Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021

Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park offers opportunities for exercise and exploration.
See the October guided hike dates and ranger orientations below. NPS photo by Janice Wei

A MASTER PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT OF MAUNAKEA GOES TO A VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY. It is sponsored by University of Hawai'i from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the UH YouTube Channel. UH is tasked with managing the lands at the telescope campus and surroundings on top of the mauna.
    The 122- page Master Plan for the University of Hawai'i Maunaa Kea Lands; E O I K Leo, which means, "Listen to the voice," can be read and is the subject of a video at maunakea._konveio.com.  where comments will be received through Oct. 26 via the website, mail and email. Ahead of Wednesday's forum, 

The new Maunakea Mastser Plan is subject of a virtual 
forum this Wednesday. Photo from U.H.

questions can be sent to eforum@hawaii.edu. Executive Director of UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship, Greg Chu, promises to answer the questions during the forum.
    After the comment period the Master Plan will be edited and sent to the UH Board of Regents for review and additional changes. Final approval could come as early as the first months of 2022.

    University of Hawai'i Board of Regents Chair Randolph Moore and UH President David Lassner sent out a joint letter, saying, "In preparing this Master Plan, we have been enlightened by the insights of Native Hawaiian cultural experts, humbled by the criticisms from disappointed and angry community members as well as past audits, and blessed with the knowledge from painful lessons learned from prior missteps. We have been informed through community engagement during our decade-long rulemaking process and initiatives such as Envision Maunakea.
    "Consequently, in preparing this Master Plan, we have paid special attention not only to the astronomy programs on which the University of Hawai‘i focused its attention for the first three decades of our stewardship, but also to the place of honor and renown that Maunakea has in the history, culture, and hearts of the Hawaiian people."

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Located on the volatile shoulders of Mauna Loa, the Kahuku Ranch was once one of the biggest cattle ranches in Hawaiʻi, producing beef and hides for more than 150 years. The apparent tranquility of ranch-life, however, was punctuated by volcanic violence that continues to transform the land to this day. Hike Kahuku on Sundays with guides. NPS photo

GUIDED HIKING EXPERIENCES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'I Volcanoes National Park. They happen on Sundays. Here's the lineup for this month:

    Sun., 10/10/21 - Birth of Kahuku. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this moderately difficult two-mile one and half hour hike. Traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcanic formations, including the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Learn about the Kānāwai o Pele, the natural laws of land building that govern Peleʻs realm. 

Ranger orientations are on Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
NPS photo by Janice Wei

    Sun., 10/17/21 – Hi‘iaka & Pele. Discover two fascinating Hawaiian goddesses, sisters Pele-honua-mea (Pele) and Hi‘iaka-i-ka-poli-o-pele, and the natural phenomena they represent. Experience the sisters coming alive through the epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this moderate two-mile, 1.5 hour hike.  

    Sun., 10/24/21-   ʻŌhiʻa Lehua. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree, and the threat of a fungal disease, Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD). This is an easy, one-mile, one-hour walk.

    Sun., 10/31/21 - People and Land of Kahuku is a moderate two-mile, three-hour guided hike that loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku – from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

     A Ranger Orientation Talk is given Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Visitor Contact Station.

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A BACKLOG OF BUILDING PERMITS TO PROCESS at the Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works Building Division continues as the county transitions into 100 percent use of its new Electronic Processing and Information Center System, called EPIC.

     A statement from the County says, "With the intent of balancing these efforts and provide effective guidance and communications to the community regarding permit status and use of EPIC, DPW highly encourages the use of the Request Assistance form. Designated staff members will respond in the order of which the inquiry is received and will make every effort to address each online submission within two business days. We encourage the public to also visit the EPIC FAQ page as you may find the answers to your questions there. The Request Assistance form can be found at Request Assistance | Hawaii County, HI Public Works or https://www.dpw.hawaiicounty.gov/divisions/building/electronic-processinginformation-center-epic-system/request-assistance."

     The County also provides a QR code  to access the form via phone. The County said, "Mahalo for your patience and support as we continue to create a better permit system for all of us." 

