Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Oct. 27, 2014

Akebono, the iconic building in the heart of Pahoa, is just off Pahoa Village Road, the main road of the business district, where some owners have shuttered their businesses as lava comes closer to the village. The road is currently closed nearby. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTS that lava threatening Pahoa continues to remain active advancing from yesterday until this morning approximately 275, flowing through Pahoa Cemetery and setting off some methane explosions.  Lava has also flowed around a Hawaiian Electric Light Co. pole which HELCO surrounded with protective material. There was no loss of power as the lava flowed by, HELCO reported.
      At 7:30 a.m., the flow front was approximately 100 yards from the nearest residential property and could reach it later today, based on current flow rates. Advancement has been inconsistent, averaging approximately 10 to 15 yards per hour. 

Sun silhouettes a Puna palm tree as lava approaches
its trunk. Photo from USGS/HVO

      Smoke conditions were light to moderate, with moderate trade winds from the northeast pushing the smoke in a south-southwest direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas, and residents down wind who may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.
      Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path were placed on an evacuation advisory and notified of possible need for evacuation beginning last night.
      An evacuation notice issued by Civil Defense states: “Area residents should begin their evacuation and have all evacuation activities completed by Tuesday, Oct. 28. Civil Defense will be following up with residents on the flow status and any changes with the evacuation requirements. Please be prepared for possible changes that may require an earlier time for completing all evacuation activities.”
      Pahoa Village Road between Apa`a Street and Post Office Road is closed and limited to area residents only. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.

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

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HAS PASSED a resolution that urges the Board of Water Supply to authorize the acquisition of land required for development of a second Ocean View well, a reservoir, support facilities and water main to connect with the first Ocean View well in its five-year plan. The resolution, introduced by Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford, authorizes the Department of Water Supply to engineer and construct the well and all accessory facilities.
      Eight council members voted in favor of the resolution, with one absent.

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

Lava surrounds Hawaiian Electric Light Co. pole wrapped in
protective materials. Power stayed on as the lava flowed by.
Photo from HELCO

MICHAEL J. ANDERSON, A 41-year-old Ocean View man, has died from injuries due to being ejected from the bed of a truck when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign and made a sharp left turn. Anderson was found unresponsive on the roadway. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition and later flown to Queens Medical Center on O`ahu, where he was pronounced dead yesterday at 9:38 a.m.

      The driver of the truck, 45-year-old Adrian Leopoldo Yurong, of Ocean View, was initially arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent injury and driving without insurance. He was released pending further investigation.
      Police officers from the Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit are continuing the investigation and have reclassified the case to a negligent homicide. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

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BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY COALITION has submitted testimony to the state Public Utilities Commission in support of implementing 50 megawatts of geothermal electricity as soon as practicable. 

      The BICC steering committee is made up of David DeLuz, Jr., Rockne Freitas, Michelle Galimba, Richard Ha, Wallace Ishibashi, Kuulei Kealoha Cooper, Kai`u Kimura, D. Noelani Kalipi, Robert Lindsey, HM Monty Richards, Marcia Sakai, Kumu Lehua Veincent and William Walter. BICC President Richard Ha, owner of Hamakua Springs Country Farms, said all committee members are acting on their own behalf regarding the testimony.

      “The high oil price case projected by the EIA 2014 predicts $150 per barrel oil by 2020,” according to the testimony. “There is a direct correlation between oil usage and world GDP. A high oil price of $150 per barrel will adversely impact our tourism industry causing a severe recession.
      “Geothermal is one of the few ways available to mitigate high oil price. And, we need to move sooner rather than later.
      “Oil prices quadrupled in the last ten years, and the folks who could pass on the costs did pass on the costs. Those who could not were the working homeless, kupuna on fixed income, single moms as well as others such as farmers, who are price takers and not price makers.
      “The Big Island has the lowest median income of the counties. Our electricity rates have been 25 percent higher than O`ahu’s for as long as we can remember. That high electricity rate acts like a giant regressive tax. We are able to turn that around by enabling more geothermal.
      The 23 percent curtailed electricity from geothermal can support making hydrogen at an affordable cost. This will help solve the green ground transportation problem. And, curtailed electricity can be the basis for making nitrogen fertilizer, without which we cannot feed all the people.”

