Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, right, with Hālau Hula O Leionalani at last year's Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

Japanese hula dancers shared their skills with Ka‘ū at last year's Ho‘okupu Hula Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

THE BIOENERGY COMPANY SET TO BURN EUCALYPTUS TO MAKE ELECTRICITY from wood harvested from tree farms in Kaʻū is is facing a Hawaiʻi Supreme Court hearing in late October. According to a statement from Henry Curtis, of Life of the Land, released today:

     "Hu Honua proposed a Biomass-to-Electricity Generation Station in Pepeʻekeo on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island.

     "The Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ruled in favor of the Hawaiʻi Electric Light Company (HELCO)-Hu Honua Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Eucalyptus. Photo from conservationhawaii.org

     "Life of the Land appealed the ruling on three grounds: the failure of the Commission to meet their legally required mandate that the Commission qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate greenhouse gas emission, the high cost of the project relative to recent Commission approvals of alternatives such as wind or solar in combination with storage, and Life of the Land's limited participant status rather than full party status."
     Ho Honua received permitting from the county and state, and approval from the PUC for a contract to sell electricity to Hawaiian Electric Light.
Construction of the power plant is nearly finished and harvesting of Eucalyptus lands above Pāhala is underway.
     The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Oct. 25 at 8:45 a.m. at Aliʻiōlani Hale, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court building, located at 417 S King Street, Honolulu. The public may attend the hour-long hearing.

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50 percent of Hawaiʻi papaya crops
were destroyed in the recent
eruption. Photo from Wikipedia

DISPLACED PUNA FARMERS ARE SEEKING LAND AND MONEY, according to a story in today's Pacific Business News. With some $20 million in farm damages and 500 acres of farmland destroyed during the recent eruption of Kīlaeua volcano, some farmers seek to reestablish their agricultural businesses elsewhere on Hawaiʻi Island.

     Hard hit was the papaya industry, with Puna contributing about 50 percent of the state's crop before the lava flow.

     Randy Cabral, president of the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, told Pacific Business News that it will be a "long road to recovery to get these farmers reestablished." In addition to the volcano, damaging impacts came from Hurricane Lane. Cabral told PNB the farmers "can't go back to this land, they have to start over. The challenge for these farmers is finding new land and finding the capital to get reestablished again. A lot of these guys have very low profit margins, and papaya takes more than a year to grow, so they don't have the revenue to start over."

Flower farmers need help to re-establish
after the devastation of the recent
eruption. Photo from Wikipedia

     Also needing a new start are flower farmers. About 10 percent of the flower farms in Puna were lost to the volcano.

     Cabral told PBN The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau is reaching out to businesses, state, county, and individuals for land and grants to reinvigorate local food production. Even raw land can cost up to $10,000 an acre to clear and prepare for planting, he said. See more at pacificbusinessnews.com.

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Hawaiian, Mexican, and Japanese dancers and musicians
shared their cultures at last year's Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū
Cultural Festival in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal

HOʻOKUPU HULA NO KAʻŪ CULTURAL FESTIVAL is set for Saturday, Nov. 3, at Pāhala Community Center. Hoʻaikāne, Wailau Ryder, Keaiwa, Victor Chock, and Steven Sioloa headline the music at the free event.

     Hula will be performed by halau from Mexico, Japan, West Virginia, Oʻahu, South America, and Hawaiʻi Island. Traditional ethnic dance performances will come from Mexico, as well as the University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo Filipino Dancers. Taiko Drummers will perform.

A big stage at Pāhala Community Center drew more than
1,000 people to the hula fest last year. Photo by Julia Neal

     The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The day will feature Master Cultural Practitioners, Kukakuka (talk story), and many educational and cultural experiences with hands-on demonstrations.

     At sunset, a ceremony will be held to honor ancestors. The festival is preceded by ceremonies at Punaluʻu Beach at dawn. A ceremony will be held to close the festival at Makanau.

     There is still room for craft vendors, food vendors, and informational booths. Contact Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at leionalani47@hotmail.com or (808) 649-9334 for an application.

     Sponsors include County Council member Maile David and community contributions through fundraising. See hookupukau.com.

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HAWAIʻI PUBLIC RADIO'S FALL FUNDRAISER begins its semi-annual, on-air fund drive, celebrating the Power of Story, on Sept. 26, with a goal of $845,000, says a release from the station. Fifty percent of the station's 14,200 members now contribute on a monthly basis. The ongoing revenue stream created by these Sustaining Members has resulted in four years of steadily reduced fund drive goals, even while operational costs grow.

     José A. Fajardo, the station's president and general manager, says "Amidst volatile news cycles and extreme weather events, HPR has demonstrated its value as a source of calm and reliable information and culture. During the next ten days, our audiences will hear how valuable they are to the station. We are appealing especially to those who have been listening for a while, but not yet contributed. Growing the number of donors in our listener base is what will sustain HPR and make possible our dreams for the future."
     On August 1, Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator, recognized HPR with its seventh consecutive four-star designation, says the release. "This highest possible rating indicates that HPR executes its mission in a financially efficient way and even exceeds industry standards."

     Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, wrote, "Only 5% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 7 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Hawaii Public Radio outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Hawaiʻi Public Radio apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness."

