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Friday, February 21, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, February 21, 2020

Nāhuku, Thurston Lava Tube, reopened today after almost two years of closure. During the closure, long, delicate roots
from ‘ōhi‘a trees and large colonies of white microbial matter grew in the tube. Visitors are urged not to touch the
lava tube walls or the roots. See more below. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei
SELF-MONITORING FOR CORONAVIRUS ARE FOUR HAWAIʻI ISLAND RESIDENTS, among 56 statewide. The State of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Joint Information Center announced Friday afternoon that an additional person is in quarantine. However, none have reached the standard of symptoms to be tested for the Coronavirus by the National Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The news release from the state says, "Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi. The state Department of Health is actively preparing for possible cases and working with state, county, and federal partners including the medical community in Hawaiʻi."
     Those self-monitoring were directed through an airport screening of passengers landing in Hawaiʻi from China. Self-monitoring means staying home from work, school, and other public places, and watching for symptoms.

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NĀHUKU, THURSTON LAVA TUBE, REOPENED TWENTY-FOUR/SEVEN, after being closed for 657 days. The popular walk-through lava tube has been closed since May 4, 2018, following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake and four months of destructive eruptive and seismic activity at Kīlauea that caused its summit crater to collapse. Nāhuku will be open 24 hours a day, and will be lit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors must bring a flashlight and extra batteries if visiting before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
Rocks fell from the ceiling and new cracks appeared in Nāhuku during the 
2018 eruption. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei
     Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Acting Superintendent Rhonda Loh said, "We are overjoyed that we can again welcome visitors back to Nāhuku. We appreciate the public's understanding and support during this long road to recovery following the intense volcanic activity of 2018, and urge everyone to be mindful of potential risks when entering any lava tube."
     During the eruption, several large rocks were dislodged from the lava tube's ceiling, and new cracks appeared. A National Park Service geomorphologist, mining engineer, and other specialists surveyed Nāhuku. They determined it could be reopened if safety mitigations were met. Two crack monitors were installed, and a low-hanging rock is visibly marked off to prevent head injuries. Drainage was improved to reduce standing water on the cave's floor, and the electrical line to the bathroom was replaced.
     The Federal Highway Administration inspected park roads after the eruption and determined the parking configuration at Nāhuku was unsafe and should be addressed. As a result, the stalls perpendicular to Crater Rim Drive have been eliminated. There are now 14 stalls parallel to Crater Rim Drive, plus two accessible stalls and two stalls for commercial tour vans. Parking is limited to 30 minutes, and there is a new passenger loading and unloading area. Visitors can also park at alternate sites, including Devastation Trail and Kīlauea Iki Overlook.
Replacing the electric line inside the lava tube was one repair needed 
to reopen the tube to the public. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei
     During the closure, long, delicate roots from ‘ōhi‘a trees that grow on top of the lava tube grew down through the ceiling to touch the floor in some areas. There are also large colonies of white microbial matter on the lava tube walls. Visitors are urged not to touch the lava tube walls or the roots. These unique natural features have likely reappeared due to the absence of people for more than a year.
     Nāhuku was discovered in 1913 by Lorrin Thurston, a local newspaper publisher and advocate for the establishment of the national park. The name Nāhuku, protuberances, possibly refers to the lava stalactites that once covered its ceiling,  but have disappeared due to souvenir collectors. The National Park Service urges the public to "Help protect this incredible resource by not touching the walls or delicate tree root systems hanging down. Use only your eyes and feet to experience the lava tube – and ears! The scenic trail at Nāhuku winds through native forest, and endemic birds like ‘apapane, ‘amakihi and ‘ōma‘o are often heard and seen in this area."
     Additional disaster recovery continues in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, which sustained significant damage from the 60,000 earthquakes that shook Kīlauea between April 30 and Aug. 4, 2018. The Park's recovery progress is regularly updated on the Park website.

