Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 4, 2013

Ninole Hills, with their flat-top mountains between Pahala and Na`alehu, are two of the wonders of Ka`u that are featured in
Ka`u Scenic Byway presentations. A meeting will be held his Wednesday in Na`alehu.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY plans will be discussed at the first public meeting of 2013 this Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church Social Hall. The Scenic Byway program is sponsored by Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and spearheaded by Dr. Dennis and Marge Elwell, authors of several books about the history of Ka`u.

      The website for Ka`u Scenic Byway offers the tag line “The Slopes of Mauna Loa” and the word “Natural.” It describes the trip along Hwy 11 through Ka`u as “the route a traveler would normally follow from the Kona (west side) direction and driving toward Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

      The western slopes from Manuka State Park to the entrance to Kahuku section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park feature a forest reserve and broad vistas with sweeping views of the ocean and mountain. This section includes landscape passing over relatively new lava so the traveler can experience transitions from substantially untouched to well vegetated volcanic terrain and rain forest.

Manuka State Park is an established rest stop for visitors. It has an
interpretive nature trail and is featured along Ka`u Scenic Byway.

      The southern slopes from Kahuku to the county park at Honu`apo Bay include the green segment that winds into the Wai`ohinu Valley then down toward the ocean, with a panorama that may extend to a distant view of Kilauea volcano. 

      The eastern slopes cover the area from Honu`apo to the main entrance to Hawai`i Volcanoes National park and offer long, sweeping green views toward Mauna Loa summit as well as the spectacular and unusual Ninole Hills. The road rises from sea level to over 4,000 feet and is partly within the boundary of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Ka`u Scenic Byway offers by far the longest stretches of unspoiled natural scenery to be found anywhere in the inhabited Hawaiian Islands.”
      The plans call for some interpretive signage at visitor stops, as well education online. According to Dennis Elwell, the idea is to teach visitors about Ka`u and direct them only to those places the community would like to share with guests. “We’re not interested in promoting places away from the highway,” he said.  See http://www.hawaiiscenicbyways.org/index.php/byway/kau-scenic-byway-the-slopes-of-mauna-loa.

NA MAMO O KAWA has set up an email address to connect with people interested in helping to plan the future of the lands around Kawa Bay, which were purchased from private landowners by the County of Hawai`i. The address is namamookawa@gmail.com. Fireman Lui Sales and land planner Pueo McGuire are among the people who formed the group, which includes surfers, fishermen and a number of people who have experienced Kawa throughout their lives. The land is more than 700 acres and includes estuaries, many native Hawaiian gravesites, heiau and Ka`u’s favorite surfing beach.
      The county has provided a contract to Ali`i Security Systems, Inc. to provide management services at Kawa. Ali`i put in the low bid for $566.40 per night.
      During last week’s county-sponsored meeting on the future of Kawa, several residents noted that Kawa had never had 24/7 security in the past and that a court order remains in place giving vehicular access to the public to use Kawa. Some speakers also said that a curfew from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. precluded dawn patrol surfing, overnight fishing and other traditional activities.
      Mayor’s representative Karen Teshima said that the county is “letting Kawa settle” while archaeological and environmental studies are being conducted and that the current hours for foot traffic are not set in stone in the planning for the future.

THE MONK SEAL, flown last week from the Big Island to O`ahu by the U.S. Coast Guard, has died. Willlife officials and veterinarians had hoped to help it survive at Waikiki Aquarium. Helping with the seal was Dr. Charles Littman, of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administrations Hawaiian Monk Seals Research Program.
      For sightings of any entangled or injured seals, call 1-888-256-9840. All seal sightings can be reported to 808-220-7802. Email location of sightings and photos to pifsc.monksealsighting@noaa.gov.
      For more information on the Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team, see www.hmsrto.org.

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE to enter Ka`u Golf Group’s annual Charitable Golf Tournament set for Saturday, Feb. 15 at Volcano Golf & Country Club. $75 entry fee includes golf cart and lunch. An auction is held during lunch. Proceeds benefit Ka`u Hospital’s emergency room. Contact Ron Young at 929-8390 or youngron19582@yahoo.com.

COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow, and the full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Council chambers in Hilo. Committee meeting agendas are available at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-council-committee. Council agendas, along with information on how to submit testimony, can be viewed at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-council-meeting.
      Ka`u residents can participate in the meetings at Ocean View Community Center, with a system that allows testimony to be given live from the site.
      For more information, call 961-8536 or edistrict6@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Jeff Sutton measures gases emitted from Pu`u `O`o.
Photo from USGS/HVO

PERFORMANCES OF A WALK INTO THE PAST take place tomorrow and every other Tuesday in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Attendees meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. The free programs are at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Park entrance fees apply.

USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY geochemists Jeff Sutton and Tamar Elias explain how vog forms and what has been learned about its effects on our island environment Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Depending on interest from local communities, HVO hopes to bring more programs to the area. 

VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES holds a public meeting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. Architects will present renderings of Keakealani, and community fundraising efforts will be discussed.

RED HAT LADIES OF KA`U and Ka Lae Quilters raise funds to support improvements to the Ka`u Hospital’s emergency room with a bake and craft sale Friday and Saturday at 8 a.m. at Punalu`u. Contributions are welcome. Call Barbara Beatty at 929-9072.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB supporters can cheer on Youth of the Year winners and raise money for the club through the purchase of tickets to the Youth of the Year banquet on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at `Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. The event features inspirational speakers, awards, food and auction items. Individual tickets are $70 each. To purchase tickets in Ka`u, call Boys & Girls Club board member Julia Neal at 928-9811. 

ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Ocean View celebrates Mardi Gras Friday at 6:30 p.m. with food, music and dancing. Tickets are $12 for one or $20 for two, with proceeds going to renew the Philippines Mission. Call 939-7555 for more information and tickets.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 3, 2013

Many marine mammals, including these melon-headed whales, are found in Hawaiian waters where the Navy conducts training using explosives and sonar. Photo by Robin W. Baird, www.cascadiaresearch.org

MORE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION is the stated goal of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service. The agency seeks comments through March 11 for a proposed rule requiring the United States Navy to implement protective measures during training and testing activities off the coasts of Hawai`i and California.

Dolphins are the most commonly seen marine mammals 
in Hawai`i. Photo from NOAA

      The Navy has requested an authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, “because the mid-frequency sound generated by active sonar, the sound and pressure generated by detonating explosives, and other associated activities may affect the behavior of some marine mammals, cause a temporary loss of their hearing sensitivity or other injury,” says a statement from the Fisheries Service.
      The Fisheries Service recently made a preliminary determination, stating that “these effects would have a negligible effect on the species or stocks involved. Based on that preliminary determination, it does not necessarily expect the exercises to result in serious injury or death to marine mammals, and proposes that the Navy use mitigation measures to avoid injury or death,” the statement says.
      “However, exposure to sonar in certain circumstances has been associated with the stranding of some marine mammals, and some injury or death may occur despite the best efforts of the Navy. Therefore, the proposed authorization allows for a small number of incidental mortalities to marine mammals from sonar, as well as vessel strikes and explosions.”

Blainville's beaked whale with teeth rising from the
lower jaw encrusted with barnacles.

      Under the authorization, the Navy would have to follow mitigation measures to minimize effects on marine mammals, including establishing marine mammal mitigation zones around each vessel using sonar, using Navy observers to shut down sonar operations if marine mammals are seen within designated mitigation zones, using mitigation zones to ensure that explosives are not detonated when animals are detected within a certain distance, implementing a stranding response plan that includes a training shutdown provision in certain circumstances, and allows for the Navy to contribute in-kind services to NOAA’s Fisheries Service if the agency has to conduct a stranding response and investigation and Designating a Humpback Whale Cautionary Area to protect high concentrations of humpback whales around Hawai`i during winter months.
      “These measures should minimize the potential for injury or death and significantly reduce the number of marine mammals exposed to levels of sound likely to cause temporary loss of hearing,” National Marine Fisheries contends. The proposed rule also includes an adaptive management component that requires that the Navy and NOAA’s Fisheries Service meet yearly to discuss new science, Navy research and development, and Navy monitoring results to determine if modifications to mitigation or monitoring measures are appropriate.

Cuvier's beaked whale is found in Hawaiian waters.
Photo by Heinrich Schatz, Earth Views

      The Fisheries Service and the Navy “have worked to develop a robust monitoring plan to use independent, experienced vessel-based marine mammal observers (as well as Navy observers), and passive acoustic monitoring to help better understand how marine mammals respond to various levels of sound and to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Additionally, an Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Plan being developed by the Navy (with input from Fisheries Service) will better prioritize monitoring goals and standardize data collection methods across all U.S. range complexes,” the statement concludes.
      See the proposed rule at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#hstt.
      Comments to be accepted through March 11 should be addressed to P. Michael Payne, Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225. Electronic comments can be sent via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov, using the identifier 0648-BC52.

