Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013

Miss Hawaiian Islands Ulu Makuakane flew to the Solomon Islands to participate in the Miss South Pacific pageant, and votes are being
taken online for Miss Internet. She danced for Ka`u Plantation Days in October. Photo by Julia Neal

“WE DO WANT TO LOWER THE ELECTRICAL RATES FOR THE CUSTOMERS,” Hawai`i Electric Light Co. administration manager Rhea Lee told Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. Lee spoke with Callis about delays in awarding a contract for 50 megawatts of geothermal power and attempts to re-negotiate other contracts to detach them from the price of oil. 

      “We want to make sure that geothermal that we add will not be tied to the price of oil,” Lee said.

      HELCO received bids from six companies for the geothermal power contract and was initially expecting to make a selection by September, according to the story. “It later pushed that timeline to the end of November,” Callis reported.
      Lee said, “We are really looking at these proposals very closely.”

      Of the 38 MW of geothermal power HELCO currently buys from Puna Geothermal Venture, 25 MW are linked to the cost of oil. PGV is one of the companies seeking the new contract.
      HELCO is also talking to some other power producers about renegotiating contracts to detach the cost of buying the electricity from the price of oil, Lee said. Some of them “are willing to talk with us and are talking with us,” Lee told Callis. “Some are not.”
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Central Pacific Basin experienced six tropical cyclones during 2013 hurricane season. Map from NOAA/NWS

HURRICANE SEASON ENDED NOV. 30 with more storms than expected. The National Weather Service reported that while the initial season forecast was for one to three tropical cyclones, a total of six either formed in or passed into the Central Pacific Basin. Only one, Flossie, threatened land. 

      Neutral El Nino Southern Oscillation conditions lingered throughout the season. Atmospheric conditions became favorable for development during late July through late August and coincided with the increase in tropical cyclone activity.
      The six Central Pacific tropical cyclones of 2013 represent an above-average year. Normally, four to five tropical cyclones occur in the Central Pacific Basin each year during the hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to Nov. 30.
      2013 was the second busiest year since 1998. The other two busy years during this stretch, 1997 and 2009, were both El Nino years.
      2013 tied with 1971 and 1983 as the sixth busiest season since 1970, and August was once again the busiest month during the season.

      Five tropical cyclones occurred during August 2013, and since 1970, 74 tropical cyclones have occurred during August. It is, by far, the busiest month of the season on average, NWS said.
      Since 1957, five or more August tropical cyclones have only occurred three times: 1978, 2009, 2013. August 2013 is tied with August 2009 for the second busiest August since 1957.

Ka`u residents can vote for Ulu in the Miss South Pacific
contest at facebook.com/misssouthpacific2013.

      Summaries of Central Pacific hurricane seasons back through the 1950s can be found at weather.gov/cphc/summaries.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ALESHA ULUWEHI MAKUAKANE, former Miss Ka`u Coffee and current Miss Hawaiian Islands, is in the Solomon Islands participating in the Miss South Pacific Pageant 2013. The pageant includes contestants and delegates from Vanuatu, Fiji, Tokelau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Cook Islands, American Samoa, Hawaiian Islands and Tonga. 

      Ka`u residents can support Makuakane by voting for her photo on Facebook’s Miss South Pacific 2013 page, facebook.com/missshouthpacific2013. The contestant with the most votes becomes Miss Internet. 

      The pageant runs through Dec. 7, culminating with the crowning gala on Saturday night.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL plays the season opener tonight in Kea`au against the Kamehamaha Warriors.
            Coach Cy Lopez recently described his team to Hawai`i Tribune-Herald writer Matt Gerhard: “I give the girls credit. No matter what the score, from start to finish, they play 110 percent.”
           The story in today’s Tribune-Herald also quoted Trojan junior Deisha Navarro saying, “It’s basically just keeping our heads up and fighting no matter what the score is. We’re working hard, we’re improving, and I feel like as long as all of us keep our teamwork together, we’ll be fine.” She described Lopez: “He tells us to never give up. If we put our hearts on the court, we’ll get better results.”
        “Everybody fights until the end,” Navarro told the Tribune-Herald sports writer.

