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Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The South Point brushfire that darkened the sky with black smoke Sunday is "contained and under control," according to Hawai`i County Fire Department personnel. Photo by Isaac Davis
YESTERDAY WAS THE DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES to file papers to run for public office at the primary election on Saturday, Aug. 9. Ka`u residents can register to vote in the primary through July 10.
Ka`u's state Rep. Richard Creagan
faces four challengers.
Ka`u's state Rep. Richard Onishi
faces two challengers.
      In Ka`u’s state Senate District Three race, Na`alehu resident Michael Last, a Libertarian, is challenging incumbent Democrat Josh Green, a former Ka`u resident now living in Kailua-Kona.
      In the state House of Representatives, incumbent Democrat Richard Onishi, of Hilo, faces Republican Bill Dickson, of Mountain View, and Libertarian Frederick Fogel, of Volcano, in District Three.
      In District Five, Democrat Richard Creagan, of Na`alehu, who Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed to the state House of Representatives after Denny Coffman resigned, is challenged by Republican Dave Bateman, of Holualoa, Libertarian Jon Lalanne, of Ocean View, Democrat Gene Leslie, of Holualoa and nonpartisan Randy Ruis, of Ocean View.
      Hawai`i County Council District Six will have new representation, with Brenda Ford having reached her term limit and unable to run for re-election. Candidates in the race are Richard Abbett, of Ocean View, Maile David, of Captain Cook and Jim Wilson, of Volcano.
      Also on Ka`u’s ballot are governor, lieutenant governor, Office of Hawaiian Affairs at-large, U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
      Former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona, former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and state Sen. David Ige are three of eleven candidates seeking to replace Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
      Incumbent Democrat Shan Tsutsui is one of nine candidates who filed to run for lieutenant governor, including state Sen. Clayton Hee.
      The ballot will have 16 names of candidates for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at-large office.
      Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is running for re-election in District Two, faces three challengers.
      Nine candidates are seeking to replace U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, who Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed after the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye. U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is one of his challengers.
      For more information, see hawaii.gov/elections.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative members elected officers yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal
KA`U COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE re-elected Gloria Camba last night to continue as President of the organization during the monthly meeting at Pahala Community Center. Vice President is Willie Tabios. Secretary is Anne Fontes. Treasurer is Ricardo Sambajon. Board members are Leo Norberte, Lorie Obra, Curt Hall, Amelia Biason, Louis Daniele, Leonardo Castaneda, and Edwin Jara. Meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Membership is $75 and open to Ka`u Coffee farmers. Camba can be reached at 928-8155.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar

MAC FARMS OF HAWAI`I, WHICH HIRES MOST of its workers from Ka`u, will have to pay $1.6 million to settle a claim that stems from using labor contractor Global Horizons to supply Thai workers years ago. Mac Farms is one of six Hawai`i agricultural entities that a federal judge ruled are liable for harassing, discriminating against and retaliating against Thai workers. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said they were joint employers with the labor contractor and also liable for acts committed by Global Horizons.
      EEOC acting Los Angeles District director Rosa Viramontes said, “We are proud to announce that the four farms settling our lawsuit today have taken a stand against human trafficking.”
Mac Farms of Hawai`i hires most of its workers from Ka`u.
      Timothy Hurley, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reports that the settlements require the farms to make their workers aware of policies and procedures prohibiting discrimination. The farms must also conduct audits to ensure compliance with labor law and to designate compliance officers to make sure managers, supervisors and employees are aware of their obligations under the law.
      “We have a responsibility to ensure that the most vulnerable workers are not denied basic human dignity,” said Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Los Angeles District. “Farms and farm labor contractors — and the supervisors that represent them — must ensure workers’ civil rights remain intact, no matter their race or the country they come from.”
      Most Ka`u Coffee farmers, some of them having used Global Horizons labor in the past, are now employing local coffee pickers, including a large percentage of workers from the Micronesian community.  
      See staradvertiser.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

