Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, August 3, 2016

First day of school for Ka`u High, Pahala Elementary and Na`alehu Schools brought Ioni Andrade back to the crosswalk today in
Pahala. Andrade, daughter of the late Clarence Andrade, works the crosswalk 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on school days.
 She also makes the drive to Hilo to hod a job at Walmart, mostly at night, she says. Hard work is a hallmark of the Andrade family.
  Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I STATE BOARD of Education and Department of Education are hosting community meetings to share draft updates of their Strategic Plan to better support student success. The Governor’s ESSA Team is also sharing information about new opportunities under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Hawai`i’s state plan for ESSA will be informed by the Strategic Plan. Anyone interested in public education is encouraged to attend and learn more.

Kathryn Matayoshi

      BOE and DOE members update communities on progress toward supporting greater student success in public schools with an updated Strategic Plan. They sharing feedback from the spring 2016 outreach effort, culminating in draft themes: a desire to have a well-rounded curriculum that integrates subject matter and goes well beyond reading and math; a need to embrace the arts, music, history, social studies and more; the importance of a caring and supported teacher; the importance of Hawaiian culture and language; and the importance of supporting not only the academic growth of students but their socio-emotional and physical well-being as well. ​

      Members also gather community members’ perspectives on draft themes and discuss how community members can contribute to final implementation.
      The purpose of the Govenor’s ESSA Team town hall meetings is to create a shared vision for public education in Hawai`i, learn about opportunities provided by the Every Student Succeeds Act, discuss a future-focused education system for Hawai`i and collect input, feedback and advice for a new blueprint for public education in Hawai`i.​
      A BOE meeting takes place today at 5:30 p.m. at Kanu o ka `Aina Learning `Ohnan in Waimea.
      Governor’s ESSA Team Town Hall meetings are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at Kealakehe High School and Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Waiakea High School.
      “From leadership conferences to continued work on updating our Strategic Plan, the Hawai`i State Department of Education remains committed to positively impacting the direction of education for all students,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Deisha Davis, second from left, is the new vice-principal
at Pahala's school campus. Photo by Lawrence Lucero

KA`U HIGH, MIDDLE SCHOOL and Pahala Elementary welcome Deisha Davis as the new active vice-principal. Davis has served as high school and middle school counselor at the Pahala campus. Wilma Roddy, who served as vice-principal in Pahala, has transferred from Ka`u for a promotion, taking the post as new principal of Mountain View Elementary School. Principal at Ka`u High, Elementary and Middle School is Sharon Beck. The student enrollment on opening day, today, is 520.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Fall sports begin soon for the Trojans.

THE KA`U HIGH TROJAN eight-man football schedule is finalized. The kick-off will be at home at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, facing Kohala. Another home game is set for 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, against Pahoa. At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, the Trojans travel north to face Kohala. On Saturday, Oct. Oct. 8, Trojans host Kohala at 2 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 15th the Trojans travel to Pahoa for a 2 p.m. game. Coaches are Duane Ke and Greg Rush, and fans can follow the action on https://mobile.twitter.com/KauAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw.

      Ka`u High, under athletic director D. Kalei Namohala, founded eight-man football competition in order for smaller high schools to have equity in competition.

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Ka`u High athletic director D. Kalei
Namohala announced fall sports
schedules. Photo from KHPES

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL is ramping up and ready to compete for Ka`u High under Coach Joshua Ortega. The first competition is at home on Tuesday, Aug. 16 against Waiakea at 6 p.m., followed by Thursday, Aug. 18 at home at 6 p.m. against Hawai`i Prep – varsity only. On Saturday, Aug. 20, Trojans travel to Ehunui in Kona for competition beginning at 10 a.m. On Wednesday, Aug. 24, Ka`u heads east to Kea`au for a 6 p.m. start time. On Saturday, Aug. 27, Trojans face Makua Lani in Waikoloa at 2 p.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 30 Ka`u hosts Kealakehe at 6 p.m. On Sept. 2, HAAS heads to Ka`u for a match at 6 p.m. 