Coach Cy Lopez credited Leah Apia Dolan, No. 70,  for her "animal instincts."
Photo by Julia Neal

         Gerhard described the spirit of the team during the recent preseason tournament: “The score was out of hand and had been for some time, but you wouldn’t have known it by watching Cy Lopez or his Ka`u girls basketball team. Sophomore Lea Aipia-Dolan and her teammates continued to try to attack the basket as if the game was tied, while Lopez did everything he could to keep his team in the game. With the undersized Trojans trailing Waiakea by more than 40 points, the coach called three second-half timeouts to rally the troops.” 
        In another game, such strategy led to a win “when Lopez called a timeout with Ka`u trailing by one against Kealakehe in the waning seconds to draw up a ‘secret inbounds play.’ Bridget Pasion missed a shot from the perimeter, but Kerri Domondon corralled the rebound and hit a buzzer-beater to give the Trojans the victory,” reported the Tribune-Herald.

          The story also reported that “the second-year coach would like to make winning a custom at Ka`u, but he knows that player development is crucial. Save for a long drive to the north or south, age-group club basketball options are sparse, and as a result Lopez said many of his players haven’t touched the ball before they get to high school. In addition, many of his players’ first focus is volleyball.” Gerhard wrote that Lopez and “his coaches are aiming to start a Parks and Recreation league in the district.

Trojan girls say their coach teaches them to never give up.
Photo by Julia Neal

         “We live out in the sticks, and we’re a small school, but we can’t get intimidated,” Lopez told the Tribune-Herald.
          The sports writer sized up the team: “Ka`u, which has only one senior, can’t match up with most teams size-wise, but it will try to make up for it with quickness and will feature a three-guard lineup with juniors Navarro and Domondon capable of running the point. Pasion, a junior, is the best pure shooter on the team, and Aipia-Dolan, a sophomore, can play either guard or forward. At roughly five-feet eight-inches tall, junior Maka Flores-Carvalho is the tallest player on the roster and can provide muscle inside.
         Lopez also talked about the team: “Denisha is a real team leader, and Kerri has unreal quickness with the ball.” Lopez “praised Aipia-Dolan for her ‘animal instincts’ to always keep fighting on the court.”
          Lopez told the Tribune-Herald that “the Trojans may have to play some two-three zone defense to overcome lack of height, and he’d also like to see crisper passing develop so that Ka`u can play up-tempo on offense.”
         See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.

         To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

IN OTHER TROJAN SPORTS, boys and girls soccer teams also play at Kamehameha today at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Boys basketball team participates in Waiakea High School’s tournament tomorrow through Saturday.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS take place this week at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Committees meeting this afternoon are Finance, 1:30 p.m.; Environmental Management, 3:30 p.m.; Human Services and Social Services, 4 p.m.; and Public Works and Parks & Recreation, 4:15 p.m.
      Full Council meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. Ka`u residents can participate in all meetings via videoconferencing from Ocean View Community Center.

Frosty the Snowman plans to return to Pahala for Sunday's Christmas Parade.
Photo by Julia Neal

LEARN TO MEDITATE WITH MARY GRACE ORR tomorrow and next Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Call 967-8222. 

THE ANNUAL MAKAHIKI FESTIVAL takes place this weekend at Punalu`u Beach Park, celebrating Hawaiian values, culture, talent and food. The event features free music, dance, crafting and feasting with people gathering and camping as people join together Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE is this coming Sunday, Dec. 8. The 35th annual parade begins at 1 p.m., with Santa handing out candy to keiki and making an appearance at Ka`u Hospital. Community groups, coffee farmers, the fire department and many more join in this holiday celebration.
      To participate, call Eddie Andrade at 928-0808.