THIRD CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE RONALD IBARRA has rejected a motion by Bobby Jean Leithead Todd’s attorney, Robert Kim, to dismiss a case brought by Ka`u’s Council member Brenda Ford, reports Nancy Cook Lauer in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. The lawsuit claims Leithead Todd does not meet the qualifications to be director of Hawai`i County’s Department of Environmental Management.
      Voters in 2010 approved a charter amendment that requires the Environmental Management director to have “an engineering degree or a degree in a related field.” Leithead Todd’s bachelor’s degree is in English. She is also an attorney, former county Planning Director and former County Council member.
      Mayor Billy Kenoi appointed Leithead Todd to the position last summer. She had previously held the position before the amendment was approved.
      County Council confirmed the appointment in July. Ford, along with Karen Eoff, of North Kona, and Margaret Wille, of Kohala voted against the appointment.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Leocardia Gascon, 101 years of age, surrounded by friends at Ka`u Hospital, including, left to right, clerk Tithing Chun, LPN Yolanda Barrios, Nurse Nancy Gruenler, Gascon's daughter Rosalina Rosario, RN Kristen Ishikawa and CNA Maria Aurelio. Photo by Elijah Navarro
LEOCARDIA GASCON RECEIVED CONGRATULATIONS from Pres. Barack Obama in a letter and from the staff at Ka`u Hospital, where she resides in long-term care. Nurse Nancy Gruenler organized the event and the President’s greeting, which says: “We extend our belated best wishes for a wonderful birthday, and we hope you had a chance to spend the day with loved ones. Your generation helped guide America through extraordinary and uncertain times, leaving an indelible mark on our Nation. As you celebrate 101 years, we trust you reflect with great pride on your achievements and on contributions made over the course of your life. 
     “Please know you have our warmest wishes for the year ahead. Sincerely, Barack Obama, The White House.”
      Gascon was born Dec. 10, 1912.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar

SUNDAY’S FIRE THAT BEGAN NEAR KA`ALU`ALU BAY on the Ka`u Coast is “contained and under control” according to Battalion Chief Warren Sumida. Fueled by brisk tradewinds, the fire spread toward South Point Road on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands properties leased out to several area ranchers and damaged over 1,000 acres.
      Sumida said crews are still on the scene to douse hotspots and that they will remain in place through tonight and tomorrow morning.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

COVERAGE OF THE SOUTH POINT FIRE continues to be a topic of comments at facebook.com/kaucalendar.
      Jashia N. Makoa Moses sent a “big mahalo” to Wally Andrade and his crew who used bulldozers to cut firebreaks, “also all the four-wheeler riders” who have land at South Point “for driving around and killing small fires. Well done, you guys.” 
      Sepulcher Danslard wrote, “Give a heartfelt mahalo to your local firefighters. True heroes are they. Year after year, Ka`u’s hero.”
      Volunteers on four-wheelers have also been applauded on The Ka`u Calendar's facebook page. Some response has included a warning to those untrained in fire fighting to be extremely careful or volunteer for one of the local volunteer fire departments to receive free training that includes safety.

CLASSES ON ORIGAMI BASICS are scheduled tomorrow and every Thursday this month from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Pahala Senior Center. Seniors aged 60 and up are welcome to join the free, informal, hands-on classes.
      For more information, call Julie Pasquale at 928-3101.

HA`AO SPRINGS & MOUNTAIN HOUSE AG WATER CO-OP meets tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. See haaosprings.org for information about the co-op.

Ka`u's County Council member Brenda Ford participated in Volcano Village's
Fourth of July parade last year. Photo by David Howard Donald
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT TAKES PLACE every Friday this month, June 6, 13, 20 and 27. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
      No advance registration is required. Park entrance fees apply.

