Ka`u News Briefs April 7, 2013

Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative and Olson Trust provide the float for the  Miss Ka`u Coffee contenders in the
 Merrie Monarch Parade yesterday in Hilo. Pageant is Friday, April 26. Photos by Julia Neal

THE TALENT OF KA`U showed well yesterday at the Merrie Monarch Festival Parade and arts and crafts exhibitions.

Genevieve "Jon" Cran with her Kapapala Ranch team is Pa`u Queen for
Merrie Monarch.

      Kapalala Ranch grand dame Genevieve “Jon” Cran rode on horseback as Pa`u Queen with her ranch manager, Lani Petrie, and their lei-bedecked horses and riders.
      The Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative put together a float on a Ka`u Coffee Mill truck decorated with McCall’s flowers, branches of red coffee cherries and other foliage. Four coffee princesses, Kawailani Houvener, Seneca Lee Oleyte, Rachel Ornelas and Tiare-Lee Shibuya, represented the coffee industry in Ka`u along with Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president and past-president Gloria Camba and Lorie Obra. Also on the float were pageant artistic director Nalani Parlin and award-winning Ka`u Coffee farmer Willie Tabios. Assisting with the float were Efren Abellera and his daughters, Layla, Elisa and Erica, Bong Aquino and driver Leonardo Castaneda and his wife Jackie. The Miss Ka`u Coffee pageant is Friday, April 26 at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The Ho`olaulea is Saturday, April 4 at Pahala Community Center.

Hawaiian Civic Club members meet Studio of Sticks & Stones artists, of
Wai`ohinu, at Merrie Monarch yesterday.

      Hawaiian Civic Club members joined the Merrie Monarch Parade, most on foot and some in a classic car. The Ka`u contingent was led by president Blossom DeSilva.
      Lorie Lee Lorenzo and Leon Chow joined the Aloha Riders with their horses.
      Thy Word Ministries – Ka`u joined Thy Word members from around the island with song, hula, and praise with two floats and a walking group.
      In the arts and crafts displays, Emily Herb, of Volcano, displayed her pottery; Larry Ka`upu, of Green Sands, showed jewelry and Hawaiian carvings; and Jamie Gilmore had paintings and jewelry for sale. The Gomes family, with sons Jeff and Robin, father Bobby and mother Phoebe, offered koa-dyed hats and woodworks.

Leon Chow, of Kapapala, and Lorie Lee Lorenzo, of Pahala

HALAU FROM O`AHU TOOK FIRST PLACE in all categories of Merrie Monarch hula competition among halau. Kawaili`ula, of Kailua, took overall, kane overall, kane kahiko and kane `auana awards. Halau Mohala `Ilima, of Ka`ohao, won wahine overall and wahine kahiko. Wahine `auana went to Keolalaulani Halau `Olapa O Laka, of Kane`ohe. 

      Halau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani, of Hilo, placed third in kane overall, fifth in wahine `auana, forth in kane kahiko and third in kane `auana.

KA`U RESIDENTS INSPIRED BY MERRIE MONARCH can take classes with Sammi Fo every Tuesday in Ocean View at the corner of Tiki and Princess Ka`iulani. Students with more than one year’s experience meet at 4:15 p.m. and beginning to first-year students meet at 4:15 p.m. Call 990-3292 for more information.

THE STATE OF HAWAI`I is investing $200,000 in a zero waste biofuel and high protein animal feed program that uses unmarketable papaya as a feedstock, according to a statement from Gov. Neil Abercrombie. The research and development funds will assist USDA Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo in moving the project to pilot scale as a prelude to commercial production, and the state Agribusiness Development Corporation will become a venture partner to globally export the technology in association with PBARC and Florida-based BioTork Hawai`i, LLC.

Ka`u Hawaiian Civic Club members ride in style.

      According to the statement, PBARC, along with BioTork Hawai`i, LLC, have invested more than $1 million in the project. The conversion process takes 14 days to cycle in a heterotrophic environment, in which no sunlight is needed, using organically optimized algae/fungi developed and patented by BioTork. 

