Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, June 10, 2019

Kaʻū Gym hosts members of USA Volleyball teams from Kamehameha School and Miloliʻi- Kaʻū as they prepare to
play in Honolulu, Anaheim, and the nationals in Indiana. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

GOV. DAVID IGE PRESENTED THE BIOSECURITY AND INVASIVE SPECIES REPORT for the Western Governors's Annual Meeting today in Colorado. Ige co-chairs the Western Governors Association, comprised of Hawaiʻi, Guam, American Samoa, the Marianas, Alaska, and the western states as far east as Texas. Hawaiʻi's governor initiated the Special Report that calls biosecurity and invasive species "one of the most pressing natural resource issues in the West."

Read the 2027 Hawaiʻi Interagency Biosecurity Plan here.

     It says, "The spread of invasive and non-native species affects nearly every aspect of life in the West. As invading species replace native plants and wildlife, the ecosystems, economies, and communities that depend on the West's natural resources are damaged and diminished, sometimes permanently. Improving biosecurity and invasive species management practices is essential to protecting the West from new invading species, reducing the effects of established species, and restoring the region's working lands and native ecosystems."
     The report points to $1.4 trillion in "global economic losses caused by biological invaders" since 2002, the U.S. losing $120 billion annually from damages and losses from "nearly 50,000 foreign species." The estimates do not include control costs or public health impacts. "As much as one-fourth of the U.S. agricultural gross national product is lost due to foreign pests and as much as 42 percent of the species on threatened or endangered species lists are at risk primarily because of alien invasive species."

The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, invasive to Hawaiʻi and 

Guam, threatens the coconut palm. Photo from WGA

     The report mentions invasive fungal pathogens that result in Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, causing a "vast die-off of endemic ʻŌhiʻa trees that are crucial to Hawaiʻi's ecosystems and culture."

     In Guam, the coconut rhinoceros beetle caused the native fadang tree, once the most abundant tree in Guam's forest, to be placed on the endangered species list in 2015. The beetle was detected in Hawaiʻi in 2013 in the area around Pearl Harbor. While contained to that area, the beetle threatens the coconut palm, central to the environment, economy, and culture of Hawaiʻi, Guam, and other Pacific Islands.

     Hawaiʻi is often called "the invasive species capital of the world," says the report, "not only because of the threats that invasive species pose to its native ecosystems, but also due to the groundbreaking and innovative work the state is undertaking to confront these threats. With the Initiative, WGA has drawn on Hawaiʻi's experience and harnessed Western Governors' unique ability to assemble state and federal experts and a broad group of stakeholders to foster a bipartisan dialogue to improve regional coordination and collaboration to protect the West from invasive species.

Western Governors, from left: WGA Vice Chair Doug Burgum (North Dakota), Laura Kelly (Kansas), Kristi Noem (South Dakota), WGA Chair David Ige (Hawaiʻi), Brad Little (Idaho), Lourdes Leon Guerrero (Guam), Jared Polis (Colorado), Gary Herbert (Utah), Steve Sisolak (Nevada), Kate Brown (Oregon), and Mark Gordon (Wyoming). Attending but not pictured: Michelle Lujan Grisham (New Mexico).
Photo from westgov.org

     "In the West, biosecurity and invasive species management are the responsibility of a large network of state and federal agencies, as well as stakeholders that include industry, nonprofit organizations and conservation groups, private landowners and private citizens. Each of these entities operates under a different set of laws, regulations, and authorities. Their capacities vary, as do their incentives, interests and objectives. Such a diverse network offers opportunities to implement creative and flexible biosecurity and invasive species management practices, but its decentralized nature creates challenges in developing and implementing sophisticated regional management strategies. It is with these challenges in mind that WGA Chairman Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige launched the Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative." See more in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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Jerry Nelson, with a model of one of the Keck telescopes.
Photo from W.M. Keck

THE IMPOSSIBLE TELESCOPE, a short documentary film about Jerry Neslon, who designed Keck I & II telescopes on Mauna Kea, streams free on Vimeo. Known as "Father of the Keck Observatory Telescopes," Nelson passed away June 10, 2017.
       Produced by ʻŌiwi TV, the film journeys back through time honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future.
      Learn about Nelson, and how Keck Observatory came to be – the vision, mission, and evolution of the most scientifically impactful optical/infrared twin telescopes on Earth, as told through the lenses of the people who are part of the observatory's history and experienced the trials, tribulations, and successes of building what was once called The Impossible Telescope. See the film here.

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A NIGHT AT THE OPERA with operatic vocalist D'Andrea Pelletier happens Saturday, June 15, 5:30p.m., at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Doors open at 5 p.m. Pelletier performs a set of works ranging from Puccini and Verdi to Strauss and Queen. Some highlights of the evening include ParigioCara from La Traviata with special guest Ian Mcmillan and Casta Diva from the opera Norma.

D'Andrea Pelletier. VAC photo

     Recognized for her "diverse vocal talent and universal image," says the announcement from VAC, Pelletier is a classically trained soprano "with the agility of a coloratura, the timbre of a lyric to the dramatic flair of a spinto." Pelletier's diverse range allows her to perform works made famous by Maria Callas and Luciano Pavorotti.

