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Saturday, August 29, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015

Hurricanes surround Hawai`i, with Ignacio expected to arrive by Monday and Jimena following later in the week.
Map from Weather Underground
KA`U IS UNDER A TROPICAL STORM WATCH as Ignacio, currently a Category Four Hurricane, approaches the area, bringing an increased potential for tropical storm conditions. According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center at 11 a.m., the chance for tropical storm conditions ranges from 29 to 51 percent. There is potential for sustained winds to reach tropical storm force of 39 miles per hour as early as tomorrow night. 
      Swells generated by Ignacio will begin to arrive along east and southeast facing shores of Hawai`i Island later today and increase to 15 to 20 feet tomorrow through Monday. Surf will be large and potentially life-threatening later this weekend and early next week. Some coastal inundation of low-lying areas is expected, especially at high tide.
      Total rainfall amounts of two to four inches, with isolated maximum amounts near six inches mainly in areas of higher terrain, are possible in the watch area.
      It is vital to not focus on the exact forecast track; forecast movement, direction and speed are only estimates. Even small errors in the track can mean major differences in where the worst conditions will occur. Damaging effects can extend far from the center.
      A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the possible arrival of tropical storm force winds, which make continuing outside preparations dangerous. A watch is the time to prepare. Do not wait until it is too late.
Although Ignacio is expected to track north of Hawai`i, officials urge
everyone to prepare for tropical storm conditions. Map from NOAA
      Be ready to evacuate if necessary. Heed the advice of local officials, and comply with any orders that are issued. Persons living near the shore should be prepared to evacuate quickly should building surf threaten.
      Loose objects such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and other items should be secured or stored indoors. Have supplies on hand and be ready for power outages.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

GOV. DAVID IGE YESTERDAY SIGNED an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Ignacio. National Weather Service has advised that even though Ignacio’s track is still highly uncertain, the system has the ability to cause widespread damage across the state.
      The proclamation activates the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the Legislature for disaster relief for the entire state. It also allows easier access to emergency resources at state and federal levels, along with the ability to suspend certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.
      “We thank Gov. Ige for his support during this crucial time and are taking advantage of this pre-landfall period to ensure that we are as best prepared as possible,” said Vern Miyagi, Executive Officer of Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency. “With our whole state engulfed in the cone of uncertainty, we ask the public to continue their preparedness efforts and monitor news media for the latest updates regarding Hurricane Ignacio.”
      The cone of uncertainty presents the probable track of a tropical cyclone and the area over which the center is most likely to pass. The path of the cone can be extremely unpredictable, and the center of a storm can fall anywhere within that cone.
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“THE STATE OF HAWAI`I IS LIKELY to extend the operations of the Hawai`i Health Connector through October 2016 for $3.3 million, the health insurance exchange’s officials announced Friday at its board of directors meeting.” This is the report from Pacific Business News, which covered the meeting. 
      The Connector also received confirmation that the federal government would provide $2.8 million support “marketplace assister organizations” — the Connector’s nonprofit partners that assist the community in signing up for health insurance, such as Ka`u Rural Health Community Association. KRHCAI has promoted and helped people sign up for government-sponsored health insurance at many community gatherings and at its offices next to Pahala Library.
      In May, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services informed the Connector that federal funds were no longer available to support its long-term operations. The Connector has been unable to generate sufficient revenues to sustain operations.
      See bizjournals.com/pacific.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A POSTER CONTEST for the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology is open until this Monday, Aug. 31 with the theme Kulaiwi: Repositioning our Identity in the Present
      Dr. Keao NeSmith described the Oct. 9-11 annual conference, saying it “examines the role of identity within the work of archaeology.” He said archaeology is an essential part of “people’s desires to know about themselves and their surroundings more intimately as they examine their own family histories.”
           “Kulaiwi centers the thinking of people everywhere on their ‘piko,’ the focal point of what connects them to their identity. There is a direct correlation between this knowledge and how one formulates and reformulates their definition of themselves. The work of archaeology, therefore, is access to not only our past, but ourselves today.”
           The conference will be on Kaua`i. The poster winner will receive a one-year Society for Hawaiian Archaeologists individual membership and have their poster design, printed and distributed to all SHA conference participants.
      Designs must be 18 x 24 inches in size and have either a portrait or landscape orientation. Selection of the winning design will be based on composition and thematic interpretation. Submit entries electronically to Regina K. Hilo, Archaeology Week kako`o, at archaeologyweek@hawaiianarchaeology.org. For more information, email kananakahilo@gmail.com.

CAMP GOOGLE TEACHING MATH AND SCIENCE WITH HAWAI`I VOLCANOES will remain online past the summer holidays and throughout the school year. The virtual field trip into nature for kids, 7-12, was launched in late July and is available free, online at https://camp.withgoogle.com/. After finishing the camp, kids can earn virtual badges.
      The camp received statewide attention this morning through a feature story in Honolulu Star-Advertiser. See staradvertiser.com. See more on Camp Google’s launch at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2015/07/kau-news-briefs-wednesday-july-29-2015.html.
      Google engineers partnered with National Geographic Kids, NASA, Khan Academy and National Park Service for content about nature, space, oceans and music. The exploration of Hawai`i’s volcanoes takes youth into nature through a 12-minute video called What Will You Find in the Wild?
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Judy Knapp and Liz Stabo offer treats from Flyin' Hawaiian Coffee's
mobile kitchen. Photo from Judy Knapp
IN CELEBRATION OF FIVE YEARS of business in Ka`u, Flyin’ Hawaiian Coffee owner Judy Knapp will offer weekly specials throughout September and a Celebration Party on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live music, door prizes and giveaways. 
      The mobile cafe serves hot and cold beverages along with sweet treats every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the lawn between Na`alehu Methodist Church and CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union on the mauka side of Hwy 11.
      Since first opening, Flyin’ Hawaiian Coffee’s menu has expanded to include a few non-caffeinated drinks, including “freshly squeezed Ka`u Limeade, fruit smoothies and our newest creation: Ginger-Lemongrass Limeade Crush. Perfect for this hot summer!” Knapp said. According to Knapp, popular caffeinated options include Ka`u coffee, lattes, mochas and Killer Chillers. Knapp said she doesn’t have any plans of moving to a storefront anytime soon, but it is her dream. That, “or getting a second espresso wagon – or winning the lottery!”
      Knapp said she is “still loving (working in Ka`u). Such a wonderful mix of people and cultures, and coffee brings them all together!” She estimates that 60 percent of her customer base resides in the Ka`u district. Knapp rejoices in the “happy looks on visitors’ faces when they pull up after a long day at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and still have the drive back to Kona.” She said she still has repeat customers from years ago who “have returned to the island and make it a point to stop for coffee!”
The Enduring Wiliwili opens today. Image from VAC
      Knapp contributes much of her business’s success with visitors to press coverage, which “has made Ka`u much more recognizable throughout the world. Many tourists ask specifically for Ka`u, rather than Kona, coffee.” She said she “proudly serves Ka`u coffee from Miranda’s Farm.”
      As business has increased, Knapp found herself needing an extra pair of helping hands. She now has Liz Stabo, “my whatever-it-takes co-worker,” Knapp said. “We’ve worked together over two years, and she pushes me forward when I’m dragging.”
      When asked for advice for other entrepreneurs in the community, Knapp said to “plan as well as you’re able, jump in feet first, and hold onto your dream. Prepare to ride out the first year, and then watch it grow.”

THE ENDURING WILIWILI opens today at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit features artwork of the Pacific Island Printmakers.

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.


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