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Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, September 11, 2018

The Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park welcomed more visitors this summer and will open
more trails and additional programs and facilities. NPS photo
THE SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON 9/11 drew a statement from Gov. David Ige's election team, who also encouraged donations to the Red Cross.
     The statement noted the attack "took nearly 3,000 innocent lives, changing the course of our country. Hawaiʻi lost nine people who had strong ties with our islands. To the families and loved ones of Georgine Rose Corrigan, Richard Keane, Maile Hale, Michael Collins, Richard Y.C. Lee, Patricia 'Patti' Pitchford Colodner, David Laychack, Christine Snyder, and Heather Ho, we will never forget. Team Ige continues to honor the memories of those lives lost, the brave first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the years that followed.
Chris Snyder died when flight 43 crashed in Pennsylvania on
9/11. She was an arborist for the Outdoor Circle. Hear her
story on Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
     "People of all walks of life felt the terror and uncertainty inflicted upon this country, and it continues to shape our lives today. While our nation has always responded to tragedy with strength and courage, the September 11 attacks also demonstrated the importance of compassion in the midst of disaster.
     "With these memories in mind, we call on everyone to take a step forward and donate your time or resources to Red Cross Hawaiʻi to aid residents who have been affected by the recent volcanic, hurricane, and flood devastation." To donate to those efforts, click here.
     In another event, Chris Snyder, who died in the 9/11 tragedy, was remembered today for bringing environmental awareness to the public 20 years ago as an arborist. Hear her story on Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

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KAʻŪ APPEARS TO HAVE ESCAPED OLIVIA, as the 50 mph Tropical Storm headed toward Maui, Lanaʻi and Molokaʻi this evening. At 5 p.m., the Central Pacific Hurricane Center located Olivia 168 miles east northeast of South Point, and warned that heavy rains on the north and east side of Hawaiʻi Island were still possible, even after Olivia passes the islands.
     Ahead of Olivia, sand piles were distributed in Kaʻū by Hawaiʻi County Public Works due to high public demand, reports Civil Defense. As the forecast of expected rain has diminished, Civil Defense asks the public to take only what is needed. HCPW does not provide bags or shovels, so the public is advised to bring their own supplies. Heavy duty trash bags work in place of sandbags, says Civil Defense. Sand piles at Base Yards are only accessible during business hours. Sand pile locations are are at Waiohino Base Yard, 95-1627 Kamaoa Rd., and Pāhala Park and Community Center, 96-1149 Kamani St.
Image from prh.noaa.gov/cphc
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A PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION WAS REQUESTED today by Gov. David Ige as Tropical Storm Olivia moved into the Hawaiian Islands. The declaration asks Pres. Donald Trump to declare the State of Hawaiʻi a major disaster in the event that heavy rains and wind from Olivia cause significant damage and losses.
     The governor asked for direct federal support from Department of Defense assets for strategic airlift between the islands; temporary power generation at evacuation centers; technical assistance related to points of distribution and debris management action planning. In addition, the governor is asking for immediate access to federal resources for search and rescue, potential medical evacuations, mass care and sheltering commodities, and additional temporary power generation capabilities.

