Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, April 22, 2019

Kaʻū Valley Farm views, with panorama of Nāʻālehu and the Kaʻū Coast. Reservations for the farm tour and lunch
are available during Kaʻū Coffee Week by calling 987-4229 or 731-5409. See more on Coffee Fest below. 
Photo by Lee Neal

THE SAVE OUR LANDS CITIZENS' COMMITTEE urges Kaʻū supporters of land stewardship groups, who take care of places like Honuʻapo and Kāwā, to attend the county Charter Commission meeting at the Hilo County Council Chambers on Thursday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m. The Committee is led by volunteers who helped to establish the 2% Land Fund, which raises money from 2 percent of county property taxes to buy and maintain special properties. Much of the acreate is in Kaʻū.
     The Committee proposes two County Charter amendments. Charter Amendment, CA-18, would "empower the non-profit organizations who are already caring for the 2 Percent Land Fund

Volunteers and paid workers need funding at Kaʻū Coast stewardship
sites like Kāwā where KUPU students work. Photo from KUPU

acquisitions," to receive stewardship grants to make  improvements like buildings and restrooms, and to pay workers, including those who are board members," a statement from the group explains.

     Save Our Land's chair Debbie Hecht said, "We are trying to strengthen the 2 Percent Land Fund Program. ...all of the stewardship groups requested that they be able to pay people to help care for the land. Every 2 Percent Land Fund property needs the help of people who are committed to care for the land... As these programs grow, volunteer coordinators could be paid to maximize the land stewardship programs and create school education programs to educate keiki about the land, its history and culture."

     The other amendment, CA-9, would pay for a full time employee under the county Department of Finance to work exclusively on the 2% Land Fund Program. Pay would come from the 2% Land Fund. CA-9 is not being reviewed this week.
     Most of the 4,428 acres conserved across the island are in Kaʻū, with large properties on the Kaʻū Coast. Another 2,200 acres in Kaʻū, including Waikapuna, are in escrow. Lands across the island in recent years have been acquired with $27.4 million from the 2% Land Fund, $8.8 million in grants and matching funds, and $2 million from private funds. Income from 2 percent of property taxes in Hawaiʻi County amounts to approximately $5 million a year.

      To keep up with the Save Our Lands Citizen Committee, email Hecht.Deb@gmail.com. To keep up with the Charter Amendments, send an email to Charter.Commission@hawaiicounty.gov. For more information on the history, the process, and the successes of the 2 Percent Land Fund, go to: debbiehecht.com/2018/03/09/hawaii-county-and-the-big-islands-2-land-fund-report-3-9-2018/.

A ranger removes a closure sign at Kīlauea Iki, Photo by Janice Wei/NPS

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EFFORTS TO REPAIR AND REOPEN damaged areas in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continue as the anniversary of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption nears. Members of the park's management team will share successes and challenges on the Road to Recovery: One Year Later, a special After Dark in the Park presentation on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. in the newly upgraded Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. The event is free, but park entrance fees apply.

     An announcement from the Park reads: The historic Kīlauea eruption and caldera collapse of 2018 resulted in most of the park closing for 134 days last year due to unsafe, unpredictable and unprecedented eruptive activity at the volcano's summit. A hurricane, two tropical storms and a wildfire on Mauna Loa added to the intensity of an unforgettable year, but park rangers continued to serve the public at locations outside the park, protect natural and cultural resources, and expand hours at the park's Kahuku Unit. Most of Hawai‘i Volcanoes is now open, including two-thirds of the popular Kīlauea Iki Trail, but some areas remain closed for safety.

Massive boulder at Kīlauea Iki. Photo by Janice Wei/NPS

     Acting Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh said, "We invite our community to hear first-hand how we managed the extraordinary challenges this eruption created, and what we face moving ahead. The presentation will be about a half hour, and we welcome questions afterward."

     Until 2018, Kīlauea erupted almost nonstop from two locations within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: from the remote Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent in the East Rift Zone since 1983, and from its summit crater, Halema‘uma‘u, since 2008. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō was renowned for producing surface lava that periodically streamed into the ocean, while Halema‘uma‘u hosted a dazzling lake of lava for nearly 10 years with glowing lava often visible from vantage points along the caldera rim. Many native Hawaiians consider Halema‘uma‘u the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano deity, and the entire summit area is one of the most sacred areas in all of Hawai‘i. 

     On April 30, 2018, the floor of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent collapsed, followed by earthquakes – including a magnitude 6.9 on May 4 – and movement of molten rock towards the lower Puna community. More than 700 homes were destroyed by lava, and more than 2,000 people were displaced. At the summit, lava disappeared from Halema‘uma‘u, and 60,000 or so earthquakes damaged park buildings, roads, trails, water systems and other infrastructure through the summer. Most of the park closed May 11, 2018 to Sept. 22, 2018.
     Currently, Kīlauea is not erupting, and there is no molten lava on the surface, but the volcano remains active and is closely monitored by scientists. Park staff are at work to repair and reopen trails and roads, assess and monitor unsafe areas, and welcome the public back to a landscape forever changed by last year's epic volcanic activity.

Damage Survey along Crater Rim Drive. Photo by Jessica Ferracane/NPS 

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IMMUNIZATION RATES FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN are trending lower in Hawaiʻi and all over the country. The recent release of Hawaiʻi immunization exemptions for the 2018-2019 school year shows how religious exemptions for immunizations have climbed since the 2013-2014 school year in most schools. The figures are self-reported by the schools, and only 40 schools per year are audited by the Department of Health.

