About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, August 15, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 15, 2014

Wahi Kupuna Internship Program participants visited a waterfall and swimming hole high up in the
mountains of Ka`iholena during their research this summer in Ka`u.
 Photos from Wahi Kupuna Internship Program
SHARING THEIR RESEARCH WITH KA`U is their ongoing intention, said Wahi Kupuna Internship Program students at their ho`ike yesterday at Pahala Plantation House. “We want to share the mo`olelo, whether in books or from people, and disseminate this knowledge far and wide,” said cohort leader Aoloa Santos. 
      The cohort of four college students and their mentors stayed at Pahala Plantation Cottages during their three weeks in the field mapping sites and gathering information at Punalu`u, Hilea, Ka`alu`alu and Wai`ohinu.
Preliminary research took place before the students
arrived in Ka`u.
      “We all fell in love with this place and connected,” Santos said. “We were lucky to have people to welcome us with open arms and share with us.”
      A student from Waipio Valley said she chose to study Wai`ohinu because of her connections to water. She told about various stories of how the ahupa`a got its name, which she translated as Shiny Water. She expressed her gratitude to those she interviewed, saying, “They all shared their mana`o.” 
      One student gave a history of land uses at Ka`alu`alu Bay, from a fishing village that extended inland with a natural harbor, marine resources and fresh water resources, to a stop for steamships traveling to and from Hilo, to a cattle ranch. She said the area’s history “could disappear into the a`a, but some is in the minds of the people” and government records. “I am trying to bring it together. In the doing is the learning.”
      Another student focused on Hilea ahupua`a. His research from Kawa to Ka`iholena included heiau on and near Makanau. He said Ka`u was known as the “land of rebels” because of residents characterized as only taking so much from abusive leaders. “You should be psyched; this is your `aina,” he said. “Everyone outside should know how great Ka`u is.”
      An O`ahu student who discussed Punalu`u said coming to Ka`u was “far beyond what I imagined. In walking the cobblestones (of Ala Kahakai Trail), I felt like a little kid because I know that my ancestors built it, and I am a product of them, and that makes me proud.” She said her visit reinforced her desire to “protect, preserve and perpetuate” Hawaiian history and culture.
      The cohort created a artistic symbol of their work in Ka`u using a wiliwili tree in Ka`alu`alu as inspiration. Roots below the tree represent the foundation of Ka`u’s people who “will continue living here in harmony, in good and rough times.” The roots intertwine with spirals that represent connection with waters. Two of the spirals in opposite directions represent currents that come together at South Point, and an arc above the tree represents the overarching presence of Mauna Loa.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS EXTENDED an emergency proclamation signed prior to the arrival of Tropical Storm Iselle. Originally set to expire today, it now is in effect until Oct. 17.
      The proclamation reads in part, “It has become necessary to supplement my Proclamation of Aug. 6, 2014, relating to high winds, heavy rains, high surf, storm surge and flooding as a result of Hurricane Iselle which impacted the State of Hawai`i beginning Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, and caused extensive damage in the county of Hawai`i … in order to provide additional assistance.”
Extension of an emergency proclamation makes access to state and federal
resources easier for Wood Valley and other Ka`u residents.
Photo by Anne Celeste 
      The proclamation, which includes the entire state, activates the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the Legislature for disaster relief. It also allows easier access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels, along with suspension of certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD PLANS TO VISIT Hawai`i Island today. She sent a letter to W. Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, requesting immediate assistance to support Hawai`i Island communities devastated by Hurricane Iselle. According to her office, Gabbard has been monitoring the situation closely since last week and has been in regular contact with authorities at FEMA, Hawai`i Civil Defense, local military officials and Hawai`i County leaders, urging their quick response to the needs of affected Hawai`i Island communities. 

