The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 18, 2024

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School representatives June Domondon and 'Aina Akamu (far right) flew to the Marshall Islands and met with with educators last week in Majuro. From left are Goodwind Silk, Manny Compass, Jobod Silk, David Anitok, and Loredel Areieta.
Photo from Marshall Islands Journal

THE MARSHALL ISLANDS JOURNAL COVERED JUNE DOMONDON AND 'AINA AKAMU'S recent visit to learn about the home islands of Marshallese students in Kaʻū Schools. The weekly newspaper, published since 1970 and its editor Giff Johnson, carried the following story online and in print: The Marshallese presence in the two Kaʻū area schools on the Big Island of Hawai'i has risen to 20 percent, largely on the growth of the Enewetak community that lives in Ocean View on the south side of Hawai'i Island.
But as the Marshallese student population grew in the two Kaʻū schools — Pāhala Elementary and Kaʻū High Schools — concern increased about poor school attendance, low academic performance and few graduates.

The rural schools, which Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School Complex Academic Officer 'Aina Akamu describes as the poor third cousin of the Hawai'i public school system, needed to transform their programs for all their students in line with realizing that the majority of Kaʻū graduates did not go onto college. 'Aina, who visited Majuro last week, said part of the transformation of the schools was to build “career readiness” into the program so that when students leave high school, they have skills that can get them into jobs.
The school now offers multiple community college-based certificate programs within the high school curriculum to get students certified while still in school. Areas of certification include agriculture, construction, health and a variety of others.
'Aina said a huge challenge was to get Marshallese high school students engaged in these community college-based certificate and college-prep programs. Two years ago, the school was successful in getting two Marshallese ninth grade girls to sign up for the agriculture/landscaping certificate program, which they completed and gained their certificates for in one year. It had a domino effect. “Eight more Marshallese signed up for the college program the next year,” he said. “Now a lot more are in this college certificate program.”
The involvement of Marshallese Lucinda Anitok-Brokken since January has given a huge boost to Marshallese at the school, and made it possible to effectively reach the parents who previously were not in communication with the school. Lucinda works for the regional education program PREL assigned to this area of the Big Island to work with the schools for the Marshallese student population.

Last week’s visit by Kaʻū High School representatives was to connect with Marshall Islands leaders, educators, NGOs and others for the first time. 'Aina’s aim is to establish an exchange program between the Big Island schools and the Marshall Islands.
“Ninety percent of the Marshallese students in our schools have not been here (to Republic of the Marshall Islands),” he said. “I want to bring my kids back home. They struggle. It’s a hole in them and they don’t know why. They need to be connected here or won’t be able to contribute to their communities.”
He said the Marshallese at the Pāhala Elementary and Kaʻū High Schools still speak their language and “are so proud of being Marshallese.” 'Aina said he wants to start bringing these Big Island Marshallese students to Marshall Islands to connect with groups like Jo Jikum to learn about the nuclear legacy, climate change and other important issues. “I want to get them reconnected to their home,” he said an exchange would be an opportunity for students from the Marshall Islands to come to the Big Island and see Marshallese student involvement in hydroponic gardening, entrepreneurial projects and other activities of interest.
“Our goal is to build ability in students for future success,” 'Aina said.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

MANY EARTHQUAKES, FEW EARTHQUAKES. This repetitive behavior of Kilauea Volcano ongoing with hundreds of quakes one day and a few the next. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that "Magma has been pressurizing the system beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and the south caldera region, activating seismicity along faults in the upper East Rift Zone. At this time, it is not possible to say whether this increase in activity will lead to an intrusion or eruption in the near future, or simply continue as seismic unrest at depth. Changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption."
As a result various trails and camping areas have been opened and closed during the last few weeks at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
In addition the summit of Mauna Loa reopened this week for backcountry use and overnight camping.
Information on this grueling, high-elevation trek and how to get a backcountry permit through Recreation.gov is available on the park website.

Trails to the summit of Mauna Loa have are reopened for backcountry use and camping. See
https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_maunaloa.htm. USGS webcam image

A NEW 'IKE HANA NO'EAU VIDEO is shared each week during the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Month of May. The videos are produced, created, and hosted by rangers at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, offering a glimpse into traditional Hawaiian cultural practices.

