Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014

Mayor Billy Kenoi said he wants to work with Ka`u's new Hawai`i County Council member Maile Medeiros David and her supporters,
including Bobby and Phoebe Gomes, who attended the inauguration yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID became Ka`u’s Hawai`i County Council member yesterday. She and eight other members took their oaths of office at Ah Fook Chinen Auditorium, where Mayor Billy Kenoi was keynote speaker. Kenoi encouraged the council members to work with his administration and told them his team is available whenever the council needs help.

Maile Medeiros David became Ka`u's new Hawai`i
County Council member yesterday.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Kenoi told The Ka`u Calendar that he wants his administration and the County Council to work together like at team in a “double-hulled canoe, with everybody paddling in the same direction.”   

      “We’re pursuing the great enthusiasm, the great joys of serving our beautiful Hawai`i Island, and at the end of the day, we’re going to agree, we’re going to disagree, but we no need be disagreeable. Our community deserves our very best, and no less,” Kenoi said.
      Kona council member Dru Kanuha is chair, and Hamakua council member Valerie Poindexter is vice chair. Stewart Maeda continues as clerk.

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

GOV. DAVID IGE INTRODUCED HIMSELF “and the path ahead filled with hopes and dreams—that are not new but go back generations” during his inauguration speech yesterday. “To truly understand why we stand at this point in history, and more importantly, to determine where it is we want to go, we must first remember where we came from,” he said.

      Ige described his journey as extending from previous generations. “I stand here today — in the shadow of my parents’ and grandparents’ accomplishments — because of their willingness to sacrifice and look to my future,” he said. “And so I say to them, and to my mother who is watching us from the hospital today, with the greatest humility: ‘Okage sama de. All that I am, I am because of you.’
      “We have an opportunity to chart a new tomorrow. We have an opportunity to fulfill longstanding hopes and dreams. We have an opportunity to make Hawai`i a place we are proud to call home because it is our home.

      “But for now that’s all it is: an opportunity. Before us are the challenges that those opportunities present. We still have to do the hard work to reach our goals and realize our dreams. For government that means nurturing a sustainable economy that will allow us to put a roof over our heads, feed our families and take care of our basic necessities.”

      Ige said issues such as the lack of affordable housing, homelessness and hunger are greatly diminished when the economy is healthy. 

Gov. David Ige

      He mentioned other issues he will be working on, including looking at new ways to empower schools, improving health care, helping kupuna live independently and with dignity, stewarding the environment, increasing alternative energy, diversifying agriculture and increasing government’s transparency and accountability.
      “What has always defined us is our aloha—for each other and for others,” Ige said. “That’s truly who we are. That is the ultimate gift from our host culture and one that we give to each other each and every day.
      “Hawai`i has never been about ‘I.’ Rather, it has always been about ‘us’ — all of us.”
      Ige said, “As leaders, our job is to engage people so that they will want to participate in this grand experience in self-governance. Our job is to help people take ownership of the process of electing their government. As leaders, our job is to inspire others and not discourage them.
      “I will be asking every member of my administration, from clerk to department head, to keep this in mind as they meet with all who come to our door, and to always remember: This is not their house; this is not my house; and to, e komo mai, welcome home all who come.
      “When people take ownership of their government, when they are engaged in governance, when they thoughtfully and honestly discuss issues — good things happen.
      “As I prepare to take over the reigns of your government, I ask each of you to join me in the process of governing. I ask you to find your voice and use it to not only choose your elected officials but to shape the issues that will shape our lives.

      “I ask you to help me with the heavy lifting that I cannot do alone.
      “Join me in dreaming the dreams, setting the path and doing the hard work necessary for the sake of all of us in Hawai`i.
      “And so I say to you, my friends, I look forward to working with all of you—to make good things happen. 

      “Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and my sincerest aloha to all,” Ige concluded.

