Halema'uma'u Lava Lake Lights the Sky Halema'uma'u lights up the sky from its lava lake on Wednesday at a lookout in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. See www.facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps NPS photo by Janice Wei
The statement from Hawaiian Electric says: "Customers should be prepared to see a sharp increase in electric bills because of the instability in the world energy market caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the U.S. and other nations are isolating Russia economically and refusing to buy Russian oil.
"We’re telling you now so you can plan your budget and take steps to reduce your energy use." Hawaiian Electric explains that "two years ago, at the start of the pandemic, the cost of a barrel of oil fell to $18. It’s now close to $120. These bill increases are on top of inflation driven by the post-pandemic economic recovery and higher oil prices. "The international community’s support for Ukraine, including the decision by the U.S. and other countries to suspend the purchases of Russian oil, and the economic sanctions placed on Russia are leading to higher prices at the gas pump and in your electric bill." Hawaiian Electric informs customers that "You shouldn’t worry about our fuel supply for generating electricity. Our fuel supplier is no longer buying Russian oil but there are plenty of places to buy oil on the world market, so supply isn’t an issue. The utility notes that "Fuel costs are passed through to customers, Hawaiian Electric makes no profit on it. Under a fuel-cost risk-sharing regulatory mechanism, the company’s shareholders may be required to pay some of the cost when oil prices rise, resulting in a slightly lower rate for customers."
Hawaiian Electric advises that it can not "say with certainty when prices will stabilize. In the best case, we may see some reduction starting this summer. But that’s difficult to predict given the uncertainty of the international situation. If the war in Ukraine continues and more countries choose not to buy Russian oil, the price could surge higher." Production of electricity on this island is far from total dependence on imported oil. Hawai'i Island reached a high level of independence in 2021 with a full year of using geothermal power, following its shutdown during the 2018 lava flows. Wind, hydroelectric and solar also contribute to the island's growing energy independence. Last year, Hawai'i Island recached a 60 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard - RPS, which measures independence from fossil fuels, but there remains partial dependence on oil. Regarding prices on the other islands, Hawaiian Electric announced a likely increase of 20 percent for Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i, which have an RPS of 38 percent. A price increase of 10 percent is expected on O'ahu where RPS is 32.8 percent. Kaua'i's electricity is provided by the community run Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative, which has not yet forecast an increase.
Joe Viola, senior vice president of customer, legal and regulatory affairs for Hawaiian Electric said, “The increases we’re anticipating are more abrupt than we’ve seen before and, on top of the inflation we’ve all experienced in recent months, I know they will impact the budgets of many households. We hope that by letting customers know what’s coming this helps households and businesses plan budgets and reduce energy use.” Hawaiian Electric encouraged customers to consider options available to help manage energy bills. Links to resources are available at hawaiianelectric.com. Hawaii Energy is another resource that offers rebates and practical energy-saving tips at hawaiienergy.com. A statement from Hawaiian Electric recommended the following actions now: Reduce the use of anything that generates heat – water heater, oven, clothes dryer, stove. Consider a heat pump water heater, now available with a $500 rebate from Hawaii Energy – it could cut your the energy bill by up to 40%. Turn off air conditioning or set it at 78 degrees. Even turning it off for an hour helps. Use smart plugs or unplug electronics when not in use, including computers, printers, cable boxes, game devices, chargers.
Consider rooftop solar. Shared solar will soon be available for customers who can’t put panels on their own roof but want to share in the savings and contribute to Hawaii’s clean energy transformation. When gas prices are high, electric vehicles can help reduce overall energy spending, especially if with special rates that provide incentives to charge at certain times of the day with lower rates. Power Partnerships are a way residential and commercial customers can get financial rewards for signing up with independent companies called “grid-service aggregators” under contract with the utility. These companies recruit customers with solar, batteries, electric vehicles and other load flexibility devices to combine or “aggregate” their services to support the grid. Customers are rewarded, generally with credits that reduce their monthly bills, says the Hawaiian Electric statement.
