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Thursday, September 12, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, September 12, 2019

Manākaʻa Fishing Village is the highest priority for preservation, according to PONC scores, in 2020.
See story, below. Photo from alakahakaitrail.org
A KAʻŪ FIVE-O APPROACH TO AG THEFT is being adopted by farmers who are taking advice from professional investigators. Hawaiʻi Police Department Agricultural Investigator Shane Muramaru, along with pig farmer and Kaʻū Police Officer Dayne Shibuya, shared strategies Tuesday evening with Kaʻū farmers in Pāhala. They said that Community Policing Officer Shawn Ibara will work with farmers who know the lay of the land, and recommend ways to deter and catch thieves.
     Police and farmers talked about the days when coffee pickers drove into the farms with their own trucks to go to work and bags of coffee were left alongside roads for pick up, without a worry about thievery. More recently and more pronounced in Kona than Kaʻū, farmers are experiencing theft. To reduce it, they drive their pickers into the fields and bring them out, keeping track of the harvest and moving bags of coffee cherry to processing immediately. Farmers employ hidden cameras to catch thieves. They also participate in Neighborhood Watch programs with other farmers. When thieves know farmers are hunting for them, they go somewhere else, said Shibuya. He encouraged farmers to announce that they are combing their farms for thieves.
     Muramaru, who was known for his Parker Ranch Five-O approach in Kamuela, said that when thieves "know people are watching, that's big."
At the meeting in Pāhala, ag thief investigator Shane Muramaru urges
farmers and land managers to call 911 if there's a theft in progress. Police 
officers said they are willing to learn the lay of the land to help 
locate thieves quickly. Photo by Julia Neal
     Shibuya said, "Bad boys are going to worry when they know we are out there," with the community watching.
     Both Muramaru and Shibuya stressed the importance of photos to convict thieves. They said security cameras have become more sophisticated and less expensive, and can communicate directly with the farmer, providing evidence and alerts that theft is taking place. Muramaru gave example of a taro farmer in Waipiʻo setting up a secret camera in his loʻi, taro patch, in the rocks at ground level, recording the people walking through. Even theft from an avocado tree in the yard of a house can be prosecuted, said Muramaru, pointing to three months in jail served by a thief.
     The police officers cautioned farmers against confronting thieves and urged a call to 911. It was suggested that those answering the 911 calls be educated in the locations of farms. Muramaru, with extensive experience at Parker Ranch and Hawaiian Home Lands in Kamuela, said that placing signage with the farms' names can help police find the spot when addresses are not obvious. Also suggested were the posting of Neighborhood Watch and No Trespassing signs.
     Learning to describe a thief is important, said Muramaru, and knowing the size of landmarks on the property can help. Knowing the height of a fence can help a farmer estimate the height of a thief if he is standing next to it. Being able to describe the design of a thief's tattoo has become an asset to identifying criminals. A photo of a tattoo can help catch a thief.
     Even when theft is unwitnessed, call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311, police urged. Shibuya said to always call in a theft in progress. "When it's in progress, we get excited." Muramaru said that Kaʻū is lucky, in that police officers working on Kaʻū ag theft are from Kaʻū and know the land.
     Read more in future Kaʻū News Briefs on ag theft. Learn about requirements for farmers to keep receipts, and other proof of ownership and sales, to help police trace stolen agricultural products from the marketplace back to the innocent farmer.

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PONC wants to preserve the area of Kawala, in white, where Manākaʻa 
Fishing Village is located. Map from Big Island Video News
MANĀKAʻA FISHING VILLAGE in Kaʻū ranked number one in the scoring to prioritize properties to acquire through PONC in 2020. The 348 acre parcel is adjacent to the Waikapuna property that is under contract for acquisition through PONC and state funding.
     With approval of the meeting minutes by PONC, Manākaʻa Fishing Village site will be included in the 2019 annual PONC report to the mayor at the end of the year. After negotiations and the purchase from its owners, the land would be deeded to a nonprofit organization and stewarded with help from local volunteers and workers.
     Of the 17 proposals before PONC, the Haloa ʻĀina Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood Forest in the ahupuaʻa of Kealakekua ranked second. Lands in North Kohala from Hapuʻu to Kapanala ranked third. Pohue Bay, makai of Ocean View, ranked number 12. See more on the PONC list in future Kaʻū News Briefs.
     Manāka‘a Fishing Village is an undeveloped coastal parcel in the ahupua‘a of Kāwala, known for the Maniania Pali sea cliffs. These coastal lands below Nā‘ālehu have long been cherished by the Kaʻū community for subsistence fishing, cattle ranching, and cultural sites: heiau, burials, ahu, lava tubes, underground springs, and ancient house sites. "The Kaʻū community, Ala Kahakai Trail Association, and The Trust for Public Land are working together to protect Manāka‘a from development and preserve this storied coastline so future generations can walk in the footsteps of their ancestors," says a statement from the Ala Kahakai Trail Association.