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

LAVA THAT CONTINUES TO FLOW IN PUNA was 2.7 miles from the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Hwy 130 this morning. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s overflight yesterday mapped a narrow finger of lava that has broken away from the western edge of the flow field and that is moving to the north at rates of several hundred meters per day. Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported that the flow had advanced 400 yards since yesterday.

A new flow front in Puna is reaching an area it could take one of two paths,
or both, according to HVO scientists.
Map from Hawai`i County Civil Defense

      The flow is nearing a point where several lines of steepest descent nearly converge. According to HVO scientists, it is not clear which path it will eventually follow until the flow reaches this area.
      Pahoa Marketplace, with Malama Market, Lex Brodie’s Tire Co., Ace Hardware and several other businesses and services are in one of the possible paths. Another path takes it toward the housing subdivision of Hawaiian Paradise Park.

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

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR KA`U HOSPITAL Charitable Foundation expresses heart-felt thanks for all the many ways the public has supported Ka`u Hospital in 2014.
      The board announces a new way to support the Hospital as it starts to build a new in- and out-patient Physical Therapy Program. By making purchases through Smile.Amazon.com, 0.5 percent of every purchase will go toward this program.
      Set up an Amazon account and note your password; proceed to smile.amazon.com and there will be a prompt to list your charity of choice, which must be fully typed in: Kau Hospital Charitable Foundation.

Ka`u residents can help Ka`u Hospital by shopping at smile.amazon.com.

      You will receive a confirmation that all purchases you make with Amazon will now be made through smile.amazon.com. Bookmark this site per their instructions on your browser.
      Shoppers will always see smile.amazon when using Amazon. Checks will be sent directly to Ka`u Hospital.
      For their support this year, KHCF sends special thanks to Edmund C. Olson Trust II, Red Hat Ladies of Ka`u, Ka Lae Quilters, Ka`u Golf Group, Bank of Hawai`i Foundation, Monty Richards Hawai`i Island Community Award, community members who have purchased cookbooks, T-shirts and have made donations and gifts to hospital staff and residents.
      For more information, email KauHCF@gmail.com.

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

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER is Thursday at Gilligan’s Restaurant in Discovery Harbour at 6 p.m. Dinner is $15 a person for pizza or spaghetti, salad and dessert. Beverages include beer, wine or soda. Money will be collected at the door.
      Memberships with a listing in The Directory 2015 are $35 and will be accepted at the meeting.

A slide presentation about the Nepal Foundation takes place Sunday.
Photo from Mary Carroll

MARY C. CARROLL, KA`U RESIDENT and Honorary Consul of Nepal, presents a free program about the Nepal Foundation on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. A question-and-answer session and light refreshments follows. 

      Those who make a tax deductible donation of $50 per person or more to the Nepal Foundation are invited to attend a Christmas reception immediately following the program at 95-4667 Hawai`i Belt Road between milepost 59 and 60. Make checks payable to the Nepal Foundation and send to Mary C. Carroll, PO Box 654, Na`alehu, HI 96772 by Dec. 4. 

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI CHRISTMAS party is Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. Previous announcements in Ka`u News Briefs of it being this Thursday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. are incorrect.

      The annual event, sponsored by Drake and Patty Fujimoto with volunteers from `O Ka`u Kakou and donations from many businesses and community members, features a visit with Santa, a feast for all and gifts for keiki.

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 Monday, Dec. 1, 2014

Hawai`i's new Gov. David Ige, who takes the oath of office today, says he wants to increase food production in the state.
Map from Ka`u CDP

DAVID IGE TAKES THE HELM as Hawai`i’s eighth governor today. He and Lt. Gov.-elect Shan Tsutsui take the oath of office at 12 p.m. 

      Ige’s website at davidige.org gives an overview of what the new governor will work to accomplish. One of the areas he considers important is agriculture.
      “Agriculture is critical to self-sufficiency and food security,” Ige says. “Instead of continuing to import 90 percent of our food, we need to take steps to produce more food locally. However, under the (Abercrombie) administration, more than 2,000 acres of irrigated, prime agricultural land have been taken out of cultivation, and the number of farmers has declined. We are committed to making farming and local food production a thriving industry.