     Pelletier's performance history includes appearances with Michael Bublé, District Rotary of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi's KDEN Theatre, and various live performances as a soloist. As the newest member of the Mae Orvis Studio, Pelletier will perform in the 2019/2020 season with Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre "as she expands her reach as the Queen of Opera."
     Wine, beer and pupu will be available for purchase for attendees to enjoy before, during, and after the evening's concert. Tickets are $20/VAC member, $25/non-member, available at volcanoartcenter.org, at VAC's Administration Office in Volcano Village, and VAC Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and by calling VAC's office at (808) 967-8222. Tickets are held at will call on the day of the show or may be picked up any day before the show at the VAC Niʻaulani Campus Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

     Program Concert Repertoire: O Mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Schicci by Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924); Ou Ya la Jeune Indoue (Bell Song) from Lakme by Leo Delibes (1815–1910); Voi Lo Sapete from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni (1863 - 1945); Morgen! by Richard Strauss (1864 - 1949), with Violinist Glenda Johnson; Paris O Cara from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901), with Tenor Ian McMillan; Intermission; Lord Listen! From Turandot by Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924); Píseň Rusalky na Měsícku from Song to the Moon from Rusalka by Antonin Dvorak (1841 - 1904); And Lucevan le Stelle from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924); and Casta Diva from Norma by Vincenzo Bellini (1801 - 1835).

Girls volleyball in Kaʻū Gym tonight and for the next three 
days, as local players prepare to travel interisland and to 
the mainland to compete. Photo by Julia Neal

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KAʻŪ GYM HOSTS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS HEADED FOR NATIONALS. The four day warm up began today for girls 14 and under who will play at the USA Volleyball competition in Anaheim and Indiana. The girls just finished sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, attend Kamehameha School and are coached by Punaluʻu resident and Kamehameha girls volleyball coach Guy Enriques.

     Also headed for competition is the Miloliʻi-Kaʻū team coached by Yolanda Kauhuia. The MK team of girls 14 years and under will head to Honolulu this weekend and on to Anaheim for USA Volleyball play this month.

     The old Kaʻū Gym is hosting the volleyball coaching session to make ready for the off-island play and Pāhala Plantation House is providing housing for the girls as they get ready to head out for national competition.

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 Ka'ū, from Miloli'i through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

Kapa Kuiki with Cultural Practitioner Cyndy Martinez, Wednesday, June 12, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Hawaiian traditional quilting methods demonstration and discussion. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, June 13, 6:30p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, JUNE 14
Register by June 14 - Basic Hunter Education Certification Program - see separate listing, June 28 and 29, for details. Space is limited. Call 887-6050, code KAU

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Friday, June 14. Free; donations appreciated. Limited seating available. RSVP in advance. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, June 14, 9a.m.-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. ovcahi.org, 939-7033

Arts and Crafts Activity: Father's Day Card, Friday, June 14, 1:30-2:30p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, June 10-13. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Community Dance, Friday, June 14, 7-10p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org


SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, June 15, 10a.m.-1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Dance - Kumu Hula Lorna Lim / Exercise Kawehileimamoikawekiu'okohala , Saturday, June 15, 10: 30-11: 30 pm, hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com,  volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Kumu Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe, Saturday, June 15, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Drawing Mandalas as Meditation w/Lisa Maria Martin, Saturday, June 15, 11a.m.-2p.m., Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. All supplies provided. Open to all levels. No art or meditation experience needed. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, June 15, 2-3p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

Opera Concert with D'Andrea Pelletier, Saturday, June 15, 5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Tickets are $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, JUNE 16
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Clean-Up, Sunday, June 16. Free; donations appreciated. Space available and BYO-4WD ok. RSVP in advance. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Father's Day Buffet, Sunday, June 16, 5-8p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/Adults, $14.95/Child (ages 6-11). No reservations required, 967-8356. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

ONGOING

Seamless Summer Program, open to all people under age 18, no registration required, offers free breakfast at Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School cafeterias. Meals are available weekdays through July 11; no meals Tuesday, June 11 and Thursday, July 4. Kaʻū High serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call (808) 939-2413 for Nāʻālehu Elementary mealtimes.

Early College Summer Program at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary registrations are open for high school students. Program runs Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Program requires registration by calling 313-4100. No classes Tuesday, June 11 and Thursday, July 4.

Purchase Tickets for Miss Hawaiʻi Island Teen USA and Miss Hawai'i Island, Sunday, June 16 at The Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo, from Teen USA candidate Kailee "Kamalani" Kuhaulua-Stacy. Tickets are $25; contact Kamalani at 808-315-4252 through Saturday, June 15 to purchase. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the pageant begins at 6:30 p.m. The evening includes both competition for Miss Hawaiʻi Island Teen USA, for contenders 14 to 18 years of age, and Miss Hawai'i Island, for contestants 18 to 28.

     See misshawaiiisland.com.

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

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou's Annual Nāʻālehu 4th of July Parade and Summer Fun Fest happens Saturday, June 29. The Nā‘ālehu Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Mission. The parade features floats, Paʻu riders, Kaʻū Coffee Court members, and more.
     The Fest, which begins after the parade, features water slides and bounce castles, hot dogs, watermelon, and shave ice, plus Senior Bingo and lunch at the community center for seniors. The free event is open to the public, no registration required.
     To participate in the parade, volunteer, or donate, contact Debra McIntosh at 929-9872 by Thursday, June 20. okaukakou.org

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.

Experience Volcano Festival is still looking for vendors. Booths for the event are $25 per day for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. The event is coordinated with the new ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash on the 27th. Apply at experiencevolcano.com/vendor-application.
     Experience Volcano is a group of businesses and residents helping to rebuild the economy of Volcano, following last year's volcanic disaster that shut down Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and drastically reduced the visitor county which is now recovering.

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register at ohialehuahalf.com.

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com

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