Ka‘ū News Brief Sunday, April 22, 2018

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant lit up the Kaʻū District Gym for the first time on Saturday evening with Reishalyn Kekoa Jara taking the 2018 Crown in the glow of Volcano Stage Lighting. The pageant was directed by Kaʻū Coffee farmer Trini Marques. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

SEA MOUNTAIN AT PUNALUʻU GOLF COURSE SHUT DOWN. Golfers from the other side of the island, who said they called to make reservations a month ago, arrived Saturday morning and found the place shuttered. A sign on the outside of the office at the tennis courts where golfers check in says, "Closed Indefinitely."

SeaMoutain at Punaluʻu Golf Course is closed indefinitely,
according to a sign at the check-in office.
Photo from swingbyswing.com

     The public course is owned by the Robert Iwamoto group, which also owns the undeveloped commercial, resort, and residential properties at Punaluʻu, and boat ramp near the more than 70 privately held condominiums near the famed Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach.
     Sea Mountain Golf Course, with its 18 holes and driving range, was constructed by the old sugar plantation company, C. Brewer, was designed by Jack Synder, and opened in 1971. It has a slope rating of 129 and course rating of 7.1-USGA. Golfers showing up to find it closed are making their way up to the nearby 18-hole course at Volcano Country Club.

     Recent green fees at Punaluʻu were $46.50 on weekdays and $49.50 on weekends.

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FIRES LIT UP BEACH TRASH FRIDAY at Kamilo. Hawai‘i Fire Department reported "intention fire of flotsam on the beach." The report said, "Upon arrival, two fires of ocean flotsam were found burning. Fire #1 was 3 X10 feet and fire #2 was 15 by 20 feet. Both fires were on the beach below mean high tide line."
     The trash included ropes, nets, and other ocean debris. A helicopter crew extinguished the fire using a Bambi Bucket and ocean water. High tide helped out as it enveloped the fire's location.
     Multiple calls of black smoke rising came from Kamilo beachgoers, with the first call coming in at 12:46 p.m. on Friday. The fire was out by 2:10 p.m., with one fire engine, one tanker, one medic unit, and the helicopter responding. Eight county crew and two volunteer fire fighters responded to the fire call, according to the Hawai‘i Fire Department report. There were no reported injuries.
     Kamilo is one of the Kaʻū Coast sites where Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund sponsors volunteer cleanup days to haul away the ropes, nets, and plastics that wash in from the ocean.

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 Reishalyn Kekoa Jara, Miss Kaʻū Coffee 2018, received her crown Saturday night, along with a scholarship from major founder Edmund C. Olson, who will also sponsor her appearances on behalf of the Kaʻū Coffee industry during her reign. Photo by Julia Neal

REISHALYN KEKOA JARA IS MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE 2018, crowned Saturday evening by 2017 Miss Kaʻū Coffee Jami Beck, in the pageant directed by Trini Marques. The new queen is a 16-year old Kaʻū High School Junior who loves sports and family. She won with Tahitian dance in Talent, and also took first in Gown and Photogenic categories. She is the daughter of Regulo Jara and Brenda Kekoa, of Nāʻālehu, and sister
to Jadelyn, Chaycen, Blaycen, Kamalyn, Jacelyn, and Regulo.

First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Helena Nihiplai-Sesson and her fisherman dad Guy Sesson. 
The 16-year old Kaʻū High student sang and played ʻukulele. Photo by Julia Neal

     First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Helena K. Nihipali-Sesson, who loves singing, playing ʻukulele, and dancing hula. She took first in Career-Interview, second in Talent and Photogenic, and third in Swimsuit and Gown. She is daughter of Guy Sesson and Sherraine Nihipali-Sesson, of Pāhala. Her adopted parents are Bradford and Jadelyn Moses, of Pāhala. She is sister to Asia, Ocean, and Rain.
     Second Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Karlee Kaliya Kealaikamaile Fukunaga-Camba. She is 16 and loves dancing. She took second in Swimsuit, and third in Career-Interview and Gown. Her parents are Keala and Justine Camba, of Pāhala. She is sister to Tyren Fukunaga-Camba.