     Volcano School of Arts and Sciences is the exception for Kaʻū, having halved their exemption rate. The public charter school has a 5.08 percent religious exemption rate, no medical exemptions, with an enrollment of 197. Five years ago, the exemptions rate was 10.2 percent, medical zero, with an enrollment of 186.
     Kaʻū's two public school campuses, however, are following the national trend, though both schools maintain low exemption numbers:
     Nāʻālehu Elementary has a religious exemption rate of 2.04 percent, no medical exemptions, with an enrollment of 393. Five years ago, the religious exemption rate was 1 percent, medical at zero, with an enrollment of 418.
     Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School has a .82 percent exemption rate, no medical exemptions, with an enrollment of 489. Five years ago, the exemptions rates were both at zero, with an enrollment of 476.

Hawaiʻi is one of the states that allow medical and religious exemptions
for vaccines that are otherwise required for school children.
Map from Institute for Vaccine Safety

     Students not immunized can be excluded from school and group settings when: any student has a communicable disease for which isolation or restriction from school attendance is required or during a potential outbreak as determined by DOH. All schools in Hawaiʻi are required to report students who have not complied with immunization requirements upon school entry, and students who have medical or religious exemptions. A final report is due to DOH by January 10 of each school year.
     Immunizations required for school attendance are: DTaP/DTP/Td (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis); Polio; MMR (measles, mumps, rubella); Hepatitis B; Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) (for preschool attendance); and Varicella (chickenpox).
     See statewide immunization levels for public, private, and charter schools at health.hawaii.gov/docd/resources/reports/immunization-exemptions/.

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.

WITH NEARLY 300 DEAD and hundreds injured from eight near-simultaneous suicide bomber blasts that shook Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard had this to say: "My heart is with Sri Lanka on this #EasterSunday, with hundreds killed and wounded in a horrific attack as they gathered in prayer. On a day devoted to love and peace, may we remember Jesus Christ's message of love - for God and for each other - as we commit to defeating hate with love."

     The Associated Press reports that Sri Lankan authorities believe the attacks were carried out by a local Islamist group. Seven suicide bombers were involved in eight blasts that targeted Easter Sunday mass at St. Anthony's Church in Colombo, St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, and Zeon Church in Batticaloa. Three five-star hotels in Colombo – the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury – were also targeted.

     White House spokesman Hogan Gidely said the attacks were "one of the deadliest terrorist events since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States."

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.

ar.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 Spring Sports Schedule

Baseball:

Fri., April 26, BIIF Finals

Sat., April 27, BIIF Finals

Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, HHSAA

Softball:

Wed., May 1-4, HHSAA

Boys Volleyball:

Wed., April 24, BIIF Semi-Finals

Thu., April 25, BIIF Finals

Thu.-Sat., May 2-4, HHSAA

Track:

Fri., April 26, 2 p.m., BIIF Semi-Finals

Sat., April 27, 3 p.m., BIIF Finals

Fri.-Sat., May 3-4, HHSAA

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.

UPCOMING

TUESDAY, APRIL 23
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, April 23 (Committees), Wednesday, April 24 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, April 23, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Merrie Monarch Festival Events at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Day 1: Weave coconut leaves, make lei. Rupert Tripp Jr. performs. Day 2: Learn/play the Hawaiian board game kōnane, learn about the tools, alter and plants that symbolize hula. Ti "Kawehi" Chun and Pōki‘i Seto perform. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Arts and Crafts Activity: Paint a Rainbow, Tuesday, April 23, 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 15-18. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Read to Me, Tuesday, April 23, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Open to keiki grades K-6. Free. Register April 15-22. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

After Dark in the Park: Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta recounts the progression and shares her experiences monitoring this dramatic eruption. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, April 24, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., 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 Hawai‘i. Referral required: 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

THURSDAY, APRIL 25
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, April 25, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for community members. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, April 25, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 26
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Vendor Application Deadline for Ho‘olaule‘a, Friday, April 26. To become a vendor, contact Brenda Iokepa-Moses at biokepamoses@gmail.com or 731-5409

Coffee Talk at Kahuku - The Price of Paradise: The Story of Sandalwood in Hawai‘i, Friday, April 26, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Talk story with John Stallman, biologist and former Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park ranger. Free. nps.gov/havo

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Pā‘ina & Open House, Friday, April 26, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Free; donations accepted for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Scholarship Fund. Julia Neal, 928-9811, mahalo@aloha.net.
kaucoffeefestival.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest Entry Deadline is extended to Saturday, April 27. The all-ages, fee-free contest is Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m. at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Enter a pūpū, entrée, or dessert, divided into adult and youth categories. The public is invited to enjoy free tastings. Contest entry info at KauCoffeeMill.com
or KauCoffeeFest.com, or call 928-0550.

Healing Through Words with Dr. Heather Rivera, Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Volcano Art Center. Creative writing workshop. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Sauerkraut and Kombucha with Jasmine Silverstein, Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Meet Miss Kaʻū Coffee Peaberry contestants Kendall
Haddock, Helen Miranda, and Lilianna Marques at Friday's
Paʻina at Pāhala Plantaion House. Photo from Trini Marques

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant, Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m., doors open 5:30 p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Tickets: $10 donation. Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant Director Trini Marques, 928-0606, TrinidadMarques@yahoo.com, or Facebook Trinidad Marques. kaucoffeefestival.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest, Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Free coffee and recipe tastings. sales@kaucoffeemill.com, kaucoffeemill.com,
kaucoffeefestival.com

ONGOING

Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See KauCoffeeFestival.com.

     Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777; or call 808-731-5409.

Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest Entry Deadline is extended to Saturday, April 27. The all-ages, fee-free contest is Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m. at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Enter a pūpū, entrée, or dessert, divided into adult and youth categories. The public is invited to enjoy free tastings. Contest entry info at KauCoffeeMill.com or
KauCoffeeFest.com, or call 928-0550.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and protrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.

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.