A sick monk seal, airlifted from the Big Island to
O`ahu for veterinarian treatment.
Photo from U.S. Coast Guard

AN ENDANGERED MONK SEAL was scheduled to be taken to Waikiki Aquarium after being airlifted from the Big Island to O`ahu by Coast Guard crews working at Barbers Point Air Station. Found at an undisclosed location, the seal was reported to have difficulty breathing, according Jeffrey Walters, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine mammal branch chief. He said in a statement that “it was necessary to bring the seal into a care facility for a health assessment and treatment as needed.” Veterinarians conducted diagnostic x-rays and ultrasound, and an update is expected from the NOAA Fisheries division early this week. 

THE FIRST FEMALE MAYOR IN HAWAI`I died overnight Friday of natural causes. Helene Hale, born on March 23, 1918, was just shy of her ninety-fifth birthday. She was also one of the early officeholders in Hawai`i with African-American heritage, which was celebrated on the cover of Ebony magazine.
      Her grandfather was the first African-American to graduate from University of Minnesota, where she also received her undergraduate education. Her uncle Ralph Bunche was the first African-American to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He also earned the Medal of Freedom, given to him by John F. Kennedy.
      Hale arrived to Hilo in 1947 and taught at Konawaena High School. She became involved in community affairs right away, elected to the Board of Supervisors, serving from 1954 to 1964. She became its chair and chief executive officer – the virtual mayor of the Big Island - for two years, which marked the first time a woman had such a high governing role on the Big Island since Queen Liliu`okalani.
      In her eighties, Hale ran for the state House of Representatives and served during four terms. During her career, Hale also taught at University of Hawai`i.
      Known for her humorous and feisty personality and willingness to fight for social justice, she took up the campaign slogan “Recycle Helene Hale.” In 2006, Honolulu Advertiser writer David Shapiro called her “a pain the right okole.” Services are expected to be announced soon.

Shigeyo Sakamoto, 101 years young. Photo by Alice Yonemitsu

SHIGEYO SAKAMOTO celebrated her 101st birthday on Tuesday, Jan. 15. The Na`alehu resident loves her garden, especially her roses, along with her friends and family. She has two children, May Doi and Charles Sakamoto, who both live in Na`alehu. There are three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS are scheduled Tuesday at Council chambers in Hilo. Committees meet as follows: Housing, 9 a.m.; Planning Committee, 10:15 a.m.; Finance Committee, 10:30 a.m.; Health Services and Social Services Committee, 11:30 a.m.; Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee, 1 p.m.
      An item on the Finance Committee’s agenda calls for funding for improvements to the water supply at Kahuku Park that would provide sufficient water for drinking, irrigation and emergency use.    

      Committee meeting agendas are available at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-council-committee. 

      The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Hilo. Council agendas, along with information on how to submit testimony, can be viewed at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-council-meeting.
      Ka`u residents can now participate in committee and Council meetings at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, with a system that allows testimony to be given live from the site.
      For more information, call 961-8536 or edistrict6@co.hawaii.hi.us.

A Walk into the Past takes place in the Whitney Vault near Kilauea
Visitor Center. Photo from KDEN

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK presents A Walk into the Past Tuesday in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The living history program features Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger bringing back to life Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and a prominent figure in the history of the study of volcanoes. Free performances are held every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. Park entrance fees apply. 

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY brings a program to Pahala Community Center Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., when geochemists Jeff Sutton and Tamar Elias explain how vog forms and what has been learned about its effects on our island environment. Depending on interest from local communities, HVO hopes to have more programs in the area.

Nancy Lee Chong Photo from Pacific
Rim Quilt Co.

NANCY LEE CHONG AND JANICE LEE BAEHR, Hawaiian quilters, teachers, applique specialists and owners of Pacific Rim Quilt Co., share their passion for applique quilting Friday, Feb. 8 at Pahala Quilting. Planned events include opportunities to see their quilts while hearing little-known stories behind each one, demonstrations of various aspects of Hawaiian quilting and a show of Baehr’s hand-dyed fabrics, with suggestions for creative ways to use them in quilts. “You may also enlist the personal shopping services of Nancy or Janice, who will gladly guide you in the selection of the perfect fabrics for your next Hawaiian or applique quilt,” said shop owner Donna Masaniai. 