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Volcano residents clear brush during a wildfire fuels reduction day.
Photo from HWMO

WALK-IN VOTING IN ADVANCE OF THE NOV. 4 General Election is available at Pahala Community Center through this Friday, Oct. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds community input meetings this week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
      HWMO helps communities organize wildfire fuels reduction days. They can include free chipper, tree services and other necessities. Once at least 10 households sign on, HWMO has $5,000 for each participating neighborhood. “Funds are limited so start rallying ASAP!” said organizer Ilene Grossman.
      Meetings are tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN, DIANE FERLATTE, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning storyteller, shares ghostly tales at Pahala Public & School Library Wednesday at 3 p.m. In Haunted Bayou: Ghostly Tales, Spirits Have Souls, Too, Ferlatte uses expression, gesture and intense emotion to create multiple characters for each story. She brings her tales to life through stories, songs, American Sign Language and humor.

Diane Ferlatte shares ghostly tales in Pahala Wednesday.

      Ferlatte is a native of New Orleans and has visited almost every state in the U.S., including Hawai`i and Alaska, to perform at libraries, major festivals, theaters, conferences and schools. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008, Ferlatte said she especially loves performing in public libraries, as she believes that they are one of the places where the tradition of storytelling is to be nurtured and lessons of the stories most need to be heard.
      This 45-minute program is suitable for ages 5 and older. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
      For more information, call 928-2015.

A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi, with Hawaiian musical greats John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi and Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, will be held at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana will also feature Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

       Kamakahi was a teacher and voice of inspiration each year at the annual Kahumoku music workshop at Pahala Plantation House for a decade and planned to move to Na`alehu soon, where he would teach, compose and build a recording studio at a family home. The concert will open this year’s music workshop, where many of Dennis’ students will gather. The public is invited.

      Dennis Kamakahi lost his battle with lung cancer on April 28 during a career in which he was famous for slack key, `ukulele, harmonica, singing and songwriting.

Dennis Kamakahi performed annually at Pahala Plantation House at public concerts
sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies. Photo by Julia Neal

      Kamakahi composed more than 500 songs and inspired many young Ka`u musicians to write songs, tell stories and approach life with humor and love. 

      Kamakahi was not only a musician but also a Christian minister, providing his fans with both a spiritual and Hawaiian musical journey.
      Many of Kamakahi’s songs are standards of Hawaiian music. He composed Wahine `Ilikea, Pua Hone and Koke`e. He earned Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and brought home three Grammy awards. Kamakahi played with the Sons of Hawai`i before his distinguished solo career. He earned a Hawai`i Music Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

      Kamakahi was the first modern Hawaiian music composer with his six-string slack key guitar, albums, sheet music and personal photographs welcomed into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s permanent collection.
      His music is featured in films, including Lilo & Stitch 2 and the Oscar-nominated soundtrack from The Descendants. 

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014

Hula connects people through an exchange between Ka`u, Lana`i, O`ahu and Japan during last night's finale for Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u Cultural Festival held in Pahala. Photo by Julia Neal

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL wrapped up two days of sharing music and dance in Pahala last night. Participants came to Pahala from Lana`i, O`ahu and several areas of Japan, including Tokyo and Okinawa, to carry on the annual festival with hula. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and her husband Kawehi began the festival when they lived on Lana`i. They recently moved to Pahala and brought the festival with them.

