hawaiʻi Youth Clean Stream Campaign & Waste-to-Wealth Initiative, with support of $1.5 million from an EPA Recycling Education & Outreach grant. Some training sessions offer stipends. The program is for students in ninth through 12th grades, with preference given to sophomores and juniors.

Partners are Recycle Hawai'i and Kaʻū Global Learning Lab Academy and its Principal 'Aina Akamu at Kaʻū High & Elementary School. The Recycle Hawai'i Director for this program is Justin Canelas.

Student Resource Ambassadors in the first cohort are set to begin their journey on June 1. Application deadline for students to enroll for Fall is July 31. To sign up with the Program Coordinator, contact Jennifer.Makuakane@k12.hi.us or 808-313-4141.

A kick-off event featuring students enrolled in the program is planned for Saturday, April 27, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House. Community members will have an opportunity to discuss the program with grant partners, elected leaders, and participants.

"The three-year project will focus on fostering the development of leadership skills among Kaʻū youth through community-based education campaigns that promote composting, raise awareness about plastic pollution, and inform the public about ongoing recycling opportunities created by the students in the program," says a statement from the partners.

"This initiative aims to embed environmental justice principles into programs designed to reduce landfill waste on Hawaiʻi Island, while empowering youth-led community action." It features the addition of community coordinators proficient in Marshallese and Hawaiian languages facilitating outreach and engagement in Kaʻū and on the Big Island. Hiring for these positions begins this Summer.

"This initiative represents a significant step forward in promoting environmental justice and empowering youth voices in our community," said Akamu. "By incorporating indigenous knowledge and reaching out to underserved populations, we are ensuring that all members of our community have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from these environmental initiatives."

Canelas said, "We aim to empower the youth of Hawaiʻi Island to become environmental stewards and champions of waste reduction. By engaging students in hands-on learning experiences and providing them with the tools and resources to effect change in their communities, we are fostering a generation of local leaders committed to environmental sustainability."

Here is more from the program announcement:
Each cohort of Student Resource Ambassadors will embark on a year-long journey immersed in educational programming focused on waste reduction themes. Year one will concentrate on composting, year two on marine debris and plastic pollution, and year three on clean stream recycling and waste-to-

wealth circularity. These themes will culminate in the launching of local educational campaigns aimed at increasing awareness and participation in community-based recycling and composting programs.
A sub-cohort of Student Resource Ambassadors will participate in the Creative Content Summer Fellowship, where they will undergo intensive training to develop marketing skills and further the program's goals during the summer break. This fellowship will equip participants with professional-level skills in data analysis, audio-visual production, conference organization and program impact tracking. The SRAs also receive high school credits and paid stipends by participating in the program.
During the first year, Student Resource Ambassadors will travel to Cooperstown, NY, Nov. 19-24, for the National Recycling Congress

to engage with leaders in the sustainability field and present the educational campaigns they’ve developed. In spring of 2025, the SRAs will travel to San Francisco to attend the Zero Waste Youth Convergence to network with other youth in the national zero waste program, and develop the skills to host their own Zero Waste Youth Convergences in Kaʻū in 2026 and 2027. In the spring of 2026, the student cohort from Kaʻū High will host a local Zero Waste Youth Convergence conference for local Hawai'i youth.

Student Resource Ambassadors will also prepare for hosting the National Zero Waste Youth Convergence in 2027, featuring speakers and youth participants from across the country.
For more information about the Hawaiʻi Youth Clean Stream Campaign and Waste-to-Wealth Initiative, contact Justin Canelas - the EPA Recycle Education Outreach Program Director at Recycle Hawaii - via email: program@recyclehawaii.org.

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The former Jaggar Museum, and two buildings operated by the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the Okamura Building and the Geochemistry Annex, are slated for removal starting Monday, April 8. Restrooms at Uēkahuna will temporarily close for the duration of the deconstruction project. Portable lua (restrooms) will be available. Ranger programs will continue.

Photo by Janice Wei/ National Park Service

THREE BUILDINGS WILL BE DISMANTLED AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK starting Monday, April 8. They sustained damage during the 2018 summit collapse and eruption of Kīlauea volcano.

What: The removal of the former Jaggar Museum, and two buildings used by the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS HVO), the Okamura Building and the Geochemistry Annex.
The restrooms at Uēkahuna will temporarily close for the duration of the deconstruction project. Portable lua (restrooms) will be available and ranger programs will continue.
When: Dismantling of the exterior walls and roofs begins Monday, April 8, and will continue for the next several months. The buildings will be deconstructed one section at a time. Work will likely begin on the north side of the Okamura Building and Observation Tower then proceed to Jaggar Museum and the Geochemistry Annex.
Where: Uēkahuna bluff, at the summit of Kīlauea volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Why: Work continues on Phase One of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Disaster Recovery Project. The buildings were irreparably damaged during the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea volcano, the most destructive eruptive event in Hawai'i in more than 200 years. Construction has begun on the new USGS HVO field station near the historic ballfield at Kilauea Military Camp.
How to stay informed: Construction closures and delays are updated on the park's new construction webpage: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/construction-closures.htm.

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USING ACOUSTIC SIGNALS TO ID THE START OF MAUNA LOA'S ERUPTION in 2022 is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, the weekly article and activity update by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

The 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa occurred late in the evening of November 27th. The eruption was preceded by intense earthquake activity about half an hour prior to glowing lava seen on USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) webcams. How does HVO narrow down the precise time that the eruption started?

Color figure with panels showing volcano monitoring data

Panel A is a thermal image showing first observation of strong 'lava glowing' at Mauna

Loa, time-stamped 11:36 p.m. HST on November 27, 2022. An example waveform from

the array of sensors at the 'Āinapō (AIND) field station is shown in panel B. Coherency

plots of wave velocities are shown in panel C and the direction of the computed eruption

source compass direction, relative to the 'Āinapō array, is shown in panel D. The colored

dots in panels C and D represent incoherent signals (shown in light and dark blue) and

coherent signals (shown in red, orange and yellow). Times for panel B, C and D are

expressed in Hawaii Standard Time (HST). The black vertical line in panels C and D

marks the early onset of the eruption at 11:23 p.m. HST. The grey vertical line shows the

time when the thermal image in panel A was taken. Both of the vertical lines mark times

before changes in the acoustic processing because it takes about 2 minutes for sound to

travel from the eruption vent to the 'Āinapō array. Image from USGS

Remote cameras are critical to confirm eruptive activity but, in many cases, worldwide, views of the activity can be obscured. Clouds, fog or volcanic gas can block views. Or cameras may not cover the eruption site. Hence, HVO and other global observatories establish numerous methods to attempt to identify eruption activity even if the volcano cannot be clearly seen.

One way to monitor volcanoes is by measuring the sounds of an eruption. These sounds can rapidly travel away from the eruption vent in the same way that a rock thrown into calm water can make ripples that move away from the "plop point."
The global volcano monitoring community routinely installs clusters of acoustic sensors (called arrays) on the flanks of volcanoes that can measure both the audible noise (sounds we can hear) and the inaudible noise which have frequencies that human ears can't sense (infrasound). Computer processing is then used to look for signals that come from a distinct direction, similar to the way humans train their ears and brains to determine where sounds come from.
HVO currently monitors our volcanoes using rapidly processed 'near real-time' data from acoustic arrays which measure pressure changes around our most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa (figure panel B). The grouped sensor arrays are deployed in the field to allow computers to look for correlations in acoustic energy from Hawaii's likely eruption centers.
The processing compares all waveforms of the array and looks at consistency (called coherency) of the waves under a range of conditions. In the plots (figure panels C and D) strong waveform coherency are

Annual Gravity Survey at Kīlauea

A gravimeter was deployed on the floor of Kīlauea caldera last weekend

during the annual Kilauea gravity survey conducted by USGS Hawaiian Volcano

Observatory . Nearby is the GPS station. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized

instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one

billionth of the force that humans feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis

marked by red and orange dots and incoherent waves are marked by light and dark blue. As an analogy, incoherent sounds are like the sounds you hear in the middle of a forest on a windy day and more coherent sound would be from a car honking on the road.
Coherent acoustic signals often have characteristics that allow them to be distinguished by the processing of array data, and two good indicators of coherency come from the wave speed and wave direction across the array. For example, near the surface of the Earth the sounds usually travel at speeds of about 0.3-0.4 km/s (~300-400 yards per second) (figure panel C). HVO's 'Āinapō infrasound array is located in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and has a compass direction of about 300 degrees (figure panel D) pointing back to Mauna Loa summit. Automated detection can use these characteristics (coherency, wave speed and direction) to improve our ability to rapidly understand when an eruption is occurring at Mauna Loa summit.
Panel D of the figure shows that the compass back direction becomes very stable at about 11:25 p.m. HST which indicates that mild eruptive activity had started. Its timing was probably approximately two minutes earlier, at about 11:23 p.m. HST, given that it takes about 2 minutes for sound to travel from the summit of Mauna Loa to the 'Āinapō array (shown as a black vertical line in figure panels C and D.) Indeed, panel A of the figure shows that by 11:36 p.m. HST, lava flows being generated by the new eruption were rapidly expanding across Mokuʻāweoweo, Mauna Loa summit caldera (grey vertical line in C and D). The progression and expansion of the lava is followed by a strong intensification of that activity around 11:40 p.m. HST (C and D). This shows the value of using multiple lines of information to evaluate eruptive activity.
In addition to acoustic methods, staff at HVO utilize a full range of volcano monitoring methods including seismic, deformation, gas, and webcam imagery. The data collected improve our situational awareness; evaluating the different datasets together can help scientists to understand the volcanic processes happening at any one time. This, in turn, helps HVO to keep the public well-informed about our active volcanoes.

Volcano Activity Updates: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
Disbursed seismicity continues below Kīlauea's summit and along the Koa'e fault system southwest of the caldera. Average earthquake counts in this region over the past week have remained below 40 detected events per day, well below the amount detected during the January–February intrusion or prior to recent summit eruptions. Tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff continued to record modest inflationary trends over the past week. No unusual activity has been noted along the rift zones.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
Two earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.1 earthquake 10 km (6 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on March 23 at 9:06 p.m. HST and a M3.1 earthquake 2 km (1 mi) SSW of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on March 22 at 9:45 p.m. HST.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Mother and calf in Hawaiian waters where the last 2024 Ocean Count for humpback whales will
be taken by volunteers this Saturday, the Kaʻū location at Punalu'u. NOAA photo

THE LAST HUMPBACK WHALE OCEAN COUNT FOR 2024 is Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Punalu'u and other locations around the island. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document their surface behavior. The Count is sponsored by NOAA.

NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting on Friday, April 12 from 10 a.m to 1:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, with public comment scheduled at 12:15 p.m. Members of the public interested in attending or providing public comment can fill out this registration form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpTBiBqvGUQIQuD9k8cRaNyn-wuZDMzG1Mj6qo_-6LMT2HFw/viewform to receive the Google Meet information.

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IKAIKA KAILIAWA-SMITH is running for the District 6 County Council seat, to represent all of Kaʻū and adjacent parts of Kona and Puna. The 32-year old Nāʻālehu resident is a rancher and full time county welder and mechanic. He said he would like to see working people, like those in the trades, "who know how to get things done," take jobs in public office. He said a lot of money can be saved and red tape cut by putting the right people with his kind of background in public office and county administration.

Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith seeks a first term on the County Council.
Photo from Kailiawa-Smith campaign

He gave the example of a ramp at the Waiohinu Transfer station. He said he was able to save thousands of dollars for the county and much time for the public by building it himself. He promised to fix the lights in the ballfields in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu and put in lighting in the Ocean View county park.
Kailiawa-Smith joined the military right after hight school and came home to Kaʻū in recent years with his wife who also grew up on this island, and their two children. He said he and his family would like to fight to keep local people their age in Kaʻū from having to leave the island, by creating economic opportunity and affordable housing. He said his platform aligns with community concerns about sustainable agriculture and food production.
The candidate said he is dedicated to addressing food security issues and lowering costs for residents by promoting local egg production and dairy farming. He said he supports construction of slaughter facilities for livestock and poultry to help lower food costs and promote local farming.
Kailiawa-Smith said he recognizes the financial struggles faced by retired individuals and is committed to removing property taxes for retirees on a fixed income. "This initiative aims to provide financial relief to those who have contributed to society for many years."
Concerning public safety, Kailiawa-Smith said he plans to address the issue of violent criminals and mentally unstable individuals on the streets "by implementing measures to remove them from communities." He said he supports the construction of sub stations for police and fire departments to improve response times and overall safety for residents.
Kailiawa-Smith took a strong stand at the recent public hearing on the development proposal at Punalu'u. His position was carried by Hawai'i Public Radio. He said his opposition "stems from a history of extractive developers using the land for profit. When C. Brewer developed Punaluʻu as a playground for the rich, they bulldozed graves, ancient home sites and heiau. When they extracted all the wealth that they could out of Kaʻū and its people, they left a mess in their wake. They left asbestos-built huts, gravel-filled ponds, and a leaking sewage system. Now this foreign developer wants us to ignore all of this. We cannot in good conscience allow this development to continue."
He said that while the proposed 125 accommodation units have been pushed back to about a quarter mile from the coast, he could not support the Punalu'u proposal with restaurant, market and other activities near the shore.
A statement from his campaign says, "Overall, Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith is dedicated to making positive changes in Hawaii by addressing important issues like food security, taxes, public safety, and government accountability. His commitment to these causes makes him a strong candidate for office."

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See file://Users/OphirDanenberg/Downloads/Naalehu%20EID-%20EA%20Consultation%20Package.pdf

PUBLIC INPUT ON THE PROPOSED SEWAGE TREATMENT PLAN FOR NA'ALEHU is sought by the consulting planning and engineering company Wilson Okamoto Corp.
An announcement Friday says, "On behalf of the County of Hawai'i – Department of Environmental Management, Wilson Okamoto Corp. is currently preparing a Draft Environmental Information Document (EID) and Environmental Assessment (ES) for the proposed Nāʻālehu Large Capacity Cesspool (LCC) Closure project (Proposed Project) located in the Ka'ū District on the island of Hawai'i.

"The Proposed Project involves the construction of facilities which would allow the County to close the three LCCs in Nāʻālehu and thereby meet the compliance requirements of the Amended AOC and the applicable portions of the Clean Water Act. The Proposed Action would be achieved by any of the 4 alternatives set forth in the Amended AOC. The proposed Project Area includes approximately 204 discrete tax parcels (in whole or in part) and portions of multiple County of Hawai'i roadways in Nāʻālehu."

Read the document at file://Users/OphirDanenberg/Downloads/Naalehu%20EID-%20EA%20Consultation%20Package.pdf.

Submit comments via email to publiccomment@wilsonokamoto.com, or written comments via mail to: Keola Cheng, Director-Planning, Wilson Okamoto Corporation, 1907 South Beretania Street, Suite 400, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96826.