      On Wednesday, Sept. 7, the Trojans travel to Kamehameha School in Kea`au to start at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 10, Ka`u stages the home court for Christian Liberty at 10 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Ka`u hosts Hilo at 6 p.m. On Thursday, Sept. 15, Trojans travel north to take on Kohala at 6 p.m. On Saturday Sept. 17, Trojans travel to Parker School in Waimea, with 10 a.m. start. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, Ka`u travels west for a 6 p.m. start at Konawaena. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Trojans face St. Joseph at home, 6 p.m.
      On Friday, Oct. 7, Ka`u has a home game against Honoka`a at 6 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 12, Trojans trek to Pahoa and start at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 15 Ka`u heads up the Hamakua Coast to face Laupahoehoe at 10 a.m.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Brian Schatz participated
in a panel on Ethics in Politics yesterday.
Photo from Rep. Gabbard's Office

YESTERDAY EVENING, KA`U’S U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Brian Schatz participated in a panel on Ethics in Politics sponsored by the University of Hawai`i William S. Richardson School of Law and Shidler College of Business. The panel explored various topics related to campaign finance reform, government ethics, money in politics and more. They discussed how legislation like the Government By the People Act (H.R.20), which Gabbard has co-sponsored, would begin to provide much needed campaign finance reform. They also discussed political gridlock in Hawai`i and Washington, and the importance of voting and staying engaged in the democratic process. The panel is part of an eight-part lecture series examining business and legal ethical dilemmas in the U.S. and beyond.

      Following the public event, Gabbard and other panelists met with students to further answer questions on ethics and government reform, and how the topics discussed earlier in the evening applied to their coursework on ethics in business and law.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Tropical Storm Ivette, at far right, is expected to become
a hurricane. Map from University of Hawai`i

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER has issued its last advisory on one tropical storm and given a name to another.

      Howard’s deep convection has now been gone long enough to designate the system as post-tropical.

      At 11 a.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Ivette was in the East Pacific and moving toward the west-northwest at near 17 mph. A westward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected to begin tonight and continue through Friday.                    
     Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Ivette could become a hurricane by tomorrow night, with a peak intensity likely occurring in about three days.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A Zero Mile event celebrates the park's centennial.

CELEBRATE HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park's Centennial by participating in an Instant Gratification Zero Mile event. The fundraiser for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Cooper Center in Volcano Village, after Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Every participant who steps, rolls or crawls across the finish line will receive a Commemorative Centennial Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Medal.

      Fees are $20 for adults and $10 for youth 14 and under. Children in strollers are free.
      Register on-line at volcanorainforestruns.com, call 967-8240, or email raceinfo@volcanorainforestruns.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election continues weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Voters can walk in far away from home,  at any of the four locations around the island. Hilo, at Waipuni Center is open Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. to 4. p.m. Kona, at West Hawai`i Civic Center Bldg. G, is open 8 a..m to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Waimea, at Waimea Community Center, is open 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. For more election information, call 961-8277.

Haleakala National Park is the subject of a film and discussion
Friday. Photo from NPS

EXPLORE HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK during NPS Movie Night, Friday at 7 p.m. when Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park screens the 51-minute film, Haleakala: House of the Sun at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

      Haleakala, Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes were once the same park: Hawai`i National Park. Meet dedicated rangers who share their knowledge and respect for Haleakala National Park (established in 1961), its natural treasures and the deep connection to Hawaiian culture perpetuated here.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Aug 2, 2016

Visitors observe the Kamokuna ocean entry on the eve of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's 100th anniversary.
Rangers have placed rope barricades to keep people away from the unstable, steep cliff edges,
flying volcanic debris and fumes, and bench collapse. NPS Photo by Sami Steinkamp

KILAUEA IS PUTTING ON QUITE a show for park visitors eager to see a volcanic eruption – just like it was 100 years ago today when Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park was established on Aug. 1, 1916. 

      Yesterday, as the park enters its next century, park visitors were treated to free entry, a native plant giveaway, Hawaiian music by Ken Makuakane, lei making and konane (Hawaiian checkers), plus presentations about park efforts to save endangered nene (Hawaiian goose) and honu`ea (Hawaiian hawksbill turtle). Lava cookies and centennial stickers were shared with the first 100 visitors who arrived for the festivities.

      A lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater at the volcano’s 4,000-foot summit continues to rise and spatter, deflate and degas. At night, the lake casts a magnificent glow; by day, a plume of steam, particles and gas billows upward. Visitors can easily and safely observe this eruptive activity from an accessible overlook at Jaggar Museum.