      Chong and Baehr have designed, produced and authored over 65 quilt patterns, two DVDs and a book entitled Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt. They will be available all day to autograph copies of their book, DVDs and patterns.
       Pahala Quilting, located at the corner of Maile Street and Huapala, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Ocean View holds its Mardi Gras Celebration Friday at 6:30 p.m. with food, music and dancing. Tickets are $12 for one or $20 for two, with proceeds going to renew the Philippines Mission. Call 939-7555 for more information and tickets.

IN SPORTS THIS WEEK, Ka`u High’s junior varsity softball team travels to Kamehameha Tuesday for a game at 2 p.m., and boys basketball team meets Kamehameha Wednesday at 6 p.m. at home.
      Spring sports are starting, and all student athletes must have a current participation form and physical. Free physicals are available at the mobile medical van near the band room on Mondays and Wednesdays. All forms must be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian before physicals can be given.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 2, 2013

Gas emissions from Pu`u `O`o, in the foreground, and Halema`uma`u, in the background, are the topic at a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory program Wednesday at Pahala Community Center. Photo from USGS/HVO

A ROCKET LAUNCHED FROM A FLOATING Sea Launch Pad 1,311 miles south of the Big Island fell into the ocean shortly after lift-off yesterday. The 6.2-ton Ukranian Zenit-3SL rocket was carrying an American-made Intelsat-27 communications satellite that was headed for a stationary position over the Atlantic, but its flight time lasted under a minute. Sea Launch representatives reported no injuries to the crew on the support vessel that serves as a command center for the launch pad, which is located on the Equator.

      “We are very disappointed with the outcome of the launch and offer our sincere regrets to our customer, Intelsat, and their spacecraft provider, Boeing,” Kjell Karlsen, president of Sea Launch AG, said in a statement.

Sea Launch rocket lifted off yesterday from the Odyssey floating launch
pad 1,311 miles south of Ka Lae, but fell back into the Pacific Ocean.
Photo from Sea Launch

      “The cause of the failure is unknown, but we are evaluating it and working closely with Intelsat, Boeing, Energia Logistics, Ltd and our Zenit-3SL suppliers. We will do everything reasonably possible to recover from this unexpected and unfortunate event.”
      According to a BBC report, “Sea Launch had not long returned from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A spectacular rocket failure on its converted oil rig in 2007 forced the firm to restructure its finances as orders slowed and debts mounted. It re-emerged in 2011 and had lofted four satellites successfully from the Odyssey platform before Friday’s loss,” wrote BBC.
      Sea Launch says it “offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry’s satellite operators.” See www.sea-launch.com.


HAWAI`I’S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION has received recognition from the U.S. Department of Education for a number of major accomplishments made through August 2012 in the Race to the Top program.
      HIDOE received recognition for a number of major accomplishments over that time period in the following areas:

• Transitioning to College and Career-Ready Standards
 
• Building Better Data Systems
 
• Supporting Great Teachers and School Leaders
 
• Turning Around Low-Performing Schools
 
• Expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

      “Hawai`i has shown promising growth in their second year under Race to the Top, and we are optimistic about their framework for continuing this progress,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “We will continue to work closely with Hawai`i to ensure they are enacting reforms that will improve student achievement and empower teachers to prepare all students for college and careers.” 

      “We are pleased that federal officials recognize the continued progress in our schools and the ongoing transformation of the Hawai`i State Department of Education,” superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said.
      Gov. Neil Abercrombie stated, “Secretary Duncan’s comments about Hawai`i’s progress are reassuring and demonstrate the positive transformations taking place in our public schools. We will continue to work collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Education to further improve Hawai`i’s status. Race to the Top has served as a catalyst to improve Hawai`i’s public education system and represents an immense opportunity to invest in the professional growth of Hawai`i’s educators by providing measurable, long-term benefits for our students.”

Sen. Josh Green

STATE SENATOR JOSH GREEN yesterday announced his package of bills intended to address the epidemic of childhood obesity in Hawai`i. 