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HOW WE MEET MATTERS: RESOLVING DISPUTES VIA CHAT is the free talk on Thursday, April 18 sponsored by Ku'ikahi Mediation Ceter for its program Finding Solutions, Growing Peace. The Brown

Bag Lunch Series are Third Thursdays from noon to 1 pm via Zoom.
The April speaker is Dr. Deborah Goldfarb who said, "Dispute resolution is increasingly moving online, with discussions that AI may be the better method to resolve disputes. Let's explore examples from recent research about people's preferences regarding resolving disputes."
Participants will discuss how the relationship between parties may influence the parties' choice of how to resolve disputes as well as the best methods for resolving difficult issues.
Goldfarb, JD, PhD, is a legal psychology professor at Florida International University. She holds a JD from the University of Michigan Law School and a PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Davis. Dr. Goldfarb practiced for a number of years as an attorney, including as a law clerk in the federal courts, and is a certified mediator in Florida. She studies a number of topics at the intersection of law and developmental psychology.
Ku'ikahi's Brown Bag Lunch Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and connect with others interested in Finding Solutions, Growing Peace.
To get the Zoom link, register online at https://freebrownbagtalk.eventbrite.com.
For more information, contact Ku'ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 or info@hawaiimediation.org. Or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.
This lunch-and-learn series is made possible thanks in part to funding from the County of Hawai'i and Hawai'i Island United Way.

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Dr. Kimo Alameda with a Keep Kaʻū Country sign on March 7, came to Kaʻū on Thursday to
talk about his candidacy for mayor. Photo from Kimo4mayor.com

DR. KIMO ALAMEDA CAME TO KAʻŪ on Thursday in his bid for Mayor of Hawai'i Island. In a presentation called Pāhala - Lean on Me, he talked about his style of governance including open and frequent communication with the community, as well as running government more like a business with responsibility to taxpayers. He noted he has never run for public office but has managed county departments and also the largest non-profit health care entity on this island. He described himself as
making fact based decisions and being competent at research.
He talked about the "almost homeless" to include kupuna whose rent and even hikes in property taxes can lead to departure from their homes. Veterans with. PTSD and women victims of domestic violence often have no place to go. He described foster kids who "age out" as the next homeless. Alameda, who ran the office of Aging in county government and was CEO of the Bay Clinic and is PhD. trained in mental health, said "I have experience to help these people."
He said the island homelessness "reflects society's shortcomings.: On this island, said Alameda, there is no good mental health system, no good rehabilitation and detox facility." He said he opposes police sweeps of homeless camps without having a place to go. He said clearing people from one place just leads them to go to another place without solving the problem. He noted that there are different types of homeless people, including those with mental health problems, those with drug and alcohol problems and those who simply cannot find a dwelling with the income they have.

Dr. Kimo Alameda in Pahala on Thursday to talk about his run for mayor. Photo by Julia Neal

Regarding drugs and alcohol programs, he said the solution is education and reducing demand. He said that with his own children he advises them about the gateway drug of alcohol and described warning signs and several conditions. "You like it" - not so bad, can have some fun. "You want it" - that's the next step,
so take notice. "You need it" - time to get help.
Regarding producing more homes on the island, he said there is a need to allow people to build more units on property they already own and said that two additional dwellings could mean one for a farm worker and one for a young couple or a kupuna. It would keep the income from these units in the family.
One kupuna said he worried that Pāhala would become like Papaikou north of Hilo and said almost all of the old plantation houses there have been sold to people from the outside who have more money, with rocketing prices making it impossible for the next local generation to purchase home for their families.
Alameda said he would consider a cap or property tax exemption for kupuna to keep them in their homes.

Dr. Kimo Alameda with his wife and family of seven children.
Photo from kimo4mayor.com

Regarding appointment of department heads for county government, Alameda said that should he become mayor, he would make sure that the leaders are not only qualified to run county like a business, but also are connected to the community. "I'm not looking for one director to come here fo one four year vacation." He said that in order to find out whether someone loves this place and is committed to this place, ask where the person wants to die. Alameda focused on his background of being born here, having raised seven children here and wanting to die here.

Former County Councilmember Guy Enriques, of Punalu'u, brought up the issue of the proposal to build 125 accommodations and commercial enterprise at Punalu'u and said that Alameda tepped up to listen to the community's concern about possible overdevelopment of the coast. Alameda said he opposed irresponsible development and questioned the development's alignment with the Ka'u Community Development Plan.
Amery Silva, a former Miss Kaʻū Coffee and Pāhala resident, said she objected to people moving in and complaining about the lifestyle here and calling the police about noise. "We fish, hunt, raise chickens and dogs."
Otis Salmo, of Pāhala, brought up the school bus problem, particularly in Ocean View and Alameda said the lack of timely transportation for students was "unacceptable" and that perhaps the county's Hele On free bus system could help more.
Another concern brought up by a local resident is lighting in the streets. A woman said that streetlights should be brighter. Alameda said the dimming of lights to protect stargazing had gone too far.
The candidate said that a number of challenges brought up by people who attended the meeting were state and federal issues, like repairs to Hwy 11 and more school buses. He said he would use his "bully pulpit" as mayor to work with government agencies beyond the county.
See more on Alameda and his run for mayor at kimo4mayor.com.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono with the release of the Patsy Mink quarter from the U.S. Mint, honoring
U.S. House of Representatives member who was the first woman of color in Congress and author
of Title IX, which helped to launch gender equity in education and sports. Photo from Hirono

THE PATSY T. MINK QUARTER was released by the U.S. Mint this week, celebrating the life of the first woman of color to serve in Congress. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono made the announcement with University of Hawaii President David Lassner, Hawai'i Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi, and community advocates for gender equity to highlight Mink's legacy as the author of Title IX, and the ongoing importance of gender equity in education.
"As the first woman of color to serve in Congress, Patsy Mink was a trailblazer who fought to ensure

Patsy Mink quarters are available in rolls
and bags, as well as proof sets.

that generations of girls and women could have every opportunity men have," said Hirono. "Congresswoman Mink's legacy lives on through Title IX, the landmark legislation she authored to outlaw sex-based discrimination in education. As we work to build on the progress she made, I am proud to announce the launch of this quarter honoring Patsy and her legacy, so that people across our state and country can learn more about her life and contributions to the fight for social justice, equality, and civil rights."
In 2021, Hirono sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Mint to include the late Congresswoman Mink in the American Women Quarters Program. She also advocated for a quarter commemorating Edith Kanakaole, which was put into circulation last year.
Patsy T. Mink quarters are now available for purchase on the U.S. Mint's website. More information is available here.
Authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, the American Women Quarters Program features coins with designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of prominent American women. Contributions come from a wide spectrum of fields including, but not limited to, suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The women honored come from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds. The Mint will issue five coins with different reverse designs annually over the four-year period from 2022 through 2025.

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Halau Hula O Leionalani, under Kumu Debbie Ryder, opened Merrie Monarch week on Sunday. Photo by Tim Wright

Dancers from Halau Hula O Leionalani will perform
Wednesday and Saturday during Merrie Monarch festivitie.
Photo by Tim Wright

HALAU HULA O LEONALANI performed at the opening of the Merrie Monarch on Sunday at the Ah Fook Chin Hilo Civic Auditiorium. The halau from Pahala under the leadership of Kumu Debie Ryder will perform on Wednesday, April 3 at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at 1 p.m., and on Saturday, April 6 at noon at Hilo Hawaiian.
Halau Hula O Leionalani is fundraising for a visit to Mexico and leaves April 23, flying to Honolulu to Houston and Cancoon for a six day stay. The halau will perform at Riviera Maya Splash resort and also participate in workshops with the kumu's students from Mexico and Japan. The Mexican and Japanese halau will compete in Cancoon. Hawaiian musician Lorna Lim will teach in the workshops with Ryder.

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Kaunāmano is the Ka'u Coast lands where Nohopapa Hawai'i is gathering public input and
other information to help make a stewardship plan for the 1,363 acres. Photo from Alakahakai Trail Association

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO DISCUSS STEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR KAUNĀMANO on the Kaʻū Coast. The meeting will be Saturday, April 20 at Kahuku Ranch Cabins, Koa Building from 10 a.m. to noon. Nohopapa Hawai'i is conducting the session.

Kaunāmano is the 1,363 acre property located makai of Hwy 11 between Pohina Pali and Manianiania Pali. It is preserved through County of Hawai‘i's Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Commission program. Called PONC, it contributed $4.31 million, and the State Legacy Land

Conservation Program contributed $2.4 million toward the conservation purchase. The land is held by the

Alakahakai Trail Association. The property is encumbered by a perpetual conservation easement owned by the County of Hawai‘i restricting the land to cultural, conservation, and agricultural uses, as well as a permanent deed restriction required by the Legacy Land Program. See more on Alakahakai Trail Association at alakahakaitrail.org.

Nohopapa Hawai'i is a Native Hawaiian owned and operated cultural resource management firm founded in 2013. It has been contracted to help gather community input and help to design the stewardship plan for Kaunamano, which is held in trust for the public by the Alaka'i Kai Trail Association.

The purpose of the Talk Story, according to a statement from Nohopapa Hawai'i, is to share background information on the process and schedule for the Stewardship Plan. "Gather your mana'o on the cultural

and natural resources to preserve and protect

Kaunāmano. Share areas of potential concern relating to the resources. "Share your man'o on opportunities for future stewardship."

"Nohopapa Hawaiʻi’s experience, passion, commitment, and motivation to document and honor Hawaiʻi’s wahi kūpuna extends over 20 years. Our platform is to increase awareness of our collective responsibility to document, preserve, and protect knowledge concerning historic properties and cultural resources. We research and gather this knowledge through integrated approaches rooted in historical land research and cultural understanding of place." says its message at www.nohopapa.com.

Projects on this island have included archaeological investigations and restoration plans in Keauhou, Kona amd a Comprehensive Management Plan for Office of Hawaiian Affairs' 25,856-acre Wao Kele O Puna, one of the last lowland rainforests in Hawai'i. See more at nohopapa.com.

Entrance to Kahuku Ranch is at 92-7406 Mamalahoa Hwy. With any questions, contact info@ohopapa.org.

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KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL SIGNUPS BEGIN MONDAY, APRIL FIRST for all those who would like a booth at the Ho'olaulea on Saturday, June 7. Volunteers to help with the festival that runs from June 1-7 are also welcomed. For booths, see www.kaucoffeefest.com.

Kaʻū Coffee farmers are urged to ask the state legislators to pass truth in labeling laws to keep foreign beans out of Hawaiian
coffee bags. Local coffee growers have built their reputation on 100 percent Kaʻū. Photo by Julia Neal

TRUTH IN LABELING FOR THE COFFEE INDUSTRY survives at the 2024 Hawai'i Legislature. A statement from the Hawai'i Coffee Association says, "Thanks to your testimony, HB 2298 HD1 cleared the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on March 20. Based on your comments, the committee also restored the bill to its original form! This bill will ultimately require coffee labeled using Hawai'i's origin names (like Kona and Kaʻū) contain 100% coffee from that origin by July of 2027.

"This bill is now scheduled to be heard in Hawai'i's Senate Judiciary committee on Tuesday, April 2 at 10:05 a.m.. Like before, we need to tell legislators how we feel about blenders selling 90% foreign-grown coffee labeled with Hawaii's origin names."

The message urges the public to "tell the Senate Judiciary Committee you support HB 2298 HD1 SD1.

Hawai'i's Department of Agriculture commissioned a study last year that shows that this legislation will cause revenue to shift from a handful of blenders to the many growers located throughout the state! We've analyzed several of these blends. We discovered defective coffee and severe insect damage! Hawai'i's growers are required to adhere to strict grade standards, yet these imported coffees are not! This is unfair!

"If you object to foreign grown blends masquerading as Hawai'i-grown coffee and undercutting your price, tell the legislature!

"Raw foreign-grown coffee imported into our growing regions is a prime vector for invasive pests and disease. Tell the legislature this practice must stop!

"No one knows better than you that Hawai'i's coffee is among the best in the world. Diluting it with foreign-grown coffee, to the point that consumers can't taste one Hawai'i-grown bean in ten, is simply wrong. Please tell the legislature to pass HB2298 HD1 SD1 and protect the integrity of Hawai'i's coffee industry." Follow the legislation, read testimonies and find opportunities to submit testimonies https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2298&year=2024

KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL BOOTHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE JUNE 8 HO'OLAULEA by signing up at www.kaucoffeefest.com.

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HAWAI'I RESIDENTS SUFFER THE SECOND HIGEST TAX BURDEN OF ANY STATE, according to the WalletHub. "With Tax Day approaching on April 15 and 72% of Americans thinking their current tax

rate is too high, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its 2024 Tax Burden by State report and its 2024 Tax Facts infographic, as well as expert commentary," says the WalletHub study.
In order to determine which states tax their residents most aggressively, WalletHub compared the 50 states based on the three components of state tax burden — property taxes, individual income taxes, and sales and excise taxes — as a share of total personal income. Hawai'i ranked second in Overall Tax Burden, 25 in Property Tax Burden, sixth in Individual Income Tax Burden and third in Total Sales & Excise Tax Burden.
According to WalletHub, California has the highest individual income tax burden, while Maine has the highest property tax burden, and Washington has the highest sales and excise tax burden. When considering all types of taxes together, New York has the highest overall burden.
The lowest tax burden overall is in Alaska, followed by New Hampshire, Wyoming, Florida and Tennessee.

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Trojan Volleyball started this season with five wins and one loss. Left to right are Head Coadh Joshua Ortega, senior Chaz La'a Kajiwara-Ke, freshman Emil Soriano, sophomore Cy Zeiah Silva-Kamei, junior Vladimir Fedoruk, senior Tyson Junior Kuahuia-Faafia, junior Kayson Pagan, junior Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes, sophomore Karsen Polido-Tuaifaiva, junior Triton Blanco, sophomore Desmond Camba, sophomore Zayden Gallano and Assistant Coach Sarah Ortega. Photo from Trojan Volleyball

TROJAN BOYS VOLLEYBALL, under Kaʻū High School Head Coach Josh Ortega, Assistant Coach Sarah Ortega and Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo, is achieving a stellar season so far, with five wins and one loss. In the latest victory on Tuesday at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym, Trojans beat Honoka'a 25-15, 25-19 and 25-16.
Trojans started the season on the road against Kaumeke, winning 26-16-, 26-24, 25-20 and 25-17. Kaʻū followed up by taking down Kohala 25-19, 25-19 and 25-16. The only loss is to Konawaena with 17-25, 14-25 and 10-25 at home. Trojans beat Parker 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 20-25 and 15-10 and bested Makualani 25-15, 25-8 and 26-16.
Kaʻū goes on the road for the next three challenges, with all games at 5 p.m., traveling to play Kanu o Ka 'Āina on Saturday, April 6, then to HPA on Wednesday April 10 and on to Pahoa Monday April 15. The next home game is at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, followed by the Play-offs.