      “This patented evolutionary technology is unique to the marketplace and places Hawai`i in a leading position in the area of biofuel and feed research,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “With this technology, farmers can turn agricultural waste into an additional revenue stream, and local production of biofuel can lower dependence on Hawai`i’s import of fossil fuels. 


      “Aside from the benefit of producing biofuel, this technology has the ability to create another revenue stream for papaya and other tropical agriculture farmers. Local high protein feed production – another by-product of this process – can greatly benefit cattle, hog, chicken and aquaculture farms through competitive market pricing.”


      The state also hopes to develop a long-term revenue generator as a partner exporting this technology. At full scale, more than 1,000 jobs are projected. 



Thy Word Ministries-Ka`u joined other churches with song, hula and praise at Merrie Monarch Parade.

      While papaya was chosen as the initial feedstock, the technology can be applied to any plant material as a carbon source, the statement contends. In Hawai`i, other identifiable feedstock are unmarketable sweet potato, sugar cane, mango and glycerol. Invasive trees like albizia could also be used as feedstock. 



Jamie Gilmore, right shows off her jewelry and paintings.

      James Nakatani, ADC executive director, said, “This Hawai`i-based technological development is a major breakthrough that focuses on key components hampering the sustainability efforts of other microorganism-based biofuel projects. These obstacles include the high cost of feedstock. Approximately 70 percent of the cost for production is consumed in this area. Using unmarketable plant and other waste materials drastically reduces this cost driver. 


     “While past lab projects have not translated into robust performances when scaled-up, BioTork’s solution promotes rapid and dynamic evolution of microorganisms that are robust even in ‘suboptimal’ conditions.”



Miss Ka`u Coffee 2011-2012 Brandy Shibuya helps with the float
for the new candidates yesterday.

DRAFT MATERIALS FOR KA`U Community Development Plan, which were released last week, discuss Ka`u’s natural and cultural resources and their challenges. The materials say Ka`u’s kula, or agricultural, resources provide important ecosystem and
community services including fresh water supply; hydrological regulation; groundwater recharge; water quality improvement; soil conservation; near shore water protection, including reduced sedimentation and nonpoint source pollution; hazard mitigation, such as less flooding through increased mauka recharge and slower downslope flow; food; energy, such as, hydroelectric and biofuel; lumber and wood for artisans; carbon sequestration by soil and vegetation; and aesthetics, including open space, natural beauty and view planes.
      One of the challenges in managing kula resources, according to the draft CDP, is idle land. The draft says that over 70 percent of the land zoned for agriculture in Ka`u is not being utilized for agricultural purposes.

Emily Herb, of Volcano, with her `Apapane Pottery at Merrie Monarch.

      Other challenges listed are vog, lack of an adequate water supply and/or tenure and lease uncertainty, which for some farmers limits planning, investment and expansion.
      Nonpoint Source Pollution is another challenge mentioned. The draft CDP says that, in the central region of Ka`u, storm runoff descends from steep slopes, causing flooding and depositing sediment and debris makai. Ka`u’s primary agricultural nonpoint source pollutants are nutrients (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus), sediment, animal wastes, pesticides and salts.
      Ka`u CDP draft materials will be discussed at the Steering Committee meeting Tuesday at Pahala Community Center beginning at 8:30 p.m.
      Draft Ka`u CDP documents are available at hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.

The Gomes family with koa-dyed hats and woodwork.

LOOKING FOR LAVA IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES—and Finding It in Some is the topic presented by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Don Swanson at After Dark in the Park Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. According to Swanson, most eruptions and intrusions at Kilauea take place within the summit caldera or the two ri ft zones. Some, however, occur elsewhere or have trends not readily explainable by this standard model.
     Though unusual, these eruptions and intrusions tell much about the internal plumbing of Kilauea and its evolution during the past tens of thousands of years. Swanson elaborates on this theme in a partly factual, partly speculative, broadly based alternative view of Kilauea. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

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 April 6, 2013

Halau participating in Merrie Monarch have been visiting Halema`uma`u in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists report the lava lake is circulating and stable. Photo from HVO