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 Monday, Dec. 2, 2013

Ultraman zooms through Ka`u each year, passing Honu`apo Lookout. Photo by Gary Wang

ULTRAMAN CAME THROUGH KA`U over the weekend, with competitors riding their bikes during the 320-mile, three-day event that ended Sunday. Winners of the Ultraman World Championships Hawai`i with a 6.2-mile swim, 261.4-mile bike and 52.4 mile run are often in an older age group than the Kona Ironman. This year’s winners were Miro Kregar, 51, and Hillary Biscay, 35. Kregar is from Slovenia, and Biscay is from Tuscon, Arizona. 

      Biscay, whose occupation is a professional triathlete, took second in the Ultraman in 2010 and has finished 58 Ironman competitions around the world. She said she entered Ultraman because “I love to test myself. Ultraman Hawai`i was one of the most amazing sports experiences I’ve had.”
      Kregar, an electrician, is a seven-time Ultraman finisher, taking second place three times. He has finished 21 Ironmans. He said, “I love the heat on the lava fields.” Winning times were 23 hours, 42 minutes and six seconds for Kregar and 24 hours, 12 minutes and 57 seconds for Biscay. The course, which began with a swim in Kona and a bike ride to Volcano, included a right onto South Point Road and a left onto Kama`oa Road and then a right back onto Hwy 11.

      The first day ended at Namakani Paio in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The second day began on Pi`i Mauna Drive in the park.

Richard Ha

“ALL OF THIS HULLABALOO ABOUT BILL 113, the Big Island anti-GMO bill recently passed by the Hawai`i County Council – What it’s really about is that we need to take a little more time, so we can be sure we are making good and informed decisions,” said Hamakau Springs Country Farms owner Richard Ha in a Civil Beat commentary.
      “It’s not ‘us against them.’ It’s not ‘GMO against organic.’ It isn’t ‘who’ is right, so much as it is ‘what’ is right,” Ha said.
      “It’s significant that a group of farmers and ranchers who, between them, grow 90 percent of the food produced on the Big Island, have banded together to say the same thing: We need to think this through more carefully.
      “These farmers and ranchers opposed Bill 113 because the bill was rushed and its consequences were not considered. We didn’t take the time to think it all through and come to the best decision for everyone.
      “Bill 113 looks through a very narrow prism; there is a much bigger picture that is not being considered. We are not taking into account the risk of rising energy prices. We live in the humid subtropics, where there is no winter to kill off bad insects. Our solution has been to use petroleum products to fight them off and also to make fertilizers – but now, the price of oil has skyrocketed, and this is becoming unsustainable.
      “Use solar energy, some say. But solar energy is only sustainable right now because of subsidies, and we cannot expect that subsidies will always be there.
      “A leaf, though, is also a solar collector, and it’s free. Being able to leverage our sun energy year round – assuming we have a way to control our pests – would make our farming and ranching industry, and our local food production, more than sustainable.
      “A solid solution to the extensive problems caused by rising oil costs is to use scientific advances. Biotechnology. It’s comparable to how we use iPhones now to replace the big walkie-talkies we used before.
      “We need to think through all of this in great detail. All of us need to be open to the fact that our research might prove a certain favorite plan of action unsustainable. If that’s the case, we need to move on to the next idea and research that one carefully, getting input from every side.
      “We need to consider unintended consequences of legislation. We need to slow down, and research, and make carefully informed decisions,” Ha concluded.
      See civilbeat.com.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Acropora species of coral, though abundant, are vulnerable to effects
of climate change. Photo from C. Birkeland/UH-Manoa

GLOBAL CHANGES IN CLIMATE AND OCEAN CHEMISTRY affect corals whether scarce or abundant, and often it is the dominant, abundant corals with wide distributions that are affected the most, according to a team of scientists from University of Hawai`i-Manoa, Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

