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Monday, April 29, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, April 29, 2019

Kaʻū Trojans culinary students presented their chocolatier skills at last weekend's Big Island Chocolate Festival in Kohala.
See story, below. Photo by Fern Gavalek
KAʻŪ TROJAN CULINARY STUDENTS MADE A SPLASH ON THE KOHALA COAST over the weekend. They shared their skills with a sold-out crowd of 700 attendees at the eighth annual Big Island Chocolate Festival gala, which benefited seven island non-profits, including high school and college culinary programs. The Kaʻū Trojans team, mentored by Aina Akamu, offered Smoked Meat with Kaʻū Coffee Chocolate Barbecue Sauce. Another offering from the local high school students included Kaʻū Gold Orange Chocolate Drizzle.
     Indoors and outdoors, the event spread throughout the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort on Saturday. Chocolate recipes by chefs, chocolatiers, and culinary students were critiqued on taste, texture, appearance, and creativity by a team of celebrity judges. Competitions spanned the annual two-day festival.
Food made with chocolate. Photo from konacacaoassociation.com
     In addition to culinary contests, farmers entered competitions for their production of the beans that are processed into chocolate. Ken Melrose of Primavera Farm bested 13 other entries for the Best Cacao Bean while Kealia Ranch earned Best Criollo Bean. 
     The festival also offered knowledge on planting to plating: a Kona cacao farm tour, cacao growing and processing seminars, how-to culinary demonstrations by chocolate industry experts and a unique chocolate and tequila pairing.
     Kaʻū students, as first time competitors at the Chocolate Festival, were in the mix with famous chefs and food creators, including Mike Winder of Kailua-Kona's Loko Wraps for Best Savory, who offered a vegan dish, and Anna Hohenberger of Puna Chocolate Company for Best Plated Dessert. Pastry Chef Kalani Garcia of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai took Best Bonbon while Michelle Yamaguchi of Oʻahu's Waialua Estate Chocolate won Best Bean-to-Bar Chocolate.
     Those who best dazzled the crowd with their creations earned the People's Choice Awards: Chef Dayne Tanabe of Hilton Waikoloa Village for Best Savory and Pastry Chef Daniel Sampson of the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaiʻi for Best Sweet.
     Farsheed Bonakdar, president of the Kona Cacao Association, the organization that produces the festival noted, "It's great the field of competition is growing in the bean division, which basically critiques the quality of beans after fermentation and drying. Proper fermentation optimizes the flavor profile of chocolate."
Big Island Chocolate Festival beneficiaries.
     Kaʻū, at the festival for the first time, was one of four Hawaiʻi Island high school culinary teams that vied for People's Choice Awards Saturday night. Kealakehe High culinarians took top honors for both savory and sweet offerings, a dual repeat winner from last year. 
     The event theme, Black and White, was depicted at culinary stations and Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory of Kona was tapped Best Decorated Booth.
     For Friday's college competition, seven two-person teams from Kona's UH-Palamanui and UH-Maui College vied in a timed dessert competition that incorporated chocolate. Winners included Team 5 Marion Sidon and Daniele Sulliban of Maui, Team 6 Bristol Anae and Tiffany Figeroa of Maui, and Team 1 Thomas Elarco and Lily Frazier of Palamanui. 
     Judges for the competitions hailed from throughout the state and Mainland: Chef Alicia Boada CEPC, CCA, CCE, ACE of Cacao Barry; Chef Stephane Treand MOF of The Pastry School; Chef David Brown of Kapiolani Community College, Dr. Nat Bletter of Madre Chocolate, Chef Connor Butler of Kona Butcher Shop; Neal Campbell of Healani Orchards; Chef Ricky DeBoer of Fairmont, Kea Lani; Chef Muzzy Fernandez of Hokulia, Chef Yoshikazu Kizu of The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua; Chef Daniel Sampson of Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii; Chefs Teresa (Cheech) Shurilla and Hannah Stanchfield of UH-Maui College; and Maddy Smith of Barefoot Chocolatini and Weston Yap.
     The real winners of the annual festival are the seven 2019 beneficiaries: the culinary programs at Hawaiʻi Community College Palamanui, Kealakehe High School, Hawaiʻi Island High Schools and Maui Community College, plus Hawaiʻi Institute of Pacific Agriculture, Waimea Country School, and Kona Dance & Performing Arts.
     The mission and goal of the Kona Cacao Association is to promote the cacao industry on Hawaiʻi Island by presenting BICF as an educational and outreach opportunity for local cacao farmers, the hospitality industry, and cacao enthusiasts. 2019 sponsors are: Cacao Berry, Callebaut, The Coconut Wireless Weekly, Cocoa Outlet & The Chocolate Guy Hawaiʻi, DHX, Guittard Chocolate Company, Hawaiʻi Coffee Connection, Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union, Kona Business Center, Kona Brewing Company, Mehana Brewing Company, Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, Primavera Farm, Purely Artisan Foods, Restaurantware, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, Tattoo Tequila, Valhrona Chocolate, Waialua Estate Coffee & Chocolate, The Wave@92FM, and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
      Visit bigislandchocolatefestival.com or floowo @BIChocoFest for updates on next year's event.