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THIS IS NATIONAL NATIVE PLANT MONTH. U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced Senate passage of her bipartisan resolution designating April 2024 as National Native Plant Month. The resolution, which passed the Senate unanimously and was also led by Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), recognizes the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife. On Tuesday, Hirono and University of Hawai'i President David Lassner together planted 'ohia lehua trees and toured the grounds of Lyon Arboretum to launch the month of appreciation of native plants.

April is National Native Plant Month each year. Read a Kamehameha Schools article about
its importance in Hawai'i at https://www.ksbe.edu/article/laau-love-lets-celebrate-native-hawaiian-plant-month

Hirono said, "Hawai'i is home to more than 40 percent of our country's endangered and threatened plant species, and native plants are significant to our state's history, culture, and environment. "In Hawai'i, we recognize the importance of preserving our unique biodiversity and understand the need to continue raising awareness of native plant populations." She said the resolution "highlights the importance of native plants in our communities and encourages all Americans to learn more about native plants in their own communities."
The bill is endorsed by more than 200 organizations across the country, including 16 organizations from Hawai'i: Aha Punana Leo, Ahahui o na Kauka, Bishop Museum, Boys & Girls Club of Hawai'i, Council

'Āhinahina, the Kaʻū Silversword. only grows on Mauna

Loa between 5,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation.
Photo from HVNP

for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawai'i Land Trust, Iolani Palace, Kamehameha Schools, Laukahi: The Hawai'i Plant Conservation Network, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Native Hawaiian Education Council, Papa Ola Lokahi, Pouhana O Na Wahine, Sierra Club of Hawai'i, and The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle.
As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Hirono has championed legislation to protect Hawai'i's environment, fish, wildlife, and plants, while also working to support local farmers and agriculture, and speed the transition to clean, renewable energy in Hawai'i and across the country.
In February 2024, she announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior is awarding over $4 million in funding to programs and initiatives across Hawai'i to prevent the imminent extinction of Hawaiian forest birds. In September 2023, Hirono introduced the AuGmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful Act, legislation to provide billions in funding to address deferred maintenance at U.S. schools of agriculture, including the University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources, and USDA Agricultural Research Service facilities. In May 2023, Hirono introduced the Extinction Prevention Act, bicameral legislation to provide funding for some of the country's most imperiled yet vastly underfunded wildlife species, including threatened and endangered North American butterflies, various Pacific Island plants, freshwater mussels, and Southwest desert fish.

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NAUPAKA IS PLANT OF THE MONTH for Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū by Jodie Rosam with illustration by Joan Yoshioka:
Description: I realize that some of the plants you read about here are a little more elusive and more difficult to spot (with confidence) in the wild, but here is one we all know and love, naupaka! Naupaka is an indigenous shrub in the Goodeniaceae family. Naupaka are most commonly seen growing in tight groups about 2-6’ tall, but if you trace a single plant down to its primary stem, you may realize that a single plant can spread 15-20’ wide. The leaves are unmistakable and somewhat succulent. They are an array of gorgeous light green ovals, covered with silky hairs on the axil (the area between the leaf stem and petiole or branch), and can range anywhere from 2 to about 8” long. The fruits are white, round, and pulpy. Naupaka kahakai bloom year-round, with beautiful half-flowers that are shades of white with purple accents. Here is a homework assignment: learn the moʻolelo of naupaka kahakai (beach naupaka) and naupaka kuahiwi (forest naupaka).
Of the ten native species of Scaevola, this featured species is the only one to produce white fruits and is not primarily bird-dispersed; the others produce more purple fruits and are a favorite forest bird snack. The fruits of this naupaka readily float and remain viable for long periods of time, hitching rides on ocean currents before settling along a shoreline, which speaks to its large distribution across the tropics. In fact, studies have shown that naupaka seeds are the most viable after spending an average of 250 days on the ocean!
Uses: Naupaka can be used medicinally and in lei. The fruit and/or bark of naupaka can be crushed and

Naupaka grow all along the Kaʻū shoreline. Photo from DLNR

used on cuts and abrasions, and is especially effective when mixed with paʻakai (sea salt). The flowers, leaves, and fruits can be used in lei making, and when the right plant is chosen for harvesting, the lei has a fresh floral fragrance. Naupaka fruits, flowers, and leaves can yield a light-to-dark green dye. For all of you divers/snorkelers out there, the fresh fruits contain a natural sunscreen and the broken leaves can be rubbed on the inside of your mask to keep it from fogging (no need for hāʻae, or spit)!
Habitat: Naupaka is a common coastal adornment throughout the archipelago and across the pantropics. It thrives in areas that seem to be extreme and harsh - enduring hot, dry conditions, wind, and heavy salt spray. In Kaʻū, naupaka can be seen along all of our coastlines, providing erosion control, habitat for honuʻea (Hawaiian hawksbill sea turtles) and sea bird nests, and a food source for the nalo meli maoli (Hawaiian yellow-faced bee).

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Growing and Purchasing: Naupaka grows easily from seeds and quickly from cuttings. Take 5-6” cuttings that are less woody than the main stem, and pop them into a jar of water on your windowsill for a couple of weeks (changing the water daily) or directly into a pot with a lot of perlite and good drainage. Sow seeds (after removing them from the fruits) in flats or germination trays in a similar media to that for cuttings, and place them in filtered sunlight, keeping them slightly damp. Seeds will only germinate in freshwater, but once the plant is established, it doesn’t mind (and actually likes) salt spray. Naupaka make a great, low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly accent to your home or property/landscape. They thrive in heat and full sun, and few pests bother the thick, waxy leaves. I encourage you to make some naupaka friends of your own, and see if any of them want to come home with you. Happy planting!

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Royal Court takes the stage at the Merrie Monarch Festival Ho'ike on Wednesday night. Photo by Tracey Nime

The official poster of the 2024 Merrie Monarch
Festival by Eddy Y. See merriemonarch.com

KAʻŪ PARTICIPANTS IN MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVITIES THIS WEEK include Kehau Ke, who will ride on horseback with her pa'u unit as the princess to represent the Island of Hawai'i in the Merrie Monarch Parade on Saturday. Her horse and riders' lei and dress will feature the island's official color red. Also on horseback from Ka'u will be Lorilee Lorenzo and her pa'u unit. She will represent the island of O'ahu. Her Her horse and riders' lei and dress will feature the color yellow.
Performing this week is Halau Hula o Leonalani, under the leadership of Kumu Debbie Ryder. They performed on Sunday and Wednesday and will perform again this Saturday at noon at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
Among the many local entities promoted during Merrie Monarch Week are Ka'u Coffee Mill and Shaka Tea, with much of its mamaki tea grown in Wood Valley. Shaka is offering free samples of mamaki outside its Hilo headquarters on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 116 Keawe St. Also numerous crafters and artists with roots in Ka'u will display and sell their creations at venues throughout Hilo.

Thursday's Merrie Monarch events include Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair from 9 am.. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Miss Aloha Hula competition, which is sold out but covered live on television, starts on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Edith Kanakaole Stadium.The Group Hula Kahiko (ancient) hula competition is sold out but will be televised live and starts on Friday at 6 p.m. The Group Hula 'Auana (modern) competition is sold out but will be televised late and starts on Saturday at 6 p.m.

See more at merriemonarch.com. See the compeititions live on K-5 television and live streamed and archived at HawaiiNewsnNow.com/MerrieMonarch.

Hālau O Kekuhi - Nālani Kanaka‘ole during the Merrie Monarch Ho'ike on Wednesday evening. Photo by Tracey Nime

SHAKA TEA AND KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL are supporting the Merrie Monarch event and promoting locally grown farm products this week. Kaʻū Coffee Mill is supporting statewide television promotions of Merrie Monarch, featuring employee and Pāhala resident Melinda Eder at Kaʻū Coffee Mill farm. Shaka Tea, with products created from māmaki tea, much of it growing in Wood Valley, is offering free māmaki sampling at its headquarters in Hilo Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 116 Ke'awe St.

Awhina - Ora and Leilani Kihi, Maori dancing at Merrie Monarch Ho'ike on Wednesday. Photo by Cody Yamaguchi

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HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC'S ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY PROGRAM "launched a new framework that streamlines choices for customers," says a statement issued April 1. Called Smart Renewable Energy, "it represents the next step in Hawaiian Electric’s push to bring more customer-sited renewable energy resources onto the grid as Hawai‘i strives to achieve its ambitious clean energy goals," according to Hawaiian Electric. "

"Smart Renewable Energy, also known as Smart DER, was developed under the oversight of the Public Utilities Commission. It consolidates and replaces all Hawaiian Electric’s previous rooftop solar programs except for Net Energy Metering (NEM). For solar customers who want to pair their rooftop systems with energy storage, Hawaiian Electric is also offering a new incentive program called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), which is replacing Battery Bonus.

Going forward, customers who apply to install a grid-connected solar system must do so through Smart Renewable Energy, which offers an export and a non-export track. Customers enrolled in one of Hawaiian Electric’s rooftop solar or energy storage programs prior to today have several options to choose from as the company transitions to Smart Renewable Energy and BYOD:

For Net Energy Metering and NEM Plus: No changes will be required for customers in these programs.

Customers with Grid Supply, CGS Plus and Smart Export: Customers enrolled in these programs must transition to the Smart DER export track no later than seven years after their initial agreement date, starting Oct. The transition will be done automatically by Hawaiian Electric.

For Customer Self Supply or Standard Interconnection Agreement, customers are not required to switch to Smart Renewable Energy, but if they choose to do so they will transition to the program’s non-export track.

New programs to offset electric bills by feeding
solar into the grid are offered by Hawaiian Electric.
Photo from Hawaiian Electric

Customers in any of the above programs have the option of transitioning to Smart Renewable Energy before their agreement end date by filling out a form on Hawaiian Electric’s website.

Battery Bonus customers are not required to transition to the new BYOD program but have the option to do so prior to their Battery Bonus agreement ending.

“We are excited to offer our customers Smart Renewable Energy and BYOD, which give them an opportunity to offset their energy bills while helping make the grid more resilient,” said Kaiulani Shinsato, Hawaiian Electric Customer Energy Resources co-director. “Hawaiian Electric is thankful to all the stakeholders who worked so hard to bring this to fruition.” Smart Renewable Energy and BYOD are the culmination of a multi-year regulatory effort that included input from the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, solar industry representatives and the Consumer Advocate. The Smart Renewable Energy export rates and other information about the new programs are available at hawaiianelectric.com/smartprograms

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RESTRICTION FOR VEHICLES IN TREE MOLDS RECREATIONAL AREA OFF MAUNA LOA ROAD has been announced by the National Park Service. Due to recent safety concerns, restrictions have ALSO been imposed on accessing Tree Molds Road via the northern gravel road from the horse corral.
The temporary closure of Tree Molds Road and recreational area to vehicles is due to heavy equipment operations. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be allowed access on paved sections of Tree Molds Road but must use caution and yield to trucks and machinery on the roadway. Access to Tree Molds Road via the northern gravel road from the horse corral is closed to pedestrian and bicyclist during times of construction.  
The restrictions will begin Thursday, March 21 through early April, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The road and Tree Molds area will be open to vehicles at all other times.  
The statement from NPS says, "Work continues on Phase One of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Disaster Recovery Project and traffic safety and infrastructure upgrades. The latest project updates include establishing a materials staging area at the former horse corral off Mauna Loa Road."
Construction closures and delays are updated on the park's new construction webpage: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/construction-closures.htm.

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KAʻŪ BOYS BASEBALL boys team beat Kealakehe 6-3. Kealakehe took the Girls Softball game 20-1, both played on Wednesday.

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Chefzone aims to teach the skills for using Hawai'i-grown, raised or caught ingredients to create
food businesses. Applications are available to participate. Photo form HACA

CHEFZONE: FROM COTTAGE INDUSTRY TO COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE is a program to train entrepreneurs for Hawai'i's food industry and is accepting students, including those who will take the class virtually, with some travel to O'ahu. Hawai'i Ag & Culinary Alliance is accepting applications for cohort 4, which aims at cultivating the next generation of Hawaiʻi's value-added entrepreneurs using Hawaiʻi-grown, raised, or caught ingredient. Individuals will have the opportunity to work alongside industry experts to build and establish their new food businesses. For more information, visit the website at https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/cottageindustry/ or RSVP for the virtual info session on Wednesday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. The program funs from June 17 - Sept. 9. Applications are due April 15.

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HAWAI'I COUNTY MAYORAL CANDIDATE SEAULA JR. TUPAI will come to the Herkes Ka'u District Gym on Thursday, April 11. The start time is 6 p.m. Tupai is pastor of Overcoming Faith Center in Hilo and ran for Lt. Governor in the 2022 election.

His background includes working with the National Guard Youth Challenge Academy in Hilo, coaching football at Kamehameha School and Hilo High School.

His campaign website says, "Jr. understands what it means to serve. He understands that as a public servant, the emphasis should be on serving. Therefore, he has decided to run as a Hawai'i Public Servant, to serve the people once again in another capacity. For far too long, servants in office have not listened to the people and have forgotten what it means to serve. It's about time to put people in office who are close to the pulse of the community."

See votetupai.com.

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THE PIT CRATER AT KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is subject of a presentation by Ecologist David Benitz, and a discussion on Saturday, April 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Kahuku Visitor Station.

Benitez, who led botanical exploration for the Natonal Park after Kahuku's acquisition, will talk about peering into the 150-foot deep crater from the rim as a look back in time. He will also answer all kinds of questions about the place.

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USING STEM AT USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY is the subject of this week's Volcano Volcano Watch written by HVO field engineer Steven Fuke:
STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. In the educational system, encouraging STEM curriculum prepares students for future careers in STEM fields. In this Volcano Watch article, we'll describe how aspects of STEM are applied at the USGS Hawaiian

Staff at HVO study volcanic processes and associated hazards in Hawaii, with the emphasis and end goal of protecting life and property. The backbone of the observatory is the monitoring network, consisting of a diverse array of instruments located on the flanks of the volcanoes. These instruments relay data back to the observatory, providing information on the behavior of Hawaii's active volcanoes.
The monitoring network is installed and maintained by the HVO field engineering team. Many hours

are spent commuting to and from remote field sites. At any one site, field engineers do a variety of tasks, such as changing batteries that power the station, clearing vegetation from near the station, or changing parts that are broken or need to be upgraded. In the shop, field engineers build new stations or station modules, and engineer solutions to solve station-related issues.
One important instrument in the HVO monitoring network is the tiltmeter, which records subtle changes in how the ground tilts over time. These tilt changes give an idea of the pressure in the underlying magma reservoir. The data output of the tiltmeter is represented on a time series plot. Scientists specializing in ground

A tiltmeter casing on the south flank of Kīlauea volcano

flooded with water. The tiltmeter casing is less than a foot

in diameter. USGS photo

deformation at HVO interpret tilt data, paying particular attention to whether the data are trending towards inflation or deflation. The tiltmeters at Uēkahuna and Sand Hill on Kīlauea, for example, provide information on the Halemaʻumaʻu and south caldera magma storage areas beneath Kīlauea's summit region.
HVO field engineers install tiltmeters below the ground surface, so that they can be protected from weather and other elements near the surface. The instruments are housed in a pipe casing that is filled with dry sand; the depth of the tiltmeter is site specific.
During a past storm system, accompanied with torrential rains, water had infiltrated a site specific tiltmeter casing. Nineteen feet of the casing depth was filled with wet sand and water, negatively impacting data quality.
The casing had to be cleared of the wet sand and water. The question was, how? Ordinarily, we would use a wet/dry vacuum to extract out the dry sand from this casing, for example if the tiltmeter needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, the negative pressure of one wet/dry shop vac was inadequate for wet sand extraction at this depth because wet sand has a higher density (mass/volume) than dry sand.
An increase in negative pressure would be required to remove the wet sand. This was accomplished by integrating two vacuums into one inlet hose. To ensure an airtight environment that would couple the two vacuums, a plastic enclosure with a rubber seal was designed. This combined all the negative pressure being created by the two vacuums, providing increased suction action to extract the wet sand in one hose. One vacuum source provided suction for half of the volume of the hose, while the other vacuum source provided suction for the other half of the volume of the hose. In essence, the suction power was doubled within one hose, allowing the dense and wet sand to be pulled into the hose. With over 200 instruments across the Island of Hawaii, HVO field engineers are adept at adaptively responding to the various situations that can occur at these remote monitoring stations. This suction solution is just one example of how the HVO field engineering team uses aspects of STEM to problem solve.

