Ka‘ū News Brief Friday, April 13, 2018

"Captain Mark" Jeffers of Kauaʻi's Storybook Theatre Hawaiʻi, with his inflatable tiger shark, interacts with and teaches 
students about the marine animal. Jeffers visits Pāhala Elementary, giving his educational presentations to Pre-K through 
3rd grade classes on Tuesday, April 17. See full story, below. Photo from Storybook Theatre of Hawaiʻi

SPINLAUNCH MEETS WITH KAʻŪ RESIDENTS TOMORROW, SATURDAY, 10 a.m., at Nāʻālehu Community Center. The Sunnyvale, Calif., tech company is searching in Hawaiʻi for a place to launch small satellites into space. When Kaʻū residents, who advise the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, learned that land above Pohuʻe Bay was being considered as a possible location, their Aha Moku Advisory Committee called for SpinLaunch to meet the people.

     The group also asked the Hawaiʻi Legislature to hold back on assisting SpinLaunch with $25 million in funding through Special Purpose Revenue Bonds until its plans could be further vetted. However, the state Senate voted on Tuesday to approve the bonds with the only Senators voting against it coming from districts closest to Pohuʻe Bay - those from Kona to Kaʻū, Kaʻū to Puna, and Hilo.
     SpinLaunch representatives Ryan Hampton and Raphael Feldman are expected to talk with Ka‘ū residents, along with Sen. Glenn Wakai of O‘ahu, who introduced the revenue bonds into the Senate.

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Officer Paul Mangus lights the Flame of Hope from a lava flow in Kalapana. 
Photo from Hawaii Police

LAVA LIT THE HAWAI‘I SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLAME OF HOPE TORCH this week. Special Olympics Hawai‘i members, police officers from O‘ahu and here, and members of the Coast Guard took a seven-hour hike to find a lava flow On Kilauea Volcano to light the torch. It will be carried from place to place to "help light the journey for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes participating in the State Summer Games," says a statement from Special Olympics Organizers.

     The flame ignited by Kilauea Volcano lava will be transferred in miner's lamps around Hawai‘i Island. The Flame of Hope will make an appearance this Saturday, April 14, during the East Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Torch Run, and on Saturday, April 21, during the West Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Torch Run.

     The flame will be transported to Kaua‘i, Maui and, O‘ahu, carried by the crews of the USCG Cutter Oliver Berry and the USCG Cutter Ahi, as they conduct operational duties and training.

Malia Conner, shown with her participation ribbons 
and gold, silver, and bronze medals from Special 
Olympics events participated in over ten 
years. Photo by Cate Brooks

     Later this month, police officers will carry the flame during their annual Law Enforcement Torch Run on O‘ahu, where statewide law enforcement officers from federal, state, and county agencies will run to raise awareness, funds, and hope for people with intellectual disabilities. The First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run is named after Troy Barboza, a Honolulu Police Department officer who spent his off-duty time coaching Special Olympics athletes. This is the only Torch Run program in the world named after a fallen officer. Since it was first established, the Torch Run has raised over $7,297,442 for Special Olympics Hawaiʻi.
     Cindy Ujimori, Special Olympics Hawaiʻi vice president of community outreach, said the organization "has helped bring intellectual disabilities out of the darkness and into the light, creating a community of understanding and respect.

     "Since 1968 Special Olympics has helped change attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities, creating a more inclusive, welcoming world for all," she said.

     Mary Ann "Malia" Conner - who participated in Special Olympics Hawaiʻi for ten years, doing bowling, soccer, t-ball, and bocce ball - and her mother, Colleen, volunteered for the yearly Cop on Top fundraiser, to help fund the trips to Oʻahu for Hawaiʻi Island participants. Malia said being in the Special Olympics was a "phenomenal experience, lots of friends. I felt like a winner and an athlete."

   For more information on Special Olympics Hawai‘i please contact (808) 695-3533 or visit sohawaii.org. Also, follow Special Olympics Hawai‘i on Twitter @sohawaii, on Facebook at facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii, and on Instagram at instagram.com/sohawaii. 