Kawehi Ryder talks about the importance
of everyone respecting and learning from
kupuna about culture, land and
environment. Photo by Julia Neal

      Several halau, including Kumu Ryder’s Halau Hula O Leionalani members from Pahala, danced hula kahiko and `auana. A member from Lana`i performed Tahitian dance. Dancers from distant places joined together for a finale number.
      More local dancers included Kumu Hula Sammi Fo and her Halau Kahoku Kauhiahionalani, of Ocean View, and Ka `Imia Na`auao Kahiko from Ka`u School of the Arts, with Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan. Her halau told the story of Pele in their hulas.

      Music was provided by Hands of Time, Makanau, Keaiwa, the Ryder family and others. Victor Chock & Friends performed a tribute to Gabby Pahinui.
      The evening also included a remembrance of those who died in the past year, with Bobby Gomes reading names of those from Ka`u and Debbie Ryder reading names of others from Hawai`i Island and Lana`i.

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

IN THE MIDST OF HAWAI`I COUNTY’S battle over genetically modified crops, a coalition of farmers and environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of six Midwest states where an herbicide called Dow’s Enlist Duo, a blend of glyphosate and 2,4-D, was approved on Oct. 15 for use on genetically engineered crops.

Tahitian dance from Lana`i honors the photo
of the late George Na`ope, mentor of Kumu
Hula Debbie Ryder, of Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Approved for use on GE corn and soybeans that were engineered to withstand repeated applications of the herbicide, the creation of 2,4-D-resistant crops and EPA’s approval of Enlist Duo is the result of an overuse of glyphosate, an ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup, according to the Center for Food Safety. The misuse resulted in an infestation of glyphosate-resistant super weeds which can now be legally combated with the more potent 2,4-D. Dow Chemical has presented 2,4-D resistant crops as a quick fix to the problem, but independent scientists, as well as USDA analysis, predict that the Enlist crop system will only foster more weed resistance, CFS reported.
      The lawsuit was filed by Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice in the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on behalf of Beyond Pesticides, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety, Environmental Working Group, the National Family Farm Coalition and Pesticide Action Network North America. 

The groups are challenging the approval under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, arguing that the EPA did not adequately analyze the impacts of 2,4-D on human health. They will also argue that the approval violated the Endangered Species Act, as there was no consult by the EPA with the Fish & Wildlife Service.

      “Sadly, our environmental watchdog is playing lapdog to the chemical industry, ignoring hundreds of thousands of comments urging it to do otherwise,” said Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff. “The EPA is aiding and abetting the toxic spiral of using more and more pesticides to feed the industry’s sale of more and more genetically engineered crops while guaranteeing that 2,4-D use on our farmland will increase tremendously. The EPA’s heedless refusal to properly assess the impacts of expanded (use) on human health, to the toxic chemicals associated with this herbicide, and failure to acknowledge any of the deadly effects on endangered wildlife, is grossly irresponsible – we intend to stop it.”
       See centerforfoodsafety.org.

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

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist tracks the lava's advance with GPS.
Photo from USGS/HVO

PAHOA RESIDENTS IN THE EXPECTED PATH of lava have received evacuation notices from Hawai`i County Civil Defense. They must prepare to leave their homes in the next three to five days. Lava is flowing closer and closer to their homes, having reached the cemetery on the outskirts of town. 

      Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said lava is currently spreading out over the relatively flat terrain in the cemetery area, but a steeper slope on the other side could cause the lava to advance at a faster rate once it gets there.

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KAHUKU PALI ON HWY 11 NEAR SOUTH POINT is one of the more spectacular geologic features on the Island of Hawai`i, according to a recent Volcano Watch article published by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The cliff has two Hawaiian names: Pali o Mamalu, for its mauka section, and Pali`okulani, for its makai section.
      Kahuku pali is formed by a geologic fault. Its average height is 400 feet, but its maximum height, which is equal to the amount of offset (movement) on the fault, is approximately 560 feet.

