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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Hōkūle‘a has rescheduled its Miloli‘i visit to Saturday, April 28, after visiting Kona and Hilo. The crew planned to make Miloli‘i its first stop on its Mahalo
Mahalo Sail, but bad weather last weekend delayed the voyage and she headed to Kona early this week. See story below. Photo by Peter Anderson
THE SPINLAUNCH SPACEPORT funding is going to a state Senate Ways & Means public hearing tomorrow. The idea of placing it in Kaʻū has drawn comment from local legislators in an article in Civil Beat by Alan McNarie. Regarding a possible site near Pohu‘e Bay, Sen. Russell Ruderman told Civil Beat, "I'm very tired of people who don't live on the Big Island talking about putting things here and not talking about it with the community." According to the article, Ruderman asked, "Did they put up any notices in the community? Did they try at all to connect with the community? They (Kaʻū residents) have rejected rocket launch facilities three times in the past. We don't want it and we are resentful that things keep getting proposed for our community without talking to us."
     Ruderman told McNarie that his biggest concern is "the environmental impact and the impact on the community which has tried so hard to keep its character, which is healthy and clean and agriculturally oriented."
     Sen. Josh Green also turned thumbs down on the project, according to Civil Beat.
     Rep. Richard Creagan told Civil Beat: "I don't feel that the people in Kaʻū have been adequately briefed on this project. Big Island people want us to focus more on health care, affordable housing, drug treatment and homeless solutions." Creagan also commented on the proposed technology, which would be a centrifuge device with an arm spinning thousands of miles an hour and flinging the payload into space. "If they disintegrate at that kind of speed, you'd better have a strong containment area," said Creagan.

Rep. Richard Creagan
Sen. Russell Ruderman
Sen. Josh Green

     The article said Ruderman also expressed concerns about the unproven technology. The Civil Beat reporter wrote, “No payload has ever entered orbit via anything but a rocket." The story says that Ruderman and Creagan “suspect that even if the Legislature authorizes the bonds, they still won’t make it past the State Office of Budget and Finance’s vetting process given all the technical and financial unknowns that surround the project."
     The McNarie article in Civil Beat notes that the O‘ahu Senator who introduced the funding bill for SpinLaunch into the Hawai‘i Legislature has backed off on the Pohu‘e Bay location. "Initial reports had named Pohu‘e Bay in Kaʻū as the likely site, but after hearing from local kupuna, Wakai said he'd advised SpinLaunch to look elsewhere: 'They understand that Pohu‘e Bay is full of cultural and historic features and environmental issues that might be difficult for them to overcome. I was telling them that there might be possibilities between Ocean View and Miloli‘i,'" Wakai told Civil Beat.
     See more testimony from Kaʻū residents in Thursday's Kaʻū News Briefs. To testify, go to HB2559.

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HŌKŪLE‘A SAILED TO HAWAI‘I ISLAND March 26, but bypassed Miloli'i due to a weather delay. The 63-foot Polynesian Voyaging Canoe is moored in the bay off Kona Pier. Hōkūle‘a is scheduled to sail to  Miloli‘i on Saturday, April 28 and the crew will welcome the public. The Mahalo Sail features five weeks of public education around the island - events to be announced as scheduled - see Hōkūle‘a's crew's Facebook for updates.