      The researchers evaluated both the geologic record of past extinctions and recent major events to assess the characteristics of dominant corals under various conditions. They determined that, during periods advantageous to coral growth, natural selection favors corals with traits that make them more vulnerable to climate change.
      The last 10 thousand years have been especially beneficial for corals, the researchers found. Acropora species, such as table coral, elkhorn coral and staghorn coral, were favored in competition due to their rapid growth.
      “This advantageous rapid growth may have been attained in part by neglecting investment in few defenses against predation, hurricanes or warm seawater,” their report stated.
      Acropora species have porous skeletons, extra thin tissue and low concentrations of carbon and nitrogen in their tissues. “The abundant corals have taken an easy road to living a rich and dominating life during the present interglacial period, but the payback comes when the climate becomes less hospitable,” researchers concluded.
      They propose that conditions driven by excess carbon dioxide in the ocean cause mortality at rates that are independent of coral abundance. This density-independent mortality and physiological stress affects reproductive success and leads to decline of corals.

`Amu`amu season is now closed during their peak spawning season.
Photo from DLNR/DAR

      Some coral species are abundant across a broad geographic range, but the new findings show that this does not safeguard them against global threats, including changing ocean chemistry and rising temperatures.
      While assessments and evaluations of the risk of extinction for a species of coral are made on the basis of how scarce or restricted in range it is, these new findings highlight vulnerability of abundant and widely dispersed corals as well as corals that are rare and/or have restricted ranges.
      The authors hope to strengthen the case for directly addressing the global problems related to coral conservation. Though it is good to handle local problems, the authors stress, the handling of all the local problems will not be sufficient.
      See soest.hawaii.edu.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

`AMA`AMA SEASON IS NOW CLOSED through Monday, March 31, 2014. The striped mullet are about to enter their peak spawning season, which increases their vulnerability to fishing pressure. “The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing,” said William J. Aila, Jr., chair of the Department of Land & Natural Resources.

Marley Strand-Nicholaisen graduating from
Ka`u High last May.

      “We ask the public’s kokua in complying with the closed season,” Aila said. “While it’s DLNR’s job to protect our marine resources, everyone shares in the responsibility to take care of important fish species like `ama`ama to ensure their survival into the future.”
      Violations of the size or season restrictions can result in fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, plus up to $100 for each fish taken. In addition to criminal penalties, an administrative fine of up to $1,000 per violation may be assessed by the department.
      Copies of statewide fishing regulations for `ama`ama and all other marine species are available at Hawai`i Island’s DLNR/Division of Aquatic Resources office at 75 Aupuni Street, Room 204 in Hilo.
      Fishing regulations can also be found at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MARLEY STRAND-NICHOLAISEN is volleyball Freshman of the Year in the collegiate Pacific West Conference. She plays for the University of Hawai`i-Hilo Vulcans and is a graduate of Ka`u High School and resident of Discovery Harbour. She is the daughter of Lorie Strand and Robert Nicholaisen. The fresman, who received a U.H. scholarship to play volleyball, is a member of the 2013 All-PacWest Women's Volleyball Team. 

      For the second straight season, a UH-Hilo player earned the Freshman of the Year award. Strand-Nicholaisen was fourth in points per set (4.11) and in kills per set (3.67). She accomplished 382 points on 341 kills, 20 aces, three block solos and 36 block assists.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS take place this week at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Committees meet tomorrow: Planning, 9 a.m.; Finance, 1:30 p.m.; Environmental Management, 3:30 p.m.; Human Services and Social Services, 4 p.m.; Public Works and Parks & Recreation, 4:15 p.m.

Li`i Kaluna made coconut hats at last year's
Makahiki. Photo by Julia Neal

      On the agenda of the Environmental Management Committee is a resolution urging the administration to adopt an approach to the county’s solid waste program that emphasizes composting/mulching and increased personal responsibility to reduce, reuse, and recycle, as well as considering “all solid waste technologies that best contribute to the reduction and handling of solid waste in a manner that is environmentally sound and cost-effective.”
      Full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. Ka`u residents can participate in all meetings via videoconferencing from Ocean View Community Center.

