Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 1, 2024

Three fulltime jobs are open at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park for this kind of outdoor work.
This fence crew repairs fencing on Mauna Loa Road. Photo by Janice Wei/NPS

JOBS CLOSE TO HOME: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park natural resources team announces three full-time jobs open for wildlife/botanical assistants on the park’s fence and vegetation crew. Among requirements are: Ability to hike and camp in remote areas and rugged terrain under inclement weather conditions for up to five consecutive days. Ability to backpack, lift, and carry up to 40 pounds unassisted. Must be able to use a compass and map, and able to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Needs drivers license and must have graduated from high school or achieved a GED. Fence building and team leadership skills are valued.
    See all of the qualifications and more at: https://hr.rcuh.com/psp/hcmprd_exapp/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant. Application period closes Dec. 6 and National Park Service urges persons to apply immediately if interested. The pay is $3,525 per month.
    Go to https://www.rcuh.com/work/careers/ to upload cover letter, resume and three supervisory reference. The posting is ID#224825.
    The job is described as follows: "Inspects, repairs, and constructs feral ungulate control fences. Drives to access field sites and occasionally travels to Hilo to make purchases. Will work in and around helicopters. Controls alien plants manually or with herbicides. Monitors pig activity transects and alien plant transects. Records field data on control and monitoring projects. May assist in native plant restoration and endangered sea turtle, nēnē, or petrel restoration programs, as assigned."

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Pōhue Bay is an endangered Honuea, hawksbill turtle nesting site, with its small white sand beach. Public access is part of the planning with a virtual meeting on Tuesday. NPS photo

THE VIRTUAL MEETING FOR THE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR KAHUKU unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is this Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sign in at https://swca.zoom.us/j/91799290126. The plan covers Upper Kahuku , Lower Kahuku , and Kahuku-Pōhue, which includes the coastline and land around Pōhue Bay.

Two hikers walk on an uncrowded trail through the koa forest in Kahuku.
NPS photo

    The invitation to the public to join in the virtual meeting says, "Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park invites the community to provide input as it develops a plan to manage 132,000-plus acres in the Kahuku ahupuaʻa (traditional land division) in Kaʻū. The meeting format includes a presentation at 6 p.m., followed by time for comments.
"Description: During civic engagement for the site management plan, we will present ideas intended to balance the protection of cultural and natural resources with visitor access and recreation, and to nurture the connection generations of Kaʻū families have to these special places ma uka to ma kai."
In person public meetings were held on Nov. 14 at Pāhala Community Center and on Nov. 16 at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.
A statement from National Park Service says, "The Site Management Plan (SMP) and the process of civic engagement are essential to define the types of visitor uses and functions for the Kahuku Unit. Called for in the 2016 General Management Plan, the SMP will refine the vision for the unit by assessing the facilities and access needs. The plan will also provide recommendations on implementing additional facilities and improving access."
Comments on the draft plan can be made through Dec. 6, online and at the virtual meeting. See maps, reports and make comments at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b644878ad55a4f75bac61f0098a93782

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Mauna Loa Road is a two-lane paved road, winding through tall koa trees. NPS photo

MAUNA LOA ROAD REOPENED  LAST WEEK after drilling and sampling material below the road. "That means motorists, hikers and cyclists can again enjoy the historic roadway from Kīpukapuaulu to Mauna Loa Lookout seven days a week," says the statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. "Surveyors will continue to work along the road and motorists are urged to drive slowly, safely and to obey all signs."

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KAʻŪ SLAMMED PARKER in Boys Basketball 75-38 on Saturday. The game was held at Kaʻū Herkes District Gym. The next Trojan high school Boys Basketball game will be Hilo at Kaʻū on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Earlier in the season, on Nov. 21, Kaʻū lost to Kohala, 41-61.

    For Girls Trojan Basketball, next two games are at home on Monday, Dec. 2, with varsity only, hosting Honoka‘a at 6 p.m.; and  on Thursday, Dec. 5 with JV at 5:30 p.m. and varsity to follow, hosting Kamehameha.

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