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Effects of invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. Photo from DLNR
$3.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO FIGHT INVASIVE SPECIES and Support Hawai‘i Agriculture have been appropriated, Sen. Mazie Hirono reports from Washington, D.C.
     "Invasive pests continue to threaten the livelihood of Hawai‘i farmers and future of our agriculture industry," Hirono said. "This funding will advance research focused on the eradication of several invasive pests and pathogens, as well as provide additional resources to protect our environment and agriculture crops from invasive species that are not currently found in Hawai‘i."
     "Biosecurity is one of Hawai‘i’s top priorities for our agricultural industry," Nicholas Comerford, PhD, Dean and Director of the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources said. "This funding will assist the University of Hawai‘i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in providing prevention, detection, and mitigation of unwanted invasive species and therefore protect agriculture, along with Hawai‘i’s fragile island ecosystem and community."
     The eight projects are funded through Section 10007 of the Fiscal Year 2014 Farm Bill, for which Hirono led on a letter to the USDA in support of strong federal support, last year.
Invasive little fire ants. Photo from littlefireants.com
     The $3.7 million in USDA funding will be allocated to the following projects: $1.3 million to support coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) eradication activities in Hawaii; $980,000 to identify and use predatory insects for biological control and to develop other tools to address the CRB, as well as to mitigate the impact of other harmful plant pests such as tephritid species and the coffee berry borer; $643,000 to develop or enhance plant pest and disease diagnostic and identification technologies for exotic fruit flies, fruit piercing moth, and Dickeya species of pests; $233,000 to develop a compendium reference publication on fruit fly host commodities; $232,000 for x-ray equipment supporting Hawaii pre-departure agricultural inspections of commercial air passengers; $123,000 to survey for harmful invasive mollusks and solanaceous vegetable crop pathogens; $138,000 to support increased awareness about invasive ants and CRB in Hawaii; and $44,000 to support National Clean Plant Network foundation plant stocks for sweet potato.
Invasive fruit flies. Photo from hawaii.gov
     These projects, which will be carried out by both federal and state agencies as well as academia and non-profits, illustrate the important role that federal partnerships play in protecting Hawaii’s unique environment and agricultural industry. "Prevention, early detection, and rapid response are critical to fighting invasive pests and diseases and these funds will help advance those efforts throughout the state," states Hirono.

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VENDORS ARE SOUGHT FOR FUNDRAISING BAZAAR at Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church in Wai‘ohinu on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the church grounds. The church is located on the corner of Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamaoa Road and Pinao Street, just above the Wong Yuen Store.
     Individuals, schools, clubs, and sports/athletic groups are invited to be vendors at the "flea market." 10' x 10' spaces are $10. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tents, tables, chairs, and - if power is needed - generators. Vendors can sell anything except hot foods/plate lunches.
     The Church will sell Smoke Meat bowls, Roast Chicken Bowls, plus baked goods and produce, and there will be a "rummage" table.
     To reserve a vendor space or for more info, call Walter or Debbie at 928-8039 in the evening.

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LUCIA TARALLO OFFERS A FREE LECTURE, THE LAST TRUTH, on Saturday, Mar. 31, at 3 p.m., announces Volcano Art Center. The event honors the opening day of a new exhibition, Ho‘oku‘i i nā Kiko: Connecting the Dots, at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     An opening reception for the exhibit, where the public is invited to view the mixed media artwork on display by Hawai‘i Island artists Natalie Mahina Jensen and Tarallo, follows. Free; park entrance fees apply. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more.

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KA‘Ū TROJANS GIRLS SOFTBALL had a great game yesterday, March 27, against Pāhoa. The girls showed great skill in ending the game with 20 runs, while their opponents were left in the dust at zero.
     Next girls softball game is scheduled for tomorrow, March 29. See full schedule, below.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.htmlSee Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, 
February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Softball: Saturday, Mar 31 @ Honoka‘a
   Monday, Apr 2, @ Kohala
   Saturday, Apr 7, Hawai‘i Prep @ Ka‘ū
   Monday, Apr 9, @ Pāhoa
   Wednesday, Apr 11 @ KSH
   Saturday, Apr 14, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Boys Volleyball: Tuesday, Apr 3, @ Waiakea
   Wednesday, Apr 11, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
   Friday, Apr 13, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū
   Monday, Apr 16, @ Hilo
   Friday, Apr 20, Parker @ Ka‘ū

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29
STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU Thu, Mar 29. Meet at 9:30 a.m., Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Rd, off Hwy 11. Bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, water, closed-toe shoes; fabrics may be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com



POETRY READING WITH 'THE POETS OF 1958' - Laura Mullen, Marthe Reed, and Susan M. Schultz - Thursday Night at the Center, March 29, 7 to 9 p.m. Free; $5 donation suggested. volcanoartcenter.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 30
COFFEE TALK, Fri, Mar 30, 9:30 - 11 a.m.Kahuku Park. Join park rangers in an informal conversation on a variety of topics. This month: Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