      According to Ige’s Agriculture Action Plan, he wants to:

More information about today's gubernatorial inauguration is available
at davidige.org.

• Develop a long-range plan to increase local food production from the current 10 percent to at least 20 percent by the end of the decade. The plan would include identification of lands for production of flowers and nursery products, for raising livestock and for developing bio-fuels. This plan would be used to guide decisions for irrigation and other infrastructure; 
• Provide more low-interest loans to farmers and ranchers; 
• Identify and preserve up to 200,000 acres of prime agricultural land to increase food production; 
• Establish agricultural parks statewide to accommodate small family farms; 
• Improve monitoring of transported agricultural goods to prevent introduction of invasive species; 
• Ensure sufficient funding for state pesticide officers who monitor, regulate and enforce the use of restricted-use pesticides in order to protect the health and welfare of our residents; and 
• Work with Hawai`i’s U.S. Congressional delegation to enact a federal law to require GMO labeling. 

At a coffee hour in Pahala hosted by Marion Villanueva, David Ige
said he supports family farms and organic farming.
Photo by Julia Neal

      “The public has the right to know what they are consuming, but there is a need for consistency across states that only the federal government can ensure,” according to Ige. “A federal law will avoid hurting local farmers, food manufacturers and distributors, who would incur added costs of complying with a state labeling law. I would support a state GMO labeling law only if there were no adverse economic impacts on local farmers, food manufacturers and distributors.

      At a coffee hour in Pahala during his campaign, Ige said, “Ag can be a thriving industry.” He supports small family farms and organic farming.
      Ige also expressed interest in trying to help with the issue of land security for Ka`u Coffee farmers, who could possibly lose the land where their award-winning coffee is grown. Many of the farmers’ leases on land provided after sugar production ceased about 18 years ago have expired, and the land is currently up for sale. He said he will talk to some of the farmers in the near future.
      Regarding biofuel production, Pahala resident Lynn Hamilton told Ige, “One of our biggest concerns is the cost of energy.” She told Ige that a biofuel project here would have resulted in higher electric rates. Ige said, “I couldn’t get that project,” but that he recently met a farmer who is producing biofuel that he says is cheaper.

      Ige states on his website that his track record shows support for farmers and agricultural diversification that puts land into crops, produce, livestock and biofuel such as funding for the following: 

• $750,000 for loans to farmers growing food locally; 
• $5.5 million for watershed protection to be executed by the Department of Land & Natural Resources; and 
• $26 million for irrigation systems, rivers and dams. 

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

`Ama`ama is closed today through March 31.

`AMA`AMA (STRIPED MULLET) SEASON is closed from today through Tuesday, March 31, 2015. “`Ama`ama are about to enter their peak spawning season, which increases their vulnerability to fishing pressure,” said William J. Aila, Jr., Department of Land & Natural Resources chairman. “The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing.” 

      Violations of 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.
      “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.”
      Copies of statewide fishing regulations for `ama`ama and all other marine species are available at all Neighbor Island DLNR-Aquatics offices.
      Fishing regulations can also be found on the division of aquatic resources’ website at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar.
      To report fish catch size or net violations, call 808-643-DLNR (643-3567).

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

Deep Seven bottomfish are a) `ula `ula koa`e, b) `ula `ula, c) kalekale, d) `opakapaka,
e) `ukikiki, f) hapu`u and g) lehi. Image from DLNR

THE WESTERN PACIFIC FISHERY Management Council, State Division of Aquatic Resources and Federal NOAA Fisheries Service will hold public meetings on potential Main Hawaiian Islands Deep-Seven bottomfish fishery rules and regulations and changes to minimum size limits for the sale of ahi.
      Bottomfish measure considerations will include options for non-commercial fishery daily bag limit, creating a market grace period during which seafood dealers and markets can sell deep-seven bottomfish after a fishery closure and changes to the state bottomfish restricted fishing area closures and reporting grids.

