About The Kaʻū Calendar

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, October 16, 2018

The fifth annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival, on Sunday, Sept. 9, drew a sold-out crowd to fundraise for The Volcano School of Arts 
and Sciences. From left: Joyce Kekahuna and the ‘ohana from Eagle's Lighthouse Café; Revelers; Wine, food, and fun; Volunteers ready 
to greet guests with a complimentary wine glass and raffle details; More revelers; Volcano Winery Manager and VSAS parent Lani Delapenia 
with Winery Owner Del Bothof; Volunteers pour a selection of Volcano Winery's finest. See more, below. Photos from Aubrey Hawk
PRESERVING PONC FUNDING FOR CONSERVING SPECIAL LANDS is a campaign of Brenda Ford, a former County Council member who represented Kaʻū. She and advocate Debbie Hecht shepherded the creation of the Public Access Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission and its Two Percent Fund years ago. A committee of the County Charter Commission is considering reducing property taxes used by PONC purchase lands from 2 percent to .5 percent. PONC and other funding was used to acquire specials places in Kaʻū and around the island.
     In Kaʻū, 786 acres at Kāwā, 2,200 acres at Waikapuna in negotiation, 3,125.95 acres on the Kahuku Coast, and 13 acres at Kahua ʻOlohu, also known as the Makahiki Grounds, are being preserved.
Waikapuna, with 2,200 acres, is in negotiation for the county to acquire. 
Photo from Department of Land & Natural Resources 
Legacy Land Conservation Program
     Ford sent out a statement today: "When I was on the County Council (2006-2014), Debbie Hecht and I wrote the PONC and its Maintenance fund legislation from 2006-12 to allow the public to purchase treasured lands through the PONC Commission." She noted that the public has passed ballot legislation three times to retain PONC. "We finally got it into the Charter so Administrations and Councils could not stop it without a vote of the people."
     She noted that Mayor Harry Kim told the Charter Commission that he favors reducing the percentage to .5 percent. Ford contended that the mayor "wants to control the land purchases himself." She also claimed that Kim "wants to sell some of the land to the State or Feds or private persons to own and maintain. He claims that Hawaii County does not have the money to maintain or improve the parcels."
     According to Ford, "These parcels do NOT need to be maintained by the County, have never been maintained by the County, and do not need improvement by the County. The Maintenance fund is designed to attract local 'stewards' to do this process for free but the maintenance fund will pay for materials, if needed; such as, rock, gravel, lumber if a building already exists."
     She suggested that the PONC commission take the stewardship function now administered by county Parks and Recreation, and work with the nonprofits, to alleviate the county's responsibility for maintaining the parcels.
     She said the mayor would like to use the money saved by reducing PONC to hire new police officers. Asked Ford, "Where were these police officers in the 'good times' or before the PONC existed. NADA!"
Hawaiʻi County Council authorized the purchase of Kahua ʻOlohu. 
Map from PONC
     Ford said the mayor talks about raising taxes again and asking the State to increase the GET from 0.5% to 1.0% "and assorted other tax increases."
     She said that the "initial reason that the PONC legislation was written and passed was that treasured lands were being purchased by developers and the public was excluded from their legal right to go to the shorelines or mountains which is owned by the residents of Hawaii and includes the general public (visitors). The PONC fund has purchased 14 parcels with 166 more to investigate and hopefully purchase. If we do not purchase these lands now, they will be sold to speculators for development and the public will be excluded. If you have ever gone to the Mauna Kea Hotel to visit that gorgeous beach, the hotel only has about 20-22 parking spaces for the public and then the hotel refuses to allow any one else into the area reserving the beautiful beach for their guests (1965).
     "Additionally, many parcels are owned today by private owners who may not want to sell the land. The county could do an 'eminent domain' lawsuit but the Councils on which I served recommended not to do this at that time since it requires an expensive lawsuit, and we did not want to encourage such financial stress. Perhaps in the future such parcels of land may be available which is why we need to continue funding the PONC & Maintenance funds, or a large, expensive parcel will need a larger sum of money to buy it.
     "Between 39% and 43% of the money for land purchases are funded by private donations (trusts), the State, or Feds. The PONC was designed to attract non-County funds, and it has been very successful. Land which can attract matching funds has always been the priority for purchase. Additionally, the PONC Commissioners are a worthy group of people who guard those funds zealously and ably. They are to be commended for their past, present, and future work in acquiring treasured lands. I continue to hope that they will forever understand the need to purchase our treasured lands."
PONC funding contributed to the purchase of 786 acres at Kāwā. Photo by Julia Neal
     Ford acknowledged that other Counties collect a much smaller percentage for their "PONCs" – between 0.5 percent and 1 percent. "Their islands are very much smaller than ours with less treasured lands than Hawaii County." She noted that the Oʻahu has five times as many people "so it collects even more money than we do. However, we do not want to look like Honolulu which will happen if we do not protect and buy our lands now or maintain the PONC money without a 'cap' for future purchases."
     Ford encouraged those who support retaining PONC's 2 percent attend  the next meeting of the Charter Commission on Nov. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Kona Council Chambers in West Hawaiʻi Civic Center "and testify against this violation of the people's will."
     "If this terrible Charter Commission continues to promote the Mayor's agenda and place this issue on the ballot in 2020, please, please, please vote 'No' to save our precious lands," she concluded.
     Michelle Galimba, Kaʻū's Charter Commission member, said, "I am a huge fan of the PONC fund, but I also understand the county's fiscal challenges. I hope that many people will testify either in writing or in person about this issue."

