Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 24, 2024

MORE DETAIL ON THE FIRST TARO FEST IN Kaʻū is released for the Saturday, Dec. 14 event.
The first Kaʻū Taro Festival will be held at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym Complex in Pāhala. See www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival. The event is free and open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Its major organizing sponsor is 'O Ka'ū Kākou. It will be followed by the Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. All money raised from this festival by 'O Ka'ū Kākou will fund its 2025 Scholarships for Kaʻū residents.
    Pāhala Kupuna will conduct the opening protocol. An Ali'i Court of Ka'u youth will be coronated to oversee the event. Pāhala Youth Taiko Drummers will present their premiere performance, followed by

One of the many art pieces depicting taro, this one with an
internal poi pounder by Alan Moores will be on display
and for sale at O Ka'ū Kākou's Kaʻū Taro Festival.

Pāhala Adult Taiko Drummers.
    Keoki Sereno will sing and play 'ukulele. Na'a'alil'i will dance hula. Pāhala Seniors will play 'ukulele. Kumu Debby Ryder's Halau Hula O Leionalani will dance. Kawehi Ryder will give poi pounding demonstrations. South Hawai'i Symphony will play.
    Prospective vendors and presenters can apply through Nov. 26. Sign up for a booth online at www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival.
    Alan Moores will present his kalo paintings and prints. Ka Lae Quilters will offer their fabric crafts. Kamakanaokalani's will present kalo crocks, jewelry and apparel. Paradise Preserved will offer kalo hummus, freeze dried pa'i'ai. Wong Yuen Hui will have kalo mochi and kulolo. Fused Fragments will sell kalo sun catchers and nightlights.
    Kaʻū Hospital Charitable Foundation will offer salad greens with taro chips. Sugar Sweet will present its freeze dried poi. Flyin Hawaiian Coffee will create peanut butter banana taro smoothies. Taylor's Bears will be featuring kalo themed stuffed teddy bears.
    Hana Hou Restaurant will offer poi ahi poke bowls. Kaʻū Civic Club will sell chicken laulau stew. Lacy's Food Trailer will sell laulaus. Lynda Nolte Watercolors will show her kalo watercolor images. Tools for Quantum Living will sell taro popsicles and laulau seasoning. Ku'u Ihi Flowers will offer kalo boba drinks and poi balls. Pohaku Coffee will make taro smoothies.
    Pua'ala LLC will sell its kalo bags, towels, clothes and coasters. Sel's Lunch Wagon will prepare laing (kalo w/coconut milk, meat and seafood). Ka'ū Creations Boutique will offer kalo key fobs, pouches and bags. Ohia Creations will sell its kalo tiki lights and magnets (carved in wood).
Looking Glass Art will display will feature kalo stained glassworks. Woods of Hawai'i will present kalo wood carvings and boxes. The Artist Vei will sell kalo cards, portraits and images. O Ka'ū Kākou will be selling festival t-shirts and live taro plants. 'Aina University will have an informational booth.
    In addition to the taro-related products listed above, vendors will offer a wide variety of other non-taro items. Note that many vendors aren't equipped to accept electronic payment.

    Lucky number drawing prizes will occur throughout the festival and include a round of golf at Volcano Golf Course, gift cards from HPM Building Supply, Don's Grill Hilo, KTA Superstores, Ono Café Volcano, Ocean View Pizza, Locovore Store Hilo, Flyin' Hawaiian Coffee, Polished Pina Nail Salon, Wyatt's Place Hawai'i and A Unique Boutique. Other prizes include gift bags from Elizabeth Crook doTerra, gift baskets from Aikane Coffee and a keiki taro patch tool kit from Tractor Supply Hilo.
    Games will include Corn Hole Toss by 'O Ka'ū Kākou, a Taro Patch challenge game by Hawaiian Telecom and a Taro Spin the Wheel game by CU Hawai'i. Hawai'i Police Dept. Community Police Officers will offer Free Keiki IDs at their festival booth. Opala management will be handled by Kaʻū's Malama 'Aina Compostables and PA system is courtesy of Netcom Enterprises.
    Sponsors include: Kaʻū Coffee Mill, Olson Trust, 'Ohana Foods Hilo and Nāʻālehu, Mizuno Superette. CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, Luana Hospitality Group with Huggo's, On the Rocks, Lava Lava Beach Club and Kai Eats, Drinks, Kaʻū Auto Repair, Punalu'u Bakery, Malama Kaʻū Foundation, Gone Fishing, Inc., Backyard Monkey LLC Tree & Yard Service and The Club at Discovery Harbour.

    For more, see http://www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival or call Tim DeLozier at 808-582-2342.

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HAWAI'I GAP WILL LAUNCH ITS ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM in 2025. Hawaiʻi Gap, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering environmental stewardship, is a subsidiary of Science Camps of America, which hosts students for two ten-day sessions every summer in Pahala.

Developing environmental leaders is a mission of Hawai'i Gap.
Photo from Hawai'i Gap

     The additional ten-week gap year program will begin next September, "offering a powerful opportunity for recent high school graduates or those taking a gap year to immerse themselves in the breathtaking Hawaiian environment while developing critical leadership skills to champion environmental causes," says the statement from Hawai'i Gap. Like Science Camps, it will be held in Ka'ū.
    "We are passionate about inspiring the next generation to protect our planet," says Michael Richards, founder of Science Camps and Co-founder and Executive Director at Hawaiʻi Gap. "This program offers a unique opportunity for young adults to gain a deep understanding of environmental challenges while developing critical leadership skills so they can effectively create positive change."
    Designed for recent high school graduates or those taking a gap year before or during college, the program immerses participants in the diverse landscapes of Hawai'i Island. Through interactive learning, hands-on experiences, and expert guidance, participants will:
   Gain a comprehensive understanding of environmental science: Explore topics like climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable practices.
    Take action through hands-on conservation efforts: Participate in beach cleanups, invasive species removal, and coral and native plant restoration projects.

Hawai'i Gap will begin in 2025 in Ka'ū for students taking time between
high school and college or during higher education to do some 
environmental field work. Photo from Hawai'i Gap

    Develop critical leadership skills: Learn effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving techniques to advocate for environmental solutions.
    Build a supportive community: Live alongside fellow passionate individuals and experienced instructors, fostering lifelong connections and shared experiences.
    Dr. Floyd McCoy, University of Hawaiʻi Professor Emeritus in Geoscience and Oceanography, is also a co-founder of Hawaiʻi Gap. "The highlight of every semester I taught was when we went out to do field work. In the field the students gained perspective and an understanding of nature, of history, and of the human impact. With this gap program those five day field courses are expanded to ten weeks - the students spend the entire semester immersed in the environment. The experience will be transformative."
    Richards adds, "We have created this Environmental Leadership gap year program to be an unforgettable journey that goes beyond academics. Our goal is to provide participants with the tools and confidence to become active environmental stewards and leaders towards a more sustainable future."
    Applications for the upcoming semester are open. To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and the application process, visit https://HawaiiGap.org or contact Hawai'i Gap at info@hawaiigap.org or (808) 235-3612. Follow Hawaiʻi Gap on Facebook and Instagram. See more on Science Camps of America, including its program next summer, at https://ScienceCampsAmerica.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.