     The release says, "Unlike many other public radio stations around the country, HPR enlivens its pledge drives by inviting the participation of community partners. In the coming days, representatives from such groups as Ulupono Initiative and the YMCA, as well as numerous local businesses and arts organizations, will go on the air and/or staff the phone banks in support of HPR. Many of these groups also contribute unique thank you items, even a grand prize for the opening day's sweepstakes. Community voices will also be featured on HPR's classical music station, HPR-2, remembering how they discovered the music that became a lifelong passion."
     Fajardo continues, "This fund drive celebrates the diversity of perspectives one can find on our air and the power of a story well-told to bring our community together. With its reliance on the human voice and language, radio can connect us to another's lived experience in a surprisingly intimate and powerful way. We believe that everyone has a story."
     Like other public radio stations around the county, HPR pays content providers, such as NPR, for selected programs. The flagship news magazines Morning Edition and All Things Considered together cost HPR approximately $1000 a day. Other popular programs, Fresh Air and Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! each cost between $33,000 and $41,000 per year. HPR also produces about a third of its programming locally and maintains a network of 15 facilities across the Hawaiian islands.
    Contributions to HPR may be made online at any time at bit.ly/isupporthpr, as well as through the free HPR mobile app. Fund drive phone lines open at 6 a.m. on September 26. Donations may be made at (808) 944-8800, toll-free (888) 970-8800, and after 8 p.m. at (808) 941-3689, toll-free (877) 941-3689.

     HPR-1 broadcasts news, talk, entertainment, jazz, blues, and world music on Hawaiʻi Island at KANO 89.1, KHPH 88.7, KKUA 90.7, K235CN 94.9, and K239BV 95.7. HPR-2, "your home for classical music," can be listened to on Hawaiʻi Island at KIPH 88.3, KIPM 89.7, KAHU 91.3, and K283CR 104.5. HPR is online and streaming at hawaiipublicradio.org; as well as on Facebook: FB/hawaiipublicradio, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms @WeAreHPR. Free iOS and Android apps for "Hawaii Public Radio" are available for download from the App Store or Google Play. HPR-1 and HPR-2 may also be heard via cable broadcasts from Spectrum channels 864 and 865, or Hawaiian Telcom TV channels 661 and 662. Hawaiʻi Public Radio is also an Amazon Echo skill.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE

Football:

   Sat., Sept. 29, 11am, host Pāhoa

   Sat, Oct 6, 12pm, host Kohala

   Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha

   Sat, Oct 20, BIIF Finals - Higher

Girls Volleyball:
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS

   Tues, Oct 2, 6pm, @ Kealakehe

   Fri, Oct 5, 6pm, host Keaʻau

   Wed, Oct 10, 6pm, @ Parker

   Fri, Oct 12, 6pm, host St. Joseph

   Mon, Oct 15, BIIF DII Qtr - Higher

   Wed, Oct 17, BIIF DII Semi-Finals @ Kona
   Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona

Cross Country:
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS

   Sat, Oct 6, 2pm, @ Kealakehe

   Sat, Oct 13, BYE

   Sat, Oct 20, 9am, BIIF @ HPA

   Sat, Oct 27, 8:30am, HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING

FRIENDS OF THE KAʻŪ LIBRARIES ANNUAL MEETING happens Thursday, Oct. 18, from 6 p.m., at the Pāhala Plantation House. The meeting's purpose is to hold elections for officers to serve the 2019 term beginning January 1, and to conduct a short business meeting. The public is invited to "come share their ideas on how to improve our libraries," says President Sandra Demoruelle. "We all benefit by having great libraries, so we welcome old and new members who want to join our team and help promote our motto: 'Want to succeed? Read!'"

     The meeting will be followed by entertainment, food, and door prizes. Contact Sandra Demoruelle, 929-9244, naalehutheatre@yahoo.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26

Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Sept. 26, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi - referral required from Hawaiʻi 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

Craft Class, Wed., Sept. 26, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nāʻālehu. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Arts and Crafts Activity: Beaded Wind Chime, Wed., Sept. 26, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register Sept. 19-25. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

THURSDAY, SEPT. 27
Kaʻū Community Children's Council, Thu., Sept. 27, 12-1:30pm, Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Monthly 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, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Sept. 27, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, SEPT. 28
Coffee Talk - The 1868 Eruption in Kaʻū: Disruption and Destruction, Fri., Sept. 28, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Park, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Join the discussion with rangers and other park visitors. Kaʻū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Park Beautification Day, Fri., Sept. 28, 1:30-4pm, Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. For all ages. Register Sept. 19-26. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

SATURDAY, SEPT. 29

Volunteer Day, The Nature Conservancy, Sat., Sept. 29, 8-3pm, either Kona Hema or Kaʻū Preserve, contact for confirmation. Tools, gloves, and stories provided. Space is limited. Reserve a space in a 4wd TNC truck in advance. Sponsored in part by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Contact Mel Johansen at or Shalan Crysdale at scrysdale@tnc.org. tnc.org

Paths and Trails, Sat., Sept. 29, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Moderately-difficult, 2-mile, hike with some of the most spectacular overlooks in Kahuku. Discover the ways people, animals, and plants got to Kahuku and the paths they follow. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Story Time with Lindsey Miller from PARENTS, Inc., Mon., Oct. 1, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Oct. 1, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue./Wed., Oct. 2 (Committees)/3 (Council), Hilo, Tue./Wed., Oct. 16 (Committees)/17 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue., Oct. 2, 4-6pm, Oct. 16, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue., Oct. 2, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Family Yoga Class, Tue., Oct. 2, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Wonderful way to embody connection. 3-12 years old and caregivers. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat, if can, as supplies are limited. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

ONGOING

Disaster Recovery Center Closes Saturday, Sept. 29. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pāhoa Neighborhood Center at 15-3022 Kauhale St. Survivors who have left the area, call 800-621-3362.

One Lucid Dream: A Retrospective of Art Works by Ken Charon. Exhibit open Mon.-Sat., through Oct. 6, 10-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Original paintings, drawings, and other objects. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool's Temporary Nāʻālehu Location is Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate, listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Open Enrollment for Harmony Educational Services through Oct. 15. Partnered with four local public charter schools, offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can contact Ranya Williams, rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798. harmonyed.com/hawaii

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