The employees, partners and volunteers of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the morning
of the park's 100th anniversary. NPS Photo

      “It is amazing that in 1916, the year the park was established, we had two eruptions. Mauna Loa erupted during May and sent lava toward Kahuku, and Halema`uma`u fountained and spattered,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Fast forward 100 years, and Kilauea erupts from two locations. What an auspicious way to commemorate our centennial anniversary,” she said.

      A week ago, out in the volcano’s remote east rift zone, lava from the Pu`u `O`o vent streamed down forested cliffs and crossed an emergency access route. Early the next morning, streams of rough `a`a and smooth, viscous pahoehoe lava plunged down jagged coastal cliffs into the ocean. This cascade of molten lava, at the Kamokuna ocean entry, has enlarged to almost 800 feet across and is being fed by the active flow field on the coastal plain.

Halema‘uma‘u, the summit crater of Kīlauea volcano,

glows under moonlight. NPS Photo by Eric Fandrick

      Park visitors are urged to stay away from the steep, unstable sea cliffs, and rangers have placed rope barriers along the ocean entry to keep people safe.

      Hikers can access the active flow field from the end of Chain of Craters Road in the park, along the gravel emergency route (Chain of Craters-Kalapana Road) and are rewarded with beautiful sights of molten, flowing lava. It’s a long and hot hike, nearly five miles one-way.
      Preparation is key. Bring at least three to four quarts of water per person. Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, gloves to protect the hands, and long pants to protect against lava rock abrasions. Wear sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Visitors who plan to stay after dark need a flashlight and/or headlamp with extra batteries.
      “There’s no way to tell what Kilauea will do next, and it’s likely that someone will be saying the same thing 100 years from now,” Orlando said.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE HAWAI`I STATE SPORTING CLAYS Championship, presented by Mike Munnerlyn, of Pahala, and his M&M Compact Sporting Clays, drew 25 shooters from as far away as Alaska and California last weekend.
      The shooting event took place July 30 and 31 at Hilo Trap & Skeet Range. Awards were given in many classes: Double A, A, B, C, D and E, as well as a Hunters Class and Ladies Class. The high overall winner was Sonny Batoon, of Lana`i. Second was Roy Enimoto, of O`ahu. Third was Munnerlyn. Munnerlyn also took first in C Class and first in the Veterans Class hitting 47 out of 50 targets in a single round to win the High Gun award. Munnerlyn took third in a national competition in San Antonio in 2013.
      Munnerlyn has been clay target shooting for a half dozen years and regularly practices at the Hilo range. He is a Level One Coach. Anyone wanting to learn or become involved can call him at 928-3015. Munnerlyn is a general contractor based in Ka`u.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

WHAT DO YOU SEE as the most pressing issue facing your district? What will you do about it? Civil Beat asked Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and her primary election challenger Shay Chan Hodges those and other questions.

      “Putting aside the fact that Hawai`i’s people could be obliterated by nuclear attacks coming from North Korea, China or Russia, the most important issue facing our state is the cost of living,” Gabbard answered. “Families who’ve lived here for generations are leaving Hawa`ii because they can’t afford housing and food.
      “The people of Hawai`i need more truly affordable housing. I’ve long advocated building up — rather than out — on O`ahu to make the most of our limited space, preserving as much open space and agricultural land as possible.

      “The people of Hawai`i are being priced out of the housing market. We’ve become a playground for the wealthy — condos/homes sell for millions yet sit empty 90 percent of the time, and other homes are used as vacation rentals, increasing the price for all of Hawai`i’s housing.

      “I’ll continue to advocate for more affordable housing units through public and private projects, discouraging housing and land speculation, ensuring ‘affordable’ housing units are actually affordable, and stay that way – not flipped and sold for profit (like the scandal in Kaka`ako).
      “We must streamline regulations that contribute to the affordable housing shortage and involve every level of government and the private sector in solving Hawai`i’s housing crisis.”

Shay Chan Hodges

      “Economic instability is the most pressing issue facing our state,” Hodges replied. “Besides the obvious challenges to the individual, financial security (or lack thereof) is inextricably linked to stimulating innovation and building our state’s intellectual infrastructure, addressing social challenges, protecting the environment and leaving a legacy to our children.

