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Thursday, October 08, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015

Hawai`i County Council has taken the first steps toward preserving Kahua `Olohu Makahiki grounds in Na`alehu. Map from Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Committee
KA`U RESIDENTS WHO TESTIFIED about Kahua `Olohu before Hawai`i County Council’s Finance Committee on Tuesday supported purchase of the Na`alehu Makahiki grounds by the county. Ka`u’s Council member Maile David introduced a resolution authorizing the county to begin negotiations on the acquisition, and the committee unanimously approved it.
      Beverly Byouk spoke as a representative of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u. Property owners allowed club members to visit the parcel recently. Byouk said it was “a very, very personal experience. Being there at the site of what Mary Kawena Pukui identified as Makahiki grounds, you could almost hear the crowd, the spectators watching the Hawaiian games. And it’s something that inspired our club to take a real interest in this parcel because it just totally dovetails with our club mission … Ho`omalu, Ho`omau, Ho`opi`i, Malama, which means To Protect, Perpetuate, Promote and Preserve the Hawaiian culture as Hawaiian assets.
Ka`u's Hawai`i County Council member Maile David introduced
a resolution calling for preservation of Kahua `Olohu.
Image from Hawai`i County
      “Looking at this parcel of land, ... you can see the wonderful opportunities in the future to have educational programs and cultural programs for our local schoolchildren, for our community residents, to bring back the Makahiki, to have Hawaiian games. … 
      “We feel that this is something that the whole community could participate in.”
      Byouk said the site could bring people to Ka`u as cultural tourism and help Ka`u’s economy.
      Keoni Fox, who has long ancestral ties to the area, discussed the importance of Makahiki. He described it as a “time of peace and festivities, … including games of all sorts, particularly boxing. The Makahiki rituals were the most elaborate and complex in the Hawaiian religion. For farmers, this was a time to pray for rain. It guaranteed abundance of food, and for the chiefs, this was a time to levy taxes on the people.
      “Makahiki games brought people from all over the island and beyond. Here at the Kahua `Olohu, skilled competitors displayed strength, courage and wisdom, and their successes brought honor to the families and chiefs. In addition to accommodating ceremonies involved with the Makahiki, this specific property served as a track for bowling games.
      “Although the property is relatively flat, there is a high, rocky outcrop overlooking the track, which seems to have served as a natural amphitheater or viewing area. On the surrounding properties, there were additional sports and training areas specifically for warriors and students of ... Hawaiian martial arts.
      “As native descendants and cultural practitioners, we are hoping to work with other community organizations to revive Makahiki on the property. …
      “We believe that this effort will honor our kupuna while also presenting amazing opportunity to educate the community and reconnect through traditional sport.”
      As the organization's president, Lehua Lopez Mau spoke for Ho`omalu Ka`u, which is working to build a cultural center north of Ocean View. Lopez Mau quoted a state archaeological survey that said Kahua `Olohu, because of its connection with the Makahiki Festival, is directly related to an important religious event in the Hawaiian calendar. As such, “The property would appear likely to qualify for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places as a traditional, cultural property,” Lopez Mau read. She said Ho`omalu Ka`u would be interested in stewarding the area, reviving Makahiki practices and promoting educational activities there.
Albert "Al" Lolotai Photo from PFHOF
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AL LOLOTAI, FATHER OF RICH LOLOTAI, an owner of a Pahala Plantation Cottage, will be inducted to the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. 
      A coach and contributor to Polynesian football history, Albert “Al” Lolotai is listed as the First Polynesian to Play Professional Football. He is of Samoan ancestry. Lolotai and other honorees will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, to be held on January 23 and 24, 2016 on O`ahu.
      Lolotai played for the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Dons. He later became a professional wrestler. His son Rich, who restored one of the Pahala teachers’ cottages moved from the campus to Kamani Street, has his own football history. He played for Yale in college and later in the Canadian Football League.
      Inductees were chosen by a selection committee composed of past head football coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and Inaugural Inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawai`i sportscaster Robert Kekaula.
      For more information, see www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org.
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MADE IN HAWAII WITH ALOHA has new logos, limited license agreements and guidelines for use.
      Responding to requests to use a logo to identify products that are “Made in Hawai`i with Aloha” and comply with state law, the state Department of Agriculture has created a Limited License Agreement to use the logo to promote goods that are made in Hawai`i. There is no cost to use the logo. However, the agreement must be completed and submitted along with the Formula Worksheet for approval by the Chairperson prior to logo use.
      For more information, email Hideki.Yamane@hawaii.gov.
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TRINETY CRAPSER, OF OCEAN VIEW, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years with the Department of Public Safety, reported Graham Milldrum in West Hawai`i Today. At least two of those will be in prison.
      Crapser was arrested in January 2014 after Discovery Harbour resident Trudi Grentz alleged that Crapser, wielding a hatchet, attacked her when Crapser tried to start Grentz’s car parked along South Point Road. Crapser’s accomplice, Kainoa K. Kahele-Bishop, also of Ocean View, was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison last November.
      Following her arrest, proceedings for Crapser were suspended pending a mental health examination. She was found to be able to understand her actions.
      Crapser was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree assault, first-degree attempted unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and second-degree attempted assault. She originally pleaded not guilty to first-degree robbery but changed her plea to guilty in a deal that drops all other charges.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
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KA`U FOOD PANTRY, INC. has moved food distribution from Ocean View Community Center to St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. The next distribution is on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
      Ka`u Food Pantry Board President Karen Pucci asks all of participants to respect the grounds where this will be held. She also said olunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 9 a.m. on monthly distribution days. The Pantry holds a fundraising event on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Ocean View Swap Meet from 8 a.m. to 1 pm. “Please come down and support us and pick up some yummy home baked goods,” Pucci said.
      Ka`u Food Pantry, Inc. is staffed entirely by volunteers and is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to feed the hungry of Ocean View. “We are currently feeding 150 families,” Pucci said. “Our program is designed to provide one to three days worth of nutritious food to help people who run short of money, benefits and/or food by the month’s end.” 
       Donations of non-perishable food items and funding are welcomed. Food drop off locations are at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle, Grandma’s Closet next to Malama Market in Ocean View and the Na`alehu Methodist Church. 
      Checks or money orders can mailed to Ka`u Food Pantry, PO Box 6184, Ocean View, HI 96737. Cash donations may be tax deductible. 
      Ka`u Food Pantry is also a member of the Amazon Smile program, where .5 percent of sales are donated to the organization. As a nonprofit, the Pantry is able to purchase food from Hawai`i Food Basket at 18 cents per pound. One dollar can buy a half-case of food.
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TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO BUY tickets in advance for tomorrow’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range at Hilton Waikoloa Village from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event features producers from around the island, including Ka`u’s Kapapala Ranch and Kuahiwi Ranch. Attendees can meet producers at indoor and outdoor booths. 
      Purchase tickets at tasteofthehawaiianrange.com for $45 until 11:59 p.m. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards are accepted. At the door, tickets are $60.

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

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