Volcano Activity Updates: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
Average earthquake counts below Kīlauea's summit over the past week were below 30 detected events on most days. This remains well below the amount detected during the January–February intrusion or prior to recent summit eruptions. Tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff continued to record modest inflationary trends over the past week. No unusual activity has been noted along the rift zones.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
Two earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 9 km (5 mi) NE of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on March 31 at 7:58 p.m. HST and a M3.2 earthquake 93 km (57 mi) SW of Lanai City at 10 km (6 mi) depth on March 28 at 9:56 a.m. HST.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.g ov.

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Entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park will be inone lane starting April 8, due to construction. Photo from NPS

A SINGLE LANE ENTRY AT Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will be available starting next Monday, April 8, due to upcoming construction activities. "Park visitors and tour operators should anticipate delays and potential congestion at the entrance station during this period," says a statement from the Park.

What: Construction will begin on the administrative lane at the entrance station to improve safety and traffic flow. The current phase will concentrate on the right entrance lane along Crater Rim Drive, encompassing tasks such as curb removal, clearing and grubbing the shoulder for the new administrative lane, and grading the shoulder.
When: Beginning April 8th, the entrance station at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will be limited to one lane and booth for approximately two weeks. Further coordination will be conducted if a longer closure of the lane is necessary.
Why: Work continues on Phase One of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Disaster Recovery Project and traffic safety and infrastructure upgrades. The latest project updates include establishing a new roundabout west of the entrance station to improve safety and traffic flow.
How to stay informed: Construction closures and delays are updated on the park's new construction webpage.
Plan ahead: Purchase a digital site pass from www.Recreation.gov before the visit. Download and print pass in advance due to limited connectivity at the entrance station.
Plan ahead: Purchase a digital site pass from www.Recreation.gov before the visit. Download and print pass in advance due to limited connectivity at the entrance station.

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HPD ARRESTED 17 FOR DUI during the week of March 25 through March 31. Hawai‘i Police Department arrested 17 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Eight of the drivers

were involved in a traffic accident. Two of the drivers were under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 233 DUI arrests compared with 256 during the same period last year, a decrease of 22.7 percent.
HPD's Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 252 major crashes so far this year, compared with 231 during the same time last year, an increase of 9.1 percent.
To date, there were 12 fatal crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities (two of which had multiple deaths), compared with four fatal crashes, resulting in five fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 200 percent for fatal crashes and 180 percent for fatalities.
In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
HPD promises DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL'S HAWAIIAN ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR wraps up Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Afook Chin Civic Auditorium and Butler Building in Hilo. Kaʻū crafters and artists are among the presenters.

Monk seals and seabirds are under threat with loss of habitat and new threats of disease,
Photo from Environment Hawai'i

RISING SEAS, INCREASING DISEASE THREATS AND CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS IN TOP PREDATORS are trouble for marine mammals in Hawaiian waters, especially monk seals and false killer whales. This is the report from Environment Hawai'i in its April edition from Patricia Tummons:

Scientists studying these animals described the gravest threats as:

Sea level rise. This has diminished the land available for monk seals to bear their pups. The three main pupping islands at French Frigate Shoals have disappeared and seals are crowding onto other islands.
Avian influenza. A new variant H5N1 has shown up in marine mammals from Washington state to Antarctica. Experts fear seabirds could carry it to Hawaiʻi and transmit it to monk seals, dolphins, and other marine mammals.
Toxoplasmosis. This parasite, spread by cats, is a leading cause of monk seal deaths in the Main Hawaiian Islands. It is also known to have led to the deaths of spinner dolphins in the islands.
The article says, "Of these, maybe the most troubling is what is occurring globally with the spread of

highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1). In Argentina, an outbreak of avian influenza killed 70 percent of the elephant seal pups born in the 2023 breeding season. Mortality rates were almost 100 percent by early November in the area of Penísula Valdés, where more than 17,000 pups died. In Peru, more than 5,000 sea lions died of the highly pathogenic avian flu, according to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control."
Environment Hawai' reports on a meeting of the Pacific Science Review Group, which advises the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on compliance with the Marine Mammals Protection Act. "Scientists expressed alarm over the prospect of the highly pathogenic H5N1 arriving in Hawaiʻi, possibly carried here by seabirds. Elsewhere, in South America, the South Atlantic, and even Antarctica, thousands of birds have died after becoming infected with a highly contagious, highly deadly variety of avian influenza.
In January, the Wildlife Conservation Society issued an urgent warning that the virus threatens wildlife across the globe. “H5N1 now presents an existential threat to the world’s biodiversity,” said Chris Walzer, the group’s executive director of health, in a news release.
“It has infected over 150 wild and domestic avian species around the globe as well as dozens of

False killer whale. Photo from Environment Hawai'i

mammalian species. The bird flu outbreak is the worst globally and also in U.S. history, with hundreds of millions of birds dead since it first turned up in domestic waterfowl in China in 1996.”
Environment Hawai' reports taht "The Centers for Disease Control has said that the risk is low that this highly contagious, highly pathogenic avian influenza – (HPAI) – might spread to humans from mammals, even though 'a small number of sporadic human cases … have been identified since 2022,' all associated with poultry exposures.
However, at least one person in Texas appears to have contracted avian flu from cattle. Herds of cattle in states ranging from Texas to Idaho to Michigan have now been infected with the highly pathogenic avian flu, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA has detected HPAI H5N1 in wild mammals in every state along the Pacific Coast.
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Walzer noted that globally, the highly pathogenic virus “has now infected many mammals – including foxes, pumas, skunks, and both black and brown bears in North America. Some 700 endangered Caspian seals died from HPAI near Dagestan in 2023…. HPAI H5N1 has arrived in Latin America with devastating consequences.”
Should avian flu arrive in Hawaiʻi and infect monk seals, the result could be disastrous. The entire population of monk seals is estimated to be just around 1,600 animals, most of them found in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, with around 400 in the Main Hawaiian Islands.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does have a disease outbreak plan for monk seals, as well as preparedness plans for other disasters, both natural and human-induced, according to Shanelle Naone, public information officer for NOAA in Honolulu. That plan, she said in an email, “is focused on morbillivirus,” but added, “we are working to adapt these preparedness efforts to HPAI

H5N1.” Among other things, she said, NOAA is partnering with the University of California-Davis “to explore and test the utility of bench-top analyzers that are rugged and portable and have the potential to detect influenza in about an hour; these will be particularly useful for remote parts of the species’ range.”
And, since the presence of avian influenza in the islands would likely be seen first among birds, Naone said, “we are working with agency partners who study and surveille avian wildlife. … We also have arrangements to submit monk seal samples to one of the primary diagnostic laboratories that is being used to analyze other pinnipeds in the United States.”
“Our current focus, also in collaboration with other agencies, is on remote areas of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, as we are preparing for the upcoming field season. We want to equip field researchers with all the information they need to look for indications of influenza in wildlife and report back.”
The vulnerability of marine mammals that do not rest on land is difficult to assess. But in 2022, a stranded porpoise in Sweden and a bottlenose dolphin were found to have died as a result of H5N1 infection, as well as two dolphins and a harbor porpoise in England in 2023.
A report in The New York Times on the 2022 strandings quoted Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Our surveillance activities on a global scale are never sensitive enough to pick up the only two events of this kind,” Webby told the paper. The discovery of avian flu in two different species on two different continents suggests there have “almost certainly” been other cases, Webby was quoted as saying.
Recently, reports have proliferated of stranded whales and dolphins suspected of having been infected with avian flu. In February, an outbreak of H5N1 was detected in the population of wandering albatross on the South Georgia islands, having earlier been detected among brown skua and kelp gulls.
"Should the virus arrive in Hawaiʻi, it could pose a serious threat to the survival of not only monk seals, but also the endangered insular false killer whale population (numbering fewer than 170 individuals) as well as albatross, other seabirds, and even endangered native forest bird populations," concludes Patricia Tummons of Environment Hawai'i.

See more and support Environment Hawai'i at https://www.environment-hawaii.org/?p=15854.

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THE MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL featured its Royal Court and the Kahiko, ancient hula competition on Friday, with winners to be announced on Saturday night following the 'Auana, modern hula competition.

On Saturday is the 61st Royal Merrie Monarch Parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo along Kamehameha Ave, Wai'anuenue Ave, Keawe St. and Kilauea Ave. Among those representing Kaʻū in the parade will be Princess Kehau Ke and her Pāʻū Unit riding for the Island of Hawai'i and Princess Lorilee Lorenzo and her Pāʻū Unit riding for the island of O'ahu.

The Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Crafts fair is open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ah Fook Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Building in Hilo, with a number of artists and artisans from Kaʻū and beyond presenting their creations for sale. Among them are Malie and Tanya Ibarra and Donna Masaniai.

At noon, Kaʻū's Halau Hula O Leionalani will preform at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder.

Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua - Kumu Hula Carlson Kamaka Kukona III. Photo by Bruce Omori

Entrance of the Royal Court at Merrie Monarch 2024 on Friday, April 5. Photo by Bruce Omori/Merrie Monarch Festival

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Kaʻū Pā'u riding team represented O'ahu in Merrie Monarch Parade on Saturday. The team is comprised of Pages Jesse Lorenzo and Ikaika Grace, Outrider Frank Lorenzo Jr., Princess Lorilee Lorenzo, Pooper Scoopers Shophia Montoya, Quentin Lorenzo and Jessie Lorenzo, Jr. Photo by Alohi Grace.

Lorilee Lorenzo of Pahala represents O'ahu with the color yellow
and sunflower lei for her horse in the Merrie Monarch Parade.
Photo by Marc Chun /Merry Monarch Festival

MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL WRAPPED UP ON SATURDAY WITH THE PARADE AND THE 'AUANA COMPETITION.

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.

Kehau Kalani represented Hawai'i Island in the Merrie Monarch Parade on Saturday. Photo from Kehau Kalani

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."

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Kumu Hula ui Rick San Nicolas demonstrates Hawaiian featherwork as it was accomplished in ancient times.
Photo from Rick San Nicolas

THE ART OF HAWAIIAN FEATHERWORK will come to After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Artist-in-Residence, Kumu Hula Nui Rick San Nicolas, will give the presentation. It follows his participation in the Merrie Monarch Festival over the last week.
A Park statement explains that ʻahu ʻula (feather cloak) and mahiole (feather helmet) symbolized the highest rank of the chiefly aliʻi class of ancient Hawaiʻi.

San Nicolas is a kumu hulu nui, a master of ancient Hawaiian featherwork. He will demonstrate the art of Hawaiian featherwork as it was done in old Hawaiʻi, a long and painstaking process.

The evening is co-sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation and Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It is free, but park entrance fees apply.

THE SIERRA CLUB HAWAI'I ISLAND MOKU LOA GROUP HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT ON DEVELOPMENT AT PUNALU'U, written by Elsa Deadman, Hawai' Island Group member, and Chuck Flaherty, Hawai'i Island Group chair.

Headlined "Huge community turnout in opposition to proposed Punaluʻu development in Kaʻū," it says,
"On March 7th, hundreds of people showed up to testify before the Hawaiʻi County Windward Planning Commission (WPC) against a Special Management Area Permit application for a proposed resort development surrounding the black sand beach at Punaluʻu in the Kaʻū district. Because the WPC meeting had to end at 5pm, the WPC voted to defer decision-making on the agenda item to their May 2nd meeting agenda.

"The community first learned of the Special Management Area (SMA) permit application in late January. Almost immediately, community members began to mobilize opposition to the SMA permit application. Sierra Club member Elsa Dedman gave a presentation at the February 19th Hawaiʻi Island Group (HIG) Executive Committee Meeting. Because the Sierra Club has been involved in community opposition to prior attempts to develop this area over the past 40 years, HIG agreed to support the community's efforts through research and logistical support.
"The Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, which assisted community efforts when a previous project was proposed for the property 18 years ago, will be assisting again, as well.
"The Center for Biological Diversity subsequently agreed to represent Elsa in filing for a contested case. Two other contested cases have been filed as well. If the WPC approves the SMA permit application, the WPC will then determine whether or not to grant the requests for contested cases.
"On the weekend before the WPC meeting, Nohealani Kaʻawa and Guy Enriques facilitated the Punaluʻu Rally with 225 community participants in attendance. To date, over 15,000 people have signed the online petition at https://www.thepetitionsite.com/854/086/898/residents-who-oppose-the-resort-in-punaluu-ka%C5%AB/.
"The community has identified the following issues:
"The failure to follow past Archaeological Inventory Survey recommendations has resulted in over 100

cultural and historic sites being destroyed, which should be a trigger for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The impact on and protections for cultural resources and traditional and customary practices has not been adequately determined.
"Numerous sites on the property meet criteria for placement on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The area is eligible for consideration as a Historic District.
"The wastewater treatment plant and system has become dilapidated to the point it should be replaced, which would be a trigger for a SEIS. The potential for pollution in the nearshore marine environment used by thousands each year is high.
"The impact on endangered species has not been adequately determined. For instance, Jason Turner, a UH marine biologist has stated, 'Punaluʻu coastline meets the strict criteria needed for the turtles to lay eggs; 1 in 10,000 make it back to their nest again. Minimal environmental practices and development will affect and change the life of the sea turtles and all of the species.'
"The Planning Director should not waive certification of the shoreline given the impacts of climate change since the last certification was done.
"Stay tuned for more information about the May 2nd meeting and how you can help. If you have not already, please take a moment to sign the petition and encourage your family and friends to do the same."
The county Planning Department is yet to put the Punalu'u hearing on its May 2 agenda.