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.

Recreation at Kīlauea Military Camp is in full swing.
Image from kilaueamilitarycamp.com
MORE DESTINATIONS ARE OPENING  IN HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK , following the Park gate's reopening on Saturday, Sept. 22. Some features in the Park remain closed due to ongoing repairs and unrepairable damage.
     Kīlauea Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association operates a park store in the Kīlauea Visitor Center that sells books, posters, and other educational materials. Proceeds benefit park programs.
     Volcano Art Center Gallery is open seven days a week, every day of the year except Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     Volcano House offers views of Halemaʻumaʻu 24 hours a day, and restrooms are open to the public. The two retail shops are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. All main lodge rooms are open to book, though the cabins are still closed. Uncle George's Lounge offers drinks only at this time. Both the lounge and restaurant The Rim are scheduled to be open at the end of the month. Due to the closure, snacks are for sale in the shops, and lodgers receive a free continental breakfast. Call 756-9625 for more, or visit hawaiivolcanohouse.com.
Uncle George's Lounge at Volcano House.
Image from hawaiivolcanohouse.com
     Kīlauea Military Camp is open to military visitors and lodgers, and their guests. The dorm remains closed, but most cottages are open for reservations. The Lava Lounge is open daily, with a hula show on Oct. 19, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a Halloween costume contest with DJ on Oct. 26 from 8 p.m. to midnight. The bowling alley is open, with the grill providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cafeteria remains closed due to refrigeration issues, though staff hopes to have it up and running in time to celebrate Veteran's Day. Call 967-8333 for more, or visit kilaueamilitarycamp.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.

Volcano Winery owners Marie & Del Bothof. 
Photo from Aubrey Hawk
VOLCANO WINERY HARVEST FESTIVAL BROKE ITS FUNDRAISING RECORD for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
     A statement from event organizers says, "The fifth annual Festival was once again a magnificent evening... VSAS students, families, and staff are grateful to Del and Marie Bothof, owners of Volcano Winery, for hosting the event, which raised a record $10,000 this year!"
     Marie Bothof said, "This has been a challenging year for all of us, so it's just really heartwarming to see how our community still managed to step up and raise even more money than ever in support of our kids. It's inspiring."  Proceeds will go towards the purchase of a new van for learning trips.
     VSAS School Principal Kalima Kinney said, "As in past years, the Harvest Festival sold out early and we would like to thank all of the community members who attended! The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences is indeed blessed with the most generous support of our community."
The Harvest Festival raffle was a big hit, featuring golf at the 
Mauna Kea, a stay at the Waikiki Surfjack Hotel, and
much more. Photo from Aubrey Hawk
                 