      Workshops will feature interactive booths on state bottomfish reporting requirements, standardizing and improving catch and effort reporting, volunteer non-commercial reporting, federal non-commercial bottomfish permit and reporting, ahi science and minimum size considerations and community fish aggregation device voluntary reporting.

      Meetings on Hawai`i Island are on Friday, Dec. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hilo High School Cafeteria and Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel.

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

THE ANNUAL HANA HOU KEIKI CHRISTMAS party is Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Hana Hou restaurant in Na`alehu. The annual event, sponsored by Drake and Patty Fujimoto with volunteers from `O Ka`u Kakou and donations from many businesses and community members, features a visit with Santa, a feast for all and gifts for the keiki. It begins at 5 p.m.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER is Thursday, Dec. 4 at Gilligan’s Restaurant in Discovery Harbour at 6 p.m. Dinner is $15 a person for pizza or spaghetti, salad and dessert. Beverages include beer, wine or soda. Money will be collected at the door.
      The public is invited to learn more about the Chamber, which publishes The Directory for Ka`u, provides scholarships for students from Ka`u, hosts the annual art contest and selection for The Directory cover at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu and assists in funding Ka`u Food Pantry. Memberships with a listing in The Directory are $35 and will be accepted at the meeting.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY with unique holiday wreaths for sale at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues through Sunday, Jan. 4. Handmade ornaments by local artists, artist demonstrations, book signings are features. See volcanoartcenter.org.

Naupaka Dreams, by Pahala resident Tanya Ibarra, is on display
at Wailoa Center in Hilo.

KA`U AND VOLCANO ARTISTS have works on display in the Hawai`i Nei exhibit that continues at Wailoa Center in Hilo through Dec. 18. The annual juried art exhibition encourages children and adults to submit works of art featuring plants and animals native to the island. The event seeks to raise awareness of Hawai`iʻs unique environment and increase participation in the arts. A portion of the proceeds generated by art sales during the exhibit go toward funding native species protection and management as well as environmental education programs. 

      Pahala resident Malie Ibarra won first place in the Youth Kahakai division. Tanya Ibarra, also of Pahala, has two pieces in the show. Volcano artists include Lanaya Deily, Ira Ono, Mary Goodrich, Caren Loebel-Fried, Charlene Asato, Emily Herb, Elizabeth Miller, Margaret Barnaby and Lisa Louise Adams.
      The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Wednesday mornings.

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, Nov. 30, 2014

Lanterns with their messages for those who have passed fill a pond at Punalu`u yesterday at sunset. Photo by Julia Neal

HURRICANE SEASON ENDS IN KA`U today, leaving months of threats, damage and heavy weather events. The eye of Iselle came ashore at the Kamahame hawksbill turtle preserve at 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 8. The power of Iselle’s leading edge dashed Puna, then circled back on Ka`u, slamming Wood Valley as mauka-makai winds laid down thousands of macadamia and coffee trees, destroyed a bridge on Wood Valley Road and broke huge albizia, silver oak and eucalyptus trees onto roads. At least one tree fell on a resident’s car. Wood Valley residents, cut off from Pahala, reported deafening thunder and lightning. Wood Valley roads were impassable for days, and residents lost power and water. Shelters opened in Pahala, and the county delivered water to farms and homesteads. Electricity was restored nearly a week later.