FUNDRAISER FOR THE PHILIPPINES disaster victims of typhoon Haiyan, that destroyed Tacloban, and the Bohol earthquake is today at Hilo Civic Auditorium, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Performing will be dancers from the Hilo Visayan Club and the Bayanihan Club of University of Hawai`i at Hilo, the Hawaiian Band, Two Souls and singers Keahi Conjugation, Kristian Lei, Lenny Castillo and Norman Arancon.
      Congress of Visayan Organizations requests a $20 donation from adults and $5 from students for admission to the fundraiser.
     To donate directly, contact Hopkins at dayday@hawaii.rr.com or 938-0474 or drop by R&G Store in Pahala or Will & Grace Store in Na`alehu.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets this evening at Na`alehu Methodist Church Social Hall at 5 p.m. On the agenda is the Kas`u Byway master plan, the Na`alehu Theatre, and new 77 mile-marker signage. Ka`u Scenic Byway is a program of Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.

THE ANNUAL MAKAHIKI FESTIVAL will be held this weekend at Punalu`u Beach Park. The annual event features days of free music, dance, crafting and feasting with people gathering and camping. The makahiki celebrates Hawaiian values, culture, talent and food, as people join together Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.


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 Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013

Taiko drummers helped celebrate the Ka`u Community Lantern Floating Ceremony at Punalu`u Beach Park yesterday to honor past, present and future generations. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I RANKS BEST IN THE NATION according to The Commonwealth Fund Scorecard on State Health System Performance for Low-Income Populations, 2013, a national scorecard that analyzed 30 indicators within four dimensions.
      Hawai`i ranks in the top quartile for three of four system dimensions – Access to Affordability, Potentially Avoidable Hospital Use, and Healthy Lives. Hawai`i ranks in the second quartile for the fourth indicator, Prevention and Treatment.
      There are currently 292,000 individuals enrolled in Hawai`i Med-QUEST programs, which are administered through the Department of Human Services.

Gene Beck, Matthew Gravela and Demetrius Oliveira bring
music to the post-Thanksgiving dinner at the lantern
ceremony. Photo by Julia Neal

      “This 2013 Commonwealth Fund scorecard demonstrates that Hawai`i is on the right track to improving access to affordable health care, and the state Med-QUEST division is leading the way,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who has made healthcare transformation a top priority of his administration. “Our healthcare system supports the optimum health of all state residents by providing a seamless, integrated and comprehensive healthcare system. This approach consistently demonstrates high-quality care and a commitment to cost-effectiveness. It also enhances the patient experience and engages patients in their own healthcare decisions.”
      For low-income populations whose standard of living is 200 percent of the federal poverty level, Hawai`i reported the second lowest percentage of uninsured adults, the second lowest percentage of uninsured children, and the lowest percentage of adults who went without health care in the past year due to cost.
      Hawai`i also is ranked first for the lowest rate of potentially avoidable hospital use and second for the lowest rate of potentially avoidable emergency department visits for low-income Medicare beneficiaries, and first for the lowest rate of poor health related quality of life for low-income adults 18-64 years old.
      “It’s the prevention component that makes the difference,” said DHS director Patricia McManaman. “When vulnerable individuals have access to affordable and reliable medical services, they are more likely to visit their doctor on a regular basis. The Commonwealth Fund scorecard reflects the commitment of our healthcare providers to our community.”

      While Hawai`i is ranked the top state, it ranked below average on four indicators – older adult preventive care, surgical care to prevent complications, hospital 30-day mortality and hospital discharge instructions for home recovery.
      To read the complete scorecard, see commonwealthfund.org/Publications/Fund-Reports/2013/Sep/Low-Income-Scorecard.aspx.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Movie from NASA/ESA SOHO satellite shows ISON's pass
near the sun. Image courtesy of Lew Cook

THE DEATH OF COMET ISON was prematurely declared over Thanksgiving weekend, says The Ka`u Calendar’s space and stars writer Lew Cook. After the BBC reported that European Space Agency experts “called the death of the comet at about 21:30 GMI” on Thanksgiving Day, a bright light started to grow along the comet’s previously expected course, and the comet appeared to be reborn. “Wow! Comet ISON has brightened a lot in the last few hours!” Cook reported. The comet passed within one solar diameter of the surface of the sun. 

