About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, September 12, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Sept. 12, 2014


HVO scientists project that lava moving northeast from the flow front at bottom left will hit Pahoa. Map from Big Island Video News
SCIENTISTS AT HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY expect lava to reach Pahoa within two weeks. At a community meeting held last night at Pahoa High School recorded by Big Island Video News, HVO scientist-in-charge Jim Kauahikaua showed a map projecting the lava to move toward Pahoa’s transfer station on its way toward the village and Hwy 130.
Lava creates smoke plumes on its path toward Pahoa.
Photo from USGS/HVO
      As of this morning, lava is .2 miles away from the boundary between Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve and the sparsely populated Ka`ohe Homesteads subdivision. Although Civil Defense has not ordered evacuations, residents are asked to be prepared, and the agency is continuing door-to-door surveys and notifications in the area.
      A Lava Flow Informational Fair is scheduled tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pahoa High School for those who provide services to Puna residents to answer questions. Representative will provide information on topics including insurance, legal, financial, moving, transportation, police, fire and health care.
      Mayor Billy Kenoi told meeting attendees he is working with the necessary agencies and companies to provide and maintain uninterrupted electrical service, telecommunication capability and access should the flow cover Hwy 130. The county is currently working on Railroad Avenue and Government Beach Road to provide access for residents. Chain of Craters Road, which connects lower Puna with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and was covered with lava since 1983, is another option as the likelihood of those routes becoming covered gets closer.
      See bigislandvideonews.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U PUBLIC LIBRARIES SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED circulation last year, this key indicator helping to ensure their continued service to the community. Pahala’s circulation increased by 59 percent, and Na`alehu Library booked the most circulation of its printed, DVD, CD and other lending formats among the state’s 50 public libraries. The reports from Pahala librarian Debbie Wong Yuen and Na`alehu librarian Sara Kamibayashi were provided to Friends of Ka`u Libraries at the organization’s annual meeting last night at Pahala Plantation House.
Friends of the Ka`u Libraries celebrated increased circulation over the past year
and success in helping to keep the libraries open and growning in their services.
Front row is new President Ann Fontes. Back row from left are outgoing
President and new Secretary Doris Davis, Vice President Bonnie Barnes,
na`alehu Director Sandy Demoruelle, Ocean View Director and Na`alehu
School Librarian Linda Morgan, Na`alehu Libriarian Sara Kamibayashi
and Ocean View Ranchos Director Trisha Gerbo.
Photo by Julia Neal
      Friends of Ka`u Libraries celebrated its lobbying efforts to keep Pahala Library open and to extend its hours and use of its free computer lab. Pahala Library is now open five days a week.
      The Na`alehu librarian said that the size of Na`alehu Library will double next year with the addition of a new portable building.    Fundraising could be needed to purchase shelves, said Kamibayashi.
      Other fundraising will help support the Ka`u History Project to collect photos and documents about life in Ka`u and to copy and archive them. Recent fundraising supported computer disc repair machines for the libraries.
      Movie matinees on Fridays have drawn an average of 34 attendees in Pahala. Matinees are offered on Tuesdays in Na`alehu. The librarians also reported strong attendance in summer reading programs by school students on vacation as well as adults. The successful, well-attended 20th anniversary celebration for Na`alehu Library was also applauded. The State Foundation for Culture & the Arts was commended for placing excellent art for display in both libraries.
      Outgoing President Doris Davis commended the group on fundraising throughout the year, including participation in Ka`u Coffee Festival, Ka`u Plantation Days and regular book sales.
      Friends of Ka`u Libraries will sell books and its new T-shirts at Ka`u Plantation Days on Saturday, Oct. 11 on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House.
      New officers were elected Thursday night. They are President Ann Fontes, Vice President Bonnie Barnes and Secretary Doris Davis. Directors are: Trisha Grebo, of Ocean View Ranchos; Linda Morgan, of Ocean View; Sandy Demoruelle, of Na`alehu; and Myra Jean Sumida, of Pahala. Members also acknowledged the work of the late Xenia Silva, who served as president of the organization.
      Annual memberships are $5 per person and $2 for seniors. Lifetime memberships are $100. Call Ann Fontes at 987-7448 or Doris Davis at 928-0919.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Alan Oshima, new HECO President and CEO
AN INFORMATIONAL KIOSK AT NA`ALEHU PARK is the next priority project for Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee. The kiosk will provide information to travelers about services available in the area including businesses, churches and recreation as well as history about Na`alehu Park. The committee met yesterday to discuss details of the kiosk’s design.
      After designs of informational panels are finalized, they will be sent to Clayton Honma, Director of Hawai`i County Department of Parks & Recreation, for approval.
      Another project in the works is placement of signs along Hwy 11 informing travelers of dates of lava flows along the route, similar to signage found along roads in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Committee members are applying for partial funding through Hawai`i Tourism Authority for the project.
      The committee’s next meeting is Thursday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church, and the public is invited.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ALAN OSHIMA HAS BEEN NAMED PRESIDENT and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Electric Company, effective Oct. 1, 2014. Oshima has almost 40 years of energy, regulated utility, legal and community relations experience in Hawai`i. He will succeed Dick Rosenblum, who has served in the position since 2009. 
      “Alan brings extensive energy industry experience, a real passion for moving Hawai`i to a clean energy future and a proven ability to bring people together to work collaboratively for needed change. We need to move away from a traditional utility model to become a responsive, affordable energy services provider for our customers, and I’m confident Alan is the right leader to guide our utility through this transformation,” said Connie Lau, chair of the board for HECO and president and chief executive officer of its parent company, HEI.
      “I’m honored to lead Hawaiian Electric at such a critical time,” Oshima said. “We have a dedicated team of employees who care deeply about doing the right thing for our customers and for Hawai`i. We know the energy environment is changing, and we have to adapt. We need to be more responsive, working collaboratively with our customers and the greater community. I’m confident that together we can achieve the clean energy future we all want for Hawai`i.”
Tiny Treasures II opens tomorrow.
Photo from Volcano Art Center
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