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See results and more photos from last weekend's 28th annual Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo, below.
Photos by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
RESULTS ARE IN FOR PANAʻEWA STAMPEDE RODEO, held at the Panaʻewa Equestrian Center on the Kaʻū side of Hilo. This 28th Hawaiʻi Horse Owners rodeo is held yearly on President's Day weekend: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
     Kaʻū paniolo and paniola, competitors from all over the island, came to showcase their skills in a wide variety of events. Huge crowds flocked to the event; last year saw over 10,000 attendees over three days. Rodeo clowns, cultural and historical displays – including the Kaʻū Paniolo Display from Kaʻū Multicultural Society – leather and saddle making exhibits, and food and craft booths were open for attendees to enjoy.
Presentation of the flags.
Photo by Solomon Sanoria
     Announcers were Al Cabral, JJ Harrison, and Lu Faborito. Rodeo Clowns were JJ Harrison and Rider Kiesner. Andrew Yanagi and Ty Kauai were the bull fighters. Rodeo Queen was Paige Rapoza. Her court were Kryslynn Nabarro and Lelana Arruda.
     The result are here:
     All Around Cowboy is Trisyn Kalawaia. He took first in Poʻo Wai U, first in Double Mugging with Ethan Awa, first in Tie Down Roping, second in Steer Wrestling, fourth in Youth Team Roping with Kelvin Medeiros, fifth in Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging with Kalia Medeiros, ninth in Open Team Roping with Westin Joseph, and 15th with Korey Medeiros,
     All Around Cowgirl is Lai Bertelmann. She took first in Wahine Breakaway, third in Wahine Double Mugging with Ester Benanua, fifth in Kane-Wahine Team Roping with Clancy Aku, sixth in Youth Team Roping with Lilia Keakealani, and seventh in Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging with Kaleo Simmons.
     In PoʻoWai U, a traditional paniolo event, Trisyn Kalawaia placed first with a time of 19.09, Kaili Brenneman placed second at 20.09, and Geoy Purdy placed thirs at 27.72.
     In Wahine Barrel Racing, Alohi Blackstead placed first with a combined time of 54.69, second place was Kalia Medeiros at 57.5, and third was Caithlynn Rae Cabral-Ah Sing at 58.11. Kaʻū's Lorilee Lorenzo placed fourth in the event, with a combined time of 60.
Poʻo Wai U. Photo by Solomon Sanoria 
of Wyrmfyre Productions
     In Youth Barrel Racing, first place was taken by Hilinaʻi Gouveia with a combined time of 57.02, Kylee Ann Holland took second at 61.30, and Addie Rose Flores took third at 64.69.
     In Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging, Ryan Sanborn and Denicia Derasin finished in first at 17.0, Shannon Benevides and Ty Kauai finished second at 19.15, and Lenaia Andrade and Kaili Brenneman finished fourth at 19.32.
     In Wahine Double Mugging, Kassey Hanoa and McKella Akana took first place in three rounds at a combined time of 278.25, Shannon Benevides and Lenaia Andrade took second in two rounds at a combined time of 102.15, and Ester Benanua and Lai Bertelmann took third in two rounds at a combined time of 126.87.
     In Double Mugging, first was taken in 31.25 seconds by Trisyn Kalawaia and Ethan Awa, second in 37.62 by Rodney Kuahiwinui and Kalai Llanes, and third in 42.56 by Troy Wood and Aki Smith.
     In Wahine Breakaway, Lai Bertelmann finished first with a combined time of 6.91 in three rounds, Kellsea Medeiros in second with a combined 10.62 in two rounds, and Lauren Santiago in third with a combined 11.7 in two rounds.
Flaming whips. Photo by Solomon 
Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
     In Kane-Wahine Team Roping, Weston Joseph and Kassey Hanoa placed first in three rounds with a combined time of 49.72, Aryka Diego and Bobby Boy Maneul placed second in two rounds at 16.47, and Ethan Awa and Makayla Awa placed third in tow rounds at 18.19.
     In Century Team Roping, first place was taken by Mac Castillo and Wayne Miranda at a total time of 31.56 in three rounds, second by Mike Smith and Bobby DeMattos at 47.33 in three rounds, and third by Wayne Miranda and Gilbert Smith at 15.82 in two rounds.
     In Youth Team Roping, Kalia Medeiros and Rusty Wilbur took first in a combined time of 18.91 in three rounds, Weston Joseph and Kalia Medeiros took second in 14.62 in two rounds, and Weston Joseph and Bobby Boy Manuel took third at 19.47 in two rounds.
     In Open Team Roping, first place was taken by Jordan Gomes and Dusty Miranda at 12.3, second by Shawn Aguiar and Chris Awa at 12.72, and third by Makayla Awa and Ethan Awa at 13.71.
     In Dummy Roping, Saraiya Iranaon took first with a time of 4.28, Lucia Miranda took second at 4.47, and Aubrie Hashimoto-Llanes took third at 4.94.
A bull plots on how to throw his rider.
Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
     In Tie Down Roping, first place went to Trisyn Kalawaiatook with a combined time of 52.44, second to Kaili Brenneman with 58.63, and Gregg Menino with 64.19.
     In Steer Wrestling, Westin Joseph took first at 11.1, Trisyn Kalawaia took second at 12.47, and Ty Kauai took third at 22.95.
     In Sheep Riding, first place went to Lawaiʻa Martinez at 62, second to Kauaʻi Pieper at 59, and third to Asher Rai Lyons at 58.
     In Calf Riding, no keiki completed the actual ride. Based on the longest ride of 4.47 seconds, sponsor HHO, Inc. gave the buckle to Colty Boy Mandaloniz.
     In Junior Bulls, Eli Higa finished first with a 73 score.
Nancy Cabral, Stampede organizer
Photo by Solomon Sanoria 