      “Telescopes saw the giant ball of ice and dust disappear behind the sun but only a dull streamer re-emerge.” The BBC reported that the center of the comet “had gone out with a whimper.” Apparently, however, the nucleus of the comet survived for awhile. Cook reported yesterday, however, that “it appears that Comet ISON has fizzled out. It appears there will be no spectacular show for December. Was the post-perihelion show the last gasp for the comet? I suspect it was,” said Cook.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON A RECENTLY RELEASED draft document for the Ka`u Community Development Plan is due two weeks from tomorrow on Monday, Dec. 16. Appendix V4C: Local Economic Development Plan Analysis is available to read at area libraries and community centers and online at kaucdp.info. The public can submit testimony using feedback forms found with the reference documents and on the website. The appendix discusses opportunities in various sectors of Ka`u’s economy, including tourism.
      “Ka`u is a natural draw to much of the visitor profile, including experience-seekers, culture-seekers, adventure-seekers, and those interested in agri-tourism, health and wellness, edu-tourism and eco-tourism. Such visitors spend $90 million per year in and around Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park,” the draft document states. “However, Ka`u currently captures very little of the economic gains from the visitor market.”

Ka`u CDP's draft Appendix V4C: Local Economic Development Plan Analysis discusses
the district's tourism sector of the economy.

      The analysis suggests that by pursuing initiatives that preserve Ka`u’s natural and cultural resources, perpetuate Ka`u’s traditions and are scaled to strengthen its sense of community, history and identity, real connections and relationships of reciprocity can be made with people from around the world who visit Ka`u.
      “Consistent with the place-based, Native Hawaiian ho`okipa model, the focus should be on:

• Place-Based Investments in the protection, preservation, and sustainment of Ka`u’s people, culture, and natural resources; 
• Agri-/ Eco-/ Edu-/ and Wellness Tourism; and 
• Authentic Experiences for Repeat Visitors.

      “Such a strategy is a natural complement to other growth sectors in Ka`u, like agriculture, ecosystem services, health and wellness and the creative, education, and research sectors,” the document says.

      “At the same time, a strategy for developing a place-based visitor experience should account for the following factors:

• Contingencies Against Unforeseen External Factors: Because Hawai`i tourism is so sensitive to external factors, any specific visitor strategy should have contingencies included in the approach. Importantly, because the ho`okipa model focuses on place-based investments and authentic experiences, any strategy will first serve the people of Ka`u and therefore benefit the community regardless of fluctuations in the visitor industry. 

• Potential Increase in Retiree Visitors: As the population continues to age it would be reasonable to expect that the proportion of retirees as a percentage of visitors may increase, which would influence the type of experiences they expect and the associated opportunities for economic development ventures. 
• Online Presence: To reach the discerning visitor, Ka`u will need a user-friendly online presence for computers and mobile devices.

       To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Walking off the turkey and cleaning Hwy 11 are Ocean View Community Association volunteers Gil Robinson, Mike Last, Cindy Clements and Melissa Tveter. Photo by Mo Clements

WALK THE TURKEY OFF was the event sponsored by Ocean View Community Association yesterday. OVCA takes care of a two-mile stretch along Hwy 11 and cleans it four times a year with volunteers from the community as part of a statewide Adopt-a-Highway Litter Control program. Coming up is the Ocean View Community Association annual Keiki Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.

Participants in the lantern ceremony honored their
loved ones, including the late Keala Kailiawa.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U COMMUNITY FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY drew people to Punalu`u Beach Park yesterday. The program, sponsored by Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. in partnership with HMSA featured taiko drumming, the music of Keoki Kahumoku and kids and the music of Demetrius Oliveira, Gene Beck and Matthew Gravella. Participants built their own small rafts, each with a battery candle surrounded by paper with decorations and writings for loved ones. The lanterns floated in the tidepool near the pavillion and were retrieved at the end of the ceremony. Ka`u Rural Health Community Association President Donna Kekoa said she looks forward to the event continuing next year.