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"Captain Mark" with his giant inflatable tiger shark, teaching
students about the marine animal. Photo from Jeffers

TIGER SHARK IS THE STORYBOOK THEATRE OF HAWAI`I'S attraction at Pāhala Elementary School next Tuesday, April 17. Director and storyteller Mark Jeffers as come with his cast of characters from Russell the Rooster to whales and dolphins to Kaʻū for many years. He shares his story telling around the state and as far south as the Cook Islands. Storybook Theatre og Hawai`i is based in Hanapepe, on Kauaʻi .
     The presentation on Monday includes education about the life of sharks, and their place in the health and ecosystem of the oceans.
     With children sitting inside the belly of his blow-up shark, Jeffers will offer stories to Pre-K students from 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Kindergarten from 12:15 - 12:45 p.m., Grade 1 from 12:45 - 1:15 p.m., Grade 2 from 1:15 - 1:30 p.m., and Grade 3 from 1:30 - 2 p.m.

     Pāhala Plantation Cottages is helping to sponsor the Pāhala part of Story Book Theatre of Hawaiʻi's tour of this island.

     To book a show, contact director@storybook.org or 808-335-0712.

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Glow from Halemaʻumaʻu in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photos from nps.gov

HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEES will increase, effective January 1, 2020, to $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per pedestrian or bicycle - each pass good for seven days. The National Park Service's announcement states the increase will provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs to enhance the visitor experience.

     The annual Tri Park Pass, an annual pass that allows visitors unlimited entry to the three fee-charging national parks in Hawai‘i - Hawai‘i Volcanoes and Haleakalā National Parks, and Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park - will increase in phases. Starting June 1, 2018, the Tri Park Pass will go from $30 to $50, and to $55 in January 2020. Revenue from entrance fees remains in the National Park Service and helps ensure a quality experience for all who visit. At Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, at least 80 percent of entrance fees stay in the park and are devoted to spending that supports visitors to that location. The other 20 percent of entrance fee income is shared with other national parks for their projects.

Lava flow eating a tree in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

     In response to public comments on a fee proposal released by NPS in October 2017, the changes reflect a modest increase for all fee-charging parks, rather than the higher peak-season fees initially proposed for 17 highly visited national parks on the mainland.

     "When I began my tenure at Hawai‘i Volcanoes in 2004, the park was approaching its 100th anniversary, but it already looked 100 years old. The Centennial and subsequent years have seen additional stressors to park infrastructure, trails and historic buildings, and the corrosive environment of an erupting volcano doesn't help. The $5 increase, effective in January of  2020, will mitigate these effects as we continue to address deferred maintenance within the park," said Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.

     National parks have experienced record-breaking visitation, with more than 1.5 billion visitors in the last five years. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park had 2,016,702 visitors in 2017, and in 2016, visitors spent $159,195,500 in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,917 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $199,923,400. 2017 economic data is not yet available. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has had an entrance fee since 1987. The price of the annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Lands Annual Pass and Lifetime Senior Pass will remain $80.

Ribbons of lava, flowing in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

     Throughout the country, the combination of an aging infrastructure and increased visitation has put a strain on park roads, bridges, campgrounds, waterlines, bathrooms, and other visitor services, and led to an $11.6 billion deferred maintenance backlog nationwide. The additional revenue from entrance fees at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will include a new roof at Jaggar Museum, the rehabilitation of the ‘Ōhi‘a Wing into a cultural museum and archives, and improvements to the park's water system and park trails, including heavily used front country trails like Halema‘uma‘u and ‘Iliahi trails.

     Visit nps.gov for more, or follow at facebook.com/nationalparkservice, twitter.com/natlparkservice, and youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

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A COFFEE BORER BEETLE CONFERENCE SEEKS COFFEE FARM HOSTS for extension agents, researchers, and farmers visiting from Puerto Rico. The conference organizers are looking for estate farmers who are willing to host a 1-2 hour coffee farm tour for the group on Thursday, April 26th. The group is specifically looking to tour farms that are vertically integrated, meaning that the farmer grows and processes their coffee on farm.

     Farmers available to host a tour may email andreak@hawaii.edu with the following information: owner/operator name, farm name, physical farm address (to estimate travel time), email, phone number, how many acres of coffee, is a conventional or organic farming method used, is the coffee grown and processed on the farm, and is the farm accessible by 2-wheel drive car.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS SOFTBALL had a difficult game Wednesday against Kamehameha Schools, scoring just 1 point against their opponent's 11. The last Spring softball game happens tomorrow, April 14.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

     Boys Volleyball has three more games, one today, two next week. See schedule, below.

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KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Girls Softball: Saturday, Apr 14, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū

Boys Volleyball: Monday, Apr 16, @ Hilo

   Friday, Apr 20, Parker @ Ka‘ū

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND RAFFLE, Sat, Apr 14, 8 - 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

MINI-BAZAAR FUNDRAISER, Sat, Apr 14, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church, Ka’ū. Vendor "flea market", hot foods/plate lunches, baked goods, and more.

