Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 22, 2024

Kaʻū Taro Festival offered presentations on learning to plant taro and opportunities to take plants
and taro roots home to grow. OKK photo by Linda Davis

FIRST KĀNIWALA O KAʻŪ, THE KAʻŪ TARO FESTIVAL, drew growers from around the island to show it and Kaʻū residents to grow it. Organizers of the event held on Dec. 14, with Herkes Kaʻū District Gym as the main showroom, said they plan to make it an annual event. Its major sponsor is 'O Ka'ū Kākou and the organizer is Tim DeLozier, who chairs its scholarship committee. He said all money raised from Kaʻū Taro Festival will fund its 2025 Scholarships for Kaʻū students in secondary and career training.

    DeLozier reported that more than $8,000 was raised for scholarships. In addition about $10,500 was taken in by food, arts, crafts and other vendors. To give additional contributions to the scholarship fund, see www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival.

Several kinds of taro, some good for luau leaf, others for making poi
and other dishes, found new homes with those who attended 
Kaniwala Kalo O Kaʻū, the Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

   During the festival, Ti Chun emceed. Auntie Paulette Ke and her 'ohana conducted an opening protocol.     County Council member Michelle Galimba inducted Kaʻū youth Ioane Naboa, Alazae Forcum, Lexi Manilla-Louis and Arabella Ortega to become Honorary Festival Ambassadors. They later rode in the  Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade.

    Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko performed and its Youth Taiko Drummers presented their premiere performance.

    Rep. Jeanne Kapela presented a certificate of appreciation to OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi from the state Senate and House of Representatives. It praises OKK for all of its community work and says this about the meaning of taro and kalo:

    "Throughout the history of Hawai'i, kalo has been a staple food for the people of Hawai'i and has served as a symbol of the deep connection between people and the land."

    It says, by organizing the Taro Festival, OKK "brings the community together to celebrate the cultural, economic, and historical significance of kalo, while using this event as a platform to raise funds and awareness for initiatives that directly benefit the people of Kaʻū."

    The commendation says, "The Legislature of the State of Hawai'i hereby recognizes and congratulates 'O Ka'ū Kākou for organizing Kāniwala Kalo O Kaʻū, applauds its commitment to community service and cultural preservation, and extends to the organization a heartfelt mahalo for its dedication to improving the lives of the people of Ka'ū."

Ioane Naboa, Alazae Forcum, Lexi Manilla-Louis and Arabella Ortega, the Youth

Ali'i Court for Kaʻū Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

    The event also featured the hula of Na'a'ali'i, under the direction of Ulu Makuakane. South Hawai'i Symphony performed. Keoki Sereno sang and played 'ukulele as did Pahala Seniors.
     Taro farmers provided sales, displays and education. Artists and artisans honored taro in many forms from taro themed teddy bears, stained glass, jewelry, tiki and night lights, pottery and paintings to prints, fabrics, quilts, bags, woodworks and clothing to cuisine. Taro foods ranged from poi balls and kulolo and kalo mochi to taro smoothies and taro chips to kalo hummus and freeze dried pa'i'ai. 

Na 'A'ali'i, led by Ulu Makuakane danced for the first Kāniwala Kalo O Kaʻū, Kaʻū Taro Festival.
OKK photo by Linda Davis

Ulu Makuakane, who founded Na A'ali'i.
OKK photo by Linda Davis

    Sponsors included: OKK, Kaʻū Coffee Mill; Olson Trust; 'Ohana Foods in Hilo and Nāʻālehu; Mizuno Superette; CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union; Luana Hospitality Group with Huggo's, On the Rocks, Lava Lava Beach Club and Kai Eats Drinks; Kaʻū Auto Repair; Punalu'u Bakeshop; Malama Kaʻū Foundation; Gone Fishing, Inc.; Hawai'i Energy; Backyard Monkey LLC Tree & Yard Service and The Club at Discovery Harbour.
    For more, see http://www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival or call Tim DeLozier at 808-582-2342.