VOLCANO VILLAGE’S ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY celebration takes place a month from today on Friday, July 4. The parade from the post office down Old Volcano Road turns left onto Wright Road and ends at Cooper Center, where the party continues. Volunteers, crafters, food vendors and entertainers can sign up to participate with Cooper Center Council President Linda Ugalde at kilaueatutu@gmail.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
Click at bottom right to turn pages.


Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Dark smoke from Sunday's brushfire at South Point rises into white, sunlit clouds. Photo by Isaac Davis
FIRE CREWS CONTINUE MOP-UP OPERATIONS after a brushfire consumed more than 1,000 acres at South Point Sunday. Rain throughout Sunday night and Monday morning helped firefighters gain control of the fire, which began Sunday afternoon near Ka`alu`alu Bay and quickly spread as brisk trade winds fanned the flames.
      Tissy Kaniho, whose family ranches on Department of Home Lands property at South Point, said, “Because Wally Andrade knows what he’s doing,” losses to their ranch were kept to 300 to 400 acres.
Kaniala Young used a bulldozer to create
firebreaks. Photo by Tissy Kaniho
      Mahalos came from several Ka`u News Briefs readers on Facebook. In response to Wally and Les Andrade and Kaniala Young using bulldozers to create firebreaks, Cheryl Wahn Vos wrote, “Mahalo Wally & Team,” and Carol Anthony wrote, “Thank you, guys!”
      Ginger Cook wrote, “Thanks to all the fire crews one of whom is my Pops, a volunteer Fire Captain in Discovery Harbor for putting your lives on the line and enduring God-awful circumstances. Scares me to death but makes me one very proud daughter.”
      Rick Ward wrote, “Mahalo to Hawai`i County Firefighters – job well done!”
      Cindy Boltz Eilerman wrote, “I could see the glow from our house in Discovery Harbour. Good job, firefighters!”
      Jason Fox wrote, “This is bad for the land after because the soil will wash away. Planting the fireproof grass vetiver after would preserve it.”
      Crews are still working in the area, with fire suppression equipment along South Point Road. The Fire Department asks drivers to exercise caution.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ELECTRIC RATES ARE GOING UP ON HAWAI`I ISLAND. The state Public Utilities Commission has approved rate increases requested by Hawaiian Electric Co. and its subsidiaries, including Hawai`i Electric Light Co.
      For a Hawai`i Island household using 500 kilowatts of electricity per month, each bill would increase by $3.92, according to the PUC.
      The PUC refers to the increases as sales decoupling tariffs. The sales decoupling mechanism is comprised of two tariffs, which serve different purposes. The Revenue Balancing Account tariff is designed to decouple or break the link between sales and total electric revenues, removing the utilities’ disincentives to increase energy efficiency and integrate customer-sited generation, such as rooftop photovoltaic systems. The Rate Adjustment Mechanism is a formula-driven mechanism intended to compensate the HECO Companies for changes in utility costs and infrastructure investment between rate cases and thereby reduces the frequency of rate cases.
      These increases, the PUC said, are largely due to increased capital expenditures by the utility and declines in sales over the past year.
      This is the third consecutive annual filing for HELCO.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE WHITE HOUSE HAS RELEASED NEW RULES under the Clean Air Act governing what existing power plants must do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The rules provide states flexibility to utilize energy efficiency and renewable energy, such as outlined in the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative, as compliance measures.
      The rules requiring carbon dioxide emissions reductions from power plants were issued pursuant to Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. During the extensive process to hear from stakeholders throughout the nation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached out to Hawai`i. The state submitted a set of consolidated comments developed by the Hawai`i Department of Health, Hawai`i State Public Utilities Commission and DBEDT regarding state plans to meet federal carbon emission reduction targets for existing electricity generation units.
      The new EPA rules allow states to employ a range of measures to meet carbon emission targets, including renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. In Hawai`i, numerous such 

initiatives are underway in the power generation sector under the umbrella of the HCEI. 