Second Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess
 is Karlee Fukunaga-Camba.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Third Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Sheri Lynn Freitas. She is 18 and a student at University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo and excels in sports and business. She took third in Talent and Photogenic. She is daughter of Rodney and Marlene Freitas, of Pahala. She is sister to Jessica, Michaela, Shaelia, and Ikaika. She is a graduate of Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School.
     Miss Kaʻū Coffee will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, her appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. The Miss Kaʻū Coffee Court will meet the public this Friday at Pāhala Plantation House at 6 p.m. for the kickoff open house for the tenth annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival. See all the events at kaucoffeefestival.com.

CRISTINA NICOLE AKIKO LOKELANI KAWEWEHI IS JR. MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE. She  is 12 years of age took first in Career-Interview, Evening Gown, and Photogenic. She is the daughter of Angelica Kawewehi and Bill Lorenzo, of Pahala. She is sister to Kapono, Mia, Keana, and Zachary Kuluwaimaka. She attends Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elemrntary School.

Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Cristina Kawewehi
and Miss Peaberry Jacelyn Jara.
Photo by Pam Taylor

     First Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess is Jacie Umemoto. The 12-year old is daughter of Michael and Valerie Pakale, of Pāhala, She is sister to Moki. She attends Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.

JACELYN KALEIPUA KEKOA JARA IS MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE PEABERRY. The ten-year old is daughter of Brenda Kekoa and Regulo Jara, of Nāʻālehu, and granddaughter of William "Brada" Kekoa and Lani Kekoa of Kamaoa, Kaʻū . She is sister to Jadelyn, Blaycen, Reishalyn, Kamalyn, Chaycen, and Regulo. She attends Nāʻālehu Elementary School.
       First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Peaberry Princess is Tenielle Jade Ducosin Blanco. The eight-year old is the daughter of Ted and Donielle Blanco, of Nāʻālehu. She is sister to Triton and Teagan-Elis.

Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower
Telia Espejo-Navarro
Photo by Julia Neal 

TELIA ALIYANA KAULIAKAU`I ESPEJO-NAVARRO IS MISS KA`U COFFEE FLOWER. She is daughter of Elias and Alyssa Navarro, of Nāʻālehu. She is sister to Tehani-Mae, Kilinahe, Kanaʻi, and Koaliʻi. The six year old attends kindergarten at Nāʻālehu Elementary School.
    Kysha Kainanimalieonalani Ka`upu-Manini is First Flower. She is daughter of Sasha Kaupu and Kai Manini, of Pāhala. The three year old attends Nāʻālehu Elementary School.
    Second Flower is Lilianna Marques. She is daughter of Shawn Marques and Kuulei Marques. She is sister to John Michael and attends kindergarten at Pāhala Elementary School.
     Major scholarship funders for this year's pageant were Edmund C. Olson, Kaʻū Mahi, Kaʻū Valley Farms, CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Pacific Quest, Kaʻū Local Products, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Josh Green, Rep. Richard Creagan, and County Council member Maile David.
     Olson Trust also funds appearances by Miss Kaʻū Coffee throughout the year.

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.

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MONDAY, APRIL 23
Fishery Council Monthly Meeting, Monday, April 23; new membership encouraged - especially recreational, commercial and regional fishers - to provide feedback for the council on a regular basis, passed on to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Visit westhawaiifisherycou.ipower.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 24
HOVE Road Maintenance Monthly Meeting, Tue, Apr 24, 10 a.m., RMC Office in Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, last Tue of each month, Apr 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View, at Paradise Circle-Mauka. Food is often gone before 1 p.m. We ask all participants to respect the grounds where this is held. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on that Tuesday. For more info or emergency food, call Dave Breskin at 319-8333. We are expanding our services to include - based on availability - free clothing provided by nonprofit Big Island Giving Tree, and pet food provided by the Hawai'i Humane Society.

