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Thursday, October 09, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014

College students who participated in this summer's Wahi Kupuna Internship Program present posters on their research at the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology Conference Sunday. Photos from Wahi Kupuna Internship Program
STUDENTS FROM MILOLI`I HIPUU VIRTUAL ACADEMY of Kua o ka La Public Charter School will host the season premiere of PBS Hawai`i’s student news program Hiki No at 7:30 p.m. today.
Miloli`i Hipuu Virtual Academy returns to Hiki No to host the season premier.
Image from PBS
      Miloli`i was the site of a training session in March. Teachers and students learned video production and storytelling techniques from Hiki No staff.
      This episode is the first in the 2014-2015 school year. It encores on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. Hiki No episodes can also be viewed at www.pbshawaii.org/hikino.
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COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED in He Lua `Ole Mauna Loa 2014 cohort of Wahi Kupuna Internship Program in Ka`u this past summer present posters of their research Sunday during the 27th annual Society for Hawaiian Archaeology Conference at University of Hilo. The students also presented their research at a ho`ike at Pahala Plantation House in August.
      Polani Kahakalau 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.” Her goals were “to gather information through historical research, various mo`olelo, archaeological surveys and ethnographic interviews in order to compile a comprehensive and holistic understanding of this very precious resources in an area that is not usually associated with the wealth of water,” the conference program stated.
Wahi Kupuna Internship Program students explored Ka`u mauka to makai.
      Hattie Gerrish 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.” In the conference program, Gerrish said, “The story of Ka`alu`alu … lies scattered throughout the historical and archaeological records, oral history and the recollections of families with connections to the site.”
      Lyle Auld 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. “Visiting these cultural sites with our hosts, and being at these wahi pana to see them with my own eyes was priceless,” Auld said in the program. “These experiences have given me more understanding and respect about our Hawaiian ancestors and have strengthened my piko to this `aina of Ka`u.
      Lesley Kehau Puou, of O`ahu, discussed Punalu`u and 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. “This shoreline functioned as a thriving community, which provided its people with rich food sources to sustain them physically and religious structures to sustain them spiritually,” she said in the program.
      More information and registration for the conference, which begins tomorrow, is available at hawaiianarchaeology.org.
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Lava is projected to take the path of steepest descent, shown by a dotted blue line,
 through Pahoa. Map from USGS/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY SCIENTISTS report that lava flow activity heading toward Pahoa “remains relatively slow and steady. Lava continues to move through the tube from Pu`u `O`o, delivering lava to the flow front. An HVO overflight on Wednesday observed scattered breakouts along the edges and surface of the flow, mostly within one mile of the front. The front was .9 miles from Apa`a St. and 1.6 miles) from Pahoa Village Road, measured in a straight line. 
      “Based on this morning’s Civil Defense overflight, the leading edge of the flow had advanced 65 yards to the northeast since yesterday.”
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KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD AND SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ will attend a community update meeting in Pahoa today with Mayor Billy Kenoi and representatives from Hawa`i County Civil Defense, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Departments of Transportation, Health and Public Works. The weekly meetings keep community members engaged with state, local and federal partners who work toward solutions for people’s safety and security during times of emergency. 
      Gabbard has been working with Schatz to persuade federal officials to rebuild lava-covered portions of Chain of Craters Road as a two-lane route out of Hawai`i Island’s lower Puna District in anticipation of the Kilauea lava flow cutting off access to major roadways this month.
       Tomorrow, Gabbard will meet with Hawai`i County Civil Defense officials to discuss the status of the Chain of Craters Road project, receive a fly-over helicopter tour of the lava flow’s progress and projected path toward Pahoa Town and, to ensure the public’s safety, take a look at all possible routes out of the district – Hwy 130, Railroad Avenue, Old Government Road and Chain of Craters Road.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY HAS ANNOUNCED the entertainment lineup for Ka`u Plantation Days this Saturday.
      Hannah’s Makana `Ohana kupuna group, under the direction of Hannah Uribes, performs at 10 a.m. They meet on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. at St. Jude’s Church and Friday evenings at Discovery Harbour Community Center.
      International Karate League, Pahala Dojo, under the direction of Sensei Clifford Field and wife Susan Field, take the stage at 10:30 a.m. The IKL is officially registered in Japan and operates as a nonprofit. Sensei Field has been teaching since 2000. He and Susan started in karate in 1986. Their school is headquartered on O`ahu and has over 25 dojos throughout the islands and numerous states on the mainland. The Big Island has 10 dojos. Pahala Dojo meets on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. at the community center and has year-round open enrollment for ages 5 and up.
      Kupuna `O Pahala, who studied under the late and great Edna Aguil, perform at 11 a.m. They continue to dance to perpetuate Aunty Edna’s life and legacy.
      Keoki Kahumoku and gang are scheduled at 11:15 a.m.
      At 11:45 a.m. South Side Serenaders Elijah Navarro, Terrie Louis and Ti Chun are featured. The friends from Pahala started out in Terrie’s backyard and enjoy harmonizing. They call their style “Nahenahe” and enjoy singing in falsetto to bring back the nostalgia of Old Hawaiian Music. For booking inquiries, contact Navarro at e38navarro@gmail.com.
      Halau Hula O Leionalani, under the direction of Kumu hula Debbie Ryder, dances at 12:30 p.m.
      Wrapping up the day’s entertainment at 1:15 p.m. is Keaiwa with Demetrius Oliveira and Eugene Beck.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO JOIN Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes Park for a Sunday Walk in the Park on Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of FHVNP to share in the park’s trails.
Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park explore the summit area Sunday.
Photo from NPS
      Led by wildlife biologist Dr. Thane Pratt, this month’s 3.5-mile round-trip walk explores the summit area of the park. Participants hike through rain forest rich with native plant and bird life, watch volcanism in action at Steam Vents and Steaming Bluff, plus smell the volcanic gases and see the multi-colored mineral deposits at Sulphur Banks.
      Along the way are great views of Mauna Loa, Pele’s home at Halema`uma`u Crater and Kilauea Caldera, one of the most active volcanoes on earth.
      Starting and ending at the Kilauea Visitor Center, the walk follows Crater Rim Trail to Byron Ledge Trail, Halema`uma`u Trail, `Iliahi Trail and Sulphur Banks Trail.
      The experience is rated easy to moderate, with a total of 3.5 miles of hiking and descents/ascents of 400 feet. Be prepared for the base 4,000-foot elevation as well as for variable weather conditions, including sunny, windy, chilly, and/or rainy.
      The walk is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join the nonprofit organization in order to attend. Annual memberships are $30 for individuals and $45 for families, and come with a variety of benefits.
      To register, call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org.
      For more information, see www.fhvnp.org. Park entrance fees apply.

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