Aunty Paulette Ke and her 'ohana give the blessing for opening of the first Kaʻū Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

Kaʻū Taro Festival organizer Tim DeLozier, a member of sponsoring organization OKK. Photo by Julia Neal

Members of Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko group, both youth and adults, performed
for the Kaʻū Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

State Rep. Jeanne Kapela gives a commendation to OKK Pres.
Wayne Kawachi. OKK photo by Linda Davis

Ti Chun emcee Taro Festival. OKK photo by Linda Davis

Much art about taro filled the Kaʻū Taro
Fest showroom. OKK photo by Linda Davis

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com

OKK's Market in Nāʻālehu will be Monday this week and next week
due to the holidays.

Kaʻū News Briefs Dec.21, 2024

Invasive limu is a threat to Hawai'i reefs and not the natural food of local fish desired by local fishers. Photo from DAR

Fishers are urged to take a survey

and give ideas on managing reefs.

Photo from DAR

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF NEARSHORE FISHING in Hawai'i is the call from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. The local fishing community is encouraged to engage with the Reef Habitat Plan, with its subtitles For Fishers, By Fishers and A lawai'a guided plan by the Hawai'i Division of Aquatic Resources to improve nearshore fish habitat.
    "The project is focused on habitat restoration without proposing new fishing rules or regulations. The plan will help direct funding and resources toward the goal of improving nearshore fisheries abundance," says the DLNR statement. It says that Division of Aquatic Resources "recognizes that Hawai'i's fishers hold generations of experience and knowledge about our marine resources and this understanding serves as the foundation of the project. An online survey is currently open to gather feedback from the state's nearshore fishing community with two principal questions —how and where can we improve nearshore habitat?
    The survey is available on the Reef Habitat Plan website at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2e0e1452af2d4b9d81f83444661c6100.
    "For Fishers, By Fishers means that we're working hand-in-hand with the fishing community to create a plan fishermen want," said Tyler Kueffner, DAR Reef Restoration and Fisheries liaison. "Lawaiʻa voices on this project are essential to ensuring government is responding to what fishers already know."
    According to DAR, restoration methods that the fishing community has already identified include

Building Artificial reefs is one DAR program to expand fish habitat.
  Photo from DAR

creating artificial reefs, coral outplanting, invasive limu removal, research into the impacts of invasive roi, ta'ape and to'au, as well as working with other agency partners to address freshwater quality and quantity issues. "Feasibility will be assessed for each site, while considering practicality, cost, existing habitat conditions and interagency collaboration. Funding for the Reef Habitat Plan is provided by federal coral reef restoration grants.
    DAR reports that to date, the project has garnered over 250 survey participants through in-person outreach events on Hawai'i Island, Moloka'i, Maui, O'ahu, and Kaua'i, as well as virtual engagement on social media. In the coming weeks, DAR invites interested fishers to participate in a series of island-specific meetings which will focus on particular areas of each island where fish habitat should be improved. "These efforts will continue into early 2025, guiding the development of a draft plan with input from fishers, biologists and other agency partners."
    "Nearshore fishers are deeply invested in the future of Hawai'i's marine resources, and DAR encourages them to share their input," says the statement.
    "The best way to get involved," says Kueffner, "is to complete the online survey. It's anonymous and takes three minutes."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

THE RETURN OF THE O KAʻŪ KĀKOU KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT after going dark during COVID will be 8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25. Pre-registration ends at noon on
Thursday, Jan. 22.
    It's the 13th Catch & Release Keiki Fishing Tournament sponsored by OKK. It's for ages 1-14 and is held at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach where the headquarters are at the pavilion.
    Keiki fish for 90 minutes with hand poles with barbless hooks, using their own or those provided by the tournament. Bait is also provided. No chumming is allowed, A parent or legal guardian must accompany keik at all times.
    Registration is online at okaukakou.org. Printed forms can also be dropped off at The Land Office, LLC in Nāʻālehu Shopping Center or scanned or photographed and emailed to julieenriques1@gmail.com. Early registration is encouraged to reduce the long registration lines on tournament day, said Julie Enriques who is helping to produce the event.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com

Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 20, 2024

It is nēnē breeding season and visitors to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park are urged to look out
for the native goose, along roads, on roads and in parking lots. NPS photo 

Construction continues at the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
The Park recommends going there before 10 a,m. and after 4 p.m.
to also avoid the crowds. NPS photo

THE LATEST ALERT FROM THE VOLCANO AREA IS TO COUNT ON CROWDS DURING THE HOLIDAYS. A statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park says, "Visitors planning to see Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during the holidays should expect crowds and construction unless they plan ahead."
    "We don't discourage visitors from coming to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during the busy holidays, but we do urge everyone to plan ahead, be safe, and keep park resources safe," said Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh.
The Park statement says, "Plan ahead!" and lists "what every park visitor should know this holiday season." The list recommends:
    Avoid crowds at the park entrance and popular sites like the visitor center, Kīlauea Iki Trail and Nāhuku lava tube. 

    Come before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The park is open 24 hours, including Christmas and New Year's Day. (The visitor center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

One of the popular places at Hawai'i Volcanoes expected to be very crowded during the holidays is Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) and the Park recommends going there before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. NPS photo by Janice Wei

    A two-year construction project is underway in the park. Expect weekday traffic delays, area closures, detours and fewer parking spots. Drivers must use extreme caution and comply with traffic control workers, road signs and speed limits.

    Plan Ahead. Make the park website your first step before you visit. Find alerts, construction closures, things to do, hikes, drives and more.
    Plan B. If the area you want to explore is too crowded, go to a less-visited part of the park and try again later. Watch this 5-minute video for ranger tips on where to go.
    Hikers should always stay on trail and stay away from cliff edges and other hazardous terrain. Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated!
    Protect Nēnē is another alert from the Park which advises, "Drive attentively and watch out for the native goose especially on roadsides and in parking areas. It is nēnē breeding season and you could encounter families or individual nēnē throughout the park. Never feed them and keep your distance."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

 

Youth rangers with leader Kupono McDaniel on the left and Ranger Dan on the right.
NPS Photo by Janice Wei

THE YOUTH RANGER PROGRAM AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is reviewing applications for its summer internship program for 2025. The program is for high school juniors and seniors in Kaʻū and Puna.
   Youth in the program experience what it’s like to be a park ranger and types of careers possible with the National Park Service. Youth ranger training takes place at Kaʻū and Keaʻau High Schools.
    Interested youth can email Park Ranger Kupono McDaniel with name, address, phone number, high school and grade. Include a statement on "Why you want to be a Youth Ranger intern," and "Why the Park should choose you." Email letters of interest to kupono_mcdaniel@nps.gov or call him: 808-985-6015 with questions.
    The Youth Ranger Program has been operating for 15 years and is supported by the National Park Service, Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

A LEADER FOR A FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM AT KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY IS SOUGHT. Deadline to apply is Jan. 17. Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo said the school is "seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to lead our Flag Football program. This position offers an exciting opportunity to mentor student-athletes, foster teamwork, and promote a positive athletic experience for participants at both the high school and elementary levels."

    To qualify applicants must have: Experience playing or coaching flag football or a related sport; strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills; ability to work effectively with students, parents, and school staff; commitment to fostering the personal and athletic growth of student-athletes; and CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
    Each applicant must pass a background check in compliance with DOE requirements.
Qualifications include: Previous coaching experience at the high school or youth level; knowledge of flag football rules and strategies; and familiarity with Ka'ū High School & Pāhala Elementary's athletic program goals and community values.
   Stipend-based compensation will be provided. Interested candidates are required to submit a Coaching Application; brief cover letter expressing coaching philosophy and vision for the program; and contact information for at least two professional references, Deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 17. Send to Jaime Guerpo, Athletic Director. Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School; PO Box 100, Pahala, HI 96777. With questions, contact AD Guerpo at 808-289-3472.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

Volcano Art Center Gallery inside Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.