WATER SPIGOTS AT OCEAN VIEW well remain open for general community access until tomorrow at 7 p.m., and the standpipe facility for water haulers is closed.
      The pump is inoperable until repairs can be completed, according to Kanani Aton, of Department of Water Supply. The pump and motor need to be pulled from the well for repairs. Emergency procedures are now activated to expedite procurement of a contractor as soon as possible, Aton said. Once selected, the contractor will mobilize to the site, pull the pump from the well, assess the needed repairs and prepare a timeline for repairs.
      Users are asked to limit their consumption to potable needs only.
      Alternate spigot sites are available in Wai`ohinu and Ho`okena.
      For further information, call Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.

Miss Aloha Hula 2013 Manalani Mili Hokoana English
Image from hawaiinewsnow.com

MANALANI MILI HOKOANA ENGLISH and other members of Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka visited Kilauea Caldera in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park the day after English became Miss Aloha Hula at the 50th Merrie Monarch Festival with a total of 1,057 points. She told Ninu Wu, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, that she had to ground herself to prepare for the group competition. The group danced on the rim before returning to Hilo for yesterday’s hula kahiko competition. Hula `auana competition takes place this evening, with the awards ceremony following.
      Other dancers who placed in the Miss Aloha Hula competition are Sloane Makana West, of Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi, with 1,042 points;
 Jasmine Kaleihiwa Dunlap, of Hula Halau `O Kamuela, with 1,041 points;
 Chalei Malianapuaonahala Pu`ulei McKee, of Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e, with 1,039 points; and 
Whitney Pi`ilani Baldwin Schneider-Furuya, of Halau I Ka Wekiu, with 1033 points.

Nona Wilson, of Ka`u Hospital; Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation
treasurer Naomi Yoshida and president Bradley Westervelt; Ron Young,
of Ka`u Golf Group; and Barbara Beatty, of Ka`u Red Hat Ladies, gathered
for presentation of checks from fundraising events for the hospital's ER.

VOLUNTEERS THIS YEAR RAISED $16,500 for Ka`u Hospital’s emergency room. On April 2, representatives from Ka`u Red Hat Ladies, Ka Lae Quilters and Ka`u Golf Group presented checks to Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation at a thank you ceremony. Every year, the groups combine efforts to raise money through bake, craft and quilt sales, a community spaghetti dinner and a golf tournament. Nona Wilson, assistant administration and director of Nursing, thanked the volunteers for their dedication. “It has been because of their efforts that our emergency department is so well equipped,” she said. 

      The funds will be used to purchase another cardiac monitor for the ER, equipping all four of the ER beds with this important tool for caring for critically ill patients.

RESEARCH ON NEONICOTINOID-BASED pesticides and their contribution to declining populations of bees continues. Researchers caution that neonicotinoid-based pesticides cause bee colonies to collapse. When bees feed on the plants and ingest the pesticide, they become disoriented and cannot find their way back to the hives.

Bees ingest pesticides when feeding on plants, according to researchers.
Image from wired.com

      After suspending use of nicotine-based pesticides four years ago, Italy saw a restoration of bee populations, with no cases of widespread bee mortality in hives around the untreated crops, reported Roberta Cruger, of treehugger.com.
      Mace Vaughan, pollinator program director at the Xerces society, an invertebrate conservation group, said neonicotinoids are also commonly used in nurseries. “People may purchase plants with the intent of providing habitat for bees, but end up poisoning them,” he said.
      However, Vaughan does not support a ban on neonicotinoids because they’re far less toxic to people than earlier pesticides. He says they may be appropriate to use in certain situations, such as in-home termite control.

      The Southern Reporter yesterday said that findings from a British study conclude that there is no consistent relationship between the pesticide and harm to bumble bees.

      Neonicotinoids are used in commercial agriculture to coat plant seeds, and they become permanent insecticides in the plants as they grow.
      The pesticides are also common in products used in backyards and gardens. A story by Brandon Keim in Wired magazine said these products may expose bees to far higher doses than those found on farms. “For homeowner use products, for backyard plants, the amount of neonicotinoids used is like 40 times greater than anything allowable in agricultural systems,” said entomologist James Frazier, of Pennsylvania State University. 