IN SPORTS, THE TROJANS’ EIGHT-MAN football team hosts Pahoa today at 6:30 p.m. Tomorrow, Ka`u High girls volleyball travels to Konawaena for a 10 a.m. match, and bowling teams travel to play Kealakehe in Hilo.

KA`U’S STATE REP. RICHARD CREAGAN holds a public meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center to discuss money from the state Legislature that has been approved for water projects. He will also take questions on other issues concerning Ka`u.

RICHARD PEREA, OF KA`U NATURAL FARMING, offers an introduction to natural farming tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Ka Lae Gardens, 92-8395 Mamalahoa Hwy in Ocean View on the makai side of Hwy 11, accessible from Kohala Street.
      See Ka`u Natural Farming on Facebook or call 937-3010 for more information.

TINY TREASURES II OPENS TOMORROW at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The sculpture and jewelry exhibit features 16 Hawai`i Island artists. Opening reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.
      Call 967-7565 for more information.

TOMORROW FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M., a free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the human history of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit.

Manu Josiah and Leilehua Yuen offer a hula kahiko informance
tomorrow. Photo from Volcano Art Center
LEILEHUA YUEN AND MANU JOSIAH with Halau Hula LeiManu present a hula kahiko informance tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The informance format allows for more interaction between the kumu, halau and audience. The kumu explains the halau philosophy, protocol, meanings behind the dance, costuming, flower selection, etc. A short question and answer session is held immediately following the informance.
      For more information, call 967-8222.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY to register for Ka`u Coffee Trail Run before fees increase. Events are a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.
      See race360.com/21357.

VOLCANO WINERY’S GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL is Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
     The event includes music by Keoki Kahumoku and Friends, pupus by Volcano House and other area businesses, wine and a souvenir wine glass.
     Call 967-7772 to purchase $40 tickets. Last year’s event sold out.

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






See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.