Hurricane Ana created spectacular sites as streams fell over cliffs
between Pahala and Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

      Beach parks reopened after a day of caution. Schools, medical clinics, community centers, banks and credit unions were closed as county and state road crews cleaned up remnants of trees and debris and as Hawaiian Electric Light Co. attempted to restore electricity.
      Hwy 11 reopened Friday evening after floodwaters receded at low-lying Kawa between Punalu`u and Honu`apo. The detour used for most of the day was the old sugar cane haul road between Na`alehu and Pahala along the mountainside. One Pahala resident described it as somewhat daunting with gorges, waterfalls and new waterways cut by Iselle, but also incredibly beautiful.
      Following Iselle was powerful Hurricane Julio, which passed north of the state. Before Iselle, Genevieve threatened the islands but ended up staying to the south as she moved northwest.

      After forming in the central Pacific, Tropical Storm Ana gained strength and became a category-one hurricane as it approached Hawai`i Island south of South Point Friday, Oct. 17. While spared of strong winds due to the center of the storm being about 115 miles from South Point, Ka`u got pounded with rain for hours.

Ka`u took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Iselle as she came ashore.
Image from Weather Underground

      The constant downpours flooded Hwy 11 in the Kawa area, filled streams – some to overflowing – and created waterfalls in the mountains above Hwy 11 and in Wood Valley. The falls are so intermittent that some tumble without names. One resident said one of the waterfalls was Kawaileleonuuanu, and another identified one as Hilea.
      Wood Valley residents were once again cut off when water covered the road at the Kapapala Ranch intersection. A tree branch on Center Road fell across electric lines, taking out power to some homes in the valley.
      Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm on Ka`alaiki Road reported 5.5 inches of rain. “Thank God for no wind,” said owner Merle Becker. “Trees are heavy with cherries and a little bent over from all the rain, but we got through it.”
      On Friday night a rain gauge at Kapapala Ranch showed rain falling at two to three inches per hour as bands or precipitation from the storm reached the slopes of Mauna Loa, with heaviest amounts from Volcano to Pahala and Wood Valley. National Weather Service reported that Kapapala recorded 7.5 inches in a 24-hour period.
      Legend was that a hurricane would never come on shore on the Big Island, the big mountains pushing them away and spinning them off to places like Kaua`i, which has seen the most hurricane devastation in the past half century. Hurricane Flossie in 2007 seemed to prove the point. She hung off the cliffs of Ka Lae and spun herself out, never hopping up onto the island. Iselle, however, once a category four, blew straight ashore on the Big Island, slightly weakening from a hurricane to a tropical storm just before landfall.

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

Gov. Neil Abercrombie participated in groundbreaking for Ka`u's Gym & Shelter
alongside Ka`u High School students. Photo by Julia Neal

TODAY IS GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE’S last day on the job. Gov.-elect David Ige takes over as Hawai`i’s highest elected official tomorrow. 

      During a confirmation ceremony on the steps of Pahala Plantation House in December 2010, Abercrombie said he knew from early in his campaign when he stood on those same steps that change was coming. “I am merely a catalyst,” he said. “It’s nothing – I’m a bridge, I’m a means - a vehicle,” stated the governor.
     He said we all have in our hearts the vision of Pupukahi Kehola Moa: “United we will move forward for Hawai`i Nei. That is what we are going to do, starting here today in Ka`u,” he said.
     “The duty of the kia`aina is to protect Hawai`i,” said Abercrombie. He called his visit to Pahala “a happy day. Yes. There are tears in my eyes. I can’t help it. I am so grateful,” he said, stating that for the first time in his life he understands in his na`ao (his gut) what the word humble is supposed to mean. “Every breath I take will be for Hawai`i. Everything we do together will be for Hawai`i and for each other. Lokahi. All will be pono,” he promised.
     “Everything will blossom in Ka`u. All of the hopes and dreams of Ka`u are going to come to fruition,” he promised. “We are going to make it happen,” he said.