The subject this week is Lei Lāʻī, the tī leaf lei. The park post says, "Tī leaves are used in ceremonies, healing, protection, cooking, making lei, and more. In hula, lei lāʻī represents the spirit of Laka (associated with forests and hula), and honors ancestors." See the series of videos at https://go.nps.gov/ike.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAI'I'S STATE CONVENTION opened on Saturday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapas Ballroom. Some 400 Hawaiʻi Democrats, including delegates from Ka'u, are attending in person or virtually during the weekend proceedings. Interim Party Chair, Rep. Adrian Tam oversees the meeting, considering such topics as affordable housing, health care, climate change, wildfires and many other issues.
Keynote speaker is Gov. Jay Inslee from Washington State. Also speaking is Gov. Josh Green, Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, who represents Ka'u, rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands, and Democratic National Committee Vice-Chair Ken Martin.

The Democrats are also considering proposed changes to the party's constitution, by-laws, and platform, election of state party chair, Democratic National Committee members, delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and members of the State Central Committee.

Tam said, "Every four years we Democrats come together and consider pressing issues before our state, county, and nation and, importantly, elect the leadership to represent us locally and at the National Democratic Convention - in Chicago this year - where we will nominate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for the presidency." He contended that the "Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi is the party best equipped to lead our state and country. I'm confident that the state and nation will elect Democrats up and down the ticket - we have a record of addressing the most pressing issues before our country. We are the party of labor, of equality, of justice. I'm looking forward to this weekend and am proud to be part of this convention."

HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRESTED 22 FOR DUI the week of May 6 through May 12. HPD arrested the motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Four were involved in a traffic accident. Two were under the age of 21. So far this year, there have been 347 DUI arrests compared with

371 during the same period last year. This is a decrease of 6.5 percent.
Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 366 major crashes so far this year, compared with 326 during the same time last year. This represents an increase of 12.3 percent.
To date, there were 15 fatal crashes, resulting in 17 fatalities (two of which had multiple deaths), compared with 7 fatal crashes, resulting in 8 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one died at a later date) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 114.3 percent for fatal crashes and 112.5 percent for fatalities.
To date, the non-traffic fatality count so far this year is 0 compared to 0 non-traffic fatalities (not on a public roadway) for the same time last year.
HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

Friday, May 17, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 17, 2024

Thin Ice, one of the art pieces in the Emptiness & Form invitational exhibit opening Saturday at
Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus at 2 p.m. See more below.

BLACK SAND, LLC PROPOSAL AT PUNALU'U, A BOTTLING PLANT AT PĀHALA AND GREEN SAND SUBDIVISION EGRESS AND INGRESS are on the agenda for Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee. It will hold its next meeting, with public testimony invited, this coming Wednesday, May 22 at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym multipurpose room in Pāhala at 5 p.m.

On the agenda is a proposal for the Action Committee to provide testimony to the Windward Planning Commission regarding Black Sands Beach, LLC's Special Management Area permit application for its project at the old Sea Mountain resort and golf course property makai of Hwy 11 at Punalu'u. The Action Committee agenda says there will be discussion and decision making on submitting testimony to the Windward Planning Commission.

Also on the agenda is the proposed water bottling plant for the old 60-acre sugar mill site in Pāhala. The agenda lists the item as "Discussion and potential decisionmaking on findings regarding the Pāhala Water Bottling Facility."

Another item on the agenda is, "Egress and Ingress at Green Sands Subdivision Regarding CDP Policy 118, Section 5.7.2. – Discussion and decision-making on prioritizing Policy 118 regarding hazard mitigation and evacuation routes."
According to the county website, "The Ka‘ū CDP is a forum for community input into County policy at the regional level and the delivery of County services to the community."

The Fact Sheet for the Action Committee says its purpose "is to be a proactive, community-based steward responsible for implementing resident-driven solutions from the Community Development Plan that positively transform the community in partnership with a network of businesses, non-profits and community leaders." It says that a required commitment of Action Committee members is that they "possess a deep love for their community; a passion for equity; and a motivation for the greater good for their community." See more at https://records.ha waiicounty.gov/weblink/DocView.aspx?dbid=1&id=96374
Members of the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee are Jesse Ke, Ka'ohinani Mokuali'i, Leina'ala Enos, Babette Morrow, Jason Masters, Pernell Hanoa, Catherine Williams and Kaweni Ibarra. A seat is vacant on the committee and those interested can apply at https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/boards-commissions-application.

The CDP website says, "The modern district of Ka‘ū encompasses 922 square miles, with over 80 miles of virtually undeveloped coastline. Nearly two-thirds of its total land area is in the Conservation district, a fraction of a percent is settled, and the remainder is largely agricultural. The Ka‘ū CDP includes the areas of Pāhala, Punalu‘u, Nā‘ālehu, Discovery Harbour, and Ocean View."

