Ka‘ū News Briefs Sunday, October 1, 2017

Three thousands pounds of marine debris were gathered this summer from the Ka‘ū Coast and will be shipped to New York to help build a 30 foot whale sculpture to be installed in a European city to remind everyone about plastics in
the ocean. Photo from Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund

A THIRTY FOOT BLUE WHALE SCULPTURE, made of marine debris, some 1,250 lbs. of it from the Ka‘ū Coast, will be installed in Europe in May of 2018. In early July, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund and volunteers began working to fill a 40 ft. Matson container with blue and white plastics for the architect couple in Brooklyn, N.Y., Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang of StudioKCA. They will build the blue Bruges Whale and ship it to the city of Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage site like Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Known for its canals, Bruges is the capital city of West Flanders in Belgium. The Bruges Whale will be installed as part of a triennial event of contemporary art and architecture, called Liquid City.

Architects Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang (center), of
StudioKCA in Brooklyn, N.Y., came to Hawai‘i to help gather
 marine debris for a whale sculpture with Hawai‘i Wildlife
Fund's Nohea Ka‘awa, Bill Gilmartin and Megan
 Lamson-Leatherman. Photo from Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund

     “The Bruges Whale is meant to spark conversation and raise awareness about the tremendous amount of plastic waste that is ending up in our oceans, hopefully helping the nearly 2,000,000 anticipated visitors reconsider what and how we consume, package, and dispose of plastic," said Klimoski. "Special thanks to Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund for their tremendous effort over the course of the last several months, helping us collect blue, white, and grey plastic to build ‘Skyscraper’, or ‘the Bruges Whale’ for the 2018 Bruges Triennial.”

       Seventeen Hawai‘i Island cleanup events were coordinated by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund to fill the shipping container with approximately 3,000 lbs. of plastics while it was stationed at the Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station in Ka‘ū. Additionally, Surfrider Foundation volunteers on Kaua‘i collected 1,000 lbs. of plastic debris that were added to the container once it reached Hilo, courtesy of a Young Brothers gratis-shipping grant that was received by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund.  

     Matson Navigation was another supporter of the project with a free extension of time allowed to fill the container. Kona Trans also provided StudioKCA with a discounted hauling rate for the project and the County of Hawai‘i’s Department of Environmental Management provided HWF space to store the 40 ft. container for 12 weeks as volunteers contributed to fill it with plastic debris, making this effort an especially collaborative project by local businesses and residents alike.  The container will ship from Hilo on Oct. 4, to begin its journey to New York, and later Belgium.  

      "We are thrilled to able to work with artists to create awareness installations, like this Blue Whale project, and simultaneously divert some of this plastic pollution from our island landfills," said Megan Lamson, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund's Hawai‘i Island Program Director. "Since 2003, HWF and volunteers have removed nearly 225 tons of debris from the shores of Hawai‘i Island. Whatever cannot be recycled, generally ends up in landfills. Innovative projects that include re-use, art, research, and recycling are always preferred." 

StudioKCA's mockup of a blue, white and gray whale sculpture, made from marine debris from Ka‘ū and
other Hawai‘i sites. It will be installed in Europe in 2018. Image from StudioKCA

     HWF is a small nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1996 to conserve native wildlife.  During its 21 years, HWF and volunteers have removed 260 tons of marine debris from the shores of Hawai‘i Island (86% by weight), Maui, Midway and French Frigate Shoals. In 2017, HWF and volunteers have removed 63,343 lbs. of marine debris from Hawai‘i Island and Maui during 51 community cleanup events. The majority of HWF’s marine debris removal work is conducted by volunteer labor, with financial support from the federal government through NOAA's Marine Debris Program, local businesses including Matson Navigation, Kona Surf Film Festival, Kona Brewers Festival and Norwex, and individual donations from around the world. 

      For more information on the project or how to get involved with HWF, contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or at 808-769-7629. See Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund. See more on Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang of StudioKCA. See more on the Bruges Triennial.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka‘ū chapter of Farmers Union United operates a Farm School in Ka‘ū.
Photo from Farmers Union United