Russell Kokubun, Dwight Takamine, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and former Lt. Gov.
Brian Schatz at Pahala Plantation House in December 2010.
Photo by Julia Neal

      “All of us in the canoe, paddling together, to reach the shore…. We will not let you down: Imua Hawai`i, Imua Ka`u,” he proclaimed.
      Abercrombie worked to get the Ka`u Gym & Shelter funded and built. When he found out about the groundbreaking being scheduled, he said he thought of it as “no big deal,” meaning that, “I didn’t give a second thought to getting up at 4:30 a.m. this morning” to fly from O`ahu and come to Ka`u” for the important event. This is the beginning of Hawai`i’s future.”
      Following his mandate of not having an O`ahu-centric cabinet, Abercrombie chose Volcano resident Russell Kokubun to lead the state Department of Agriculture. He was followed by Hilo Native Scott Enright becoming chair of the Board of Ag when Kokubun left.
      Both Kokubun and Enright worked on funding to restore old plantation water tunnel systems in Ka`u for a new use – irrigation for ag. They were formerly used for transporting cane down flumes to the mills.
      Abercrombie appointed the late Bob Herkes to Hawai`i Tourism Authority’s board of directors after legislative district boundaries changed and Herkes lost the Senate election to Russell Ruderman, of Puna.

      New buildings for Volcano School of Arts & Sciences are a go after Abercrombie released $618,000 to be used for planning, architectural, permitting and engineering fees for construction of 15 new classrooms, a new restroom and a multi-purpose building on the old Keakealani Outdoor Education Center campus on Haunani Road in Volcano Village. The school has a 60-year lease from the Department of Education.

Ella Louis remembers her late husband Ralph.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Abercrombie appointed Na`alehu resident Richard Creagan to the state House of Representatives following the resignation of Rep. Denny Coffman. “Richard’s diverse experience as a physician, researcher, farmer, Peace Corps volunteer and educator will contribute greatly to his service to the people of Hawai`i,” Abercrombie said.

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

FLOATING LANTERNS SET SAIL on Punalu`u shoreline yesterday at dusk. Decorated with art and messages, the rafts and their candles carried thoughts for loved ones who passed away. Tiny boys remembering their late father and a daughter remembering a mom who lived nearly a century were among those who participated in a ceremony sponsored by Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, its founder Jessie Marques and its president Donna Kekoa. Money raised from donations for the floating lantern ceremony will go to nursing scholarships, said Marques.

      KRHCAI’s stated purpose “is to support and promote community empowerment, capacity building, collaborative partnerships and a healthy community by focusing on Health, Education, Research Opportunities and Economic Sustainability.”

      Participants at the ceremony received dinner and tools to decorate their floating lanterns. The ceremony began at Punalu`u in 2011, and plans are to continue next year. Participants represented the hearts of Ka`u from every cultural background. Music and praise came from Demetrius Oliveira, Keoki Kahumoku and friends.

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

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI’S annual sale and tour of studios continues today until 4 p.m. Maps are distributed at Volcano stores, and shoppers can go from artist home to artist home in Volcano Village.

Jessie Marques, left, started the Floating Lantern Ceremony
at Punalu`u in 2011. Photo by Julia Neal

A CRECHE FESTIVAL with more than 100 nativity scenes from around the world continues from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Na`alehu Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Ka`u Ward hosts the second annual islandwide event. Along with the crèche display, the event features live music performed by local musicians and choir and activities for children. Visitors are welcome to the free holiday festival. For more information, call ‪‪808-895-0491‬‬. 

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED AS MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID gets sworn in to represent Ka`u, Volcano and South Kona on Hawai`i County Council tomorrow at noon at Ah Fook Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. Mayor Billy Kenoi is keynote speaker.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER is Thursday, Dec. 4 at Gilligan’s Restaurant in Discovery Harbour at 6 p.m. Dinner is $15 a person for pizza or spaghetti, salad and dessert. Beverages include beer, wine or soda. Money will be collected at the door.
      The public is invited to learn more about the Chamber, which publishes The Directory for Ka`u, provides scholarships for students from Ka`u, hosts the annual art contest and selection for The Directory cover at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu and assists in funding Ka`u Food Pantry. Memberships with a listing in The Directory are $35 and will be accepted at the meeting.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.