Traditional Hawaiian weapons made of koa are displayed
at Ho`okupu by Ocean View resident Paul Book,
who made them. Photo by Julia Neal

      The Kahuku pali also continues offshore, where the submarine segment of the pali is more than 5,000 feet high. This offshore mile-high pali dwarfs two picturesque landmarks in the Hawaiian islands: the north coast of Moloka`i, which, at 3,000–4,000 feet, is the highest sea cliff in the world, and the windward pali of O`ahu, a cliff that is 3,100 feet high.
      Several research expeditions have studied the submarine extension of the Kahuku pali. The most recent study sent a remotely operated vehicle, called Jason II, to the base of the mile-high pali.
      “From this expedition we learned that the major-element chemical compositions of the rocks are surprisingly consistent,” the article states. “This means that lava erupted from Mauna Loa stayed nearly the same for about 400,000 years. How can this happen? One possibility is that the magma supplied to the volcano remained unchanged for about 400,000 years. This would imply that the material being melted is relatively homogeneous.
      “An alternate explanation is that the magma reservoir within Mauna Loa is large enough to allow different batches of magma to mix, thereby developing an average composition. In other words, each individual batch of magma could have a unique composition, but mixing them results in a blend of all the batches.
      Ages were determined for some of the rocks collected from the mile-high Kahuku pali by the ROV. The ages range from 59,000 years for rocks near the top of the pali to 470,000 years for rocks near the base. However, the base of the pali does not expose the oldest rocks in Mauna Loa. Another rock sample collected from the distal end of the volcano's Southwest Rift Zone has an age of 657,000 years, plus or minus 175,000 years.
      “These ages span a long period of time, indicating that Mauna Loa has been active for over 650,000 years. In fact, the volcano must be older, because the measured ages do not reflect the earliest growth of Mauna Loa, when it was in a stage of volcanism similar to that of Lo`ihi seamount, south of the island, today.

      “By studying the submarine Kahuku pali, scientists have documented how this sector of Mauna Loa grew, the time scale over which the growth occurred, the types of lava that were produced and how the chemical composition of the magma evolved.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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

Bobby Gomes, of Pahala, dances hula with his granddaughter, backed up with music by the Gomes `Ohana. Photo by Julia Neal

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S ANNUAL MEETING, which was postponed due to Hurricane Ana, is today at 3 p.m. at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
      There will be live entertainment while ballots for board members are being counted, with current board member, vocalist Desiree Cruz, joined by Loren Wilken on keyboard for a set of Jazz music.
      For more information, call 967-8222.

Sammi Fo, of Ocean View, directs her halau and dances hula.
Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds community input meetings this week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
      One possible tool that could be used to mitigate wildfire on a landscape scale in Ka`u is strategic grazing. It may be too expensive to mitigate mechanically or chemically the large fire hazard presented by the vast grasslands in Ka`u. In other areas, HWMO has installed fencing and water infrastructure that also assists fire suppression to support well managed grazing and has funded fieldwork to gather information on grazing.
      Historically, grazing to manage grasses has reduced the scale, frequency and intensity of wildfires and protected irreplaceable native habitats from wildfires.
      Meetings are Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

      See more at http://www.hawaiiwildfire.org.  

   
KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE Saturday, Nov. 1 at Honu`apo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers are planning fun activities for keiki and the whole family, with food, music, exhibits for learning, demonstrations, contests, workshops and a plant and seed exchange. Vendors will sell gifts and other items.
      See hawaiifoodforest.com/festival.html.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park equipment operator Jon Mitsuda removed the iconic "Road Closed" sign near the end of Chain of Crater Road before bulldozers began rebuilding the road to reconnect Ka`u with Puna yesterday. Photo from National Park Service

MILOLI`I MAY BECOME A COMMUNITY-BASED Fisheries Subsistence Area. It is one of the next areas to be considered after the state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved Hawai`i’s first-ever CBFSA rule package for Haena on Kaua`i, according to a story on Hawai`i News Now. Rules apply from the shoreline out to one mile. They limit the type of fishing gear and methods that may be used, prohibit the harvest of marine life for commercial purposes, set new daily take and possession limits for certain species and establish the Makua Pu`uhonua, or marine refuge, as a no-entry sub-zone.

