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Sunday, October 08, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023

Punalu‘u, with its popularity, was selected by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for a grant for a stewardship training program,
which is open for applicants through Oct. 18. Photo by Julia Neal

MANAGEMENT OF PUNALU‘U: APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE FOR KAʻŪ HOA PILI ‘AINA STEWARDSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM on Oct. 18. Ten positions are available. Ka ‘Ohana O Honu‘apo received funding from Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and is partnering with Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund. The HTA contribution is part of its destination management and community effort, after recently naming Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach as one of the places on the island that needs additional stewards to care for the resources and interact with and help educate visitors to the coast.
    The announcement for Kaʻū Hoa Pili‘aina Stewardship Training Program says, "Are you 18 years old, live in Kaʻū and enjoy all things mālama ‘āina, or just want to learn more about how to best steward your moku? Then this is the experience for you!"
    The program is four months long and training is part-time. Applicants must be able to attend work days and volunteer days and willing to learn new things, as well as possess a positive attitude and love the ‘āina. Steward trainees will engage with community groups doing work in Kaʻū, learn mo‘olelo and cultural protocols, complete CPR and First Aid training, receive training from professionals with a wide array of expertise - from honu to hoku - and earn a monthly stipend. 
    No previous stewardship experience is necessary. To apply, send email to kaohanaohonuapo@gmail.com with name, "where you call home, and a brief introduction to who you are and why you are interested," says the announcement.
      Trainees will attend class-scheduled events one to two days a week, and additional stewardship-related and learning opportunities. They will learn and possibly lead protocols, communicate with coordinator and Ka ‘Ohana O Honu‘apo board members on a weekly bases, engage with visitors/tourists and effectively communicate pono behaviors and safety protocols, act as model citizens, and plan and participate in and end of program ho‘ike. They "must have a positive attitude and be an active participant in your own learning."
     Participants must have reliable transportation and be able to walk at least a mile on uneven ground on lava flows and beaches, in forest and loko i‘a. They must be willing to learn new things and embrace Hawaiian culture and protocols. They must possess a backpack for day hikes and a water bottle that holds at least 32 ounces.

Punalu‘u is a nesting place for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle and also a place attracting people to look at the green sea turtles. A grant has been given for stewardship trainees to learn to teach the public about the value of Punalu‘u's natural resources.
Photo by Julia Neal


ON THE ROAD AND SHORT-HANDED, KAʻŪ Trojan football had a tough afternoon Saturday at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy in Waimea. Kaʻū lost 0-38. After Trojans won two solid home games with record-breaking scores, there were too many key team members unable to play in the game against HPA. Trojans were up against a solid HPA Ka Makani team, which now sits in second place in BIIF2 with a 6-2 record. 
Adahdiya Ellis-Reyes hauls in a pass with two Hawai'i 
Preparatory Academy defenders on him. Photo by Mark Peters
     At Waimea, the Trojans did experience growth with many team members getting more playing time in new positions. 
    This Saturday, Trojans will go up against the first place Kamehameha School at Pāhala ballfield at 1 p.m. It will be Senior Day and the last home game of the season.
    During the game against HPA, Trojan offense was led by Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes who battled through swirling wind for seven completions on 14 attempts for 79 yards. He also ran the ball for 72 tough yards.
    TJ Kuahia-Faafia hauled in three catches for 34 yards.
    Jaestin Kurasuda caught three for 31 yards. Joe Buyuan made a nice catch for 14 yards and a first down.
    Trojan defense was led by Joe Buyuan with 13 tackles; La‘a Kajiwara-Ke with eight, and Stephen Adler and Adahdiya Ellis-Reyes both recording six tackles. Sophomore Isaiah "Hona" Minila-Louis played a solid game while getting a sack, causing a fumble, and recovering a fumble. 

Bonnie Sol Hahn sharing her perspective and
 painting from Kīlauea overlook. Photo from VAC
POINTS OF VIEW, A PLEIN AIR GROUP EXHIBITION has opened at Volcano Art Center Gallery and will be on display through Nov. 12. Hours are daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.    Featuring the works of Bonnie Sol Hahn, Bob Weiss, Kira Kamamalu, Jack Kinkelaar and Amy Markham, the exhibit presents the unique perspective and approach to landscape by each participating artist. Painting outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the artists work to capture the impression or essence of a place or scene. "In a sense capturing the mana of the wahi pana (special place)" as expressed by Bonnie Sol Hahn. The artists' renditions illustrate varied inspirations, perspectives, textures and moods representing the same place in different ways.
    For those who can not attend the exhibition in person it may also be viewed online at www.volcanoartcenter.org Volcano Art Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic, cultural and environmental heritage of Hawaiʻi's people through the arts and education. Please visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information or call (808) 967-8222.

Artists presenting Points of View, the new show at Volcano Art Center Gallery.  (Left to right) Jack Kinkelaar,
Amy Markham, Bob Weiss, Kira Kamamalu and Bonnie Sol Hahn. Photo from VAC
















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