GARDEN SUCCESS IN HAWAI‘I, Sat, Apr 14, 9 a.m. - noon, County Extension Office, across from Aloha Theater, Kainaliu. Event features plant sale, demo garden, how to grow from containers, plant questions answered, info on rat lungworm and fire ants, keiki activities, and more. Every family that attends will receive a free tomato plant. Master Gardener Helpline, 322-4895

PAINT YOUR OWN SILK SCARF with Patti Pease Johnson, Sat, Apr 14, 9 - 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee per person. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

BIRTH OF KAHUKU, Sat, Apr 14, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow. nps.gov/HAVO

KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, Sat, Apr 14, 9:30 a.m., Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

ZENTANGLE: DINGBATZ, Sat, Apr 14, 10 - 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee per person. Basic knowledge of Zentangle recommended by not required. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

HULA KAHILO WITH KINI KA‘AWA & Kua O Ka La Public Charter School, Sat, Apr 14, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., kahua hula (hula platform) at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

NĀ MEA HULA w/ Kumu Hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe & Hālauolaokalani, Sat, Apr 14, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Cultural demonstration. Free. volcanoartcenter.org

JAZZ IN THE FOREST Concert, Sat, Apr 14, 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Retrospective tribute to Miles Davis - revisiting his compositions and styles of the six distinct periods of his creative output. Tickets available online, volcanoartcenter.org, $18/VAC member or $20/non-member. 967-8222

MONGOLIAN BBQ, Sat, Apr 14, 5 - 8 p.m. Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. $0.85/ounce - choice of 13 veggies, 4 meats, sauces, chow mein, and beverage. Park entrance fees apply. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 15
PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU, Sun, Apr 15, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history. nps.gov/HAVO

KA‘Ū HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS compete on It's Academic - Hawai‘i, Sun, Apr 15, 7 p.m., re-air Sat, Apr 21, 6:30 p.m., Channel 5 (KFVE). Watch live stream on KFVE.com. More info.

MONDAY, APRIL 16
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, Mon, Apr 16, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, APRIL 17
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETINGS, Tue, Wed, & Thu, Apr 17, 18, & 19, Hilo. Departmental Budget & Program Reviews. Ka’ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

PĀHALA COMMUNITY CENTER OFFERS CLOTHESPIN PLANE AND CAR, an Arts & Crafts activity for keiki, grades K through 8, on Wed, April 18, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Register until Tue, April 17. For more, contact Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Board Meeting, Wed, Apr 18, noon - 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

300 METER RACES FOR KEIKI AGES 6 TO 12 take place at Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, on Fri, April 20, from 2 to 3 p.m., hosted by Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation. Registration open through Wed, April 18. Athletic shoes required. For more, contact Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

KEIKI, AGES 6 TO 12, WELCOMED TO PAINT A RAINBOW. Register by Wed, April 18. Free Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation Arts & Crafts program, Tue, April 24, Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. Contact Teresa Anderson at 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19
VETERAN'S CENTER & VA MEDICAL SERVICES, Thu, Apr 19, 8:30 - noon, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/ VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

HAWAI‘I DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES, Thu, Apr 19, 9 - 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA from Tūtū & Me, Thu, Apr 19, 10:30 - noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

FAMILY READING, Thu, Apr 19, 6 - 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū, Thu, Apr 19, 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, APRIL 20
‘OHE KAPALA, HAWAIIAN BAMBOO STAMPING, Fri, Apr 20, 10 a.m. - noon, Kahuku Unit, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

ONGOING

ONE COMMUNITY AND ONE PARENT REPRESENTATIVE are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. Nominations will be accepted from April 2 through April 16 at 3 p.m. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee.

     The campaign for the positions starts April 16. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

TŪTŪ AND ME OFFERS HOME VISITS to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY PRESENTS HO’OKU’I I NĀ KIKO, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

KAʻŪ COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST registration open through Friday, April 20, limit one entry per category, per contestant. Recipes will be judged Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m., at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Youth and adult submissions judged separately. Categories are pūpū, entrée, and dessert; all recipes must be made with (any) Ka‘ū Coffee. Entry info at kaucoffeemill.com or kaucoffeefestival.com, or call 808-928-0550. Entry forms can also be found at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill or Mizuno Market; forms below. Email for info/questions sales@kaucoffeemill.com

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