     The bulls won the Bull Riding competition – no paniolo could ride their bull.
     For more information, contact Nancy Cabral at 808-937-1004. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

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THE $47.32 BILLION STATE OPERATING BUDGET PASSED the House of Representatives this week and passed the first reading in the state Senate. It would fund Hawaiʻi state government through June of 2022.
     The budget is tens of millions of dollars short of Gov. David Ige's request. However, some of his unfunded programs for homelessness, affordable housing, and in education would be funded through separate bills.
     HB2200 HD1 would appropriate: $7.962 billion for Fiscal Year 2020 and $8.133 billion for FY2021 to the General Fund. It would provide $15.564 billion for FY2020 and $15.656 billion for FY 2021 for all other funding. Highlights include:
     Department of Land and Natural Resources would receive $725,000 for motor vehicles and equipment at State Parks statewide; $100,000 for the final phase of the Historic Preservation digitization project; $1,600,000 for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death surveys and control; and $2,100,000 for lifeguard services contracts at State Parks statewide.
Team Roping. Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
     Department of Agriculture would receive $1,113,400 for the Pesticides Division to establish a pesticide disposal program, and $2,386,316 for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle and other pest programs.
     Department of Education would receive $750,000 for Title IX Phase II training and two positions for the Teacher Mentor Program for entry-level special education teachers.
     Department of Education Libraries would receive $1,000,000 for security services, $500,000 for repairs and maintenance, and $250,000 for library books and materials.
          Department of Transportation would receive $1,207,100 for traffic signal maintenance on Hawaii Island.
     University of Hawaiʻi would receive $1,500,000 for mental health services systemwide; $1,000,000 for security services at community colleges; and $907,400 and five positions for operations and maintenance of community college facilities.
Barrel Racing.
Photos by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
     Department of Health would receive $1,671,152 for three positions and operating costs to allow the state family planning programs flexibility to fully serve Hawaiʻi's families; $2,500,000 for the Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waiver Administrative Claiming Special Fund; $150,466 to create a Newborn Screening State Evaluation Program Project; $5,000,000 for the Deposit Beverage Container Special Fund to assist in timely payment of contracts; and $30,240 for one Office Assistant for support at the Hawaiʻi Island district health office.
     Department of Labor and Industrial Relations would receive $1,000,000 for unemployment insurance modernization.
     Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism would receive $200,000 from the Energy Security Special Fund for the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Taskforce.
     Department of Human Services would receive $155,000 for one IT Enterprise Officer to oversee all of Human Services IT modernization initiatives; $950,000 for the Business Process Redesign of the Child Protective Service's system; and $76,951 for one program specialist position with additional expenses, for the Commission on the Status of Women.
A paniola urges her horse to fly through Hilo
Equestrian Center. Photo by Solomon Sanoria
     Department of Public Safety would receive four additional Human Resources staff to speed up the processing and hiring of Adult Corrections Officers and State Sheriffs; nine intake positions to implement Act 179, SLH 2019 which requires the department to produce a risk assessment and bail report in three days; $800,000 for contracted medical and mental health services; ten full time and one half-time Registered Nurse positions for 24-hour nursing coverage at community correctional facilities on Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi islands; and $205,000 for communications equipment for the Airport Sheriff's Division.
     Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs would receive $250,000 for the Public Utilities Commission to gain additional expertise on matters relating to major energy dockets and $131,860 for one staff attorney position to address increasing consumer fraud and protection cases.
     Department of Defense would receive positions and funds to process FEMA disaster reimbursements, and $125,000 to pave parking lot of Hawaiʻi State Veterans Cemetery.

