Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, May 5, 2019

Hands of Time, with Kaʻū Coffee Fest emcee Makana Kamahele, right, drummer Dennis Salmo, leader Calvin Ponce, 

and Chase Cabudol, left, launched the entertainment at the Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday. Photo by Peter Anderson

KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL drew thousands of people to its biggest event Saturday, the ninth day of activities that took participants from rainforest and ranches high in the hills to coffee farms, a mill, historic home, and Pāhala  Community center. The Hoʻolauleʻa yesterday saw Kaʻū Coffee farmers and baristas show off their top coffees. The event also supported the broader community with fundraisers for organizations and entertainment for all. Organizer Chris Manfredi thanked volunteers Julia Neal, Brenda Iokepa and Maria Miranda with awards of appreciation for their work on the festival, which completed its eleventh year. See photos and stories of Kaʻū Coffee Festival events in this week's daily Kaʻū News Briefs..

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Helena Nihipali Sesson has gained a reputation of helping

out wherever she goes. On Saturday, she cleaned the floor at Coffee Experience
 where baristas prepared Kaʻū Coffee for tasting. Photo by Michael Worthington

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REDUCING INVASIVE SPECIES GETS ANOTHER PUSH FROM GOV. DAVID IGE in his latest newsletter. He reminds the public that the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council urges everyone to become more informed and vigilant about helping the state monitor invasive outbreaks before they become too widespread to manage.

     HISC coordinator Josh Atwood said, "Invasive species impact every aspect of our lives. The public is our eyes and ears to find new infestations. The state can't be everywhere so we rely on people to report invasive species sightings to us."

Foggy, singing a song he wrote about Kaʻū paniolo, entertained in 

the morning, Willie Nelson style. Photo by Peter Anderson

     Little fire ant stings can cause blindness in pets, severe pain and allergic reactions in people, and damage to crops and wildlife. Infestations have been found on nearly every island in the state. The good news is that the ants and other invasives can be eliminated in an area if found early enough.

     In addition to the fire ants, state agencies monitor the spread of albizia trees, which become hazardous especially during storms; rapid ʻōhiʻa death, which threatens vital watershed forests; and mosquitos, which can spread disease, such as zika and dengue fever. Ige's administration developed the state's first interagency biosecurity plan and works with volunteer invasive species committees on each island to monitor threats and take action where needed.

     Ige's newsletter points out that he chairs the Western Governors' Association, where he  makes biosecurity a priority. He works with experts from other states and across the Pacific to coordinate the war on invasive species.

     Atwood said that the governor's support has helped to bring more attention to the issue.
"He's also emphasized the importance of getting more funding and positions."

     At a recent public forum sponsored by the state Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, speaker after speaker described the need for more staffing in the war against invasives as well as public awareness of what citizens can do to help.

     Atwood remarked, "We save so much in costs to the state by investing in people to do this work. It affects virtually every aspect of our lives — our health, economy, culture, and agriculture."

     Call HDOA's statewide pest hotline at 643- PEST to report any invasive pests and go to stoptheant.org for easy ways to test for little fire ants.

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.

Hannah's Makana ʻOhana hālau was the first group with hula to take the grassy stage. Photo by Peter Anderson

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S AIR MONITORING STATIONS will be removed from Volcano and Kalapana now that the eruption is over, according to Big Island Video News. The new state of Hawaiʻi Air Quality Reporting Data website will continue to stream from stations in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View, and other sites throughout the state.
     Anna Koethe, Public Health Information Coordinator for the Department of Health, Clean Air Branch, told Big Island Video News that a grey symbol with dashed lines on the air quality map indicate that the station is offline. Koethe told Big Island Video News that Volcano, Leilani Estates, and Kalapana monitoring sites were "temporarily established to provide data during the Kīlauea volcanic eruption. Since the eruption has stopped, the Volcano and Kalapana temporary sites have been taken down and will be removed from the website shortly."

Kaʻū Coffee Festival tents filled with people enjoying Kaʻū Coffee, entertainment, and food, as well as learning more 

about Kaʻū Coffee culture. Photo by Peter Anderson

     Koethe said the Leilani Estates site "is being converted from a temporary portable monitoring unit and re-established with longer term regulatory equipment. Once the data is available at the Leilani Estates site, the data will be streamed to the website and accessible for viewing by the public."

     The new site provides near real-time data on air quality statewide, with 12 of the 18 total stations located on Hawaiʻi Island. See air.doh.hawaii.gov/home/map. Find out more on May 1 Kaʻū News Briefs.

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 Spring Sports Schedule

Baseball:

Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, 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

MONDAY-THURSDAY, MAY 6-9

Summer Fun Registration, Monday-Thursday, May 6-9, 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., at Nā‘ālehu Community Center and at Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Program, for keiki completing grade K-6, runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., June 12-July 19. $40 fee. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

MONDAY, MAY 6

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, May 6, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, MAY 7
Family Engagement Night, Tuesday, May 7, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, May 7 (Committees), Wednesday, May 8 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit. Dental, Wednesday, May 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Medical, Thursday, May 30, 1 – 5 p.m. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Kākou, Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Author and ethnographer, P.F. "Ski" Kwiatkowski, speaks about Hawaiian kākau – tattoos – their origins and counterparts in other aspects of Hawaiian crafts. Displaying collection of tattoo needles and the materials that are used in creating the needles, the ink and the tattoos themselves. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Arts and Crafts Activity: Mother's Day Keepsake, Wednesday, May 8, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 2-7. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, MAY 9
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, May 9, 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

After Dark in the Park – The Road to Recovery: A Year Later, Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Park managers will present a community update about the challenges and successes of 2018, and how staff is working hard to open more areas. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, May 10, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. ovcahi.org, 939-7033

Arts and Crafts Activity: Mother's Day Card, Friday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 1-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ReadySetGo! Wildfire Preparedness Workshop, Friday, May 10, 5:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Educational, free and family-friendly. Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Pablo Akira Meimler at pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org. hawaiiwildfire.org, or 808-885-0900

Light, Sound & Spirit by Ken Goodrich of Hawai‘i Photo Retreat, Friday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Talk and presentation of seven videos synthesizing music and projected imagery. Free, $5 donation suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Community Dance, Friday, May 10, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, Saturday, May 11-June 16, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Opening reception Saturday, May 11, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day – Wildfire Preparedness, Saturday, May 11, meet 9:30 a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Bring a water bottle, lunch, closed toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirt, and pants. Tools, gloves, water, and light refreshments provided. nmok.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Zentangle Inspired Labyrinth Art with Lois and Earl Stokes, Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. All welcome, no prior experience necessary. Supplies provided. Students invited to bring snack to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, MAY 12
Kauwela Tour, The Mo‘olelo of Mana Wāhine – Nā Wai Chamber Choir Concert, Sunday, May 12, 11:30 a.m., Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church. Free admission. Donations welcome. nawaichamberchoir.com

3rd Annual Mother's Day Chamber Music Concert, Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Music by Volcano Chamber Players Susan McGovern, viola, Glenda Johnson, violin, Meg Saunders, cello, Rumi Reeves, violin, guest Gerdine Markus on recorder and operatic vocals of D'Andrea Pelletier. Complimentary pupu. Beverages and flowers for purchase. $20/VAC ember, $25/non-member, free to children 12 and under. Funds raised support Niaulani Sculpture Garden and ongoing programs. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, May 12 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527

Mother's Day Buffet, Sunday, May 12, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish w/Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/Adults, $14.95/Child (ages 6-11). Reservations required, 967-8356. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

ONGOING

Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.

     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

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.

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.