DRAFT MATERIALS FOR KA`U Community Development Plan, which were released this week, discuss Ka`u’s natural and cultural resources and their challenges. It describes kahakai, or coastal, resources as having “unparalleled natural scenic beauty, including rocky shoreline, picturesque pali, and black and green sand beaches, most of which is undeveloped.”

Maps included in draft Ka`u CDP materials show Ka`u's kahakai,
or coastal, resources and decribe their challenges.

      The draft CDP lists unique kahakai natural resources including springs, anchialine ponds, wetlands, turtle nesting sites, and pristine coastal and near shore ecosystems featuring endangered and threatened species.
      Ka`u’s kahakai region, the draft CDP states, has rich cultural and archaeological resources from an extensive historical pattern of coastal village settlements (many of the resources have yet to be inventoried), Lateral and mauka-makai trail corridors, including large portions of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail corridor, valuable recreational and subsistence resources, including beach parks, boat ramps and renowned fishing grounds.
      Challenges for the kahakai region, according to the draft CDP, are limited management of natural, scenic, cultural, subsistence, trail, and recreational resources along the coastline, a long history of coastal hazards, including flood zones, devastating storm surge and both local and distant tsunamis.
      Another challenge is the forecast of climate change impacts, including one-meter sea level rise this century and higher winds and storm surge levels due to climate change.
      The draft CDP says the County General Plan “is clear about the need to protect Ka`u’s Kahakai resources.” The County General Plan encourages the establishment of the Punalu`u-Ninole Springs region as a recreation area, encourages the state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands to develop the South Point area for recreational opportunities, recommends the development of Ka`alu`alu Bay as a remote camping-beach park, encourages restoration of Ninole Pond as a recreation area and encourages land acquisition surrounding Whittington Beach Park to allow for its expansion and construction of a parking area.

      Ka`u CDP draft materials will be discussed at the Steering Committee meeting Tuesday at Pahala Community Center beginning at 8:30 p.m.

      Draft Ka`u CDP documents are available at hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.

Dietrich Varez Photo from
dvarez.com

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues its celebration of the 50th annual Merrie Monarch Festival tomorrow when Dietrich Varez signs 250 Hawaiiana prints and books he has written or illustrated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org.

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH athletes are on the road today. The judo team is participating in the Kamehameha Dual Tournament. The tennis team is also at Kamehameha, and track and field athletes are at Konawaena. A softball game begins at 1 p.m. in Honoka`a.

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 April 5, 2013

Nonpoint water pollution comes mainly from cesspools and farms and ranches.  This Ka`u watershed is managed by The Naure Conservancy. Photo from TNC

A NONPOINT WATER POLLUTION BILL was tabled today in the state Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The measure had moved in the Legislature as House Bill 903, House Draft 2 and Senate Draft 1. The vote today effectively killed the bill for the 2013 legislative session. The legislation would have established a separate Water Pollution Control account and authorized the state director of Health to prescribe fees to help fund Department of Health in managing pollution from nonpoint sources and individual wastewater systems.
     Sen. Russell Ruderman supported the intent of the bill – to reduce environmental pollution - but after amendments and changes to the language of the bill, and the overwhelming number of concerns expressed by constituents that this would have a potentially negative economical impact on the Puna-Ka`u district, he said, he could not support it. “I appreciate the decision of chair Ige and the committee and thank you for your consideration on this measure. I would also like to thank director Gary Gill and the Department of Health for their valuable time and efforts to address this important issue. Hopefully, we can find a version that will address all of the concerns of our constituents.”
      Volcano resident and state Department of Agriculture chief Russell Kokubun testified that he supported the bill with one amendment concerning the definition of waste, wastewater and water pollutant. He noted that the proposed bill “adds ten new definitions. The terms ‘waste,’ ‘wastewater,’ and ‘water pollutant’ contain references to agricultural matter or agricultural wastes in their respective definitions. The department is concerned that these references to agricultural matter and wastes may result in inconsistency or conflict with the amendments made in Senate Draft 1 to make farming operations not affected by the bill’s provisions. We recommend these references to agricultural matter and agricultural wastes be deleted from the definitions,” testified Kokubun.