      She will join FEMA’s assessment task force today as it conducts damage assessments.
      “Hawai`i County continues to extend its resources, but much more needs to be done,” Gabbard wrote in her letter to Fugate. “I ask you to be rapid in your response to our natural disaster in Hawai`i. We need your help to reduce suffering and restore basic necessities to citizens across this devastated area.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
Sen. Mazie Hirono
      Her office said that since the storm hit, Gabbard’s Hawai`i Island constituent liaison has been on the ground, meeting with residents affected by the devastation, offering resources to them and relaying regular status updates to her.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO’S OFFICE said the senator had no immediate plans to visit Hawai`i Island following Tropical Storm Iselle. “In preparation of hurricanes Iselle and Julio, Sen. Hirono and her office remained in regular communication with the state and counties that led the planning effort as the storms tracked toward Hawai`i,” a spokesman for her Honolulu office said Tuesday morning. “In the aftermath, Sen. Hirono continues to work with the state and Mayors Kenoi and Arakawa (of Maui) as we move into recovery for hardest hit areas.
      “While there are no immediate plans for Sen. Hirono to travel to Hawai`i Island, she remains in close coordination with the state and Hawai`i County in the recovery efforts, particularly as it relates to federal assistance.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS in Volcano Rain Forest Runs can carbo-load for tomorrow’s events at Cooper Center’s Dine & Dash Pasta Buffet today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cost for the buffet is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children.

Pahala Aikido instructor and Iki Artist Alan Moores and his son, Kyle Pitcher,
ran last year's 5K together. Moores sells his Iki Art at Ka`u Farmers Market
in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal
VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS take place tomorrow. Half Marathon begins at 7 a.m., followed by the 10K at 7:45 a.m. and the 5K at 8 a.m. Keiki runs begin at 10 a.m. See volcanorainforestruns.com.
      See map below for race routes and road closures.
      Late registration and packet pickup is available today until 6 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No race day registration for Half Marathon.

OCEAN VIEW EVANGELICAL CHURCH HOSTS a Ho`olaule`a tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Lu`au for God in Jesus’ name includes free Hawaiian food while supplies last, worship teams, hula, door prizes, games and prizes for children, keiki ID and a prayer booth. Call 345-5899 for more information.

BLACK & WHITE NIGHT IS TOMORROW at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants dress up in their best black and white attire. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 967-8365.

KAHUKU: BORN FROM A HOTSPOT is a new program at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about the birth of the islands from the Hawaiian hotspot and about past eruptions that impacted Kahuku Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Visitors will be able to identify various pu`u (hills) and other volcanic features and learn about their formation. Call 985-6011 for more information.

ALL ARE INVITED TO KA`U HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS’ 13th annual potluck reunion at Pahala Community Center on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizers encourage attendees to bring a favorite dish to share and come and enjoy a day of fun, live music and good food.
      The Ka`u alumni reunion planning committee consists of Lovey Grantz, Sally Louis, Jane Santiago, Ju-Ann Kai, Margaret Cabudol and James Yamaki. Lisa Dacalio created the whimsical flyers that publicize the potluck reunion. `O Ka`u Kakou, led by Wayne Kawachi, takes care of cleanup. Dexter Lee, Mildred Imamura and Wade Espejo, respectively, provide monstera leaves, anthuriums and protea flowers for decoration. Lovey Grantz takes care of table decorations and publicity. Dennis Santiago, Rueben Soriano, Cyrus Sumida and Melvin Yamaki help in setup, and Dolly Kalua, Dolores Natividad, Sally Louis and Jane Santiago, registration.
      For more information, contact Lovey Grantz at 982-8242 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.

EARTH MATTERS FARMS HOLD A COMMUNITY POTLUCK Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of South Point and Kama`oa Roads. Guests speakers discuss Big Island agriculture. Call 939-7510 for more information.

KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN EARLY REGISTRATION FEES are still available through Tuesday, Aug. 19. Half Marathon is $50; 10K, $40; 5K, $30.
      The Sept. 20 event at Ka`u Coffee Mill also has a special rate of $10 for each race for high school team members.
      Registration for all races and the free Kendama tournament is available at race360.com/21357.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.







See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.