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Keola Awong, Kahuku Unit Area Manager. Photo by Annie Bosted
THE FUTURE OF THE KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK on Mauna Loa was key to a recent talk story hosted by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
     The session drew about 60 people who were also keen to discuss reopening Kīlauea sections of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, which have been closed since May 11 following regular eruptions and almost continuous seismic activity. With the eruption considered "paused," the reopening is set for National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 22.
     The Kahuku Unit, located near Ocean View, was never closed. This meant that many visitors, unable to reach Kīlauea summit, instead visited volcanic features on the slopes of Mauna Loa. This resulted in more staff personnel assigned to the unit, and more programs and longer hours at Kahuku.
     Orlando scheduled the talk story in August to give Kaʻū residents a chance to voice their opinions on how the Park facilities should be rebuilt to avoid mistakes of the past and to gauge community needs. The event was postponed when Hurricane Lane was expected.
     Keola Awong, the Kahuku Unit Area Manager, reported that with the Kīlauea summit area closed, visitation at Kahuku increased from a daily average of about 65 cars to 200 or 300. She added that almost 500 cars were logged on one day. On May 23, Kahuku Unit's hours extended from three days per week to five days per week.
Trail map showing all the trails currently open to visitors.
NPS graphic
     The General Management Plan calls for the Kahuku Unit to be open seven days a week, and also calls for more trails, picnic sites, and small camp grounds.
     An Ocean View resident, Mike Scott, asked that more bicycle trails be added to the shoulders of the roads in the summit area, and also suggested allowing leashed and "well-behaved" dogs in the park. A two-mile stretch of the old Mamalahoa Highway, which was recently added to the Kahuku unit, is open to leashed dogs and bicycles.
     Andre Lang, a resident of Kamaoa Road, asked about the commercial relationship between the park and helicopters, explaining that he found their presence annoying and disruptive of the quiet, natural experience one expects to enjoy in national parks.
     Orlando replied that helicopters, like other vehicles, are charged an entrance fee of $25 "per ship" to enter the park's air space. She said she sympathized with the noise problem, adding that she would prefer to not have the entrance fee and the noise.
     Bicycle riding in the park came up later in the Talk Story when one resident pointed out that keiki on bikes are a hazard to hikers on the Palm Trail, as they often come careening down the steep hills, barely in control, and hikers must leap out of their way to avoid a collision. She said they are often unsupervised by parents. She suggested that some trails be designated for bikes, and others for hikers.
     A resident complained about the "disgraceful" state of the road into the Kahuku Unit, pointing out that the plethora of pot holes would only get worse with increased visitation. Jon Christensen, the Facilities Manager for the Park, said that a pile of cold mix asphalt had been delivered. This would be used to fill the potholes.
     Orlando was also asked if the Park has plans to purchase the Pohue Bay property. She replied that the park does not have the $18 million asking price. She said that she was understands that the property needs management to preserve it, but it is private land and the park has no control.
     The Pohue Bay property covers 16,456 acres mauka of the highway and includes six miles of undeveloped coast, which is not only a valuable nesting site for the endangered Hawksbill Turtle, but also an Intensive archeology site with 1,144 documented features. These include petroglyphs, anchialine ponds, and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which runs through the land, parallel to the coast. If the Park were to acquire the property, it would control a contiguous corridor of 132,000 acres from the summit of Mauna Loa to the ocean.
Jon Christensen, Facilities Manager for the HVNP, at the Kahuku Talk Story. 
Photo by Annie Bosted
     Asked when feral Mouflon are considered "eradicated," in the park, Awong replied that they are almost all gone. Mouflon are wild sheep imported from Cyprus for game hunting in 1968, and are now considered to be a problematic invasive species as they thwart efforts to restore native ecosystems by threatening indigenous plants and forest bird habitats. In 2004, the USGS estimated that there were more than 2,500 Mouflon in the Kahuku Unit.
     Orlando pointed out that the park had erected game fences, at great expense, to facilitate the eradication, which is now done from helicopters as the volunteer program has ended. She explained that the Kahuku Unit is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow the eradication to continue.
     An Ocean View resident asked when the road to the Forested Pit Crater trail would be opened, and what the Park was doing to manage and contain Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death, a disease which, according to the Park's website, has infected several trees in the upper padocks. ROD has not been found in the paddocks mauka of the locked gate across the access road, in the recently designated "ROD Quarantine Area."
     For the past couple of years, the upper paddocks and road through them to the trailheads - for the popular Kona trail and the Glover Trail that leads to the spectacular Forested Pit Crater trail - have been closed to vehicles and hikers.
Adult mouflon ram, captured on a remote wildlife camera in the 
Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai‘i. USGS photo
     According to the Park website, the closure is necessary to prevent the spread of ROD to the upper paddocks. This means that the trailheads for the Glover trails and Kona trail are no longer accessible.
     In response to pressure to open the road, Awong announced that a recently opened hiking trail would be extended to the crater, explaining that it is "under construction."
     Named Pali o Kaʻeo, the trail was opened on July 28. The trail will be extended to pass through gates, which will be installed in the fences, so that hikers can reach the Forested Pit Crater. Awong estimated that the trail would take about three hours to hike, round trip.
     The park is preparing to reopen the following areas on Kīlauea on Sept. 22 by 10 a.m.: Kīlauea Visitor Center (closes at 5 p.m.); Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association store at Kīlauea Visitor Center (closes at 5 p.m.); Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and Kīlauea Military Camp; Sulphur Banks Trail; Crater Rim Drive to Steam Vents; Kīlauea Iki Overlook and parking lot; Devastation Trail and Pu‘u Pua‘i; Crater Rim Drive to Keanakāko‘i Crater, for pedestrians and bicyclists only; Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu; open to pedestrians and bicyclists past Kīpukapuaulu; Sections of Escape Road from Highway 11; Chain of Craters Road. The Volcano Art Center Gallery and Kīlauea Military Camp also plan to open on Sept. 22. Limited services may be available at Volcano House.
Kaʻū Trojans Girls Volleyball team.
Photo from Kaʻū Trojans Twitter

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KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL second game was rescheduled from Aug. 29 to yesterday, Sept. 10. The girls hosted Makualani, playing three games each for JV and Varsity. JV tied their second game, with scores of 18 and 10 for the other games. Varsity had a great set of wins, with scores of 25, 25, and 27.

     The next Girls Volleyball game is scheduled for tomorrow at Christian Liberty at 6 p.m., weather permitting travel. See the Fall schedule for all Kaʻū sports, below.