Sunrise at Punalu'u on Easter Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal

A virtual field trip brings the world of Hawai'i's forest birds into classrooms.

A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP ABOUT ENDANGERED FOREST BIRDS is available to students across the state, courtesy of state Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Wildlife and such partners as Keauhou Bird Conservation Center near Volcano, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which focus on the care and perpetuation of numerous critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds.

During this Year of the Forest Birds (ka Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele), the focus is sharing the plight of five species that are in trouble by educating keiki through the virtual field trip, which is comprised of a collection of 360˚ images, videos, and interviews that allow students to learn about places and species they might not get to see in person.
Dr. Josh Atwood, DOFAW Information and Education Specialist. produced this virtual field trip as well as several others over the past four years. See them at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/virtual/

'Alala, native Hawaiian Crow at rest n Keuhou Bird Conservation Center.
Photo from KBCC

“We really started this program during COVID, thinking people were unable to get out of their classrooms and to see different places around Hawai‘i,” Atwood said. He explained that after the pandemic virtual field trips remained a good educational tool because not everyone can visit ecologically sensitive places like Keauhou Bird Conservation Center in person. Other entries in the virtual field trip program include visits to closed areas like the laboratory for the Snail Extinction Prevention Program or the site of Kamehameha III’s summer palace at Kaniakapūpū, where in-person classroom visits would not be possible. “With a virtual field trip, a class anywhere in Hawai‘i can experience the center and develop an appreciation for the state’s forest birds.”
In late February, armed with a collection of cameras and technology, Atwood worked with the host of the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center virtual field trip, wildlife care supervisor Lisa Mason. First standing outside the facility, Atwood records Mason as she delivers her introduction. “On your field trip today, you’ll get to see our facility and some of the birds who call this center their home. ʻAlalā, Palila, ʻAkikiki, ʻAkekeʻe, and Kiwikiu. By putting a tour into a virtual format, it not only makes it available to a broader number of classrooms, but students can explore it at their own pace. It’s a great way to have something that would be good in-person and enhance it by having it as a virtual field trip experience,” Atwood added.

Lisa Mason, host of Keauhou Bird Conservation Center
Virtual Field Trip. Photo from DLNR

Once inside the center, taping continues, first in the center’s “keiki corner” surrounded by a floor-to-ceiling mural of forest birds, gifted by local artist Kathleen Kam. “Here on this mural, you can see many of the birds that live across our islands, represented in their native habitats,” Mason explains.
She and the cameras then move into the library which features the second part of the mural. It’s dedicated to the native Hawaiian crow (ʻAlalā), which viewers will see in real life, once the shades are raised. In addition to ecological education, the virtual field trip also addresses the importance of forest birds and culture.
Mason said, “To Kānaka Maoli, our native Hawaiian birds are very important to us. They have many roles in the forest as forest engineers. They help to pollinate plants and to spread seeds to regenerate forests.”
According to Atwood, acceptance and utilization of previously produced virtual field trips has been good, and his team is currently working with the Department of Education to align the virtual field trips with curriculum standards. “We’ve only had our virtual field trips online for a few years and we have something like 70,000 page views. We’ve heard from teachers and students how useful the virtual field trips are. There are clearly places where entire groups of people cannot travel, so this educational tool allows us to provide the next best thing.”

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Connie Ritchey checks out the partial eclipse
at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Photo by Julia Neal

A SMALL BITE OUT OF THE SUN WAS VISIBLE DURING THE SOLAR ECLIPSE FRIDAY MORNING, as seen from Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Volcano resident Connie Ritchey, a former ranger at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, manned the post and shared her eclipse glasses with others hoping to see the shadow.

She said she recalled the total eclipse in Hawai'i in July of 1991 with reports of cattle lying down to sleep when the sky went dark. People studying the reaction of marine life durning an eclipse reported them hiding among corals and in caves until the sun came back more than 30 years ago.
Saturday's partial eclipse was partially blocked by clouds around the island.

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HOKULELE BASKETBALL will hold a golf tournament to raise money to take its ninth graders to Las
Vegas in July to enter the Jam On It West Coast Championships.
Anyone who would like to donate or participate may contact Ravel Kaupu Jr 808-217-7243 or Jan Kaeza Penera Email: Kaeza.Hokulele@gmail.com.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE INVITES coffee farmers on Tuesday, April 9 to a live webinar on Coffee-Related Research and Management Updates. Wednesday's presentation and discussion at noon will be about location-specific treatments for Coffee Berry Borer on Hawai'i Island, The speaker is Mielssa Johnson of USDA ARS DKI PBARC. Call Matt at 808-322-0167.

Mayor Mitch Roth frequently talks about aiming for more sustainability on this island where keiki
"can thrive and succeed" and families can remain here at home without moving for housing and
to find employment. He said it again in his budget message on Tuesday. See more below. Image from the Mayor

A PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION FOR THE NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT OPTION for Pāhala is Wednesday April 10 from 6 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. The county plan, which would place the treatment plant on land between the pine tree lane on Maile Street and the macadamia nut husking plant on Hwy 11, is described by the county as "package wastewater treatment plant with new collection system." Plan document will be available for viewing and comments are welcome. The link to join the meeting by Zoom on April 10 is: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16031058165.

View county monthly status update at https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects/pahala-na-alehu-large-capacity-cesspool-closures and for direct download at https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/307481/638459178461591134.

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WITH THE THEME OF CREATING A SUSTAINABLE HAWAI'I, Mayor Mitch Roth and his administration presented an $888 million 2024-2025 County of Hawai'i operating budget to the County Council on Tuesday. He said the aim is for this place to be "a Sustainable Hawaiʻi Island where future generations can thrive and succeed."
The Mayor's budget message says, "The proposed total operating budget of $888,082,546 emphasizes sustainability and growth, with a noteworthy increase in General Fund revenue. This rise in revenue is the result of a combined effort in aggressive grant writing, a robust tourism sector, and an improved building process that has significantly reduced the average processing time for single-family homes to between 34-42 days, leading to an increase in the inventory of homes and tax collection."

It says, "the administration's successful grant acquisition efforts have brought in an additional $20 million, with significant contributions from the Office of Housing & Community Development and the Mass Transit Agency. These grants are pivotal in advancing housing initiatives and enhancing connectivity across the island, with a notable increase in the Housing First Voucher Program by $7 million, bringing the total to $30 million."
A relatively substantial part of the budget's revenue comes from the Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT), which has seen an increase from approximately $19 million pre-County TAT to around $27 million year-to-date. "This increase is a testament to the thriving tourism industry and its substantial contribution to the local economy," says the budget message. "In line with the administration's commitment to fiscal responsibility, the proposed budget maintains a 10.3% fund balance, ensuring a solid bond rating and the ability to invest in areas that enhance the community's well-being. This balance is a strategic measure to safeguard against unforeseen costs and maintain financial stability. It also helps to ensure money is there to deal with potential natural disasters such as those seen on Maui in 2023."
According to the Mayor, "The budget's focus extends beyond immediate needs, with a strategic emphasis on reinforcing county operations and preparing for the future. Investments in infrastructure maintenance, such as repairs to the Civic Auditorium in Hilo, re-grassing of Billy Kenoi Park in Pāhoa, and completion of Puʻu Nui Park and Kamakoa Nui Park in Waikōloa, among other projects, are key to preserving the island's assets. Additionally, allocating funds for state-of-the-art equipment, including emergency response vehicles and non-spray initiative tools, is crucial for enhancing service efficiency and community safety."

The proposed County Budget is more than $888 million.
The biggest area served geographically is District 6, which
includes Kaʻū, Volcano and South Kona.

Cybersecurity and digital investments are also a priority, with plans to introduce WiFi in 40 Parks' facilities across the island to enhance connectivity and promote digital equity. "This initiative is part of a broader effort to stay current with technology and protect residents' information from cyber threats."
The budget message says, "The administration is deeply invested in its personnel, recognizing the importance of a well-equipped and trained workforce. The budget aims to provide competitive salaries and opportunities for growth, ensuring that county employees and their families can thrive.
"As the county navigates rising costs, the proposed budget is balanced and financially responsible, aligning with the administration's priorities and available resources. Further, the administration looks toward the potential reduction in real property taxes (RPT), which would be a significant consideration in alleviating the financial burden on residents and promoting affordable housing."
Roth expressed described t he budget thoughtful, bold and sustainable. "It is an honor to serve this community and work alongside the Council to create a future where our keiki can raise their keiki for generations. We look forward to a constructive discussion as we finalize this budget together," said the Mayor.

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TWO CASES OF WHOOPING COUGH, pertussis, are being investigated by the state Department of Health is investigating two confirmed cases of pertussis, along with eight probable cases in two separate households without travel-related exposures on Hawaiʻi Island. Both households have school-age children that attend local schools but are in geographically distinct areas of the island. DOH reports that no one is hospitalized, and is working with the families and schools to identify close contacts and encourage them to seek medical attention for preventive care as well as testing if symptomatic.

These confirmed cases follow five previous confirmed cases of whooping cough in Oʻahu visitors among a single household in February 2024, which included a child who was hospitalized. The newer cases on Hawaiʻi Island are not connected with the February cluster. In the past five years from 2019-2023, there were 90 confirmed and probable whooping cough cases reported in Hawaiʻi, including 28 cases linked to three outbreaks. The last case prior to the currently reported cases in 2024 occurred in October of 2023.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria. It can cause severe coughing fits (up to 10 weeks or more), followed by a high-pitched "whoop" sound when breathing in. Whooping cough can lead to serious complications, especially in infants, such as pneumonia, dehydration, seizures, and brain damage. Infants may not cough at all. Instead, they may have apnea (life-threatening pauses in breathing) or struggle to breathe.
DOH recommends seeing a doctor as soon as possible when:
Experiencing symptoms, such as runny nose, fever and coughing violently and rapidly;
Struggling to breathe;
Turning blue or purple;
DOH suggests the best way to stay protected is to stay up to date with recommended whooping cough vaccines. Two vaccines used in the U.S. help prevent whooping cough are DTaP and Tdap. Infants and children are recommended to complete a series of DTaP doses. Adolescents are recommended to receive one dose of Tdap preferably at age 11 or 12 years old. Women should get a Tdap dose during the third trimester of each pregnancy to help protect their babies early in life, according to DOH.
Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hawai'i's 2022-2023 kindergarten coverage rate for DTaP was 87.0% compared to a national average of 92.7%. Compared to the previous year, Hawai'i had the largest increase in vaccination exemptions.
Staying up to date on routine vaccinations is an effective way of protecting our families and the larger community from outbreaks. Parents who are hesitant about vaccination are encouraged to discuss their concerns with their child's https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.htmlid contact with others until you are no longer contagious. People can spread the bacteria from the start of the very first symptoms symptoms (see https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.html) and for at least two weeks after coughing begins. Taking antibiotics early in the illness may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious. Learn more about treatment at https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/diagnosis-treatment.html

The federal Center for Disease Control & Prevention recommends practicing good hygiene to prevent the spread of the bacteria that cause whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses:
Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Throw away used tissues in a waste basket right away.
Cough or sneeze into you upper sleeve or elbow if without a tissue. Never cough hands as germs can be spread this way.
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
For more information about pertussis (whooping cough), visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html.

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CHEFZONE ENTREPRENEURS for Hawai'i's Food Industry: Virtual Information Session. Wednesday April 10 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Hawai'i Ag & Culinary Alliance is accepting applications for cohort 4, which aims at cultivating the next generation of Hawaiʻi's value-added entrepreneurs using Hawaiʻi-grown, raised, or caught ingredient. Individuals will have the opportunity to work alongside industry experts to build and establish their new food businesses. For more information, visit the website at https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/cottageindustry/. RSVP for the virtual information session at https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/cottageindustry-infosession/.

TROJAN VARSITY BASEBALL PLAYS KAMEHAMEHA on Wednesday April 10 from 3 p.m at Pāhala Baseball Field.

Kaunāmano stewardship is the subject of a public input meeting at Kahuku Ranch Cabins
on Saturday, April 20. RSVP at tinyurl.com/kaunamano. Photo from Ala Kahaki Trail Association

IN ADVANCE OF ATTENDING THE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION ON KAUNĀMANO stewardship with the meeting set for Saturday, April 20, Nohopapa Hawai'i is asking for completion of a short RSVP form. It can be filled out at tinyurl.com/kaunamano, in order for the organization to estimate expected attendance.
The open-house talk story is to share background information on the process and schedule fo the Stewardship Plan for Kaunāmano, gather mana'o on the cultural and natural resources to preserve and protect Kaunamano, share areas of potential concern relating to the resources, and share mana'o on opportunities for future stewardship.
The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kahuku Ranch Cabins in the Koa building. Light pupus and drinks will be provided. With questions, contact info@nohopapa.com.

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HAWAI'I IS RANKED SEVENTH GREENEST STATE by WalletHub, With Earth Day around the corner and the U.S. having experienced $92.9 billion in damage from weather and climate disasters during 2023, WalletHub made the announcement this week and said it aims to showcase the states that best protect the environment.
WalletHub compared the 50 states in terms of 25 key metrics that speak to the current health of the environment and residents' environmental-friendliness. The data set ranges from green buildings per capita to the share of energy consumption from renewable resources. Hawai'i ranked first in Soil Quality and Water Quality, second in the least Gasoline Consumption per Capita, and third in the least Energy Consumption per Capita.
The Greenest States overall are California, followed by Vermont, New York, Maryland, Washington, Minnesota, Hawai'i, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For the full report, visit:https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987.

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LIMITS ON SIX FOREVER CHEMICALS IN DRINKING WATER have been established by the Environmental Protection Agency. For the first time, EPA established maximum allowable levels of some Polyfluoralkyl substances or PFAS, the "forever chemicals." They were first manufactured in the 1940s

to waterproof and stainproof products. The chemicals are linked to cancers, liver damage, high cholesterol and other ailments. EPA is requiring water utilities to check for the chemicals in drinking water and remove when exceeding EPA limits. With an annual estimated cost of some $1.5 billion, the federal government has promised to assist with the funding.
The six chemicals are PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS. They are found in carpets, rugs, upholstery, food packaging, cookware, makeup, cleaning ingredients, firefighting foam and much more.

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HONOLULU HAS THE BIGGEST INFLATION PROBLEM, followed by Miami, according to a study by WalletHub released this week. Inflation, particularly in housing costs, has led to some residents fleeing to outer island places like Kaʻū to buy some of the least expensive properties in the state. However, prices have been going up quickly, with multiple prospective buyers bidding up sales prices higher than the asking prices.