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SEVERE AND WIDESPREAD CORAL BLEACHING DUE TO WATER TEMPERATURE RISE is happening in Kaʻū reefs and other Hawaiian waters, according to Department of Land and Natural Resource's Division of Aquatic Resources. Predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this bleaching event is occurring more severely in areas with clean water, which may be due to the "shading effect of dirty water reducing some of the stress from direct sunlight on these corals," states the DAR team.
DLNR infographic
     Dr. Jamison Gove, a NOAA Research Oceanographer, said, "Ocean temperatures remain well above average across much of the state. Areas along West Hawai‘i and Maui Nui are especially warm, as much as 3 to 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit above typical summertime temperatures. Warm ocean temperatures are expected to persist in the coming weeks, likely worsening the coral bleaching that has recently been observed across the islands."
     NOAA, DAR, and the Arizona State University Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science have joined forces to collaborate on coral reef science, conservation, and management in Hawai‘i. The agencies created a coral bleaching alert card, which depicts six steps to take to reduce additional stress on corals during this bleaching event.
This map of Hawaii Island shows where coral bleaching has been reported by agencies and individuals. The more
reports, the better an idea the agencies working to help restore reefs will have of where they should focus their efforts.
Map from hawaiicoral.org
     Dr. Greg Asner, Director of ASU-GDCS, said his team, DAR, and NOAA use advanced aircraft and satellites to monitor main Hawaiian Island reefs. He said they launched hawaiicoral.org "to provide a simple but advanced platform that integrates coral observations made by residents and visitors with observations made from the air and Earth orbit. The outcome is a real-time monitoring system that informs citizens as fast as scientists are getting data. Together, we can not only monitor this terrible bleaching event, but also work to reduce secondary stress on the most impacted reefs. After the heatwave ends, we will have a good map with which to plan restoration efforts."

In 1958, the Golden Rule's crew attempted to stop U.S. 
atmospheric nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands by 
sailing from California to the Marshall Islands. They 
were arrested for their efforts. 1958 Golden Rule 
captain and crew: William Huntington, Capt. Albert 
Bigelow, Orion Sherwood, and George Willoughby. 
Photo from Swathmore Peace Collection
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A MARSHALLESE WELCOME on Maui greeted the Golden Rule sailing peace boat yesterday after its trip from Hilo to Maʻalea Harbor on Maui. Golden Rule Project manager Helen Jaccard, on board the Golden Rule, said the crossing featured "the best weather you can get, given the difficulty of the Alenuihaha Channel. The boat rolled and corkscrewed a lot, so it was a difficult transit. The crew was able to sail without the engine for most of the time in the channel. All crew performed admirable and every one of them was a necessary part of the successful transit."
     More than 20 Marshallese arrived at the dock to welcome the crew with a traditional "jinlap" greeting, which includes singing and giving lei. Jaccard described the gifts as "beautiful seashell lei." The Marshallese honored the Golden Rule for its peace mission in the 1950s to stop nuclear testing, including blowing up Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, and its continued peace voyages throughout Hawaiʻi this Fall and to the Marshall Islands, Guam, Okinawa, Korea, and Japan next year on the 75th anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima. The project is sponsored by Veterans for Peace.
Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1954. In the Castle Bravo test, the U.S. 
detonated a 15-megaton device equivalent to a thousand Hiroshima 
blasts. Photo from Swathmore Peace Collection
     A statement from the Golden Rule Project regarding the voyage to the Marshall Islands: "In December, 2019, the Captain and crew of the Golden Rule will sail to the Marshall Islands, where the U.S. nuclear testing from 1946 to 1958 blew up several islands and atolls, and radiated many Marshallese, who are still suffering from the effects of the nuclear explosions. The combined explosive power of all the bombs dropped on the Marshall Islands during that 12-year period equals 1.6 Hiroshima-size explosions per day." See washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2015/11/27/a-ground-zero-forgotten/?utm_term=.e03eb948600.
     The 30th Hawaiʻi state legislature issued a certificate of welcome to the Golden Rule, wishing her crew a "successful journey" of two-and-a half years sailing the Pacific "to support the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, raise awareness about environmental and human costs of military and nuclear activities, and support efforts to stop the possibility of nuclear war."
 In Honolulu, protesters of nuclear tests and of the arrests of the Golden Rule 
crew. Photo from Quaker House, Honolulu, collection
     The crew on the leg of the voyage from Hilo to Maui was comprised of James Akau, of Pāhala, and from Hawaiʻi Island: Keith Oney, Joe Scarola, Alex Fanceschini, and Arron Blackman, along with Jaccard.
     To donate, and more, contact Helen Jaccard at 206-992-6364 or vfpgoldenruleproject@
gmail.com.
     Visit vfpgoldenrule.org.
Also contact Ann Wright, Veterans for Peace-Hawaiʻi, 808-7411141, annw1946@gmail.com.
       See the documentary online, Making Waves: The Rebirth of the Golden Rule at vimeo.com/250517563. Read more in yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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THE MERCY RULE in Big Island Interscholastic Federation play was modified at this month's Athletic Directors Meeting, reported Kalei Namohala, Kaʻū High Athletic Director and BIIF Football Coordinator. The Mercy Rule for games that the Kaʻū Trojans play is now: When a team is up by 35-points in the game, the clock will be run, without stopping, if both schools' administrators are in agreement. This effectively makes games that are heavily one-sided, shorter.