JOSH GREEN HAS WON THE ENDORSEMENT OF HGEA, THE LARGEST OF THE HAWAI'I PUBLIC WORKERS UNIONS. Hawai'i Government Employees Union made the announcement today. Green said, "Throughout the pandemic, HGEA members showed up every day to keep our state running, and I am so thankful to have their support!" The union said Green, a physician and the Lieutenant Governor, is the HGEA choice for a governor to lead the state out of the pandemic. HGEA pointed to his experience as Lt. Governor. He also served in the state Senate and state House of Representatives.
Hawai'i Government Employees Association, the public workers union, endorsed Lt. Gov. Josh Green for governor on Thursday. HGEA photo
He started his medical career in Kaʻū after finishing his residency to become a doctor. Regarding Covid 19, HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira said, “Josh Green was out there volunteering his time, making sure that we were taking precautions as necessary and doing what was necessary to keep us as a community safe. The other thing that I can say about Josh is that at the time when we were facing the worst of the crisis — the fear, the anxiety — Josh Green was often the voice of reason publicly.”
Affordable housing and shelter for the homeless are two of his causes. Already in the race are former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, former Hawaii First Lady Vicky Cayetano, Aloha Freedom Coalition Organizer Gary Cordero and City Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi.
HALA PEPE IS THE PLANT OF THE MONTH for the March Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū, the column by Jodie Rosam and artist Joan Yoshioka that explains their moʻolelo (stories), uses, preferred habitats, and opportunities to adopt them for stewardship. This column seeks to encourage making new plant friends and to reunite with others. Hala pepe is Dracaena konaensis. Description: There are six endemic species in the Agavaceae family, each either island- or region-specific. Only one species, Dracaena konaensis, is endemic to Hawaiʻi Island, and it is listed as endangered. Easily mistaken for the "Money Tree" (a cousin to hala pepe) to the untrained eye, hala pepe have an interesting appearance, with simple and slender leaves clustered near the top of a branch. The
abundant and showy yellow flowers appear dangling on a long inflorescence, giving way to reddish berries once pollinated. Hala pepe are dioecious, meaning their flowers contain both male and female parts. In ideal conditions, hala pepe can reach 10 meters tall (~33 feet) and have multiple trunks. However, due to fire and grazing pressures by both feral and pastured ungulates, many remaining wild plants show signs of damage, and natural recruitment is little to non-existent (rodents love to eat the ripe fruits). Uses: Medicinally, hala pepe bark and leaves are combined with several other lāʻau (including ʻuhaloa root bark, pōpolo, and a section of kō kea) to treat fever and chills, and combined with others to treat asthma and breathing troubles. Hala pepe trunks were traditionally used to make kiʻi, and branches were used to decorate altars, including those for Laka. Hala pepe is a significant hula lāʻau, representing Kapo (a Goddess of Hula), and its flowers are strung in lei. Habitat: Kaʻū is one of the of only three moku on Hawaiʻi Island in which D. konaensis remain, in addition to the Hōlei Pali in Puna, and Puʻu Waʻa Waʻa and Kaʻūpūlehu in North Kona. Hala pepe prefer dry forests on old ʻaʻā flows in full sun and open canopies, at elevations between 300-860 meters (~985-2,800 feet). This habitat preference suggests parts of Ocean View and Ranchos are ideal conditions for hala pepe (where it was undoubtedly more abundant historically). Although one of Kaʻū's beloved hala pepe (located just makai of the highway in Kahuku) died several years ago, there are still several remaining - keep your eyes peeled!