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KAʻŪ CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS have been funded by the Hawai`i Legislature to help with health and education in Kaʻū and Volcano, reports east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman:
     Kaʻū Hospital, $500,000 for equipment and renovations.
     Big Island Substance Abuse Council, $100,000 for operating expenses.
     Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, $15 Million for building a new campus.
     Kaʻū High and Elementary School, $200,000 for cafeteria, equipment, and site improvements.
Pohoiki Boat Ramp, landlocked. A new boat ramp location will be chosen.
Photo from Sen. Russell Ruderman's Facebook
     After School All-Stars, $150,000 to continue various programs in all Kaʻū and Puna high schools.
     Puna Boat Ramp on the Puna coast, $500,000 for planning and design of a new boat ramp to replace Pohoiki boat ramp, which is now land-locked due to lava. Ruderman said a study has been completed showing Pohoiki is not repairable, and a new location will be determined.
     Ruderman also reported :
     Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island - $100,000 to help families to become homeowners through their own sweat equity and volunteerism.
     Mauna Kea Fence, $500,000 for fencing for ungulate control. Ruderman said this will protect native species and habitat.
     Ulu Coop Facility / Honalo Yard, $1.1 million for improvements. Ruderman said this Kona facility supports local food island-wide as host of the Ulu Cooperative. Hawaiʻi Ulu Producers Coop was also awarded $150,000.

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Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant contestants all donned costumes as one of the judged categories. From top left: Helena
Nihipali Sesson, Miss Kaʻū Coffee; Bernadette Ladia, First Miss Kaʻū Coffee; Kysha Manini Kaʻupu, Miss Coffee
Flower; First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower and Miss Popularity, Adilyn Aetonu; Helen Miranda, Second Miss Peaberry;
Kendall Haddock, First Miss Peaberry; Miss Flower, Kysha Manini Kaʻupu; Lilianna Marques, Kaʻū Peaberry.
Photos by Kamalani Kaluahine Salmo
MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE COURT begins a schedule of appearances this week, as the Kaʻū Coffee Festival continues through Sunday, May 5. All events are open to the public; some require reservations. Celebrate Kaʻū Coffee at:
     Kaʻū Mountain Hike and Lunch, Wednesday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Ride through the coffee plantation, up the mountains, and into the rainforest to walk along waterways from sugar days of old. Reservations required; $45 per person. Call 928-0550.
     Kaʻū Valley Farms Tour and Lunch, Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon. Above Nāʻālehu, visit a plant nursery, food farm, coffee and tea plantings, native forest, and hidden valley. $40 per person, reservations required. Call 987-4229 or 731-5409.
New Miss Kaʻū Coffee Helena Nihipali Sesson, center,
with major sponsor Ed Olson to her right, and Kaʻū
Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba
to her left. Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine Salmo
     Kaʻū Coffee and Cattle Day, Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm. Includes farm tours, BBQ buffet, and hayride. Visit this historic Ka‘ū Coffee farm and ranch. $25, reservations required. Call 927-2252.
     Kaʻū Stargazing on Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., takes guests to the top of sacred Makanau during a new-moon. Learn about the ancient Hawaiian temple and see the Hawaiian night sky and stars. Reservations required; $45 per person, includes refreshments. Call 938-0550.
     Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa, Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Full day of music, dance, coffee tasting, demonstrations, food, snacks, educational booths, and games. Meet the Kaʻū Coffee court. Free entry. KauCoffeeFest.com.
     Kaʻū Coffee College at Pāhala Community Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, May 5 closes out the festival. Get served education and see demonstrations for coffee farmers and Kaʻū Coffee enthusiasts.
     See KauCoffeeFestival.com.

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First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Bernadette Ladio
won the gown competition.
Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine Salmo
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS are looking to fill vacancies. Members of most of these Boards and Commissions serve for staggered terms of five years, on a voluntary basis. These positions are open for Kaʻū:
     Cultural Resource Commission, two vacancies; seeking an Architect and a Planner respectively for these vacancies.
     Fire Board of Appeals, five vacancies. Applicants require education or experience in engineering or architectural design, building code enforcement, fire department operations, fire code enforcement, fire protection contracting, general contracting, or legal.
     Fire Commission, one vacancy.
     Kaʻū Community Development Plant Action Committee, nine vacancies.
     Tax Board of Review, one vacancy.
     For all Boards and Commission, travel expenses to and from meetings are reimbursed. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and residents of the state of Hawaiʻi. The Mayor's Office will fill the vacancies from a list of applicants. Application forms are available online at hawaiicounty.gov/office-of-the-mayor. For further information, please contact Rose Bautista, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, at 961-8211 or at rose.bautista@hawaiicounty.gov.