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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., Sept. 15, 1pm, @ Kohala
   Sat., Sept. 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Keaʻau
   Sat., Sept. 29, 11am, host Pāhoa
   Sat, Oct 6, 12pm, host Kohala
   Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha
Girls Volleyball:
   Wed., Sept. 12, 6pm, @ Christian Liberty
   Fri., Sept. 14, @ Kamehameha
   Mon., Sept. 17, 6pm, host Lapahoehoe
   Wed., Sept. 19, 6pm, host Kohala
   Thu., Sept. 20, 6pm, @ Honokaʻa
   Tue., Sept. 25, 6pm, @ HPA
   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
Cross Country:
   Sat., Sept. 15, 10am, Keaʻau
   Sat., Sept. 22, 9am, @ HPA
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS
   Sat, Oct 6, 2pm, @ Kealakehe
   Sat, Oct 13, BYE

NEW and UPCOMING

Join rangers for a Picnic in the Park this weekend.
Photo from National Park Service
RANGERS ARE PREPARING FOR THIS WEEKEND'S KAHUKU ‘OHANA DAY, PICNIC IN THE PARK event, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 16, from noon to 3 p.m., at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The entrance is located near mile marker 70.5 on Highway 11. The event is free to attend, with no entrance fees, and is open to all. Attendees can experience authentic Hawaiian music and hula, as well as food vendors and family friendly activities.
     Debbie Ryder's Hula Hālau Leionalani peforms throughout the afternoon, with live music provided by local bands Shootz and Ke‘aiwa. Attendees are welcome to purchase their picnic from a food vendor on-site or bring their own. The event also offers a health table and free blood pressure screenings.
     The event is sponsored by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more information, visit the park's website, nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes, or Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, fhvnp.org/events-calendar.

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. 12
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits: Dental, Wed., Sept. 12, 8-5pm; Medical, Thu., Aug 27, 1-5pmCooper CenterVolcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. Medical services offered last Thursday of every Month; Dental, second Wednesday. Call 333-3600 to schedule appointment. See Cooper Center June newsletter for details. thecoopercenter.org

Arts and Crafts Activity: Dove Foldable For Peace, Wed., Sept. 12, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register Sept. 4-11. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

THURSDAY, SEPT. 13
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thu., Sept. 13, 10:30-noon, Nāʻālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū, Thu., Sept. 13, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church in Nāʻālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14
Free Community Dance, Fri., Sept. 14, 7-10pmCooper CenterVolcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snack provided. Free admission; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund "Get the Drift and Bag It" International Coastal Cleanup, Sat., Sept. 15, contact in advance for meet up time at Waiʻōhinu Park. 4WD needed, some space available but limited. RSVP. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org

Palm Trail, Sat., Sept. 15, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

John D. Dawson Studio Sale, Sat.-Sun., Sept. 15-16, 10-3pmVolcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Sale includes original acrylic and watercolor paintings, rough sketches, and pen and ink drawings from decades of work as a well-known professional illustrator. Special preview to VAC members Fri., Sept. 14, 4-6pm. Contact Emily C. Weiss, 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Meeting, Sat., Sept. 15, 10-1pmOcean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team Monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Paul Neves w/ Hula Hālau Kou Lima Nani E, Sat., Sept. 15, 10:30-11:30am, hula platform near Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Hula performance. Free. Desiree, 987-7288, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/ Loke Kamanu and ʻOhana, Sat., Sept. 15, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free. Desiree, 987-7288, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Potluck and Dance, Sat., Sept. 15, 5:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Live music by Shootz Band. BYOBeverage. $5/ticket. Register at office by Sept. 12. Discovery Harbour Community Association, 929-9576

Bunco and Potluck, Sat., Sept. 15, 6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice, also known as Bonko or Bunko. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16
Kaʻū ʻOhana Day: Picnic In The Park, Sun., Sept. 16, 12-3pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park; entrance near 70.5 mile marker on Hwy 11). Family-friendly event. Shave ice, food vendors, children's activities, hula, and music. nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, SEPT. 17
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Mon., Sept. 17, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, SEPT. 18
Hawaiʻi County Council Meetings, Tue./Wed., Sept. 18 (Committees)/19 (Council), Kona. Kaʻū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nāʻālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

Wonderful World of Wine and Watercolor, Tue., Sept. 18, 4-7pmVolcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Artist Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic techniques in watercolor painting. Sampling of several wines from wine store "Grapes" in Hilo. $30/VAC member, $35/non-members, plus $17 supply fee. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

ONGOING
Disaster Recovery Center Closes Sept. 29; Deadline to Apply for Aid is Sept. 12. 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. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at fema.gov/disaster/4366. If you are a survivor who has left the area, call 800-621-3362.

5th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145. Fees through Sept. 20: 5K, $55/person; 10K, $65/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $75/person. On Race Day, $75 per person, any race. Race Day is Sat., Sept. 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.


Activities at Kahuku Park - within Hawaiian Ocean View Estates - over the next two months, include two physical activities, three arts and crafts activities, and a Park Beautification Day.
     For all ages:
     - Friendship Bracelets: Wed., Sept. 19, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration open through Sept. 14.
     - Park Beautification Day: Fri., Sept. 28, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Registration open Sept. 19 through 26.
     Activities are free to attend. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit the park during business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 12:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

Free Arts and Crafts Activities at Pāhala Comunity Center happen on Wednesdays in September, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., through the end of Sept., for keiki in Kindergarten through 8th grade.
     - Sept. 19: Handprint Tree Art. Register Sept. 13 through 18.
     - Sept. 26: Beaded Wind Chime. Register Sept. 19 through 25.
     For more, call 928-3102 or visit the community center during business hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., or Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

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 Preschools 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.

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

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.