KA‘Ū FARMERS UNIION UNITED held elections on Saturday in advance of the statewide annual meeting of Hawai‘i Farmers Union United next weekend on O‘ahu. The elected officers are President Kyle Studer who grows corn and other vegetables at the Hester Farm above Pāhala; Secretary-Treasurer Raina Whiting, a kindergarten teacher at Nā‘ālehu School, who advocates for school gardens; and Vice President Greg Smith, who operates Earth Matters Farm at Kama‘oa and South Point Roads.
      During the meeting at Pāhala Plantation House, members discussed working more closely with the local schools, the Farm School initiative, the upcoming Hawai‘i Farmers Union United state convention and 2018 state legislature. Studer and Whiting will represent Ka‘ū at the state convention.
See more at Hawai‘i Farmers Union United.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Pele & Friends won the popular vote last week
for The Directory 2018. The mixed media work
is by Meriam Meliha Corcoran.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE COVER ART AND BEST IN SHOW from the annual Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce art contest have been announced. The popular vote, which determines the cover art for The Directory, according to Chamber co-chair Allan Humble, went to Meriam Meliha Corcoran, of Ocean View. Cocoran is the Office Assistant at Discovery Harbour Community Association. Her artwork of mixed media is called Pele & Friends.
    The Best in Show award went to Thomas King, of Honu‘apo for his woodworking. King's winning art is a podium with a Ka‘ū emblem on the front.

Thomas King, of Honu‘apo won Best in
Show at the annual Ka‘ū Chamber of
Commerce Art Show with his
podium displaying the Ka‘ū emblem.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

    Cover of  the
guide will be
Pele &
Friends, said Humble. The publica-
tion is an
annual community and business resource for all of Ka‘ū.
     The art show, with the popular vote for the cover, was held during credit union hours all last week, at the CU Hawai‘i Federal Credit Union facility in Nā‘ālehu.
     See Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

TAI CHI QIGONG DEMONSTRATION SESSIONS will be given by Dr. Myrtle Miyamura, a certified Tai Chi for Health Institute Instructor. The new Ka‘ū Gym in Pāhala is the venue on Fridays, Oct. 6, 13 and 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.
     The tai chi instructions include movement for injury and arthritis management and prevention.          According to the state Department of Health, injury prevention information online, Tai Chi for Health "is an evidence-based program endorsed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention."
     The classes are cosponsored by Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association and the county Department of Parks & Recreation, Call KRHCA executive director Jessie Marques  at 928-0101.
     See Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.


A HEALTH FAIR AT DISCOVERY HARBOUR COMMUNITY CENTER has been announced for Saturday, Nov. 4. The time is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the program are healthy cooking demonstrations with the Blu Zones Project from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Island Health Care from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
     Dr. Renee Dufault will offer a talk on her new book called Unsafe at Any Meal. Longs Drugs will offer Flu Shots, others will offer massages. Also making presentations will be Bay Clinic and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as Ornish Lifestyle Medicine.
      Demonstrations will include Yoga with Suzanne Brady at 9 a.m., Hula with Kumu Hula Hannah Uribes at 10 a.m., Pilates plus with Judy Knapp at 10:30 a.m., Tai Chi with David Copeland and Qigong with Shary Grogker.
     See Discovery Harbour Community Association.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Pick up the October edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i 

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com

UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball 

Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.

Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.

Cross Country
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.

Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR AN ART CLASS until Tuesday, Oct. 3. The class, Cupcake Liner Owl, takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS TOMORROW, MONDAY, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

TWO STORY TIME EVENTS ARE OFFERED AT KA'Ū LIBRARIES the first week of October. Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool staff will read a book aloud to keiki of all ages, with "a fun activity and snack provided following the story,” according to the event flier issued by Hawai‘i State Public Library System.

      Story Time is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Public Library tomorrow, Monday, Oct. 2, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 5.
      For more information call Nā‘ālehu Public Library at 939-2442 or Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.

DANCE IMAGINED, a class lead by Karen Masaki that “encourages exploration and builds strength and fluidity for pure exhilaration of movement,” will be held on Tuesdays this month: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. The classes will take place at the Volcano Art Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and incur a fee of $20 non-members and $15 for Volcano Art Center members or $50 for the entire series. For more, call 967-8222.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HO‘OKUPU HULA NO KA‘Ū CULTURAL FESTIVAL organizing meeting will be this Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Pāhala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. for those who would like to volunteer and support the Nov. 4. event.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pāhala Community Center.

NATIONAL COFFEE WITH A COP DAY takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 4. All are welcome to celebrate with Ka‘ū police officers from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Ka‘ū District Gymnasium Conference Room in Pāhala. The event is a casual talk-story opportunity with no agenda, where attendees can meet local police officers. Coffee and pastries will be available at no cost.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details, call 967-8371.

HULA VOICES takes place on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates this free event, with Kumu hula Iwalani Kalima of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E presenting her hula experiences. Park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS THURSDAY, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Ocean View Community Center.

REGISTER THROUGH THURSDAY, OCT. 5, FOR A KAHUKU PARK CLEANUP that takes place Friday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Those interested in joining must register. Call 929-9113 for more details.

LEARN THE ART OF TROPICAL FLOWER ARRANGING at Volcano Art Center on Friday, Oct. 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Kaipo Ah Chong will provide cleaned tropical flowers. The class is $45 plus $20 supply fee. For more, call 967-8222.