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AN OVERVIEW OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO'S 2018 EVENTS  will be resented on Thursday, May 2 by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Ingrid Johanson. Her talk begins at 7 p.m. in the University Classroom Building, Room 100, on the main University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo.
Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant Director
Trini Marques.
     In 2018, the largest flank eruption and caldera collapse in at least 200 years occurred on Kīlauea Volcano. It began on May 3, when a fissure erupted in the lower Puna District. In all, 24 fissures eventually erupted along a 4.2-mile-long segment of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone. Fissure 8 became the dominant vent, erupting a voluminous lava flow that reached the ocean, destroying over 700 structures along the way.
     As magma drained from the summit reservoir to feed the lava flow, parts of Kīlauea's summit caldera collapsed, by more than 1600 feet in places, accompanied by dozens of earthquakes each day. In early August 2018, the summit subsidence and earthquakes abruptly ended, and the LERZ lava effusion declined until September 5, when active lava was no longer observed at fissure 8.
     Johanson presents an overview of last summer's unprecedented events on Kīlauea, including how tilt data, GPS, and satellite radar helped scientists understand what was happening in 2018, and what the volcano is doing now.
     Free and open to the public. No reservations required. For more information, email askHVO@usgs.gov.

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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 Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, HHSAA
Softball:
Wed., May 1-4, HHSAA
Boys Volleyball:
Thu.-Sat., May 2-4, HHSAA
Track:
Fri.-Sat., May 3-4, HHSAA

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UPCOMING
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, April 30, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Hike & Lunch, Wednesday, May 1, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., meet at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, Wood Valley. $45; includes lunch. Reservations required. Limited to 30 people. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.comkaucoffeefestival.com

Early Head Start, Wednesday, May 1 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 10 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Social get together for keiki and parents; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

May Day is Lei Day, May 1, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hands-on lei making demonstrations, live music and hula. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hula Voices with Musician Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter, Wednesday, May 1 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Open Mic Night, Wednesday, May 1, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests, 21+. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, MAY 2
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Thursday, May 2. Free; donations appreciated. Limited seating available. RSVP in advance. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m. – noon, Ka‘alaiki Rd., Nā‘ālehu. $40; includes lunch and transportation from meeting site. Reservations required. 987-4229/731-5409, kauvalley.comkaucoffeefestival.com

Keiki Jiggle Bums, Thursday, May 2 and 16 – 1st and 3rd Thursday, monthly – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 17 – 3rd Friday monthly – 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Discover the joy of early learning through song and musical instruments. For keiki 0-4 years. Nicola, 238-8544

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, May 2, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Women's Expression Group, Thursday, May 2 – 1st Thursday monthly – 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, May 2, 6:30 p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, MAY 3
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. $25; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required. 927-2252, aikaneplantation.comkaucoffeefestival.com

Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser, Friday, May 3, doors open 5:30 p.m., dinner served 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Enchiladas, Tamales, Charro Borracho Beans (Mexican Cowboy Drunken Beans), Drinks and Dessert. $8/person, $15 for two, $20/family. stjudeshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m., Makanau summit. $45, includes refreshments and shuttle ride. Reservation required. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.comkaucoffeefestival.com

KDENte Fundraising Dinner for Kilauea Drama Entertainment Network, Friday, May 3, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant, Hilo. Italian food buffet, $20 cash or check at door. 984-7344

The Great Kīlauea Eruption of 2018 and What May Soon Follow, Friday, May 3, 6:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Presented by Geologist Dr. Richard "Rick" Hazlett, Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, MAY 4
Parenting Class & Saturday School, May 4 and 18, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center, Downstairs. Sponsored by Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Stewardship at the Summit, May 4, 9, 17, 25, and 31, 8:45 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers remove invasive, non-native plants. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves/tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required for those under 18. Free; park entrance fees apply. Paul and Jane Field, field@hawaii.edu, nps.gov/havo

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Music and hula, coffee tastings (Ka‘ū Coffee Experience, 9:30 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., free). Talk story with coffee growers and industry professionals. Food, craft and information booths. Free entry. Coffee farm and mill tours, $20, offered 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. kaucoffeefestival.com

Abstract Painting Workshop with Darcy Gray, Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Basic painting backgroup suggested. Tools provided, can bring own supplies. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 8 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, May 4 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11 a.m. – noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

Fiesta in the Forest, May 4, bar opens 4 p.m., dinner 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Food, margaritas, beer, wine and live music. Bring Cooper Center mug for $1 off beer – purchase one for $10 – can be used at all Cooper Center events. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SUNDAY, MAY 5
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sunday, May 5, 9 a.m. – noon, Pāhala Community Center. Coffee industry professionals come to Ka‘ū to share their knowledge with coffee growers and enthusiasts. Free; donations welcome. kaucoffeefestival.com

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, May 5 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon – 2 p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

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

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.

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.

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