Ongoing PUC dockets include those relating to energy efficiency portfolio standards, requests for proposals for renewable energy production and interconnection matters. In addition, the PUC and DBEDT are working with the Hawaiian Electric Companies to better align the utility’s business model with consumer interests and the state’s public policy’s goals.
      Gov. Neil Abercrombie applauded the new rules, stating, “Hawai`i is at the forefront of responding to climate change through our Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative, which serves as a substantial economic driver while reducing our dependence on imported oil. By building such flexibility into the rules, President Obama is encouraging the rest of the country to follow Hawai`i’s lead in pursuing clean energy.”
      New financial tools are under development by DBEDT to increase deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures and to empower the state’s energy consumers to contribute to greenhouse gas reductions through use of renewable energy like rooftop solar. 
“Hawai`i’s Green Energy Market Securitization financing tool, or GEMS, will expand low-cost 

financing to clean energy solutions while helping the state gain credit for reducing carbon 
through lesser use of petroleum products to generate electricity,” said DBEDT Director Richard Lim. 

 Proposed by the governor in his 2013 State of the State address and signed into law later that year, GEMS is a financing program designed to make clean energy improvements affordable and accessible to Hawai`i consumers, especially underserved markets such as low- and moderate-income homeowners, renters and nonprofits.
      Abercrombie added, “Hawai`i is working with the Obama Administration to align our state’s commitment to go beyond 40 percent renewable energy in the electrical power sector by 2030 and our federal and state policies to reduce our carbon footprint. As a leading test bed for clean energy, Hawai`i can demonstrate to the world how to stimulate our economy while improving the environment for future generations.”
Ka`u's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has served two tours of duty in the Middle East.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar. 

 

“MANY OF OUR VETERANS URGENTLY NEED MEDICAL CARE, and they should not have to go another day without it,” said Ka`u’s U.S. Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard has sent a letter to President Obama urging him to use his executive power to allow veterans to immediately access private medical care outside of the Veterans Affairs system.
 “I have seen the wounds, both visible and invisible, of veterans I served with. To make any veteran wait for medical care is not only an emergency, it is a travesty.

      “President Obama and Congress have the power to ensure that our veterans do not wait another week for care,” said Gabbard, a veteran who has served two tours of duty in the Middle East. “They can’t afford to wait for a new head of the VA or for the systemic problems of the VA to be fixed. Nor should they. We must take action immediately.
      “Furthermore, I plan to introduce legislation that will give our veterans the right to obtain private medical care using their VA cards over the next 12 months, at which point we can re-evaluate whether the VA problems have sufficiently been fixed.
”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is seeking donations for its annual Fourth of July Silent Auction at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. “We want it to be more successful and more fun than ever!” said FHVNP spokesman Ab Valencia. “We are passionate for our park, and our members have always been generous in their time and talents. We are asking again this year for donations to fill Cooper Center with fabulous items that may be “someone’s must-have treasure!”
Seniors can learn origami every Thursday this month.
      In past years, donations to the Silent Auction have included artwork, photography and jewelry; backpacks, bicycles, and telescopes; fishing gear, lounge chairs, and lamps; golf packages and gift baskets; hotel and B&B stays; land, sea, and air adventure tours; retail store and restaurant gift certificates; tools and wheelbarrows and much more.
      To donate or volunteer, call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org or fhvnp@icloud.com.
      More information is available at fhvnp.org.

CLASSES ON ORIGAMI BASICS are scheduled every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. this month at Pahala Senior Center. Seniors aged 60 and up are welcome to join the free, informal, hands-on classes. 
      For more information, call Julie Pasquale at 928-3101.

HA`AO SPRINGS & MOUNTAIN HOUSE AG WATER CO- OP meets Thursday at 4 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. See haaosprings.org for information about the co-op.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.
Click at bottom right to turn pages.