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HAWAI'I PUBLIC RADIO'S spring membership campaign kicked off Wednesday on HPR-1 and HPR-2 across broadcast and online streaming platforms. Financial contributions from the community make up 94

percent of the station's $7.4 million operating budget statewide. "Funding from listener contributions and local sponsorships provide critical resources for HPR's in-depth news, talk and music programs, as well as the broadcast and digital infrastructure to deliver these programs to the public," says the HPR announcement.
HPR's stated that its "primary goal for this campaign is to grow its membership base, which provides a steady, predictable revenue stream that allows the statewide station to plan for future growth. Automatic monthly donations from HPR members are the preferred way to support the local, nonprofit, noncommercial, community-owned radio service. Tax-deductible contributions can start at $10 a month.
"Community support makes it possible for HPR to further invest in content that listeners rely on. While newsrooms across the country are shrinking, the HPR news team is expanding to bolster its commitment

to statewide and global coverage." In July, HPR hired its first full-time reporter based in Maui County, longtime Moloka'i Dispatcheditor Catherine Cluett Pactol. On the music side, HPR welcomed a new contributing host to Bridging the Gap, Jeffery Ryan Long.
HPR reportst that "HPR supporters are assured that their contributions will be used wisely. For 11 consecutive times, HPR has earned a four-star rating, the highest possible, from Charity Navigator, the country's largest independent evaluator of nonprofits. This sustained top score is an indicator of HPR's transparency and fiscal accountability, and assures donors that their contributions will be used wisely. Only 4percent of charities evaluated receive this sustained top rating."
The campaign is scheduled to conclude at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 19. Donations may be made online at members.hawaiipublicradio.org or by calling 888-536-4700.

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Site selection is completed for the new sewage treatment plant in Pahala to replace the old plantation days gang cesspools.
Final comments are due this coming Monday. Image from County of Hawai'i

THE NEW PĀHALA SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT could be operating by January, 2027. That is the target date set by County of Hawai'i and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, according to a presentation made at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday evening. The team from the county Department of Environmental Services said final public comment is due April 15 with a deadline for the county to submit its Final Environment al Information Document by July 30. After EPA approval of the EID, County will submit an Implementation Plan within 30 days.
Money has been approved by the federal government to contract the construction of the sewage distribution system, starting this year and the sewage treatment plant next year. The new system will accommodate homes, the Catholic Church, shopping center, offices and other facilities along the route of the old plantation system that carries sewage to a gang cesspool, which will be closed. Noone will have to pay to hook up, though those along the way who have cesspools or septic systems, will have to pay for the pipe that goes to the hookup and for shutting down their old cesspool or septic systems.
The capacity of the sewage treatment plant will about double that of the old gang cesspools, which

means that once the project is completed, homeowners and commercial property owners may be able to add on rooms and additional small dwellings and businesses on their properties, depending on their size and zoning. Currently, those served by the old gang cesspool system are not legally allowed to add more sewage to the system by adding onto or constructing new buildings.
Presentation by the County on Wednesday included the statement that the Waste Water Treatment Plant and new collection system "will meet the goals of the Ka'u Community Development Plan to improve environmental management facilities of extending waetewater services within the Pahala Community, which will protect the community health, safety, and the island;'s environmental resources."
The new collection system will be primarily in the public roadways with piping some five to eight feet underground.
The location of the treatment plant is between the macadamia nut husking plant mauka of Hwy 11 and the pine tree lane on Maile Street. It will be set back from the Norfolk pine trees and macadamia orchards will remain in place and receive underground drip irrigation from the treated effluent within the 14.9 acres to be acquired for the project from Kamehameha Schools.
Learn more by reviewing documents at https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects/pahala-naalehu-large-capacity-cesspool-closures. The YouTube channel is at www.youtube.com/@cohenvirronmentalmanagement. The EPA website is at https://www.epa.gov/uic/closure-cessbools-pahala-and-naalehu-administrative-order-consent-county-hawaii.

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SEISMIC SURVEYS ACROSS ACTIVE VOLCANOES continue through the work of Hawai'i Volcano Observatory and collaborators. HVO and Collaborators Continue Seismic Surveys Across the Active Volcanoes of Hawai'i is the title of the latest Volcano Watch written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.
The Island of Hawai'i is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. In the last five years, an average of 600-1200 earthquakes per week have been detected by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. This regular rumble of activity across the island can be used to our advantage to assess the hazards that Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes represent.
The permanent HVO seismic network consists of nearly 100 stations located across the island. HVO scientists use these stations to monitor the location and character of seismic activity, paying particular attention to signals that might herald migrating magma or potential eruptive activity.
As seismic signals move through the ground, they are affected by the structure of the subsurface that they travel through. The presence of magma or fault zones below the ground surface can change how the seismic signals move through these regions. Scientists can take advantage of these altered signals, which are recorded on seismometers at the surface, to create images of where magma is located below.

Color map of seismic project deployments

Using data from only the permanent HVO seismometers provides us with fuzzy pictures of underlying magma storage. As the number of seismometers at the surface is increased, more of the seismic waves traveling through regions of magma storage are recorded. This yields a crisper picture of where magma is located; how big that region of magma storage is; and how it might connect to the surface. The higher resolution the image of magma storage is, the better our understanding of the volcanic hazard a particular volcano represents.
To move beyond the fuzzy images of magma storage at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes created in past studies using only permanent seismic stations on the Island of Hawai'i, HVO has purchased a pool of lightweight, portable seismometers that can be easily deployed to target regions of interest. HVO's seismic nodes were purchased as part of the USGS Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157).
In the summer of 2022, these 80 seismic nodes were deployed across the Pāhala region to understand the cause for swarms of deep seismic activity experienced below. Specifically, HVO and collaborators at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa are testing the hypothesis that magma stored 15–25 miles (24–40 km) below this area migrates laterally through the subsurface (potentially to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa), causing the observed high earthquake rates.
In the summer of 2023, HVO scientists and collaborators at the University of Miami and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute deployed 1800 seismic nodes (both HVO's nodes and nodes borrowed from the

A seismic station on Mauna Loa. USGS photo

EarthScope Consortium's instrument pool) across Kīlauea summit. The focus of this experiment is to understand where magma is stored beneath Kīlauea's summit and how it migrates to the surface before eruptions.
Currently, HVO and collaborators at ETH Zürich, a public research university, are finalizing locations for about 300 nodes to be deployed in the summer of 2024 across the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. This deployment will collect data near the 2018 Kīlauea eruption site, focusing on understanding how much magma is distributed across the East Rift Zone and how it connects to Kīlauea's summit magma reservoir.
Finally, HVO and collaborators at the University of Miami will put out another 50 seismic nodes across Mauna Loa's summit and rift zones in summer 2024 to gain a greater understanding of how much magma is stored in these regions and how they might be connected to the surface.
Results from all of these seismic node experiments will be interpreted together to form a cohesive view of magma storage below the most active volcanoes on the Island of Hawai'i. We hope to determine how much magma is possibly stored deep beneath Pāhala and whether it connects to Kīlauea and/or Mauna Loa. At Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, we will determine how much magma is stored beneath the summits and rift zones and the potential pathways to the surface. By better understanding the magma storage regions and their connections, we can better asses the hazards posed by these volcanoes.
Volcano Activity Updates: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
Earthquake activity below Kīlauea's summit remains low relative to periods before recent intrusions or eruptions. Less than 200 events were detected over the past week, which is comparable to the week before. Tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff continued to record modest inflationary trends over the past week. No unusual activity has been noted along the rift zones.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
One earthquake was reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.4 earthquake 19 km (11 mi) WNW of Kalaoa at 34 km (21 mi) depth on April 5 at 11:30 p.m. HST.

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Desiree Moana Cruz at VAC on Friday.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

ALOHA FRIDAYS AT VAC GALLERY: with Desiree Moana Cruz. Friday April 12 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz shares traditional and contemporary dye processes and the use of repetitive symbolism featured in hula garments. She is an advocate for Hawaiian practitioners and a member of Hālau Na Kipuʻupuʻu of Waimea. Free cultural events are part of VAC's Cultural Connections Initiative supported in part by Hawaiʻi State Grant In Aid Wai Wai Program. Park fees apply.

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KAʻU TROJAN VARSITY BASEBALL plays Kamehameha Saturday April 13 from 1 p.m at Pāhala Baseball Field.

CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION SUBMISSION DEADLINE is Friday, April 19 for Ka'ū's high school students. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol in the

Cannon tunnel, on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page and U.S. Rep Jill Tokuda's website and social media pages. Submit photo of completed art and student release form to Shaun Kim at Shaun.Kim@mail.house.gov. Mail or deliver physical artwork by Friday April 19 at 5 p.m. to the office of Rep. Jill Tokuda at Topa Financial Center, 700 Bishop St. Suite 1902, Honolulu, HI 96813. For more information (808) 746-6220.

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MEET ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE RICK SAN NICOLAS on Tuesday April 16 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium  in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Rick San Nicolas is a kumu hulu nui, a master of ancient Hawaiian featherwork. Part of Hawai'i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and co-sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation and Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free event. Park entrance fees apply.

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THE THIRD HAWAI'I SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT WILL BE HELD on Thursday, Friday and Saturday May 2 - 4 at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. A statement from Hawai'i County says the event is about "Community leaders called to convene in a series of events celebrating a collective commitment to building a sustainable Hawai'i. It is organized in collaboration with Hawaiʻi Green Growth Local 2030 Hub, Aloha+ Challenge, and Friends of the Future and "aims to unite like-minded organizations, individuals, and the youth of Hawaiʻi in a shared mission to achieve our six priority Hawaiʻi sustainability goals."These goals ae Natural Resource Management, Smart Sustainable Communities, Solid Waste Reduction, Clean Energy Transformation, Local Food and Green Workforce & Education.

Ideas for Smart, Sustainable Communities ithat came out of last year's summit include:

Rezone to allow multi-generational housing and residential and commercial zones nearby each other;

Create an employer working group to analyze housing needs over lifetime;

Meaningfully engage communities throughout the State and County Request for Proposals, procurement process;
Revise affordable housing policies;
Set up neighborhood board systems to make sustainable communities community-driven;
Survey major organizations to gauge investment/projects in the next 5 yrs to find synergies in sustainability;
Develop affordable living plan (as opposed to looking only at affordable housing) and socialize it with all key stakeholders;
Allow communities to themselves define sustainable development, align regulatory processes;
Take advantage of HRS 46-15 to pilot an affordable housing project in a location where people work;
Fast-track permitting to achieve smart sustainable communities.

Mayor Mitch Roth said, "We're thrilled to reconvene for the Hawaiʻi Sustainability Summit, where leaders and community members collaborate to shape a sustainable future for our island home. This year's discussions will focus on transforming insights into actionable strategies that preserve our natural and
cultural resources while enhancing our residents' overall quality of life. Together, we're committed to securing a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island where our keiki can raise their keiki for generations to come."
As part of the initiative, Hawai'i County will present the following events for keiki to kupuna to engage throughout the summit:
Working Groups: Building the Foundation for Sustainable Growth. In the lead-up to the Summit,

through April, a series of pre-summit events will provide a dynamic platform for thoughtful engagement and collaboration among participants. These sessions are designed to foster dialogue and develop strategies that align with the sustainability goals that are crucial for the well-being and future of Hawaiʻi Island.
Youth Congress: Empowering Our Keiki. A centerpiece of this year's Summit is the inaugural Youth Congress, an innovative gathering that will bring students from across Hawaiʻi together "to voice their perspectives and contribute to the collective vision for our island home." It will be held on Thursday,
May 2 at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa , 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Summit: Culminating in Collective Action. "The Summit itself will serve as the culmination of these engagements, synthesizing the insights from both the Youth Congress and various working groups. In a tradition of honoring past Summits, the event will create an environment ripe for discussion, debate, and most importantly, the formation of a collective agreement on the sustainable path forward for Hawaiʻi Island." It will be held on Friday, May 3 at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa,| 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Community Celebration: Showcasing Our Achievements. To cap off the Summit, a celebration presented by Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa will provide an opportunity for participants and the wider community to connect, spotlight achievements, unveil future plans, and celebrate the spirit of collective effort toward sustaining Hawaiʻi.
The County statement says, "Hawaiʻi Sustainability Summit 2024 is a movement towards a sustainable and prosperous future for Hawaiʻi Island. The program of events is open to all who share in the vision of sustainability, community, and collective action." For more information on how to participate in the Summit or attend the pre-summit events and Celebration, visit the website or contact directly. It will be held May 3 at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 5:30 p.m – 8:30 p.m.

Events are free to the public. For more information see https://hisustainabilitysummit.com/

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MAYORAL CANDIDATE SEAULA JR. TUPAI AND COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith came to Pāhala Thursday evening on the campaign trail. They made campaign promises like repairing the Pāhala Fire Station, county and state roads, and creating incentives to grow food. Other promises included new lights and other infrastructure for the ballfields and parks in Pāhala, Na'alehu and Ocean View. They promised to solve the school bus problem where there is a shortage of drivers and buses.

They talked about the challenge of affordable housing. One approach was making it easier for local people to build their own affordable housing for their families on land they already own. Another strategy was preventing speculation by somehow disallowing "foreigners" to buy homes here. Another was to keep property taxes low from generation to generation so that those inheriting homes here would not be driven away by neighbor's houses being sold at high prices leading to their own property taxes soaring.

Seaula Jr. Tupai, right and Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith,
center, on the campaign trail in Pāhala Thursday.
Photo by Julia Neal

Tupai said that billionaires such as the Beinoffs and Zuckerbergs are "buying up land all over Hawai'i." He said that he would sign any legislation that would advocate for locals being able to afford or buy homes. He said he would also sign legislation limiting vacation rentals that take away local housing.

Tupai talked about "food independence, noting that if the ships didn't come in with food for Hawai'i, stores would last two to three days. Regenerative farming is the way, said Tupai, suggesting community gardens and county incentives to grow food.

Regarding the proposed development at Punalu'u, Kailiawa-Smith and Tupai said they oppose it and mentioned the broken down sewage treatment plant and the water system. Candice Ka'awa, property manager at Punalu'u, said the water and sewage systems there continually pass Department of Health and other tests and have not experienced sewage spills or water shortages. She said, given the situation of the property owners having little income from the 100 users to fund the system built for 2,000 units, the owners are doing their best to keep it working. She urged the candidates to check the facts before

Hālau o Maunalei will perform at the hula platform
in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday at 10 a.m.

overstating the situation. Tupai said he wanted to learn more about the sewer and water systems from Ka'awa and thanked her for speaking up.

Both Tupai and Kailiaiwa-Smith talked about having more control over public school administration locally. They talked about cutting bureaucracy, overspending in government and the value of having tradesmen and other hands on people in government leadership positions.

See more at www.votetupai.com.

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HULA ARTS WILL BE DEMONSTRATED at the kahua hula platform in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park this Saturday, April 13. Sponsored by Volcano Art Center, it features Kumu Lehua Brayand Hālau o Maunalei. It begins at 10:30 a.m. Free but park entrance fees apply.

TROJANS VARSITY BASEBALL plays Kamehameha. Saturday, April 13 from 1 p.m. at Pāhala Baseball Field.