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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
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through September
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates

Football, Division II:
Sat., Sept. 14, 11 a.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala
Thu., Sept. 19, 7 p.m., Pāhoa hosts Kaʻū

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Fri., Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Honokaʻa hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 17, 6 p.m., Waiakea hosts Kaʻū
Thu., Sept. 19, 6 p.m., Keaʻau hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 24, 6 p.m., Makualani hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts HPA

Cross Country:
Fri., Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m., @HPA
Sat., Sept. 21, 10 a.m., @Kealakehe
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m., @Keaʻau

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UPCOMING
FRIDAY, SEPT. 13
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, Sept. 13, 9a.m.-noonOcean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Community Dance, Friday, Sept. 13, 7-10p.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, SEPT. 14
Macadamia Nut Pest Workshop, Saturday, Sept. 14, 9-11:30a.m., Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Alyssa Cho, CTAHR, presents. Learn to manage pests in the orchard, with a focus on macadamia felted coccid - applications for use of application equipment on eligible farms after training. Free event, snack provided. Limited space, registration required. 430-1876, bigislandmacnut@gmail.com

Birth of Kahuku, Saturday, Sept. 14, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to-moderate hike. nps.gov/havo

Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Saturday, Sept. 14, meet 9:30a.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.orgfacebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Guided Hike On A 60 Year Old Lava Lake, Saturday, Sept. 14, 10a.m.-2p.m.Kīlauea Iki Overlook Parking Lot, HVNP. Moderate to challenging 2.4 mile hike (one way). $80/person. Register online. Park entrance fees may apply. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.orgfhvnp.org

Zentangle Knot Work Celtic Inspired with Ellen O‘Dunn, Saturday, Sept. 14, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. All art supplies provided - returning students encouraged to bring favorite supplies. Experience with Zentangle recommended by not necessary. Potluck. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Soul Town band performance, Saturday, Sept. 14, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge. Open to all patrons, with Terms of Service. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, SEPT. 15
People and Land of Kahuku, Sunday, Sept. 15, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, 2.5 mile hike over rugged terrain. nps.gov/havo

TUESDAY, SEPT. 17
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Sept. 17 (Committees), Wednesday, Sept. 18, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Registration Open: Painting, Tuesday, Sept. 17-23, Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Program for ages 6-12 takes place Tuesday, Sept. 24, 12:45-3:30p.m. Free. 939-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Saturday, Sept. 17, 7:30a.m.-4p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, 796-0107, hihs.org

New Discoveries in Hawai‘i Lava Tubes, Tuesday, Sept. 17, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Cave biologist and UH associate professor Dr. Megan Porter introduces the unique community of lava tube animals found on the island. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:30-1:30p.m.Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Community Mtg., asking for input from Kaʻū residents on what Kaʻū needs, happens Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Agenda TBA. oha.org

Kanaka Tree in Concert, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7p.m.Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Hawaiian music. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19
Registration Open: Colorful Craft, Thursday, Sept. 19-24, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8, takes place Wednesday, Sept. 25, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING
Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Volcano local photographer Jesse Tunison, daily through Sunday, Sept. 15, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Nani Ka ʻIkena, that which is seen is beautiful, features vibrant colors and crisp, wide vistas which highlight the character and drama of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. The collection of ten photographs were captured over the past decade by Tunison and also document the dynamic changes which have occurred in such a short period of time. "While the landscape has changed the beauty has endured." Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

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., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. okaukakou.orgkaucoffeemill.com

Tutoring for Kaʻū Hugh & Pāhala Elementary is Available to All Students of the school, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Grades Kindergarten-2nd will be in room 3; grades 3-6 will be in room 6 on Mondays, room 11 on Tuesdays through Thursdays; middle school students, will be in building Q; and high school students will be in room M-101 in the science building. Contact khpes.org or 808-313-4100 for more.

Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted. 

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.