When it rains, water flows downhill from Hawai`i's high island ridges to the ocean, washing pollutants into the streams and rivers.
Photo from the state Department of Health Clean Water Branch

      The state Office of Planning supported the bill, testifying that the Coastal Zone Management Program and the Department of Health have been seeking full approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Environmental Protection Agency of a Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, which is required of approved CZM programs nationwide pursuant to Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments.The bill provides DOH with much needed resources to address water pollution from nonpoint sources and individual wastewater systems. The improved ability to control and reduce water pollution in Hawai`i, will in turn contribute towards gaining full approval of the CNPCP.”
      Alexander & Baldwin, which owns some sugar lands and large tracts of former sugar lands, which are being subdivided and developed, opposed the measure:  “Under the proposed bill, any person (other than those engaged in farming operations) owning a plot of land greater than 10 acres in size may be required to obtain a “management plan approval” (i.e., a permit) for land upon which rain might fall or from which water might flow regardless of whether the landowner is actually undertaking any activity upon its land. This is a radical departure from any existing environmental permit program because it seeks to regulate the mere existence of land exposed to rainfall rather than an activity proposed to occur on the land,” testified A&B. 

    The Hawai`i Contractors Association and Building Industry Association both opposed the bill as did the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawai`i, which is comprised of major Hawai`i landowners, developers and a utility company.
      The Hawai`i Cattleman’s Council opposed the measure. Hawai`i Farm Bureau’s president Dean Okimoto testified that the organization “strongly opposes” the measure, saying, “Minimizing excessive farming expenses is a basic requirement to enable our farmers and ranchers to remain viable and provide food, biber, and energy that is a cornerstone to self-sufficiency…. The proposed new permitting system is unnecessary, inappropriate and will be extremely costly and burdensome to our local farmers.”
      The Surfrider Foundation supported the measure: “This bill is designed to address the issue of water pollution that is caused by leakage from cesspools and storm water runoff, which are the leading causes of contamination of our near-shore waters.
      “According to the EPA, Hawai`i has the highest number of cesspools per capita in the entire country, and this has created many water quality problems in rural, agricultural and coastal areas across the state. This bill would address the issue by empowering the Department of Health to: Identify and issue fees on businesses, homeowners and farmers whose wastewater treatment systems are leaking, dangerous and polluting state waters; work with these people to set up a management plan to deal with the problem by either upgrading to a septic system or hooking up to county sewer lines; and, finally, create a separate Water Pollution Control account to help fund efforts to mitigate the pollution from nonpoint sources and individual wastewater systems.

      “As most people know, DOH is tasked with some of the most important duties in the state to protect the health and well-being of the people and the environment, yet they are under-funded and under-staffed to do this work. By allowing the agency to assess fees on those polluting our waterways and near-shore waters (most of whom do not pay sewer fees), this bill would create a desperately needed Water Pollution Control account to hire new staff to deal with this increasing problem. We may have some of the world’s most pristine beaches, but we also have very high rates of water quality contamination and brown-water advisories.
      “The bill would also help homeowners, farmers and businesses come up with a wastewater management plan and mitigate the environmental and human health hazards associated with water pollution,” testified the Surfrider Foundation.
      B.A. McClintoc testified: “This bill is important because it would enable the Department of Health to address the largest source of water pollution in Hawai`i – storm runoff. Farms are a principal source of runoff pollution (soil, fertilizer, and pesticides). Runoff pollutes streams, groundwater, the ocean and coral reefs. Small farmers (under 10 acres) will not be affected by this bill. They make up 64 percent  of our farms.”