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Team Roping. Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
GIVE INPUT ON BILLS TO FUND HEALTH SERVICES AT KAʻŪ RURAL HEALTH CLINIC, Hilo Medical Center, and in Kona. The Senate Ways & Means committee will hold a hearing that includes four "priority" bills for this island's medical services at 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Written testimony – no oral testimony will be accepted – is due by 12:40 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24. Go to capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx, sign in or create an account to submit testimony, and use the bill numbers, below. Testimony sent by U.S. mail will not arrive in time to be considered.
     Senate Bill 2617 would appropriate $700,000 to the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation to expand the Kaʻū Rural Health Clinic to improve access to urgent care and outpatient behavioral health services.
Four off the floor, racing through the stadium.
Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
     SB 2814 would fund equipment and construction of a second full-time catheterization laboratory at Hilo Medical Center, which serves Kaʻū and all of Hawaiʻi Island, lessening the need for patients to be flown to Maui or Oʻahu for interventional cardiac care. The care "stops heart attacks in progress and reduces long term cardiac disability for the people of Hawaiʻi Island," states HMC. The Center performed over 400 cardiac catheterizations in 2019, but project they will need to perform more than 500 this year. The imaging equipment in the existing cath lab is shared between cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery cases. Funding requested would be a "one- time infusion," stated the Center, as the second cath lab "will be fiscally self-sustaining."
     SB 2618 SD1 would fund purchase of a vehicle, equipment, and personnel for one advanced life support ambulance based in Makalei, Kona.
The crowd blurbs as this young paniola directs her mount. Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
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THIS WEEK'S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE DREW THE FOLLOWING FROM KAʻŪ'S REP IN CONGRESS who is running for President. Tulsi Gabbard's campaign sent out the following: "In 2016, with Debbie Wasserman-Schultz at the helm, the Democratic National Committee did everything they could to make sure Hillary Clinton was the party's nominee. Tulsi thought the voters should select the candidate, not the party establishment. So she stepped down as Vice-Chair of the DNC to endorse Bernie Sanders. In 2020, with Tom Perez in charge, they've manipulated the rules to let billionaires pay to play, keep grassroots candidates off the debate stage and failed to conduct a fair and honest caucus in Iowa.
A steer kicks off the ground when roped.
Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
     "Now, Trump is using the party's poor leadership as evidence that the Democratic Party is unfit to lead the country. DNC insiders and the powerful elite like to pay lip service to 'democratic reforms.' Yet, they continue to oppose reforms Tulsi is advocating for including open primaries and getting rid of superdelegates — reforms that would transfer power from party insiders to the voters.
     "Why the hypocrisy? Because the establishment thinks elections should serve them, not you. Despite the establishment's blackout of our campaign, we are continuing to take our message forward and take our campaign directly to the people."