      “In spite of the evidence, most politicians ignore the most basic tenets of a thriving economy. When Forbes ranked the Best Countries for Business in 2015, the U.S. continued its six-year descent from 18th to 22nd place. Meanwhile, Scandinavian market economies — which have some of the strongest unions and best family-friendly policies in the world — continued with top rankings when evaluated for property rights, innovation, taxes, technology, corruption, freedom, red tape, investor protection and stock market performance.
      “For over 20 years, I’ve lived the day-to-day issues and practical realities that Hawai`i’s working families face with regard to education, health care, housing, substance abuse, keeping our families safe and of course, the economy. I understand first-hand that lack of access to opportunities and threat of displacement are significant challenges in our state.
      “To address these challenges, politicians must recognize that a thriving economy is one that works for working families.”
      See civilbeat.com for more questions and answers.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Rick San Nicolas with his feathered cape

and cloak. NPS Photo by Christa Sadler

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election continues weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARKS’ artist-in-residence open studio returns tomorrow. Master of Hawaiian featherwork Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas invites visitors to join him in his studio all month long. His featherwork replicates the work of ancient Hawaiian masters whose finely crafted regalia were worn by Hawaiian royalty and warriors.
      The studio is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 1932 Administration Building, also called the `Ohi`a Wing, located between Kilauea Visitor Center and Volcano House.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.
      Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Monday, Aug. 1, 2016

Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School staff and teachers prepare for students to arrive Wednesday.
See more below. Photo from KHPES

STATE SENATE DISTRICT II Democratic candidates on the primary election ballot discussed their legislative priorities with Nathan Eagle, of Civil Beat. Puna’s Hawai`i County Council member Greggor Ilagan is challenging incumbent Sen. Russell Ruderman in the Aug 13 election. The winner will face Libertarian Fred Fogel in the Nov. 8 general election.

Sen. Russell Ruderman and supporters at Volcano Independence
Day Parade. Photo from Sen. Ruderman

      Ruderman has held the Senate seat since January 2011, when Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed him after moving Sen. Russell Kokubun to the Department of Agriculture. Ruderman was then elected to the position in 2012.
       Ilagan, who currently heads the county Planning Committee, was elected to the seat in 2012.

      Ruderman told Eagle that he’ll support raising Hawai`i’s minimum wage to $15. “We’re constantly talking about homelessness and poverty,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do as significantly or quickly as increasing the minimum wage.”

State Senate candidate Greggor Ilagan with Ka`u supporters.
Photo from Greggor Ilagan

      Ruderman also said he wants to advocate for animal rights and a tax on sugary sodas. He also wants begin to discuss legalizing marijuana at the county level.
      “I want to represent my community, which I love very much and has been horribly underserved for the past 30 years,” Ruderman told Eagle.
      Ilagan told Eagle that he wants to help Hawai`i County secure more revenue from state transient accommodations taxes, streamline government services, fight rapid `ohi`a death, bolster medical residency programs and improve residents’ financial literacy. “I feel that in this modern age, now we have a tendency to swipe our credit cards and all of a sudden we have a hard time managing our finances,” he said. “A lot of the problems we have … are financial problems.”
      See civilbeat.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Mike Kagami with Ka`u volunteer
firefighters last month in Na`alehu.
Photo by Ron Johnson

Mitch Roth and friends.
Photo from Mitch Roth

HAWAI`I COUNTY PROSECUTOR candidates spoke with John Burnett, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, about their priorities.

      Incumbent Mitch Roth credited the Big Island Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center with a 50 percent drop in juvenile court caseloads since he was elected in 2012 and a non-recidivism rate of 94 percent. “It’s easier to build strong youth than it is to build broken adults,” Roth told Burnett. He said he brings “a more complete toolbox” to the race than challenger Mike Kagami.
      Kagami touted his experience in felony jury trials. He said he thinks Roth has prioritized community programs over prosecution. “That’s our only mandate in the County Charter: Investigate and prosecute crime,” Kagami said. “You know, community programs are important, but that shouldn’t be our main focus. … It’s great Mitch says recidivism for juveniles is down, but, you know, crime still happens. The murder rate has gone through the roof in the past few years, especially in Puna.”
      Roth cited convictions of two men in murders of their wives and indictments in the 1997 murder of Peter “Peter Boy” Kema, Jr. and a woman in the 2009 shooting death of her friend.” He said Kagami reviewed those cases and concluded that convictions couldn’t be done. “We looked at those cases with fresh eyes and decided they could. And we got justice” with the convictions, Roth told Burnett.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Tropical Storm Howard is expected to weaken as it heads
toward Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