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A telephoto image of the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u
 crater on Sunday. USGS Photo by D. Downs

KILAUEA CONTINUED ERUPTING ON SUNDAY, within Halema'uma'u crater. The west vent lava fountain remained active with sustained heights of 10–15 meters (33–49 ft). The fountain continued to build a spatter cone around it, but is mostly out of view from the viewing areas on the crater rim.
    Sunday morning, USGS released this news: "Lava continues to erupt from multiple vents within Halemaʻumaʻu. Over the past 24 hours, the lava lake level has risen over 1 meter (3.3 ft). In total, the lava lake surface has risen approximately 27 meters (89 ft) since the eruption started. The west vent continues to be the most vigorous source, with sustained lava fountain heights of 10-15 meters (33-49 ft). The lava lake has risen to the base of the west vent, around which a cone is being built."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at 

www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the mail from Volcano

through Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Ocean View to Miloli'i.

Pick it up from newsstands.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2659334410969387/

KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL & VISITOR CENTER. Buy online at kaucoffeemill.com and in person at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PUNALUʻU BAKESHOP online at bakeshophawaii.com and in-person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week in x.

ALIʻI HAWAIʻI HULA HANDS COFFEE. Order by calling 928-0608 or emailing alihhhcoffee@yahoo.com.

AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE COMPANY. Order online at aikaneplantation.com. Call 808-927-2252

MIRANDA'S FARMS KAʻŪ COFFEE. Order online at mirandafarms.com or, in person at 73-7136 Mamalahoa Hwy.  See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com..

KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.

DEPRESSED, ANXIOUS, NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? Call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

LEARN SELF-CARE THROUGH Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group at facebook.com/bhhsurg

WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE OFFERS HEALTH PROGRAMS. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.

YOGA WITH EMILY Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222.

CHOOSE ALOHA FOR HOME is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home.

EDUCATION

Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs at rb.gy/o1o2hy. For keiki grades 1-6. Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org or info@bgcbi.org.

ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads at rb.gy/8er9wm. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Invite Park Rangers to Virtually Visit Classes, through connecting with teachers and home-schoolers with distance learning programs and virtual huakaʻi (field trips). Contact havo_education@nps.gov.

Public Libraries are open for WiFi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. WiFi available to anyone with a library card, from each library parking lot. See librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report at rb.gy/awu65k.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, papakilodatabase.com.
Virtual Workshops on Hawaiʻi's Legislative Processes through Public Access Room. Sign up by contacting (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Ask questions and discuss all things legislative in a non-partisan environment. Attend Coffee Hour with PAR: Fridays at 3 p.m. on Zoom, meeting ID 990 4865 9652 or click zoom.us/j/99048659652. PAR staff will be available to answer questions and to discuss the legislative process. Anyone wanting to listen in without taking part in discussions is welcome. Learn more at lrb.hawaii.gov/public-access-room.

Online Directory at shopbigisland.com, co-sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, has a signup sheet for local businesses to fill in the blanks. The only requirement is a physical address on this island.

COMMUNITY
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net

ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It started Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.

WALK THROUGH A GUIDED NATURE TRAIL & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. www.volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222.

KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items.Vendor applications are being accepted for its Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale on Saturday, Nov. 13. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz.

GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramiocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com. See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.

ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Kaʻū Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of The Old Shirakawa Estate   in Waiʻohinu.  It features: Made in Hawai'i Products, Organic Produce, Creative Crafts, ARt, Flower and Plants, Food, Ka`u Coffee, Gluen Free Low Carb Goodies, Wellness Services and Products, Clothing, Hand Crafted Treats, Music and more. Vendor and customer inquiries: AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.

VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Hawai‘i Coffee. Cooper Center's EBT Machine, used at the Farmer's Market, is out of service until further notice. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY MARKET, open Saturdays and Thursdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Council. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

O KAʻŪ KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Limit of 50 customers per hour, 20 vendor booths, with 20 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET is open at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.

BUY LOCAL GIFTS ONLINE, IN-PERSON

VOLCANO ART CENTER ONLINE, in person. Shop at Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. See volcanoartcenter.org/events, call 967-8222.