Miloli`i may become a Community-Based Fisheries Management Area that
implements native Hawaiian fishing methods. Photo by Julia Neal

      BLNR Chairperson William Aila, Jr. said, “This is an historic action, following years of work by the Haena community in collaboration with DLNR staff. This rules package gives the Haena hui an opportunity to protect its fisheries based on traditional and customary practices. Native Hawaiians knew how to practice sustainability in order to feed their `ohanas. This is strong recognition by government that we cannot do it alone, and community-based management and buy-in is critical to sustaining Hawai`i’s precious natural resources for now and future generations.”
      The community worked hand-in-hand with the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources to develop this rules package. DAR administrator Frazer McGilvray said, “The CBFSA sets the precedent for other communities across the state to self-determine what’s best for their local areas based on long-held sustainability practices. Community-based management isn’t only the past, but is now the future.”
      A hearing on Oct. 3 at Haena was attended by hundreds of people. Dozens of people testified before the BLNR, and there was overwhelming support, DLNR said.
      Erin Zanre, CBFSA planner, called the decision epic. “This decision reflects the hard work and commitment of the Haena community and is the result of a decade-long effort,” she said. “Haena sets a great example for how communities and DLNR can collaborate to better manage resources. Haena has paved the way, and we hope the process for other communities won’t be as long and arduous.”
      Implementation of the CBFSA rules package is pending adjudication of a contested case. All future CBFSA designations require BLNR approval.

      See hawaiinewsnow.com.

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

The latest map from Civil Defense shows that the leading edge of the lava flow in Puna has crossed Apa`a Street/Cemetery Road on its way toward Pahoa. The transfer station is just off to the bottom left of the map.

THE PUNA FLOW FRONT CROSSED APA`A STREET at approximately 3:50 a.m. this morning, Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported. This morning’s assessment showed that the flow has advanced approximately 300 yards since yesterday and continues to advance in a northeast direction toward the cemetery at approximately 10 yards per hour.

The flow front is shown before it crossed the road
at 3:50 a.m. this morning. Photo from USGS/HVO

      Civil Defense and Public Safety personnel will conduct door-to-door notifications of residents in the downslope areas of Pahoa Village to insure residents are aware of current activities.
      Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path will be placed on an evacuation notice and should prepare for possible evacuation in the next three to five days. Those area residents will be kept informed of the flow movement and are asked to complete all necessary preparations for a possible evacuation by this Tuesday, Oct. 28.
      Apa`a Street and Cemetery Road will remain closed between the Pahoa Transfer Station and the Kaohe Homesteads Road. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.
      During a community meeting Thursday at Pahoa Community Center recorded by Big Island Video News, Mayor Billy Kenoi reassured residents that the county is ready to provide uninterrupted service for those who may find themselves on the other side of the flow. “Hey, we ready; let’s go,” he said. “Things will be tough. There’s just no way around it, but we’re going to stick together. We’re going to help each other, and we’re going to keep everybody safe.”

      As the lava flow gets closer to Pahoa, some residents are considering Ka`u as an option, with renters moving into the district. At least one Ka`u resident is considering moving a relative’s house from Puna to Ka`u before Hwy 130 gets cut off by lava. 

      See bigislandvideonews.com.

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

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE SIGNED A REQUEST yesterday for a Presidential Disaster Declaration asking for federal assistance to supplement local emergency protective measures in response to the ongoing Kilauea Lava Flow.
      Emergency protective measures undertaken by Hawai`i County include the repair, restoration and re-establishment of alternate routes in and out of affected communities. State efforts include measures to accommodate approximately 900 schoolchildren who will be displaced by the lava flow and support to county requests for additional air quality monitoring.
      Work began today in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the emergency access route between the park and lower Puna on the historic Chain of Craters Road-Kalapana road alignment. Park staff removed the iconic “Road Closed” sign before the first bulldozer rolled onto the lava-covered roadway. The park will display the sign as part if its history.