Nine kāhuli, Hawaiian land snails, have been named official land snails for specific Hawaiian Islands.
Photo from DLNR

NINE OF THE 750 NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAND SNAIL SPECIES have become the official snails of the state with Hini Hini Kua Mauna becoming the official snail of Hawai'i Island. Called kāhuli, pupukanioe, and polole in Hawaiian language, Hawaiian land snails'"ornate shells once blanketed the trees of Hawai‘i with a presence so abundant some believe the kāhuli’s song was composed by the wind swirling through their shells," according to the ‘ōlelo no‘eau, ke kāhuli leo le‘a o ka nahele. Kāhuli are described in hula, mo‘olelo, oli, and i‘ōlelo no‘eau.
State Department of Land & Natural Resources reports that kāhuli's "adaptive radiation of approximately 750 species across the Hawaiian islands is an ecological spectacle, elucidating theories of evolution and island biogeography. Unfortunately, scientists estimate up to 90 percent of this diversity has vanished as a result of introduced invasive predators, habitat loss, over collection and climate change. Since 2012, the Hawaii Snail Extinction Prevention Program has attempted "to reverse the extinction of this species and return healthy populations to Hawaii’s forests for future generations to enjoy," states the DLNR message at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/sepp/.
Hawai‘i Snail Extinction Prevention Program is a partnership between U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Hawai’i Department of Land & Natural Resources-Division of Forestry & Wildlife and University of Hawai‘i. The program secures rare and endangered snail species through the integration of novel captive rearing methods, on the ground management of wild populations and coordination with partner groups to align rare snail conservation objectives and management techniques across islands and entities.

Gov. Josh Green signed legislation on Friday, naming an official land snail for each island.
Photo from DLNR

On Friday, Gov. Josh Green signed legislation designating an official state kāhuli, or snail, for each of the main Hawaiian islands, as well as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In a ceremony at Washington Place, he signed into law House Bill 1899, which recognizes nine native snail species as state snails. “Land snails are among the most threatened creatures in the world, with more recorded extinctions than birds and mammals combined,” said Green. “Last year, I proclaimed the ‘Year of the Kāhuli’ to help bring attention to the plight of our native snails, which in Hawaiian culture have significant roles in mele, hula, and oli. They are symbols of romance and omens. That we have so many youth who fought hard for this legislation gives me great hope for Hawaiʻi’s future.”

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Brad Watanabe of The Green mentors Kaʻū music award winners.
Photo from Kendall Calumpit

MUSICIANS FROM KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY earned a mentoring session on O'ahu from guitarist, pianist, music producer Brad Watanabe of the band The Green. On Friday, Kendall Calumpit, Keileo Kana-Broadfoot and Emil Soriano, Jr. traveled to O'ahu and Ko Olina Four Seasons Hotel as winners in the HI Sessions, SPARX Hawai'i Music Contest.

They performed and received recommendations from Watanabe, along with meeting other winners of the music competition from around the state and touring the Four Seasons hotel, including the Presidential Suite with its own theater, said Calumpit.

SPARX "is a musical talent search throughout four Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa schools to platform budding artists and encourage them to create their own path in life." See www.sparxhi.com.

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THE PUNALU'U DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL EXTENDED PUBLIC HEARING has been set for

Monday, May 6 at the County Building Council Chambers in Hilo. Those who were turned away at the end of day during the March hearing will be allowed to testify first. There will also be testimony allowed through zoom.
The hearing is before the Windward Planning Commission, which is tasked with whether or not to issue a Special Management Area permit to allow the proposed Black Sand, LLC development, including 225 accommodations set back a quarter mile from the shore, makai of Hwy 11 at Punalu'u, commercial enterprise near Black Sand Beach and other renovations and expansions of the old Sea Mountain resort there.
In March, 80 persons spoke in opposition and eight for the SMA approval.
Malama Punalu'u has announced protest events and is encouraging those opposed to join a caravan to Hilo and to testify against the proposal.
Center for Biological Diversity's Maxx Phillips, along with Guy Enriques, Nohealani Ka'awa, and Elsa Kalanikauleleiaiwi Dedman, have filed a petition seeking a contested case about the SMS matter before the Planning Commission.

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TROJANS VARSITY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL this week saw Honoka'a win in baseball 7-6 over Kaʻū on Saturday. Honoka'a also won the softball game 32-1. On Wednesday, Kaʻū beat Pahoa 3-1 in baseball and Pahoa beat Kaʻū 15-6, reports Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo.

CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION Submission Deadline is Monday, April 15 for Kaʻū's high school students. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon tunnel, on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page and Rep. Jill Tokuda's website and social media pages. Submit photo of completed art and student release form to Shaun Kim at Shaun.Kim@mail.house.gov. Mail or deliver physical artwork by Friday April 19 at 5 p.m. to the office of Rep. Jill Tokuda at Topa Financial Center, 700 Bishop St. Suite 1902, Honolulu, HI 96813. For more information (808) 746-6220.

IN GIRLS SOFTBALL on Saturday, 32-1 Honokaa wins

Baseball

7-6 Honokaa wins

Journey to the Summit begins this Saturday at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Photo by Janice Wei

NATIONAL PARK WEEK BEGINS THIS SATURDAY, April 20 and runs through April 29. It begins with a fee-free day and an event called Journey to the Summit. Families can go to Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai to pick up an adventure pack and directions to activity stations located within a half-mile of the visitor center. Each station features a challenge and a dice roll to guide the quest. Complete the required tasks and return to the welcome tent to claim a prize. For other NP Week and April events, visit the park calendar: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.

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The anti-chicken fighting bill failed in the 2024 Hawai'i Legislature.
Photo from Animal Wellness Association

STATE LAWS TO FUTHER CRIMINALIZE CHICKEN FIGHTING with stiff fines and arrests in Hawai'i died in the state Senate and is unlikely to be revived this year, according to state Sen. Tim Richards. He said that the bill became caught up in concerns that people selling and buying chicks, feed, vitamins and other products used to raise legal meat chickens and egglayers could be caught up in prosecutions involving the feeding of illegal game chickens used for fighting and gambling.
The bill would have made it a felony to take a child to a cock fight, to buy and sell fighting chickens and it would be a crime to possess chicken fighting paraphernalia.

The state Public Defender testified against the bill, pointing to the long history of chicken fighting in Hawai'i, and called it part of the culture. Those testifying against it called in animal cruelty and pointed to the illegal gambling associated with chicken fighting.

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BRIEF ROLLING OUTAGES BY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC occurred Sunday night on Hawai'i Island, when 21,557 customers around the island experienced a 30-minute outage starting at 8:54 p.m. and ending at 9:59 p.m. "due to a generator shortfall."
Hawaiian Electric announced ahead of the outages that the emergency outages are to impact various areas around the island. Timing is to depend on customer usage and available generation. Customers are asked to conserve electricity. The utility is asking residential and business customers on Hawai'i Island to

reduce their electricity use also on Monday o prevent the need for additional rolling outages.
Hawaiian Electric stated that "Conservation helps ensure that enough power is available for all customers. Suggestions include turning off air conditioners and unneeded lighting, shutting off water heaters and pumps, and delaying activities like cooking, showering, laundry, and dishwashing until late in the evening.
"The request for conservation is prompted by the unavailability of several large generators. Hawaiian Electric's Hill 5 steam unit tripped offline Saturday. Its Puna steam unit and CT-1 combustion turbine unit also are under repair. Its Keahole CT-5 unit is expected to return from annual overhaul by the end of April. These units generate about 62 megawatts combined. In addition, independent power producer Hamakua Energy is offline. The island's largest generator provides up to 60 megawatts to the grid. In addition, wind and solar resources are forecast to be lower than normal.
Last month, Hawaiian Electric urged residential and business customers to conserve energy through the end of April due to the unavailability of several large generators. "Conservation helps ensure that enough power is available for all customers, especially between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. when electricity use is highest." Tips and resources are available on the company's website hawaiianelectric.com/hawaiiislandupdate.
Conservation and rolling outage alerts and updates are posted on the company's Facebook (HawaiianElectric) and X (@HIElectricLight accounts. Hawai'i County Civil Defense also sends emergency alerts through local radio and its Everbridge emergency notification system.

For more information, visit hawaiianelectric.com or follow Hawaiian Electric's X account @HIElectricLight.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

Schools in Kaʻū and beyond can become Ocean Guardian Schools, with funding from NOAA.
Photo from NOAA

FUNDING FOR HAWAI'I SCHOOLS THAT COMMIT TO BE OCEAN GUARDIAN SCHOOLS is available with a deadline to apply on June 1 through Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The program supports PreK-12 teachers and students to promote watershed education and ocean stewardship in the school and community.

An Ocean Guardian School makes a commitment to protect and conserve local watersheds, the world's oceans, and special ocean areas. Each school proposes and implements a school-or community-based conservation project. Grant applications range from $1,000 to $4,000 per school. The application is available at https://nmssanctuaries.blob.core.windows.net/sanctuaries-prod/media/docs/2024-ogs-application.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDelivery In Hawai'i, for more information, contact mahealani.bambico@noaa.gov

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PUTTING INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACES NEAR THE OCEAN SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED, according to a new University of Hawai'i study by Earth scientists. A statement from U.H says, “As sea levels rise, coastal groundwater is lifted closer to the surface while also becoming saltier and more corrosive." It says that "networks of buried and partially buried infrastructure have increased danger of corrosion and failure of critical systems such as sewer lines, roadways and building foundations due to interaction with this shallower and saltier groundwater."
Shellie Habel, lead author and coastal geologist in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), said, “While it has been recognized that shallowing groundwater will eventually result in chronic flooding as it surfaces, what’s less known is that it can start causing problems decades beforehand as groundwater interacts with buried infrastructure. This knowledge gap often results in coastal groundwater changes being fully overlooked in infrastructure planning.”

The research team aimed to create awareness about these issues and offer guidance from world experts on managing them. Habel and co-authors reviewed existing literature to examine the diverse effects on different types of infrastructure. Additionally, by employing worldwide elevation data and geospatial data that indicate the extent of urban development, they identified 1,546 low-lying coastal cities and towns globally, where around 1.42 billion people live, that are likely experiencing these impacts.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report tells us that sea-level rise is an unstoppable and irreversible reality for centuries to millennia,” said Chip Fletcher, study co-author, interim dean of SOEST, and director of the UH Mānoa Climate Resilience Collaborative “Now is the time to prepare for the challenges posed by this problem by redesigning our communities for greater resilience and social equity.”

The report states that "Well before the visible effects of surface flooding, sea-level rise pushes up the water table and shifts salty water landward. With this, the subsurface environment becomes more corrosive to critical underground infrastructure networks—buried drainage and sewage lines can become compromised and mobilize urban contamination, and building foundations can weaken." It says that
"Extensive research conducted by CRC has substantiated that critical infrastructure around the world, including drainage and basements, is likely currently experiencing flooding from rising groundwater levels.

“The damage caused by sea level rise-influenced coastal groundwater is often concealed and not immediately perceptible,” said Habel, who is based at CRC and Hawaiʻi Sea Grant in SOEST. “As a result, it tends to be overlooked in infrastructure management and planning efforts.”

Habel said that “Being aware of these hidden impacts of sea-level rise is of significant importance for the State of Hawaiʻi due to the concentration of communities situated along low-lying coastal zones where groundwater is generally very shallow.”
CRC collaborates with partners across the nation and infrastructure managers in Hawaiʻi to gain a comprehensive assessment of how vital infrastructure, encompassing pipe networks, roadways and buildings, is impacted. "Understanding the impacts and risks associated with sea level rise-influenced coastal groundwater enables more effective management and adaptation," according to CRC.

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IT'S CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TIME AT THE HAWAI'I LEGISLATURE. Public Access Room has produced a video to help the public learn which bills have passed over the Senate or state House of Representatives and has noted that sessions are not only live but available on you Tube.

During conference, legislators work on final versions of the bills that they want to send off to the governor. No more public testimony is accepted, but citizens can still make their voices heard. Learn about what goes on, how to advocate, and how to keep track of things during conference.
Watch Video at https://lrb.haw aii .gov/par/video-on-the-conference-process/

Follow bills and learn more at capitol.hawaii.gov.
Bill deadlines in the weeks ahead are:
April 22 = Executive Budget (HB1800) Decking
April 25 = Final Decking (non-fiscal bills)
April 26 = Final Decking (fiscal bills)
May 3 = End of session, Last day for Final Reading

Conference takes place from Monday, April 15, through Friday, April 26. The function of conference committees is to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Bills must move out of conference and be decked for final reading by the Final Decking deadlines (April 25 for non-fiscal bills, April 26 for fiscal bills).

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More than a week of events will fill the Kaʻū Coffee Festival June 1-8, including farm tours. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

THE FOURTEENTH KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS ARE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED. They will take place June 1 through June 8, ending with the traditional ho‘olaule‘a and Ka‘ū Coffee Experience in Pāhala.
The Kaʻū Coffee Festival, presented by the Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Cooperative and its President Gloria Camba, is “designed to celebrate Ka‘ū as a premium coffee growing origin and a unique visitor destination.” Organizers note that many of the events are free, while others require a nominal fee and reservations.

KaʻūCoffee Recipe Contest will be Saturday
June 1 at Kaʻū Coffee Mill.Photo by Julia Neal

Here is the full schedule of events to date:
Saturday, June 1: Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest offers a free cooking competition for adults and keiki at 11 a.m. with cash prizes at the Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Entries are accepted in pupu, entree and dessert categories for adult and student divisions. All recipes are made with Kaʻū coffee and attendees enjoy free coffee, tastings and entertainment. Entry deadline is May 27. Contact 808-928-0550 for registration info.
Saturday, June 1: Pa‘ina & Open House at historic Pāhala Plantation House featuring music, hula, food and house tours 6 p.m. -9:30 p.m. Co-hosted by Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative, Pāhala Plantation Cottages and The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper. Free, potluck, donations accepted.
Wednesday, June 5: Tour Kaʻū Coffee Farms and see how this world-class coffee is grown, harvested and processed. Meet the farmers and talk story to learn their challenges and successes. Take a free, self-guided tour; participating farms will be listed on the festival website.

Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch will be Thursday, June 6 during
Kaʻū Coffee Festival Week. Photo by Jesse Tunison

The statement from the coffee festival organizers invites visitors to come to Kaʻū for the week of festivities: "During the week enjoy the scenic and historic beauty of Kaʻū, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, Honu‘apo fishponds, the cliffs of Ka Lae—the southernmost place in the U.S.—and the nearby Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Stay in one of the many accommodations in Kaʻū, including hotels, cottages, cabins, campgrounds and more."
Thursday, June 6: Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch explores the historic flume systems of the sugarcane era and development of hydroelectric power in the lush Wood Valley rainforest. Limited to 30 participants, time is 9 a.m.-2 p.m., $60 per person, includes lunch. Reserve a spot at 808-928-0550.
Friday, June 7: Coffee & Cattle Day 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at scenic Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm. Find out how descendants of Kaʻū’s first coffee farmer sustainably integrate coffee with pasture-raised beef. $35 fee includes a hearty, all-you can eat outdoor buffet featuring local specialties. Reserve your spot at 808-927-2252.
Friday, June 7: Kaʻū Star Gazing enables sky seekers to view the heavens via telescopes guided by professional astronomers from the hills surrounding Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Find out how stars are instrumental in the age-old Hawaiian art of wayfinding and navigation. Time is 5:30 p.m. -10 p.m., $60 fee includes a barbecue dinner and shuttle transport from Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Reservations: 808-928-0550.