THE KA`U FARM BUREAU'S ANNUAL MEETING scheduled for Monday, Dec. 9 has been postponed until sometime in January, according to Farm Bureau members. During the annual meeting, members will elect officers for 2014. Officers for 2013 are president Chris Manfredi, vice president Phil Becker, treasurer Lorie Obra and secretary Brenda Iokepa-Moses. Farmers and businesses that work with farmers are invited to join. The Farm Bureau testifies on behalf of its members to county, state and federal government, assists with the Ka`u Coffee Festival, operates a website at kaucoffeeexchange.com, organizes education and funding opportunities for farmers and hosts speakers for public meetings. During 2013, testimony from president Chris Manfredi, representing Ka`u Farm Bureau, included opposing GMO regulations, supporting a new water line to serve farmers and ranchers in Ka`u and supporting the overall agenda of the statewide Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation for which Manfredi was a liaison to the state Legislature.
       According to the Hawai`i Farm Bureau website, for its members, the Farm Bureau offers Aloha Air Cargo discounts for ag shipments, medical and dental insurance, discounts of prescription drugs at pharmacies, vehicle insurance, banking through Hawai`i USA Federal Credit Union and the Farm Bureau Bank, a five percent discount on transpacific Hawaiian Airlines tickets when booked online, discounts on Avis and Budget rental cars and at various hotels and discounts on purchasing Chevrolet, GMC and Buick vehicles. See Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation website at http://hfbf.org.
       Annual dues are $95 for the Ka`u Farm Bureau. The application is available at http://hfbf.org/PDF/Membership%20Application.pdf.

Hawaiian Nativity Scene presented by Dorothy Antolin. Photo by Julia Neal

VOLCANO VILLAGE ART STUDIO TOUR continues today until 4 p.m., featuring items on display and available for purchase. A drawing for pieces contributed by each artist is held at the end of the sale. Maps are available at Volcano Village businesses and at VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.
      For more information, call 987-3472 or email eherb@hawaii.rr.com.

HAWAIIAN NATIVITY SCENE, this one presented by Dorothy Antolin, is one of the many from around the wold on display at Na`alehu Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. this evening. The non-demoninational event, called the Creche Festival, is for everyone. It features music in an artistic setting, local creche artists, a gallery of nativities and children's rooms with costumes and activites. Yesterday's presentation featured Christmas songs played on a tuba.
      For more information, call 339-7402.

Gloria Camba encourages everyone to attend tomorrow's
concert and to keep giving to victims of the typhoon.
Photo by Julia Neal

FUNDRAISER FOR THE PHILIPPINES disaster victims of typhoon Haiyan, that destroyed Tacloban, and the Bohol earthquake is tomorrow at Hilo Civic Auditorium, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organizing the event is Margarita Day Day Hopkins, of Hilo Visayan Club and a supporter of economic development for displaced sugar workers in Ka`u. Co-sponsoring is the county immigration office and Rose Bautista, as well as Dr. Norman Arancon and Dr. Rodney Jubilado.

      Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba said she encourages everyone to support their brothers and sisters in the Visayan districts of the Philippines, hard hit by the back-to-back disasters.

      Performing will be dancers from the Hilo Visayan Club and the Bayanihan Club of University of Hawai`i at Hilo, the Hawaiian Band, Two Souls and singers Keahi Conjugation, Kristian Lei, Lenny Castillo and Norman Arancon.

      Congress of Visayan Organizations, a nonprofit group, will use money raised to directly support victims. The organization requests a $20 donation from adults and $5 from students for admission to the fundraiser.
     To donate directly, contact Hopkins at dayday@hawaii.rr.com or 938-0474 or drop by R&G Store in Pahala or Will & Grace Store in Na`alehu.

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE IS A WEEK from today on Sunday, Dec. 8. The 35th annual parade begins at 1 p.m., with Santa handing out candy to keiki and making an appearance at Ka`u Hospital. Community groups, coffee farmers, the fire department and many more join in this holiday celebration. To participate, call Eddie Andrade at 928-0808. 

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.