     VSAS and Volcano Winery thanked Brian Hatayama and crew from Islandwide Canopy Tents for their donation of tents, tables, chairs, and manpower, and the following participating restaurants and businesses: Ira Ono - Café Ono, Joyce Kekahuna - Eagle's Lighthouse Café, Janet Coney & Highway West Vacations – Kīlauea Lodge, Kathy & Ola Tripp - Lava Rock Café, Scott Thompson - Mehana Brewery, Tom Smith - ‘Ohelo Café, Joan Obra - Rusty's Ka‘ū Coffee, Kittipan Puttakhan - Tuk Tuk Thai Food, Amanda Leeteg - VSAS Keakealani Kitchen, Jan Deluz - WikiFRESH Restaurant, Annie Yamanoha Catering, Chelsey Hanselman – Hawaiʻi Paper Products for paper goods, Jason Morton - HFM Food Service for water and soft drinks, and Kuahiwis - TR Ireland, Grant Ka‘au‘a, Kiliona "Moku" Young - for music entertainment.

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.

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
KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE
Football:
   Sat, Oct 20, 1pm, BIIF Semi-Finals at Keaʻau, Kohala vs. Pāhoa
   Sat, Oct 27, 1pm, BIIF Finals at Pāhala Ball Park - Higher vs. Kaʻū

NEW and UPCOMING
KICKBALL INSTRUCTION, FOR KEIKI AGES 6 TO 12 YEARS OLD, will be offered at Kahuku Park (on Paradise Circle in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates) every Tuesday, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., starting Oct. 23 and ending Nov. 27. Participants must register by Friday, Oct. 19. Athletic shoes are required. For more, call 929-9113.

HALLOWEEN TRUNK OR TREAT TAKES PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Ka‘ū District Gym's multi-purpose room. Register all ages Oct. 15 through 31. For more, call 928-3102.

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM BASKETBALL COURTS ARE OPEN TO TEENS AND ADULTS Mondays through Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays, from noon to 6 p.m., through Dec. 22. Participants in Open Gym Basketball are asked to register before playing. For more, call 928-3102.

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, OCTOBER 17
‘Ai Pono with Aunty Edna Baldado - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Oct. 17, 10-2pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discuss eating and living healthier with native Hawaiian foods like kalo (taro), ‘uala (sweet potato), and ulu (breadfruit). Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed., Oct. 17, 12:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18
Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries Annual Meeting, Thu., Oct. 18, from 6pm, at the Pāhala Plantation House. Election of officers for the 2019 term beginning January 1; short business meeting followed by entertainment, food, and door prizes. Everyone encouraged to attend and share ideas on how to improve local libraries. Sandra Demoruelle, 929-9244, naalehutheatre@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19
Volunteer Forest Restoration Project: Faya Tree Removal, Fri., Oct. 19, 8:30-1pm, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, contact for meet-up location. Hosted by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age and able to hike at least one mile over rough, uneven terrain. Release forms required. Co-signatures of adult required for volunteers under 18. Contact Patty Kupchak at forest@fhvnp.org or 352-1402 by Mon., Oct. 15. fhvnp.org

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
Palm Sheath Baskets Workshop with Jelena Clay, Sat. Oct. 20, 9-2:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. All supplies provided to make two baskets - includes embellishments. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $30 supply fee. Pre-registration required. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Oct. 20, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