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

Intercultural exchange between Japan, Lana`i and Pahala with hula backed up by the South Side Serenaders from Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT CONTINUES through Dec. 7. During this period, residents can choose new health coverage plans for 2015 or make changes to existing plans, learn about discounts on prescription drugs in the Part D coverage gap and take advantage of new benefits from the Affordable Care Act.

Gifts to remember loved ones with requests for blessings for the
community and the inaugural Ho`okupu event for Ka`u, in a
traditional Hawaiian presentation. Photo by Julia Neal

      People with Medicare, their families and caregivers can review and compare current plan coverage with new plan offerings using many resources, including:
      1) Visiting www.medicare.gov to see plan coverage and costs available in their area, and enrolling in a new plan if they decide to make a change.
      2 )Calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Multilingual counseling is available.

Halau from Ka`u, Lana`i, Honolulu and Japan
participate. Photo by Julia Neal

            3) Reviewing the 2015 Medicare & You handbook accessible online at www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf. It has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare. 

      4) Getting one-on-one counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Local SHIP contact information can be found at www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.aspx, on the back of the 2015 Medicare & You handbook, or by calling Medicare.

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

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL continues on the grounds of the Plantation Manager’s House this evening. 

      The festival opened yesterday with music and dance. Ernest Kalani, Keoki Kahumoku, the South Side Serenaders, Makanau and Keaiwa performed, and dancers from halau and the audience joined them in hula during Hawaiian songs and more active dancing during pop rhythms.
      Attendees enjoyed kalua nachos, garlic shrimp plates, Chinese chicken salad, hapa iced tea with mamaki and lemonade, Ka`u Coffee and other delicacies from vendors. Artists and crafters also displayed their creations.

Musician Keoki Kahumolu and fisherman-musician Guy Sesson partner in playing for Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

Makanau inspired everyone to dance at Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u opening night.
Photo by Julia Neal

      An opening pule takes place at 4 p.m. with dancers who attended the morning hula workshop, along with an introduction of Kumu Hula. At 4:30 p.m., Hands of Time will perform. At 5 p.m. will be Halau Hula O Kawaimaluhia with Kumu Hula Keoni Jennings. At 5:45 p.m. will be Hula Halau Kahoku Kauhiahionalani with Kumu Hula Sammy Fo. At 6 p.m. will be the Gomes `Ohana; at 6:30 p.m., a Kukui Ceremony; and at 6:45 p.m., Keaiwa, featuring Demetrius Oliveira and Halau Hula O Leonalani with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and Haumana from Japan, Okinawa, O`ahu and Pahala. At 7:30 p.m. will be Ka `Imia Na`auao Kahiko from Ka`u School of the Arts and Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan. At 8 p.m. is Victor Chock & Friends, with the evening ending at 9 p.m. with Hawai`i Aloha.

      All entertainment is open to the public with no fees.
      For more, see www.hookupukau.com.
      See more on the festival in this week’s Ka`u News Briefs and in this month’s issue of The Ka`u Calendar.

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

Ka`u Trojans support high school athletics with a kalua nachos plate sale.
Photo by Julia Neal

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S ANNUAL MEETING, which was postponed due to Hurricane Ana, is tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
      There will be live entertainment while ballots for board members are being counted, with current board member, vocalist Desiree Cruz, joined by Loren Wilken on keyboard for a set of Jazz music.
      For more information, call 967-8222.

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION will hold community input meetings next week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
      Meetings will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE a week from today on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Honu`apo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers promise fun activities for keiki and the whole family, with food, music, exhibits for learning, demonstrations, contests, workshops and a plant and seed exchange. Vendors will sell gifts and other items.

      See hawaiifoodforest.com/festival.html. 

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.