Watersheds of the Big Island are polluted by runoff from cesspools and
ag operations using pesticides and herbicides. Image from Department of Health

      Winnie Hee wrote: “Please pass this bill to help stop polluted runoff from killing Hawai`i’s fragile marine resources. …The larger farmer’s who control 98 percent of the farm land in Hawai`i, can afford to take on this ‘burden’ as good citizens and conscientiously would.”
      The University of Hawai`i’s Water Resources Research Center and Environmental Center submitted testimony in support: “Nonpoint sources of water pollution are major causes of water quality degredation.
     “We agree in concept with proposals to establish operating fees for individual wastewater systems,” to “require the preparation and implementation ofnonpoint source pollution management plans,” and to impose a range of related filing fees and penalties. The overall benefit of these provisions would be to boost funding and participation for state programs that help all kinds of landowners and land operators to better fulfill their responsibilities for sound environmental management practices which contribute to the overall protection and enhancement of watershed health. Research from around the world indicates that it can takes decades of well- planned, consistent effort to achieve measurable improvements in water quality that are directly attributable to successful nonpoint source management measures. We encourage the Legislature and the Department of Health to continue refining the details of HB 903 so that new sources of funding can emerge to move our state forward on this path, and we are available to confer with you about these ongoing efforts.”
      The state Department of Health also supported the measure. The bill is expected to be taken up again in 2014. See more testimony at www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATIONISTS are calling for the community to oppose a bill before the legislature that would “make things worse and not better,” for the preservation of historic sites and the operation of the State Historic Preservation Division, according to the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology.

Archaeologists worry that more historic
sites would be lost under new state law.

      Its legislative chair, Dr. Sara L. Collins, testified on SB 1171, SD 1, HD1, saying, the measure would not “align state historic preservation law with federal historic preservation law. The way to do that is for DLNR to do what the Hawaii Supreme Court told it do: amend its own regulations …the Department of Land and Natural Resources can do this anytime it chooses. Making changes to the rules rather than the law will ensure that these amendments are placed within a procedural context and that safeguards are included.” The archaeologists contend that “if passed, the bill will introduce more confusion and uncertainty into the historic preservation review process, which already has enough conflict. These amendments would allow projects to proceed without sufficient information on the presence or absence of historic properties in the project area, and whether historic properties would be affected by a development.”
     According to the archaeologists, the measure “would increase the chances of unforeseen findings resulting in major complications and slowdowns for projects, and potentially more litigation. 
As currently worded, there is an overall lack of accountability and public participation. Who decides when a phased review or a programmatic agreement should be done? SHPD alone or SHPD together with a public sector (e.g., DOT) or a private sector (e.g., Turtle Bay Resort) applicant? How will the public know about these actions and how will they be able to participate? There are too few safeguards in the bill, and it appears to give the SHPD unilateral powers to decide if a phased review or a programmatic agreement is needed…. The confusion and uncertainty coupled with the lack of accountability and public participation will almost certainly result in damage to or destruction of historic sites, due to a failure to perform adequate surveys and other studies before proceeding with construction. We have too little left of our heritage to risk losing any of it to poor planning and a reduced review process.” University of Hawai`i Students in Archaeology also issued an opinion in Civil Beat yesterday. See http://www.civilbeat.com/voices/2013/04/03/18746-protecting-the-integrity-of-the-historic-preservation-review-process/
     

 More testimony can be seen at www.capitol.hawaii.gov where citizens can also testify.  Search for bill numbers.

KA`U WILL BE ON PARADE at the Merrie Monarch Festival tomorrow beginning at 10:30 a.m. Representatives of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the Three Mountain Alliance, Ka`u Coffee Farmers Cooperative, Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant, Thy Word Ministries – Ka`u and Pa`u Queen Genevieve “Jon” Cran, of Kapapala Ranch, and her attendees will participate in the annual parade through Hilo. At 11 a.m. at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, Kyra Phoebe Michiko Gomes, the grand-daughter of Phoebe and Bobby Gomes, will perform. Also at the Civic are many crafters and artists from Ka`u, including the Studio of Sticks and Stones and Jamie Gilmore.

NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rummage Sale is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to raise funds for a new playground set and student incentives. For more information, call Denise Garcia at 939-2413, ext. 243.