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This steer is having none of it during this Team Roping.
Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
NATIVE HAWAIIANS CAN APPLY FOR AN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT through the Kahiau Community Assistance Program. This funding program, run by The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, provides one-time emergency financial assistance up to $2,000 to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing hardship due to an unexpected crisis. Visit hawaiiancouncil.org/kahiau for more information and to apply.

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SAMMY FO, well known for hula in Kaʻū and beyond, is featured on this week's Kapa Café, which was aired this morning on KAPA radio. The 25 minute interview with music of her late husband, the renowned Buddy Fo, will be archived on Hawaiʻi News Now. Sammy Fo grew up in Hawaiʻi, studied ballet and danced hula in New York, and teamed up with Buddy Fo for shows in Las Vegas, around the country, and in Maui, where Buddy was also a radio celebrity and the two produced a multicultural dance show at Maui Plantation . Kaʻea, of KAPA, does the interview.

Barrel Racing. Photo by Solomon Sanoria
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APPLY FOR A PROJECT MANAGER POSITION with Hawaiʻi Trust for Public Lands. This full-time position is based in Honolulu office and focuses on the organization's Sustainable Hawaiʻi program, which addresses conservation efforts affecting food, forests, and water resources.
     Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree; a minimum of 3 to 4 years project-related or equivalent land trust, non-profit, real estate experience; professional experience working in Hawai‘i; and familiarity with Hawai‘i landscapes, history, and politics.
     The position requires moderate travel to the neighbor islands and occasional travel to the mainland. Evening and weekend work can be expected. See the position description for more information.

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Big crowds come each of three days to the annual Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo.
Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
THE KAʻŪ PORTUGUESE EXHIBIT will be shown by Kaʻū Multicultural Society Sunday, Feb. 23, at Carvalho Park in Hilo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The exhibit tells stories of those who sailed to Hawaiʻi on a journey that took them across the Atlantic, around the southern point of South America, and across the vast Pacific to their new island home.
Steer fights horse and paniolo.
Photo by Solomon Sanoria of Wyrmfyre Productions
     The first ship was the Priscilla, which arrived Sept. 30, 1878, with 120 Madeira Islanders. The second ship left Funchal on April 23, 1879, took exactly four months to cross the Atlantic Ocean, round Cape Horn, and sail across the Pacific to Honolulu. Among the passengers were Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, Jose do Espirito Santo, and Joao Fernandes, who are credited with introducing the ʻukulele to Hawaiʻi.
     Many of the Portuguese settlers worked at the sugar companies in Kaʻū. They became ranchers, paniolo and leaders in the Catholic Church.
     Portuguese names, like Amaral, Andrade, Baruz, Da Silva, De Silva, Enos, Fontes, Freitas, Francis, Frances, Gomes, Gouveia, Joseph, Lorenzo, Louis, Manoa, Marques, Medeiros, Manuel, Oliveira, Pedra, Pestano, Silva and Vierra are well known in Kaʻū, with many families of Hawaiian and Portuguese ancestry.

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.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule
Girls Softball
Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m., @Waiakea
Wednesday, March 11, 3 p.m., @Konawaena
Boys Baseball
Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m., host HPA
Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.. @Waiakea
Boys Volleyball
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., host Christian Liberty
Wednesday, March, 6 p.m., @Hilo
Judo
Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., @Kealakehe
Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.. @Kealakehe
Track
Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m., @Waiakea
Saturday, March 21, 2 p.m., @Konawaena

UPCOMING
SATURDAY, FEB. 22
Free CERT Basic Training, four Saturdays starting Feb. 22 through March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team encourages community participation and provides support to emergency response organizations when the need arises. Four consecutive classes are a 27-hour FEMA certification course. Sign up by emailing hawaiicert@gmail.com. Bill Hanson, 808-937-2181, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/hawai-i-county-cert.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive, Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration closed Wednesday, Feb. 19. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nāʻālehu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Bring one can per person for food drive. For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 808-937-4773. okaukakou.org