Th last Kaʻū Community Development Plan Steering Committee meeting is archived on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuYKe58UAz0.

Nā‘ālehu Senior Club President Keamalu Waltjen, Terry Saito of Coordinated Services for Elderly and Paulette Ke who was recognized for her contributions to the community. Photo from Senior Club

OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICANS FOR PĀHALA AND NĀ'ĀLEHU were recently recognized.

Pāhala Nominee Ron Johnson and Pāhala Nutrition Site
Manager Julie Pasquale. Photo from Senior Club

Paulette Ke was named by the Nā‘ālehu Senior Club. She teaches Ike Hawai'i at Pāhala Elementary School. She is active in many community programs and organizations including the Foster Grandparent Program, Hale Lokahi, both the Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala Senior Clubs, Ka‘ū Hawaiian Civic Club and the Volcano National Park Kupuna Advisory Committee. She also served as a judge for the Merrie Monarch Pāʻū riders.
Ronald Johnson of Pāhala was named by the Pāhala Senior Club and Nutrition Center. He became active with the Pāhala Seniors after retiring from the The Ka'u Calendar newspaper. "He was instrumental in supporting the relocation and reopening of the Pāhala Nutrition Program after COVID which allowed it to be one of the first on the island to reopen. In addition to his role as the Senior Club's Assistant Treasurer, he is an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer at the Pāhala Senior Center, going above and beyond to help make the program's special events and activities come to light," says the announcement from the County.

MĀLAMA NĀ KEIKI FESTIVAL is Saturday May 18 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center, 96 Kamani Street, Pāhala. Event includes keiki activities, prizes and food. Keiki (0-13 years old) must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required, call (808) 769-3792. First come, first serve. Hosted by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi.

NANI O KAHUKU: A LIVING HISTORY PLAY is Saturday May 18 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The entrance is located just south of the 70.5 mile marker on the ma uka (mountain side) of Highway 11. Nani O Kahuku is a one-woman living history play adapted by Jackie Pualani Johnson from the diary of Hannah Piʻilani Jones (Nani). Nani (portrayed by Alya-Joy Kanehailua) was the eleventh and youngest child of Kahuku Ranch owner from 1871-1887, George W.C. Jones. Free.

EMPTINESS AND FORM: AN INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION OF VISUAL ART is open from May 18 – June 7th on Wednesdays – Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Volcano Arts Center Niaulani Campus in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit accompanies the 17th annual meeting of the Comparative and Continental Philosophy Circle (CCPC), a conference hosted by the Humanities Division at the University of Hawai'i–Hilo. The exhibition features invited artists from both the US mainland and Hawaiʻi Island sharing artistic explorations of the theme Emptiness and Form. Artists' reception on Saturday, May 18th, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Closing reception with both artists and philosophers present will occur on Friday, June 7th from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 16, 2024

Hawai'i Rise Foundation team offers scholarships for high school seniors on this island.

MORE THAN $25K IN SCHOLARSHIPS IS OFFERED THROUGH HAWAI'I RISE FOUNDATION to Big Island students. This week, Hawaiʻi Rise Foundation. a group of young entrepreneurs and community leaders, along with their community partners, announced the opening for their 2024 Scholarship application program with a deadline set for June 15.

Breanni Kobayashi, Executive Director
of Hawai'i Rise Foundation

Executive Director Breeani Kobayashi, who is also a candidate for Hawai'i Mayor, explained the founding of Hawa'i Rise: "My mom and I opened the Keaukaha General Store in Hilo, Hawai'i, in 2013. One day, I caught a young boy stealing in the store. Rather than calling the police, I asked him why he was stealing, why he didn’t get a job, or find volunteer opportunities. His response was simple–he didn’t know-how.
"He had no idea how to get a job, how to write a resume, or where to go for opportunities. At that moment, I felt it was essential to help our youth develop their potential. I started the Hawai'i Rise Foundation and began a free community education series for teens in January 2016. Our first-class was on resume building.” The organization also established the scholarship program, the first scholarship coming from the Keaukaha Store.

Since then, scholarships have grown. Sponsors have inspired others to create scholarships of their own. This year varying scholarship amounts will be distributed to graduating high school seniors.

Applicants answer essay questions. Some questions encourage a look into their past to share their growth through adversity. Others prompt a look at issues in their communities and ideas for giving back to improve the place. Some scholarships target specific majors like Nursing, Political Science and Hawaiian Studies. Each scholarship is uniquely created by the scholarship sponsor.