Zen Pen - Writing as Spiritual Practice Workshop with Tom Peek, Sat., Oct. 20, 9:30-4pm. $65/VAC member, $75/non-member. No writing experience necessary. Bring personal object, handheld mirror, and lunch. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Art in the Everyday Community Quilt Project - Assembly Workshop, Sat., Oct. 20, 10-4pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. After party to follow, 4-6pm. Visiting Artist Laura Phelps Rogers leads the ongoing project. A sculptural, social engagement and public work, in which Rogers hopes to construct monumental sculptural quilt built of 5" round, wood pieces - each blank and designed by community participants. Pick up blank piece and packet at Volcano Art Center Administration Office or at Wailoa Art Center. $10 donation. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Meeting, Sat., Oct. 20, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Chrissy Kama Henriques & Leilani Taka-Keana‘aina with Hula Hālau E Hulali Mai Ka La, Sat., Oct. 20, 10:30-11:30am, hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Bunco & Potluck, Sat., Oct. 20, 6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Ka‘ū Coastal Clean-Up with Ke Ala Kai Foundation, Sun., Oct. 21, call for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. BYO-4WD vehicle. Canoe paddlers from any Hawai‘i Island canoe club welcome. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, mattie.hwf@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org

People & Land of Kahuku, Sun., Oct. 21, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area's human history. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
VOTE: Early Walk-In Voting Open, Tue., Oct. 23, through Sat., Nov. 3. elections.hawaii.gov

HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. Meeting, Tue., Oct. 23, 10am, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

ONGOING
Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival happens Saturday, Nov. 3, at Pāhala Community Center, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Featuring Master Cultural Practitioners, Kukakuka (talk story), and many educational and cultural experiences with hands-on demonstrations. The festival is preceded by ceremonies at Punaluʻu Beach at dawn; at sunset, a ceremony will be held to honor ancestors; the festival will close with a ceremony at Makanau.
Big guy from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources talks to a 
little guy about enforcement of laws that protect honu and other sea 
creatures, during the Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival 
in Pāhala last year. Photo by Julia Neal
     Craft vendors, food vendors, and informational booths can still be applied for. Contact Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at leionalani47@hotmail.com or (808) 649-9334 for an application. Last year brought over 1,000 spectators.
     The festival features hula performed by hālau 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. This year's headliner musical acts include Hoʻaikāne, Wailau Ryder, Keʻaiwa, Victor Chock, and Steven Sioloa.
     Sponsors include County Council member Maile David and community contributions through fundraising. See hookupukau.com.

Public Access Room comes to Ocean View on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The non-partisan division of Hawaiʻi state legislature's legislative Reference Bureau will offer workshops. Free and open to the public, they focus on training for creating, following, and testifying on legislation.
     Two workshops will be offered. The first is geared towards newcomers, provides an introduction to the state legislative process to prepare new participants for the session. The second workshop is for those with an understanding of lawmaking. It will offer advanced advocacy tips on effective lobbying and often overlooked online resources. How-To guides, informational handouts, and other resources will be available.
     PAR's staff will be at Ocean View Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 92-8924 Leilani Circle. The Beginners Presentation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; the Advanced Presentation will be from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Additional presentations will be in Kona, Waimea, Pāhoa, and Hilo, from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.
     For more, call toll free to 808-974-4000, ext. 7-0478, email Keanu Young at k.young@capitol.hawaii.gov, or go to lrbhawaii.org.

Tūtū and Me tuition-free traveling preschool, for keiki birth to five years old and their caregivers, is temporarily moving their Pāhala site program for Oct. 23, 25, and 30, and Nov. 1, to the River of Life Assembly of God church. The group still meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. They will be back at Pāhala Community Center on Nov. 6. The Nāʻālehu location remains at Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.
     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to aid caregivers with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate, listening ear. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either free program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 929-8571, or Betty Clark at 464-9634 or eclark@pidfountation.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.

CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union's Nāʻālehu Branch is taking applications for a Member Service Representative.
     The job description reads: Serve as a liaison between the member and the Credit Union. Provide a variety of financial services to members including savings, share drafts, and loan transactions, as well as sales of merchandise items: money orders, traveler's checks, postage stamps, etc., in accordance with Credit Union procedures and policies. CU Hawaiʻi offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
     Mail, hand-deliver, or fax application to: CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street, Hilo, HI 96720, Fax (808) 935-7793. Applications can be downloaded online at cuhawaii.com/about-cu/career-opportunities.html

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.

Posted by at