Fused Glass Basics Workshop with Claudia McCall, Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, FEB. 23
Kaʻū Portuguese Exhibit, Sunday, Feb. 23 at Carvalho Park in Hilo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exhibit by Kaʻū Multicultural Society.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26
Hū (Kukui Nut Top) Demonstration, Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center lanai. Early Hawaiians devoted much of their time to games, amusements and relaxing. Top spinning was an absorbing activity for children and making hū (kukui-nut top) was equally engaging. Join rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association as they share their knowledge and love of one of the most popular traditional arts of Hawai‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops.
Visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm for additional planning details. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Ash Wednesday Service at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 28
Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association Annual Health Conference, Friday, Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register in advance: 808-928-0101.

SATURDAY, FEB. 29
Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, Feb. 29 and March 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included. Register at oceancount.org. Locations in Kaʻū are: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.

Mixed Media Photo Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m. The class is slated for beginner to intermediate students. volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING
Register for a Free CERT Basic Training Course, four Saturdays starting Feb. 22 through March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team encourages community participation and provides support to emergency response organizations when the need arises. Four consecutive classes are a 27-hour FEMA certification course. Sign up by emailing hawaiicert@gmail.com. Bill Hanson, 808-937-2181, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/hawai-i-county-cert.

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, Sunday March 8, 6:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. The concert will feature music that will celebrate native plants of the Kaʻū Dryland Forest and will raise funds for Hoʻomalu Kaʻū.
     Performers are Maya Hoover, Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Jonathan Korth, Hawaiʻi based Pianist and Professor at UH-Mānoa; and Joshua Nakazawa, Cellist from Hawaiʻi Symphony. They will be joined by the three HIMF co-founders: Amy Shoremount-Obra, Internationally Acclaimed Metropolitan Opera Soprano; Eric Silberger, Internationally Acclaimed Prize-Winning Virutuoso Violinist; and Carlin Ma, Multi-Media Artist and Pianist.
     Tickets are $30, available at kauconcert.bpt.me. See himusicfestival.com for more.

Register for Ocean View Classic Car & Bike Show, Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. This second annual event, a fundraiser for Ocean View Community Association, will also feature food and live music, and prizes for the most impressive cars and bikes. Contact organizers Dennis Custard at 831-234-7143 or Ron Gall at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

Sign Up to Vend at the New ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the site of the old Fruit Stand, mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu. Vending focuses on Kaʻū products, including mushrooms from the new farm in Nāʻālehu, fresh breads, vegetables, fruits, and other products. The market may offer music in the future, and there are plans to acquire picnic tables for market goers. Call Manager Sue Barnett at 345-9374 to sign up.

Register for Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash by Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to University of Hawaiʻi for furthering research of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
     See webscorer.com/register?raceid=206844&fbclid=IwAR3oW9xsDz-C-e9yba1vSHNLczaaL86d2osh__CkWrJKdGnCkc5piQEL2kU to register.
     Half Marathon registration is $70 through May 24, $80 May 25 through July 22, and $90 for late registration. Registration for the 10K is $50 through May 24, $55 May 25 through Jul 22, and $60 for late registration. Registration for the 5K is $35 through May 24, $40 May 25 through July 22, and $45 for late registration. Keiki Dash registration is $10. All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.  Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
     Packet pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 in Hilo; Friday, July 26 in Volcano; and Saturday, July 27, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the race start.
     Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Other distances follow shortly after. Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on VSAS grounds. Race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at VSAS.

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment, features classes on block printing, lauhala weaving, ti leaf lei making, and more. A free guided Cultural Forest Tour, and a Mele and Hula ‘Auana performance are also slated. Visit the website events calendar for the full lineup. volcanoartcenter.org

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.

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