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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015

Upper Ka`u Forest Reserve could become home for `alala as early as next year. FWS Photo by David Ledig

UPPER KA`U FOREST RESERVE could become home to `alala as early as next year. The Associated Press picked up a story from Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporting that with 114 of the endangered native Hawaiian crows now raised in captivity, reintroduction to the wild can take place. Keauhou Bird Sanctuary in Volcano has been raising `alala in conjunction with Maui Bird Sanctuary, both operated by the San Diego Zoo.
      According to the story, Hawai`i Fish & Wildlife Chief Scott Fretz said additional funding is needed to provide tracking, veterinarian support and predator control.
      The birds haven't been seen in the wild since 2002.
      A previous attempt to reintroduce `alala in the 1990s ended when the birds became susceptible to disease and predators. According to the AP story, 21 of the 27 that were released died, and six were recaptured.
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GOV. DAVID IGE EXPRESSED SUPPORT for U.S. Department of the Interior’s proposal to create a pathway for the Native Hawaiian community to reorganize a Native Hawaiian government and re-establish a government-to-government relationship with the United States. The proposal would create an administrative procedure and criteria that would be applied if the Native Hawaiian community forms a unified government that seeks a formal government-to-government relationship with the U.S.
      “This issue has been discussed for many years, and I support President Obama and the Department of the Interior’s efforts to move it forward,” Ige said. “I urge the public, particularly Native Hawaiians, to comment on this possible pathway for the United States and Native Hawaiians to establish a government-to-government relationship. The public comment period for the proposed rule is an invitation for the public to participate in the rule-making process.”  
      The proposal is available for review at www.doi.gov/ohr, and public comments on it will be accepted for the next 90 days. Members of the public are encouraged to read the proposal and provide comments by email to part50@doi.gov, on www.regulations.gov (docket no. DOI-2015-0005), or by U.S. mail to the Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, Room 7228, 1849 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20240.
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USDA FARM SERVICE ASKS Ka`u residents to report any damages to their farms or ranches due to recent heavy rains and flooding. Executive Director Lester Ueda asks for the following information: crop or crops, affected 
acreage, 
conservation structures
, fencing damage, 
farm dwelling damage, 
other damages and an 
estimate of the amount of damages.

      Call 933.8341
 or email lester.ueda@hi.usda.gov.
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U.S. SENS. BRIAN SCHATZ AND MAZIE HIRONO are following Hawai`i legislators’ lead in raising the legal age for smoking to 21. Joined by several others, Hawai`i’s senators introduced the Tobacco to 21 Act, legislation that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 across the country.
      “We know that the earlier smokers begin their unhealthy addiction to nicotine, the more likely they are to suffer from tobacco-related diseases or die,” Schatz said. “This year, Hawai`i became the first state in the nation to raise the minimum smoking age to 21. It was a historic public health achievement that we should adopt nationwide. By raising the minimum tobacco age of sale to 21 across the country, we can cut the number of new smokers each year, build a healthier, tobacco free America and save lives.”
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Logan Kahele-Bishop
POLICE ARE SEARCHING for a 26-year-old Na`alehu man wanted on a bench warrant for violating terms of probation and for questioning in several open investigations.
      Logan Kahele-Bishop is described as a local male, approximately 5-foot-10, 160 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. His last known address was on Kilika Street.
       Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311. Those who want anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
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HAWAI`I’S VISITOR INDUSTRY CONTINUES to exceed 2014 records in spending and arrivals. Spending reached $10.3 billion for the first eight months of 2015 and contributed $1.1 billion in state tax revenue.
      In addition to pacing at record-breaking levels, air seats to the Hawaiian Islands are at an all-time high, boosting arrivals from most markets. “While we are pleased with this continued growth for the lead economic driver for the state, we are monitoring various conditions that could impact our industry,” said George D. Szigeti, President and CEO, Hawai`i Tourism Authority. Fuel prices have been dropping, the international stock market continues to be in flux and economic conditions in both Europe and Asia have been unstable. All of these factors could have a potential impact on spending and arrivals to the state.
      “Maintaining the level of growth we have been experiencing over the last few years will be a challenge,” Szigeti said. “However, we will continue to work with our global partners to ensure Hawai`i remains top-of-mind as both a leisure and business destination through creative and innovative strategies.”
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Distributors of Beauveria bassiana
products today.
JOHN FRANCIS AND MATT NEEDHAM, from Bioworks, will be in Kona this afternoon to discuss Botanigard and Mycotrol, the commercial Beauveria bassiana products used to control coffee berry borers and other insects. BioWorks is the distributor of these and other commercial products. 
      Meet at Kona Cooperative Extension Service Conference Room at 3 p.m.

SHARY CROCKER OFFERS QIGONG CLASSES tomorrow and every Thursday. Crocker, a student of Kenneth Cohen, describes the class as gentle Daoist healing postures and meditations “creating balancing of body, mind and spirit”
      Classes are from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in a private studio in Mark Twain Estates. $5 per class. Beginners are welcome. Private sessions are available.
      See listings in September and October issues of The Ka`u Calendar.
      Call 929-7647.

MARK YAMANAKA PERFORMS TOMORROW from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Funds raised benefit Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, the nonprofit that is opening safe house for girls in Pahala tomorrow.
The evening includes a roast pork dinner.
      Donation is $25. For tickets, call Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at 315-7032 or 649-9334. Tickets will also be available at the door.

OKTOBERFEST IS FRIDAY at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View with 6 p.m. dinner. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Call 939-7000.

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U Cultural Festival takes place Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The festival includes music, hula, crafts, food and cultural workshops. Open to the public with no fees both nights.
      Entertainment both days begins with an opening pule at 4 p.m. On Friday, Ka`imia Na`auao Kahiko/Ka`u School of Arts and Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan take the stage at 5:45 p.m., followed by a Kukui Ceremony (Honoring our Ancestors) at 6:30 p.m., Kamehameha School with Kumu Hula Kimo Kekua at 7 p.m., Makanau at 8 p.m., Halau Hula O Leionalani with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at 8:45 p.m. and Keaiwa at 9:30 p.m.
White Line Printing is the topic of a workshop Saturday.
      See www.hookupukau.com.

SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE for Saturday’s introductory White Line Printing Workshop. Lisa Louise Adams and Margaret Barnaby hold the workshop at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Course fee is $70 or $63 for VAC Members and a $15 supply fee. Students need to bring a mat or x-acto knife, baren or wooden spoon, pencil and paper, two simple 5×8 inch images and wood carving tools, if available. 
      White Line Printing was born from traditional Japanese woodblock printing, then added the theories of Cubism and Abstract Expressionism.
      Founded in the early 1900s in Provincetown, Massachusetts, white line printing was developed by artists who were interested in Japanese printmaking but wanted to eliminate cutting a block of wood for every color needed. They developed a way to make color prints from a single block of wood. With this method, a line drawing is cut into the block, which becomes white lines surrounding each shape. Each section is then hand-colored with watercolor paint and printed with a baren or wooden spoon until the print is complete. Every print will be unique because of the variations in paint application.
      Register at volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

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


See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_Sept2015.pdf.




See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.


Buy a bag for $7 and fill it with books for $3 more
at Ka`u libraries.