Monday, June 02, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, June 2, 2014

A brushfire fueled by strong tradewinds scorched over 1,000 acres at South Point yesterday. Photo by Tissy Kaniho
A BRUSHFIRE ORIGINATING NEAR KA`ALU`ALU BAY scorched more than 1,000 acres in the South Point area yesterday before being brought under control at 10 p.m. Fire suppression equipment included four-wheel-drive vehicles and two helicopters dropping water from buckets. Fire crews also protected structures along South Point Road from potential fire exposure.
Wally Andrade and his team cut firebreaks during yesterday's
brushfire at South Point. Photo by Tissy Kaniho
      Working with South Point-area ranchers and county and volunteer fire crews, Wally Andrade, his son Les and Kaniala Young used bulldozers to cut firebreaks to help keep flames from spreading further.
      Captain Curt Yamashita, of Pahala Fire Station, reported that crews stayed at the scene overnight to monitor the fire and that suppression by helicopter water drops continues this morning.
      No injuries occurred, and the cause is under investigation.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MAC NUTS FROM KA`U ARE IN THE MIX of products produced by Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co., a finalist in the new Taste Awards, sponsored by the Hawai`i Food Manufacturers Association. Hamakua is nominated for Innovative Hawai`i Manufacturer of the Year-Small Company. Its majority owner is Edmund C. Olson. Hamakua uses mac nuts grown on Olson Trust lands in Ka`u and also buys from other Ka`u farmers.
      Winners will be announced June 14 at Dole Cannery on O`ahu. Other Big Island finalists are Big Island Abalone, of Keahole-Kona, for Product of the Year; Big Island Bees, of Captain Cook, for Innovate Hawai`i Manufacturer of the Year-Small Company; Derek Kurisu, of KTA Superstores, for Innovative Marketing and Governor’s Lifetime Achievement awards; Glow Hawai`i, Inc., of Waikoloa, for Community Service; Nina Tanabe, of Hilo, for Advocate of the Year; University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources for Supplier of the Year and Zippy’s for Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
      The organization is open to all food producers. Local board members and directors include Kona Chips, Tropical Dreams Ice Cream and Big Island Abalone Corp.
      See more at www.foodsofhawaii.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Residents hoped that rain mauka of Wai`ohinu would reach South Point to help extinguish yesterday's fire. Photo by Shalan Crysdale
THE 2008 HAWAI`I CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE Memorandum of Understanding between former Gov. Linda Lingle and Hawaiian Electric Co. is a contractual agreement, not a non-binding MOU as claimed by Hawaiian Electric and the state, ruled Hawai`i Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto. The ruling is to a class action lawsuit filed by attorney John Carroll, a former state legislator, and Honolulu energy advocate Edward Wagner, seeking relief from implementation of the agreement which they say “created an ironclad control over the production and sale of electricity in the state.”
      According to Wagner, Sakamoto ruled that because electricity can be produced by using several natural, renewable resources such as solar, wind and geothermal sources, electricity and its production are constitutionally protected as natural resources. “In other words, the state of Hawai`i is in violation of our Public Trust Doctrine in the state Constitution because electricity is natural, not a commodity created by HECO,” Wagner said.
      “This ruling sets a precedent for our country in regard to electricity being a constitutionally protected natural resource,” Wagner said.
      Sakamoto ruled that the lawsuit be heard under the Public Utilities Commission’s jurisdiction because it is both a regulatory body and a quasi-judicial body.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAI`I has filed an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals following a U.S. district judge’s ruling against the party. At issue is Hawai`i`s open primary, which the party says is an unconstitutional violation of its First Amendment right to free association.
      Derrick DePledge, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reports that “Democrats want voters to declare their affiliation before the primary, either by becoming party members or by publicly declaring their support for the party.”
      In a brief to the appeals court, Deirdre Marie-Iha, a deputy attorney general representing Scott Nago, the state’s chief election officer, wrote, “If voters must formally register with the Democratic Party in order to vote in the election that will effectively decide their representation, the continued viability of the other parties may be threatened.”
      Regarding the court’s ruling that the party failed to present evidence of the impact of open primaries, DePledge reports that “the party said it should not have to show evidence of the influence of an open primary on voter behavior. The party told the appeals court that it would be expensive to compile such voter data and that the party’s rights should not rely ‘on the fluctuating and irrelevant behavior of others.’”
      See staradvertiser.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Evan Enriques has been inducted into HHSAA's
Hall of Honor. Photo from Julie Enriques
KA`U NATIVE AND 2014 KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAI`I graduate Evan Enriques has been inducted into Hawai`i High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Honor. Enriques is the sole Hawai`i Island athlete to receive the honor this year. He and 11 other athletes were inducted yesterday during a dinner at the Ala Moana Hotel on O`ahu. Each honoree received a $2,000 scholarship. 
      Evans will attend Stanford University on a 50-percent scholarship to play volleyball as a libero, a back-row defensive specialist, at Stanford University, where he plans to study business. He was also offered scholarships from University of Hawai`i-Manoa, UCLA and USC. His high school career includes helping Kamehameha win the Big Island Interscholastic Championships this year and in 2012. The Warriors took second place this year at the state tournament. As a sophomore, Enriques was named Player of the Year for the Hawai`i High School Athletic Association and also Most Valuable Player for BIIF in 2012 and 2013. He was also named MVP in the state tournament. Enriques made the all-state high school volleyball team for three years. His grade-point average at Kamehameha is 4.0+. 
      Enriques played for an O`ahu volleyball team called Ka Ulukoa, which won the USA Volleyball National Championship for six consecutive years. The playoffs included taking on international teams. He also played on a Junior National Team and traveled to Mexico.
      The Hall of Honor program has been recognizing the top 12 Hawai`i senior student-athletes each year since 1983.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.