ANOTHER TROPICAL STORM is on its way toward the Central Pacific but expected to lose strength before reaching Hawai`i. According to the National Hurricane Center, Howard is headed toward much cooler waters and an increasingly drier and more stable environment. This should result in a fast rate of weakening, and the system is forecast to become post-tropical in 48 hours.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A PIANIST JOINS A SOPRANO, violinist and cellist for Hawai`i International Music Festival’s engagement in Pahala.
      After opening its inaugural season at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Concert Hall in Honolulu, the special concert at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. honors the 20th anniversary of Ka`u Coffee. The concert will help raise awareness for donations for Hawai`i Public Radio’s efforts to bring a stronger and more reliable signal to this community and the entire state.

Pianist Ian Parker

      The concert features Amy Shoremount-Obra (soprano and daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s 100% Hawaiian Coffee), Eric Silberger (violin), Daniel Lelchuk (cello), and Mikayla Sager (soprano). Special guests include internationally acclaimed pianist Ian Parker, who has appeared as soloist with Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra. Carlin Ma is artistic program director.
      Tax-deductible donations of $25 each may be made for tickets at himusicfestival.bpt.me. To make a larger donation to HPR, contact Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net.
      The festival kicks off on Monday, Aug. 8 at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where Silberger, who recently made international press for playing inside Icelandic Volcano Thrihnukagigur, plays violin at various locations around the park in celebration of the park’s and National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. At 7 p.m., he presents a free concert at Volcano House, with Kilauea Caldera and Halema`uma`u Crater as his backdrop. The concert will include the world premiere of a composition dedicated to the park’s centennial. Park entrance fees apply.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

REGISTER NOW FOR KA`U COFFEE Trail Run. The third annual run celebrates award-winning Ka`u Coffee. All proceeds from the event sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou stay in Ka`u to benefit the Ka`u community.
      On Sept. 17, Ka`u Coffee Trail Run offers moderate to highly challenging 5K, 10K and Half Marathon races through macadamia nut and coffee fields along Ka`u’s beautiful slopes. Races begin and end at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The course starts with a family-friendly 5K, continues uphill through a moderately challenging 10K and reaches a 3,100-foot elevation in the vigorously exhilarating Half Marathon.

Register now for next month's Ka`u Coffee Trail Run.
Image from OKK

      Each runner receives a massage, lunch and a goodies bag, including a T-shirt.
      Regular registration ends Aug. 15, and late registration ends Sept. 12. Race day registration ends at 6:30 a.m.
      Races begin at 7 a.m. The 5K is a family-friendly, run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields. The 10K is a moderate run through macadamia nut groves, coffee fields and a eucalyptus tree forest. The Half Marathon follows the 5K and 10K course, then continues up to an elevation of 3,100 feet, traverses onto a four-wheel-drive access road, marked trails undulating through grazing pastures, former sugarcane fields and winding down through newly planted coffee fields.
      Awards go to top three men and women overall and in age groups from 19 and under to 70 and over. Fun for the whole family includes live entertainment, silent auction, local food, awards and door prizes (must be present to win).
      For more information and to register, see race360.com/21357.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Although Hawai`i National Park was established in 1916, the

dedication ceremony didn't take place until 1922 and was

held on the rim of Kilauea caldera. NPS Photo archives

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees today to celebrate its 100th birthday.

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election begins today and continues on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYORAL candidate Marlene Hapai meets Ka`u voters this evening at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

KA`U STUDENTS START SCHOOL this week. Ka`u Learning Academy welcomed students back today. Na`alehu School opens for students tomorrow, and Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary students return Wednesday.

      Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School holds a back-to-school kick-off today. The event begins at 3 p.m. with an Informational Fair until 5 p.m. and light dinner and welcome at 5:15 p.m. Participants may visit classrooms and meet teachers from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 313-4100 for more information.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building.
      All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Committees meeting tomorrow are Public Safety & Mass Transit at 1 p.m. and Finance at 1:30 p.m. The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
      Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.