About The Kaʻū Calendar

Wednesday, November 09, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022

The name of the late Mayor Billy Kenoi was enshrined in the new title for a county park on Wednesday. The new name for
Pāhoa District Park is William "Billy" Kenoi Park. Above are Kenoi's son Justin, wife Takako and daughter Mahina.
Photo by Tim Wright
BILLY KENOI'S NAME GRACES A COUNTY PARK. The ceremony on Wednesday, the same day as the late Kenoi's birthday, drew his wife, children and other dignitaries to honor William "Billy" Punapaia'alaikahala Kenoi, former Hawai'i County Mayor, public servant, lawyer, teacher, coach, and Ironman finisher.
    A statement from Mayor Mitch Roth's office said, "One of Mayor Kenoi's greatest achievements is the development and enhancement of County parks throughout Hawai'i Island. He saw parks as the heart of the community, a space to immerse oneself in and reconnect with 'āina, as well as an opportunity to bring keiki, kupuna, and families together for active living and to create happy memories. This is the first asset
Dedicating the William "Billy" Kenoi Park on Wednesday: Kaua'i Mayor
 Derek Kawakami, Kaua'i County Council member and former Mayor
 Bernard Carvalho, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino and Hawai'i
 Island Mayor Mitch Roth. Photo by Tim Wright


on Hawai'i Island to be named after Mayor Kenoi." Kenoi's name is now enshrined in the name for Pāhoa District Park.
    Kenoi was known in Kaʻū for coming to the community centers at Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View to meet in open sessions with community members, often bringing along county department chiefs to interact with the public. 
   During Wednesday's dedication, Lei Ilae-Kaleimamahu led an aha, ceremony, to ground the experience, followed by a program featuring pule by students from Kua O Ka Lā. Remarks came from Bernard Carvalho (former Kaua'i Mayor and current Kaua'i Council Member); Rob Iopa (WCIT Architecture); Janice Ikeda (Vibrant Hawai'i); John DeFries (Hawai'i Tourism Authority); and Ashley Kierkiewicz (Hawai'i County Council Member).

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

KAʻŪ 'S CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE WILL BE THE FIRST MEMBER OF CONGRESS to preside over the U.S. House of Representatives since the 2022 election. On Thursday, Kahele will lead the House Pro Forma Session at 7 a.m. Hawai'i Time, as Speaker Pro-Tempore. Viewers can watch Congressman Kahele on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol by going to https://live.house.gov/.

    "It is my distinct honor to lead these proceedings as this year's election concludes," said Kahele. "This

Congressman Kai Kahele
election has come at a monumental time in our nation's history and demonstrates that every vote plays a part in shaping our nation's future."
    Thursday marks the last legislative day before Veterans Day, "a day to commemorate and thank all service members and their families," said Kahele. On Wednesday, Kahele visited Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and will attend Friday's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reading honoring Hawaiʻi veterans who served and sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War.
    "To all my fellow veterans, thank you for your courage and sacrifice," Kahele added. "Our nation is stronger and safer thanks to the bravery and service of our armed forces and it is our duty to ensure veterans have access to the support they deserve when they come home."


VETERANS DAY AT NĀ'ĀLEHU HONGWANJI is this Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. offers free chili rice and

hotdogs, shave ice and cookies. There will be music and the honoring of veterans by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou community organization.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE VETERANS DAY BUFFET at Kīlauea Military Camp from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Call 808-967-8333 or 808-967-8371 to place reservations. Also email marketing@kilaueamilitarycamp.com.
    Cost is $10 per veteran, $28.95 for non-Veteran adults and $15.95 for children.


VETERANS DAY MEANS FREE ENTRY to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park this Friday, Nov. 11. A new Veterans and Gold Star Family Interagency Lifetime Pass will be available at park entrances starting Veterans Day, with lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas. 


To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

TWENTY SIX MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED FOR DUI during the week of Oct. 31through Nov. 6. Hawai‘i Island police made the arrests for or driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Seven of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. Two of the drivers were under the age of 21. 

    So far this year, there have been 846 DUI arrests compared with 919 during the same period last year, a decrease of 7.9 percent.
    There have been 700 major accidents so far this year compared with 684 during the same period last year, an increase of 2.3 percent.
    To date, there have been 31 fatal crashes (one fatal crash reclassified on 5/30/22 due to a medical condition) resulting in 33 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one reclassified due to a medical condition), compared with 22 fatal crashes, resulting in 22 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 40.9 percent for fatal crashes, and 50 percent for fatalities.
    Hawai'i Police Department promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

A native plants nursery at Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park. Volunteer opportunities abound.
Photo from HVNP
TWO MORE VOLUNTEER DAYS TO HELP NATIVE PLANTS THRIVE have been announced by Ke Ēweiēwe – Plant Restoration at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The first event is Wednesday, Dec 7 for planting on Mauna Loa Road. The second is Monday, Dec. 12 for assistance spreading a biocontrol for Strawberry Guava.
    Eric Hamren, Director of Nursery Operations at Hawai'i Volcanoes, said, "So far in October and November, we have planted nearly 1000 keiki plants and cleared over a quarter acre of invasive plants! Mahalo nui everyone for all of your help!"
    To join the Volunteer Opportunities, sign up at https://forms.office.com/g/KEe2kBh7RH. For more, call Hamren at (808) 985-6195 or email eric_hamren@nps.gov.

 To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

THE HOLIDAY CONCERT WILL RETURN TO KMC: Volcano Festival Chorus and Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network have announced the return of the annual A Gift for Our Community Holiday Concert. The musical performance is on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Due to ongoing remodeling of Kīlauea Theater, the concert will be located in the Lehua Room of the Kīlauea Military Camp.
    "After a two-year hiatus the chorus, made up of community members who love to sing, is delighted to be singing again," says a statement from the Chorus. Director is Roch Jones with Melanie Oldfather accompanying and Cheryl Shine on the flute. The concert will be a mixture of both sacred and secular selections. There will be a sing-along where everyone gets to join the festivities.
    As always, admission is free, donations will be gratefully accepted. The public is invited to join in to celebrate the season. For additional information, contact KDEN at 808-982-7344.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html