Following the June 15 deadline, awardees will be notified in July. A formal scholarship ceremony will be held at Hilo Yacht Club for scholarship winners. Scholarships and their sponsors are:

Rachel’s Gift, sponsored by the 'ohana of Rachel Leilani Gangwes;

Aloha Will Save The World Scholarship, sponsored by Bronson Kobayashi and Alaina Villatora; Charles & Dorothy DeSilva Scholarship, sponsored by Lisa Robbins;

Danny K. Paleka Memorial Political Science Scholarship, sponsored by Susan Paleka;

Hawai’i Development Group Scholarship, sponsored by Lailan Bento;

He Manu I Ka Lewa Lani Scholarship, sponsored by Manuheali’i;

Hill-Estabilio Scholarship, sponsored by Rinna and Mikey Hill;

Hilo Yacht Club Scholarship, sponsored by the Hilo Yacht Club;

Ho’opuakea Scholarship, sponsored by Napua and Kealani Canda;

Holomua Scholarship, sponsored by Keaukaha General Store;

Kim and Kids Scholarship, sponsored by Breeani, Bronson and Brock Kobayashi;

Na'au Ho’omaika’i Scholarship, sponsored by Ka'iulani Hedlund;

Pumehana Scholarship, sponsored by Brock and Shoshanna Kobayashi;

Kiana Vallente, Community & Events Coordinator with Hawai'i Rise Foundation, said, "We are a small nonprofit organization. Our mission is to create opportunities for vulnerable, or moderate and low-income families, children, and elderly by providing educational services, programs, and support."

See more on Hawai'i Rise Foundation at https://hawaiirisefoundation.com/. To apply for a scholarship, see: https://linktr.ee/hawaiirisefoundation. See Kobayashi's website for her mayoral candidacy at https://www.breeformayor.com/.

DIGGING DEEPER, EXAMINING ASH is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch written by USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory geologist Kendra J. Lynn and University of Hawai'i student Reed Mershon. Last week’s Volcano Watch summarized Kīlauea’s explosive eruptions of 1924 and their impacts on communities. This week the focus is on new discoveries made by examining ash deposited during these events. Read last week's "Volcano Watch" article—The blast of the century at Kīlauea. Here is this week's

story:
A few years ago, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists began studying the 1924 explosive deposits by conducting detailed field and laboratory studies. Around Halema‘uma‘u, we sampled and described these ash layers which had lain largely undisturbed over the past 100 years.
During the 1924 eruption, ash fell as far away as Pāhala; today, it is only preserved within about 2 miles (3 km) of Halema‘uma‘u. It is thickest in the downwind direction (to the southwest), ranging from about 3 feet (1 m) to several inches (a few centimeters) thick. Blocks were also ejected during the eruption and weigh up to 8 tons (8,000 kg).

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist examines layers
of ash deposited during Kīlauea’s 1924 explosions south of
the summit caldera. USGS Photo by J. Chang.

In the lab, we studied the samples of ash. We examined 200 grains ranging 0.2–0.4 inches (0.5–1.0 mm) in size; each grain was classified according to its rock or mineral type. Typical components include older, “recycled” lavas (called lithic material) and fresh magma (called juvenile material).
Most of the 1924 ash layers we’ve studied have 95% or more lithic (recycled) material. This finding supports the classic interpretation that the 1924 eruptions were driven by water-rock interactions (called phreatic explosions). A surprising recent discovery was that many of the youngest layers in the 1924 deposits (from the later explosions) have up to 30% juvenile material, or fresh magma! This finding is not consistent with the classic interpretation of steam driven explosions.
To learn more about the magma involved in the 1924 explosions, HVO scientists have been collaborating with colleagues at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. We have used a range of analytical techniques to study the compositions and textures of the 1924 juvenile material.
There are a few separate ash groups, distinct both in their chemistry and their textures. To distinguish the different ash groups based on chemistry, geochemists use the magnesium oxide (MgO) content: the amount of MgO decreases as the magma cools, so we can use it as an analogue for temperature. Almost like a chemical fingerprint of the history of the magma!
Most of the 1924 grains we looked at have MgO contents within the normal range we expect for lava erupted from Halema‘uma‘u. However, we’ve also observed two rarer groups of 1924 grains with higher amounts of MgO, likely from a hotter source material. This suggests that fresh batches of magma could have entered the magmatic system of Kīlauea during the 1924 explosions.
The different chemical groups of 1924 grains also have distinct textures, which we can see using a scanning electron microscope. The lower-MgO group have lots of tiny crystals and very few vesicles (gas bubbles) in them. The middle-MgO group has few crystals and many vesicles that are ovals or other shapes indicating that the once round bubbles were squished. The high-MgO group has no small crystals and have circular vesicles.
These chemical and textural differences in the 1924 deposits show that three magma types can be distinguished in the 1924 explosions. From this, we can infer that at least three different magmas were interacting underneath Halema‘uma‘u prior to and/or during the 1924 explosive eruptions, and perhaps the mixing of these magmas could help explain why the eruptions were so explosive.