SATURDAY, MARCH 31
LAST 2018 SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT, Sat, Mar 31, 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; arrive 30 min. prior for orientation. Four locations near/in Ka‘ū: Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park, and Ka‘ena Point - hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov for directions; park entrance fees apply. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Pre-registration required: sanctuaryoceancount.org

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT Sat., March 31. Meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center8:45 a.m. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants, and bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment, or written consent, required for volunteers under 18. Visit park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit
_stewardship.htm

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., from Saturday, Mar. 31, to Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222
     A free lecture titled "The Last Truth," offered by Lucia Tarallo, takes place at 3pm on the opening day of the exhibition. The lecture will be followed by an opening reception where the public is invited to meet the artists.

SECOND ANNUAL KA‘Ū WELLNESS FAIR, GET YOUR SPRING, Sat, Mar 31, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., multi-purpose room at Ka‘ū District Gym in Pāhala. The event features an Egg Hunt and Healthy Fun-Run-Walk, both of which begin at 9:30 a.m. - registration begins at 9 a.m. Also offered are a Blue Zones Purpose Workshop, from 10 a.m. to 11 a..m., and Book Time - Read A-Loud with Friends of the Ka‘ū Libraries, starting at 10 a.m. P.A.T.H. makes a presentation at 10:30 a.m. Vision Screenings, Keiki I.D.s, and Biometrics from Ka‘ū Public Health will be available. Several organizations will also provide information booths for the event: Bay Clinic, Ka‘ū Rural Health Clinic, Ka‘ū Rural Hospital, Project Aware - Your Mental Health First Aid, HSTA, Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool and Home Visitor Program, and more.

PU‘U LOKUANA, Sat, Mar 31, 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

SUNDAY, APRIL 1
EASTER BRUCH, Sun, Apr 1, 7 a.m. to noon. Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Main entrees: Ham, Beef Pot Roast, and Breakfast Veggie Stir Fry. No reservations required. $17/Adult, $9.50/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

EASTER EGG HUNT, Sun, Apr 1, 9 a.m., ‘Ōhi‘a Room, Kīlauea Military Camp, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to keiki 10 years and under. Registration accepted from 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. Bring a basket. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Pre-register children: 967-8352, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

FOURTH ANNUAL KA‘Ū COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT, Sun, Apr 1, 1 - 3 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Park. Over 6,000 candy filled eggs, over 300 prizes. Free chili & rice bowls. Donations welcome. Free; open to all ages, infants to adults. Pam/Lance, 929-8137, Henri, 464-5042

MONDAY, APRIL 2
SLOGAN/MOTTO CONTEST - Pāhala Public & School Library, continues through Mon, Apr 2. Submit ideas to Nā‘ālehu or Pāhala Library. $55 grand prize awarded on Fri, Apr 13. Friends of Ka‘ū Libraries President Sandra Demouruelle, naalehutheatre@yahoo.com, 929-9244

EASTER EGG HUNT, Mon, Apr 2, noon, Flyin' Hawaiian Coffee, CU Hawai‘i lawn, Nā‘ālehu. Judy Knapp, 640-4712

OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING, Mon, Apr 2, 4 - 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, APRIL 3
SPECIAL MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL EVENTS, Tue, Wed, Thu, Apr 3, 4 & 5, 11 - 1 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Honoring 55th Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. Hawaiian cultural demonstrations, live music. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETINGS & TRAININGS, Tue, Apr 3 & 24, 4 - 6 p.m., Apr 17, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

KAʻŪ COFFEE GROWERS MEETING, Tue, Apr 3, 6 - 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

HOW THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER WORKS, Tue, Apr 3, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Dr. Nathan Becker, Senior Oceanographer describes PTWC operations. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4
AdvoCATS, Wed, Apr 4, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283

Open Mic Night, Wed, Apr 4, 6 - 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

ONGOING
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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