KEIKI AGES EIGHT AND UP ARE INVITED to Hardware Science at Na`alehu Public Library tomorrow at 3 p.m. The program uses simple equipment and tools available at hardware and craft stores to teach Science, Technology, Math, Art and Engineering concepts by providing hands-on experiences that can be replicated at home.
      Call 939-2442 for more information.


SENIORS AGED 60 AND UP ARE WELCOME to join informal, hands-on classes to practice Origami Basics, the art of paper folding. The free classes are held every Thursday this month from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Pahala Senior Center, 96-1169 Holei Street.
      For more information, call Julie Pasquale at 928-3101.

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK celebrates its 12th birthday on Saturday, June 14 at the Hilo Town Tavern from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The celebration will include Pedjioke with KDEN’s music director Pedro Ka`awaloa, a performance by local band Roach in the Amp, aka R.I.T.A., and a raffle. Tickets are $10 at the door. The money raised will help with production of this summer’s musical, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore.
      The raffle will feature a Body Glove Cruise for two, photographs from Britten Traughber, a beaded clutch from the 1940s and a few other fun items. Roach In The Amp consists of 10 members including board member Karen Blue on bass. Pedjioke features Ka`awaloa on the piano as members of the KDEN `ohana sing favorite Broadway tunes karaoke-style. “This will be Ka`awaloa’s last hurrah with KDEN as he is moving to New York the next week,” said KDEN’s Suzi Bond.
      KDEN is a nonprofit community theater organization whose goal it is to foster quality Community Theater. The group seeks to enrich and unite our community through involvement in the performing arts. KDEN produces two shows per year, a winter production and a summer musical at Kilauea Military Camp’s Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It also sponsors the Volcano Festival Chorus and presents a living history program A Walk Into the Past in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, featuring Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger bringing Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life. 
      Some of the musicals KDEN has produced are Once Upon A MattressBeauty and the Beast, Nunsense, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Man of La Mancha and four other Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
      For more information, call 982-7344, email kden73@aol.com or visit KDEN’s facebook page.

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



See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
Click at bottom right to turn pages.