     “Childhood obesity has a terrible human cost,” Green said. “It can lead to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and other deadly diseases. We cannot stand by and do nothing while our children are getting sicker and their lives are getting shorter, so today I am declaring war on childhood obesity.”
     Green, a practicing physician and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, is proposing a variety of measures to combat childhood obesity in Hawai`i, including legislation that would require public schools to offer healthier beverage choices to students allowing only milk and juice to be served during school hours, a ban on the use of harmful trans-fats in schools and a measure that would allow a tax exemption for fresh fruits and vegetables.
     “Nutritional literacy and education is important for every family and school in Hawai`i, and exercise has a vital role to play in our children’s health, but as parents and responsible adults, we must address the consumption of harmful substances by our children,” Green said. “The epidemic of childhood obesity we see today is the result of our children consuming too many refined sugars and harmful fats. Eating a calorie of broccoli does not have the same effect on human health as eating a calorie of refined sugar. Sugar is bad for the body.”
     On Wednesday, Feb. 6 the Senate Committee on Health will hear legislation proposed by the governor that would establish a fee on sugar-sweetened beverages and a Special Fund on Obesity Prevention under the Department of Health.
     “We are facing an extremely serious problem that requires a comprehensive approach,” Green said. “A healthy diet, exercise, and nutritional education all have a part to play, but consumption of refined sugars and harmful fats is at the root of the problem. Doctors, parents, teachers, elected officials and nutrition professionals must all be fully involved in fighting this epidemic. Our children’s lives are at stake.”

Pueo McGuire describes surfing at Kawa as a Native Hawaiian cultural activity.
Photo by Julia Neal

PUEO MCGUIRE and the group Na Mamo O Kawa have started meeting with members of families associated with Kawa in an attempt to become a liaison between the county and every interest group. McGuire said, “We want to see what they want done, how they want to see Kawa managed. He said he and other members of the new organization are talking with “the families, the young, the recreational users and surfers. McGuire talked about surfing at Kawa as more than recreation. “It is not like we are out there playing. It is a spiritual activity. It is a Native Hawaiian cultural activity that we do down there.” He and member Lui Sales said that in addition to the families, the group  will be talking with Karen Teshima and other representatives of Kawa as the planning goes forward. 

MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR KAWA BAY will be hired by the county Department of Parks & Recreation, according to an invitation for Bid NO. 2881from Hawai`i County. The bids were opened last Tuesday, and the low bidder was announced as Ali`i Security for $552 per night, followed by RMP Enterprise at $566.40 and Global Protective, with a bid of $840 a night, according to a report in West Hawai`i Today. See more at www.westhawaiitoday.com.

Gladys Yonemitsu

GLADYS’ KITCHEN is the new cookbook that honors Gladys Yonemitsu, a teacher for many years at Na`alehu School. Yonemitsu died last year, and her love of cooking is remembered in a cookbook dedicated to her memory. Many of Gladys’ favorite recipes were collected by another Gladys, friend Gladys Nakamura, and these form the core of the publication. Many of Gladys Yonemitsu’s friends contributed favorite recipes of their own. The book contains 240 recipes, all someone’s favorites. 

      Gladys’ Kitchen has an emphasis on Japanese cuisine, with a chapter called The Art of Japanese Cooking by the Rev. Earl Ikeda. Many recipes are adapted to Hawaiian tastes and availability of spices and other ingredients. Many recipes come from other cultures. The recipes were compiled and edited by the Rev. David Fujimoto, Carol Tsunezumi and Marge and Dennis Elwell. Each section is introduced by a line drawing by Masako Sakata.
      Gladys’ Kitchen sells for $10.00 plus shipping, and orders can be sent to Marge Elwell at PO Box 1043, Na`alehu HI 96772. They can also be placed by phone at 929-7236 or by email at marge@hawaii.rr.com. Checks should be made out to Gladys’ Kitchen. Proceeds go to the Buddhist Women’s Association scholarship fund.

USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY geochemists Jeff Sutton and Tamar Elias explain how vog forms and what has been learned about its effects on our island environment during a program at Pahala Community Center Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. This is HVO’s second program in Pahala, and they hope to have more in the area depending on interest from the local communities.

A WALK INTO THE PAST is again being performed in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park after ending a seven-year run in May 2012, due in part to construction at Volcano House. Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network presents the living history program that features Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger, dressed in period costume, bringing back to life Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and a prominent figure in the history of the study of volcanoes. Free performances are held Feb. 5 and 19 and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. The program is free, and park entrance fees apply.

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK also presents the musical comedy Nunsense by Dan Goggin at Kilauea Military Camp’s Kilauea Theater beginning Friday and running through Sunday, Feb. 24. Nunsense begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally killed the other fifty-two residents of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise. The nuns decide to stage a variety show to raise funds for the last four burials. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea`au Natural Foods, Paradise Plants, The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door. For ticket information and reservations, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com. 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.