Olivine crystals help tell the story of eruptions. USGS photo

We also found olivine crystals, the very common green mineral you find in Hawaiian rocks, in the juvenile component of the 1924 eruptions. The olivine chemistry and textures vary widely, indicating multiple groups of minerals with different histories prior to eruption. Many of the olivine crystals are zoned, with different chemistry in their centers compared to their rims, indicating that magmas were mixing just prior to eruption. There is much more to be learned by studying the olivine crystals, and HVO scientists are hard at work probing their secrets.
One hundred years have passed since the 1924 explosive eruptions at Kīlauea. However, we have only begun to scratch the surface on what we can learn from the deposits of these explosions. How did the magmas interact with each other? How long did they sit waiting in magma reservoirs, and what happened to cause the explosions? We hope to answer these questions with our continued research.
On Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m., and Tuesday, May 21 at 3 p.m., join Don Swanson, HVO geologist emeritus, and Ben Gaddis, HVO volunteer, as they describe the 1924 explosive eruption of Kīlauea in presentations at the Lyman Museum in Hilo. Admission to Lyman Museum programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers. See here for more information: https://lymanmuseum.org/events/.
A newly available video provides audio of Thomas Jaggar describing the 1924 explosive eruption of Kīlauea, with historical photos: 100 years ago at Kīlauea: The 1924 explosive eruption described by Thomas Jaggar.

VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES:

Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY. Unrest that began on April 27 continues beneath the upper East Rift Zone and the summit caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu. Over the past week, activity decreased slightly compared to the previous week. Less than 200 events were detected per day, most magnitude-2 and smaller; depths remain concentrated between 2-4 km (1.2-3.1 miles) beneath the surface. Tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff continued to record inflationary trends. Kīlauea's summit region is pressurized, and changes could occur quickly moving forward. See the Information Statement published on May 2 for background information: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans-public/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-05-03T07:42:02+00:00.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL. Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
Four earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.8 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) SSW of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on May 16 at 3:25 a.m. HST, a M3.4 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) E of Pāhala at 27 km (17 mi) depth on May 14 at 6:39 p.m. HST, a M1.8 earthquake 1 km (0 mi) N of Pāhala at 29 km (18 mi) depth on May 11 at 8:11 p.m. HST, and a M3.5 earthquake 22 km (13 mi) S of Wai‘ōhinu at 7 km (4 mi) depth on May 11 at 7:59 p.m. HST.
Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

ALOHA FRIDAYS AT VAC GALLERY: 'UKULELE WITH WES AWANA on Friday May 17 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Wes Awana offers family-friendly lessons on the iconic and inviting 'ukulele. Free cultural events are part of VAC's Cultural Connections Initiative supported by in part by Hawai'i State GIA Wai Wai Programs. Park fees apply.

MĀLAMA NĀ KEIKI FESTIVAL is Saturday May 18 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center, 96 Kamani Street, Pāhala. Event includes keiki activities, prizes and food. Keiki (0-13 years old) must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required, call (808) 769-3792. First come, first serve. Hosted by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi.

NANI O KAHUKU: A LIVING HISTORY PLAY is Saturday May 18 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The entrance is located just south of the 70.5 mile marker on the ma uka (mountain side) of Highway 11. Nani O Kahuku is a one-woman living history play adapted by Jackie Pualani Johnson from the diary of Hannah Piʻilani Jones (Nani). Nani (portrayed by Alya-Joy Kanehailua) was the eleventh and youngest child of Kahuku Ranch owner from 1871-1887, George W.C. Jones. Free.

EMPTINESS AND FORM: AN INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION OF VISUAL ART is open from May 18 – June 7th on Wednesdays – Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Volcano Arts Center Niaulani Campus in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit accompanies the 17th annual meeting of the Comparative and Continental Philosophy Circle (CCPC), a conference hosted by the Humanities Division at the University of Hawai'i–Hilo. The exhibition features invited artists from both the US mainland and Hawaiʻi Island sharing artistic explorations of the theme Emptiness and Form. Artists' reception on Saturday, May 18th, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Closing reception with both artists and philosophers present will occur on Friday, June 7th from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.