Saturday, June 8 is the free Kaʻū Coffee Fest Ho'olaulea from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.
Photo by Jesse Tunison

Saturday, June 8: Fun is perking 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the free Kaʻū Coffee Festival Ho'olaule'a—the festival's grand finale of live music, hula, local food and crafts, keiki activities, educational displays, guided coffee tastings and farm and mill tours headquartered inside and out of Pahala Community Center.
A ho'olaule'a highlight is the free Kaʻū Coffee Experience where a variety of Kaʻū coffees are prepared using different brewing methods by professional baristas throughout the day.
Founded in coffee traditions dating to the 1800s— Kaʻū coffee burst onto the specialty coffee scene by winning numerous coffee quality awards. These accolades highlight the unique combination of people and place that makes Kaʻū coffee a favorite across the globe. The festival’s stated mission is to raise awareness of Kaʻū as a world-class, coffee-growing origin. Kaʻū Coffee Festival vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information and festival updates, visit kaucoffeefestival.com and follow Kaʻū Coffee Festival on Facebook and @kaucoffeefest on Twitter and Instagram.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC is encouraging customers to continue to conserve electricity until its sources of producing electricity are fully restored. Reducing electricity use will help prevent the need for brief rolling outages," according to the utility.
In the past few days, "conservation efforts – primarily by large business and government customers – reduced demand by about 5 megawatts and, combined with increased wind and solar battery storage, prevented the need" for some rolling outages, according to the utility.

"We're grateful for our customers' efforts to conserve electricity, especially between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. when electricity use is highest, because it does make a difference," said Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Kristen Okinaka. "By working together, we're helping to ensure that enough power can be available for all customers and prevent or minimize the impacts of rolling outages."
For the past several weeks, Hawaiian Electric has been asking residential and business customers to conserve electricity due to the unavailability of several large generators and cautioned that rolling outages might be needed if generation falls short of demand. Tips and resources are available on the company's website hawaiianelectric.com/hawaiiislandupdate.
"If necessary, brief outages will be initiated to prevent a loss of power to an even greater number of customers. Outages would rotate in various areas around the island and last for about 30 minutes. The areas and timing will be based on the amount of electric demand that needs to be reduced. Individuals who are dependent on electrically powered life support medical equipment are advised to arrange for a backup power supply."
Alerts and updates are posted on the company's Facebook (HawaiianElectric) and X (@HIElectricLight) accounts. Hawai'i County Civil Defense also sends out emergency alerts through local radio and its Everbridge emergency notification system.

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Buck Spenser won the art contest for the game bird stamp. He featured the Melanastic blue pheasant.

WINNERS OF THE THE GAME BIRD AND HAWAI'I WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STAMP ART CONTEST are announced for 2024-2025. State Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Wildlife named the winners this week and thanked wildlife artists who submitted entries and the committee who reviewed all submissions.

John Ching grew up in Hawai'i and won the
Conservation stamp art contest this year.

The conservation stamp is required on state of Hawai‘i hunting licenses, and the game bird hunting stamp is required for those intending to hunt game birds. Funds from sales of these stamps go into the state Wildlife Revolving Fund to support wildlife populations and habitats and to manage hunting programs in Hawaiʻi.
Both stamps will be available on July 1 for the 2024- 2025 hunting season. Wildlife stamp collectors can receive stamps by calling 808-587-0166 or visiting the DOFAW office at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, in Honolulu.
Game bird stamp winner is Buck Spenser who painted the Melanistic blue pheasant. A self-taught wildlife artist from Junction City, Oregon, Spencer started his artistic journey using pencil and transitioned into painting. Spencer’s father worked for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, inspiring him to start studying and drawing animals at a very young age. His older brother is a wildlife biologist and outdoor writer. Recently, Spencer won the California duck stamp contest, Oregon habitat stamp contest, and Louisiana duck stamp contest. Aside from painting, he enjoys fishing, hunting, and wildlife photography.

Conservation stamp winner is Jon Ching who painted Hawaiian Forest Birds. Ching grew up steeped in O’ahu’s natural beauty, which formed the foundation of his deep fascination with the natural and wild world. A self-taught painter, Jon’s devoted art practice and detailed realism is inspired by the interconnectedness of nature. He has a keen interest in endangered species, specifically endemic Hawaiian birds, and seeks to share their stories and increase awareness of their plight. Ching’s winning artwork for this contest features ʻakekeʻe, kiwikiu, ʻakikiki, and ʻākohekohe. These four honeycreepers are at risk of extinction due in large part to avian malaria and are currently a major focus of conservation efforts.

Jon Ching won the Conservation stamp contest hosted by DLNR and partners.

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HOPE SERVICES HAWAI'I HAS RECEIVED A $10,000 CHECK FROM CENTRAL PACIFIC BANK FOUNDATION. The Hawaiʻi Island-based homeless services provider was selected as one of seven Hawaiʻi non-profit

Hope Services Hawai'i receives $10,000 from Central Pacific Bank

organizations receiving a grant as part of Central Pacific Bank's 70th Anniversary celebration. "We are so grateful for this gift, which will allow us to continue our work to make homelessness on Hawai'i Island rare, brief, and nonrecurring," said Brandee Menino, CEO of Hope Services Hawai'i.
"Central Pacific Bank Foundation selected Hope Services Hawai'i because of its proven track record for providing much-needed support to homeless individuals across Hawai'i Island," said Arnold Martines, CPB President & CEO and CPB Foundation Director. "CPB Foundation is proud to partner with Hope Services Hawai'i to address this critical need in the community."
"It is because of donors like Central Pacific Bank Foundation that we can continue to make an impact," said Menino.
Those who would like to help neighbors on their journey out of homelessness can donate at hopeserviceshawaii.org/donate. To keep up to date, follow Hope Services Hawaiʻi on Facebook and Instagram@hopeserviceshawaii.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

THE HEALTHY KIDS ACT WOULD SET A MINIMUM AGE OF 13 FOR KEIKI TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA. Hawai'i U.S. Senator Brian Schatz presented an updated Healthy Kids Act on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. The bill would also prohibit social media companies from “algorithmically targeting content” to users under the age of 17.

Schatz said, "Tens of millions of kids in America are anxious, depressed, angry, lonely, sedentary, sometimes insecure, sometimes suicidal. And just about everybody, whether they’re parents or teachers or mental health professionals or even the kids themselves, points the finger at the same culprit: social media.

"We do not need more data to tell us what is so painfully obvious in schools and homes across the country. Social media platforms, with their wildly powerful, covert, and addictive algorithms, are driving our kids deeper and deeper into a sea of despair that they can’t find their way out of. Kids are being unwittingly sucked into rabbit holes that leave them in a constant state of panic and outrage, ashamed of their own bodies, lacking meaningful friendships and connections.

"The idea that a young kid ¬– a kid ¬– can feel so unhappy and so unfulfilled at the tender age of eight or nine, so much so that they seriously contemplate self-harm, is appalling. And it is a uniquely modern crisis created over the past decades by profit-chasing tech companies for whom nothing and no one is off limits. Not even very young kids. The math for them is very simple. Attention means money, and the best way to hold people's attention is to make them upset and keep them upset.

"You talk to any parent – whether they're raising a toddler or a teenager, whether they're a voter or a nonvoter, a Democrat or Republican – they are worried and they are frustrated about all the ways that social media is harming kids. But they don't know what to do about it. Or if they can do anything at all. Some might work two jobs and not have the time to monitor what their kids are up to online. Others might lack the technical literacy to operate parental controls and set limits on screen time. All they really want is for their young kids to be off social media altogether.

"Because there is no good reason that a nine-year-old should be spending hours every day scrolling through TikTok that's been programed with no concern for whether the content is age appropriate or not. There is no First Amendment right for an 11-year-old to be on Instagram, while an algorithm targets them with content glorifying starvation and fueling insecurities.

"By the companies’ own admission, social media was never meant to be used by young kids. Yet any parent, or anyone who knows a parent, knows that young kids are on these platforms anyway. And the only way that it will stop is if the federal law finally mandates that companies keep young kids off of their services.

Schatz said, "Delaying the onset of social media use is a straightforward and commonsense way to protect our youngest kids from the very worst of the internet's ills. To let them have a normal childhood in the real world. Play a sport, learn an instrument, read a book, go to the park, walk around with friends.

"And once kids are on social media at 13 or 14 or whenever, they need protection, particularly from the algorithmic targeting. Just last year alone, social media companies made $11 billion from ads targeted at kids under 18 in the United States. $11 billion. So it's no wonder that they have no appetite to change their business model without a federal law. It's working great for them, just not for the millions of young kids who are sad and lonely and angry because of it.

"Kids need help, and they need protection. And because the companies have shown time and time again that they will not step up, Congress must. I'm glad that we're seeing renewed momentum and urgency right now with a number of different proposals on this issue in the United States Senate. All of them, my bill included, share the same goal of keeping our kids healthy. But at the heart of this effort is an essential question of when our kids ought to be allowed to be on social media. At what age is it appropriate to use? If we're going to protect these kids online and act as a counterweight to the rich and powerful tech companies, answering that question and establishing an age minimum is essential. And that is what the Healthy Kids Act does.

"It is our job here in the Senate to consider any number of difficult challenges facing the country and the world and to debate what to do about them. But what is more fundamental to the role of the federal government than to protect the most vulnerable Americans, especially our children?

"If you think what's happening to kids online is unclear, look at the data. The percentage of high school students surveyed who experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year [rose] from 36% to 57% for females, 21% to 29% in ten years. In ten years. It might be the phones. You can consult the data. You can ask the Surgeon General of the United States. You can ask all of the people who have studied this, and they know it is early use of social media.

"Look, we all use social media, and our adult brains are not powerful enough to overcome the negative impacts. You're thirteen, you're nine, you're seven. You are going to be overpowered by these algorithms. We have to protect these kids. And if you don't believe the data, talk to any parent – Democrat or Republican, parent of a two-year-old parent of a 12-year-old. Everybody wants this tool in their tool kit. And the idea that we should pass a federal law mandating that all the social media companies have to do is have a little thing in settings where you can turn the dials on all the different aspects of your social media account is ignorant. It is ignorant. The idea that all we really need to do is precipitate a conversation between a parent and a child about social media use. No. What parents need is to be able to say, “I'm sorry, that's illegal. I'm sorry. You may not use these social media platforms.”

"And I think it gets really tricky and really complicated once a kid is 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. I understand that. And we've narrowed the bill to be more precise. Because there is no First Amendment right, there is no public policy upside for a nine-year-old to be on TikTok. Nobody can make that argument with a straight face. And so as we consider our options going forward on tech policy, but specifically protecting children online, the threshold question is at what age is it appropriate for a child to use social media? If I had my druthers, I would have set it at 16, honestly. But certainly we can all agree that there is no advantage to a child's life, a prepubescent child's life, a nine-year-old, a four-year-old, an 11-year-old being on social media.

"I am confident we will get this done. I'm confident that if this ever received a Senate floor vote, that it would be a resounding bipartisan majority. And I'm confident that the American people support us in this."

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

O KAʻŪ KĀKOU HAS ANNOUNCED THE 2024 Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. along Highway 11 in Nāʻālehu. OKK is looking for businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals that would like to be in the parade. Call or text Lee McIntosh 808-854-7846 as soon as possible.

Kaunāmano between Honua'apo and Nāʻālehu was seen in this real estate listing for $11.5 million in 2015 but has been conserved and is the subject of a community input stewardship meeting this Saturday at Kahuku Ranch Cabins at 10 a.m.
Photo from Hawai'i Pacific Brokers

COMMUNITY TALK STORY ON STEWARDSHIP FOR KAUNĀMANO is this Saturday, April 20 at Kahuku Ranch Cabins from 10 a.m. to noon. The almost four miles along the coast with 1,363 acres, is conserved between Honu'apo and Nāʻālehu and is managed by Ala Kahakai Trail Association.

In 2014, when community members were seeking funding for the purchase of Kaunāmano to preserve it, Trust for Public Land stated that “Acquisition would protect native gathering rights, subsistence fishing, the Kaʻū community’s access to the property’s nearly four miles of coastline, native ecosystems, possible endangered species, cultural sites and burials, and a cultural landscape of historic significance. "Acquisition would also allow for some recreational practices to continue such as recreational fishing, flying kites from the property’s lookout area Pohina Pali Lookout, and possibly camping.

"Excluding the coastal village, the property is grazed by a local rancher. Since there are no trees on this land, the huge, open vistas from the top of the property down to the shoreline allow ocean views almost unparalleled from any other site in Kaʻū. The property offers high educational and cultural benefits from being able to visit and learn from the many cultural sites. Kaunāmano means 'the multitudes are placed here.’ Protecting Kaunamano will honor a place where Kaʻū’s kupuna lived and where the people of Kaʻū visit today to remember their past.”

TPL described it as “a place of great historic significance as a seat of government for Kaʻū chiefs who kept a watchful eye on Kaunāmano from a vantage point overlooking the large coastal property and the Kahua `Olohu makahiki grounds directly mauka of the property. The property contains at least 444 ancient Hawaiian cultural sites with more than 3,900 features, including enclosures, mounds, platforms, walls, salt pans, walled terraces, petroglyphs, papamu, heiau, ceremonial sites, burial sites, a refuge cave (and other lava tubes) and a portion of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail which connects the coastal villages of Honu`apo to the north with Waikapuna to the south. Many of these sites are in the largely intact ancient coastal village of Pa`ula. Native coastal plants dominate the coastal landscape, `opae `ula (native red shrimp) abound in the large coastal cave of Puhi'`ula, and its pristine waters are home to numerous native fish, limu and other marine species."

In 2015, the property was listed for $11.5 million by Hawai'i Pacific Brokers with the listing noting its potential for subdivision. It was later preserved through governmental funding.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has announced its 40th annual Cultural Festival
will be July 20 at Kahuku. NPS Photo

THE 40TH ANNUAL VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL IS ANNOUNCED. It is planned for Kahuku on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free.
A vibrant lineup of local performers, hula performances and engaging Hawaiian arts and craft demonstrations will be announced in the weeks ahead. Visitors can also learn about local conservation efforts through fun, interactive exhibits.
Bring water, sun protection, and a rain jacket. Sunscreen, a hat and a ground mat or chair are recommended. Festival T-shirts, food and refreshments will be available for sale (or bring a picnic). This family experience is a drug- and alcohol-free event.
Kahuku is located on the mauka side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, a 50-minute drive south of the park's main entrance.
The 40th annual Cultural Festival is co-sponsored by Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and the Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.