Getting a Handle on Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, Tue, Apr 24, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. J.B. Friday, extension forester with University of Hawai’i, shares current understanding, management, and how to avoid spreading the disease. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNEDAY, APRIL 25
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed, Apr 25, 9 - 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors, 60 years & older, encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i; referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Kāhili Demonstration, Wed, Apr 25, 10 a.m. - noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to make a small hand-held feather standard - an example of Hawaiian art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

THURSDAY, APRIL 26
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, Apr 26, noon - 1 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Vendor Application Deadline for Ho‘olaule‘a, Fri, Apr 27. To become a vendor, contact Brenda Iokepa-Moses at biokepamoses@gmail.com or 731-5409

Coffee Talk, Fri, Apr 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join park rangers in an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Pa‘ina & Open House, Fri, Apr 27, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Meet Miss Ka`u Coffee and her Court. Listen to piano jazz, Hawaiian music and the band Shootz. Meet the coffee farmers.
       Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Julia Neal, 928-9811, mahalo@aloha.net. kaucoffeefestival.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Apr 28, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Unity Celebration, Sat, Apr 28, 10 - 4 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Hosted by The Collective. Free.

Hawai‘i Democratic County Convention, Sat, Apr 28, Sangha Hall, Hilo. hawaiidemocrats.org

Flameworking - an Introductory Class, Sat - Sun, Apr 28 - 29, 1 - 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Glasswork using a torch or lamp to melt glass. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee per person. Advanced registration required. Workshop limited to 4 adults. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sun, Apr 29, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Kaʻū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sun, Apr 29, 11 a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. 928-0550,  kaucoffeemill.com

ONGOING

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

National Park Week, Sat - Sun, Apr 21 - Apr 29, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Kahuku Unit. "Park Stars" themed events - nighttime star party, guided hikes, ranger-led adventures, volunteer opportunities - at nps.gov/HAVO.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. 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. 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.

Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi 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

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.

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JUST ANNOUNCED & UPCOMING

RETURN TO THE WILD: ‘ALALĀ REINTRODUCTION EFFORTS is the topic of this Friday's Coffee Talk in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The April 27 event takes place from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

     ‘Alalā, the endemic and endangered Hawaiian crow, are extinct in the wild. Rachel Kingsley, education and outreach associate for The ʻAlalā Project, will talk about the most recent reintroduction efforts to establish a wild population of ʻalalā to Hawai‘i Island.

     The update includes information on what changes to the reintroduction plan have influenced the 2017 release, the status of the birds released in 2017, and the plan for future reintroductions. Attendees can learn more about the recovery of the ʻAlalā, a highly intelligent and unique crow species, integral to Hawaiian ecosystems and culture.

     Held on the final Friday of every month, Coffee Talk is an opportunity to get to know the Park and neighbors, and join an informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy. 11.

     Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more about the park and its programs. 

Artist Nash Adams-Pruitt offers Flameworking, An
Introductory Class, at Volcano Art Center on
Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

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AN INTRODUCTORY CLASS TO FLAMEWORKING, also known as lampworking or torchworking, is offered Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., announces Volcano Art Center.

     Flameworking is a type of glasswork whereby the artist utilizes a torch or lamp to melt the glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is blown and shaped with tools and hand movements, forming beads, figurines, or other similar miniature artwork.
     Flameworking, An Introductory Class, under the guidance of instructor and artist Nash Adams-Pruitt, is designed for the student who has never touched a torch. Adams-Pruitt teaches the regions of the flame and heat base for a solid foundation from which to build flamework skills. Participants will learn to create sphere forms and pendants.
     Students complete the workshop with their own finished design, and knowledge and experience of basic skills involved to continue flameworking.

Examples of flamework art.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

    Adams-Pruitt specializes in functional glass art. He has been working borosilicate glass at the torch for four years.
     Class fee is $155 per Volcano Art Center Member, $160 per non-Member, plus a $40 supply fee per person. Attendees are asked to wear covered shoes. Advance registration is required; workshop limited to 4 adults. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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KDENte! ITALIAN FOOD FUNDRAISER, Fri, May 4, 6:00 p.m., at Almafatano's Italian Restaurant. Buffet of delicious food includes a pasta dish, lasagna, and a salad. Karl Halemano will provide musical entertainment. Tickets are $20, available at the door. Reservations by calling KDEN at 982-7344.

     KDEN is a non-profit community theater organization founded by experienced Community Theater organizers and performing artists. KDEN's mission is to provide and promote top quality community theater in East Hawai‘i, seeking to enrich and unite our community through participation in the performing arts. KDEN produces a summer musical, a winter production, and sponsors a Living History program in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Volcano Festival Chorus. Proceeds will help with KDEN's summer musical, Lionel Bart's Oliver, playing in July at KMC's Kilauea Theater.