Hala Pepe growing at Sustainable Bioresources in Discovery Harbour. Photo from Ed Rau
Growing and Purchasing: Because Hawaiʻi Island's hala pepe is endangered, collection of hala pepe seeds and materials requires special permits through the State, and it is best to seek adoption opportunities from registered nurseries like Future Forests. Although hala pepe are not common in the home landscape, they should be! Requiring virtually no maintenance other than a location with full sun and well-draining soil, preferably on ʻaʻā, these plants are extremely drought and wind tolerant, and do not require much (if any) fertilization treatments. Consider making hala pepe a landscape accent on your property if you have the proper elevation, rainfall, and drainage conditions for it to thrive.
HALA PEPE BLOOMS IN DISCOVERY HARBOUR. Ed Rau, founder of Sustainable Bioresources, reports growing two of the rare plants from seedlings obtained several years ago from the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. One has reached maturity and is now in full bloom. If it is pollinated, "seeds should form and be ready for planting and starting new seedlings in the fall," said Rau. See www.sustainablebioresources.com.
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES is live at KMC's Kilauea Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through March 20. Tickets are $15 at the door. For reservations and more, call 808-982-7344. The comedy by Alan Ayckbourn is presented by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network, which explains: Set in the autumn of 1969, the show centers around three couples. Fiona Foster and Bob Phillips are having an affair unbeknownst to their spouses Frank Foster and Teresa Phillips. To cover it up they invent cover stories that involve a third couple, William and Mary Detweiler. which leads to farcical misunderstandings, conflicts and revelations. How the Other Half Loves has a single set, which represents two separate but over-lapping living rooms which allows the action to take place in both rooms simultaneously. Six veteran Hilo actors take the stage to portray the three couples. Mark Rawlings and Celaney Carpenter are Frank and Fiona Foster, Ray Ryan and Joanne Pocsidio are Bob and Teresa Phillips, and Murphy Bierman and Joy Bierman are William and Mary Detweiler. They are under the direction of Suzi Bond. Don Lawrence is set designer, Helie Rock is costuming and John Kea is light and sound designer.
The cast of How the Other Half Loves, now playing at KMC's Kilauea Theatre. Photo from KDEN.org
The director said, “This is one of the first shows I worked on 50 years ago. I was the prop master and this show has a lot of props. It has been a blast to revisit the show and see how well it holds up. From the first rehearsal there has been lots of laughter. We spent the first three rehearsals just reading through the play so that everyone had a clear understanding of how the flow of the show works. Once we started blocking it was kinda slow going making sure that we were able to keep the action flowing. We have such a small stage it has been a challenge. I think people will be amazed at how much is on the stage and how everyone moves freely in the space."
How the Other Half Loves is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (www.concordtheatricals.com). Also see KDEN.org.
Macadamia, coffee and pasture dominate agriculture in Kaʻū, according to the state Department
of Agriculture map.
AN UPDATED BASELINE STUDY ON LAND IN AGRICULTURE IN HAWAI'I was released on Tuesday by the state Department of Agriculture. The report, with figures finalized in 2020, shows Hawaiian Islands with 886,211 acres in agriculture, a decrease of 27,050 acres, or minus 3 percent from 2015. Acres in planted crops total 120,632, a decrease of 31,199 acres or minus 21 percent. The loss in planted acres was attributed to the closure of the Hawai`i Commercial & Sugar Company on Maui in 2016, which removed 38,810 acres in crop acreage. On Hawai`i Island, total agricultural acreage was 614,552, a drop of 891 acres (-0.14 percent) from 2015. During the intermittent five years, the island was challenged by natural disasters, including adverse weather and volcanic activity. In addition, island agriculture contended with invasive pests such as the co ffee berry borer and spittle bug. The 2018 eruption at Kilauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone covered about 1,000 acres of productive agricultural lands in Puna, which included diversified crops, horticulture, macadamia nut, papaya and tropical fruit farms. Despite those losses, most of those crops gained acreage during the survey period with diversified crops gaining 1,076 acres (+33 percent), papaya gaining 640 acres (+25 percent) and tropical fruits gaining 167 acres (+5 percent). Acreage in dairy production dropped about 1,000 acres due to the
State Department of Agriculture report shows the increases and decreases of land in various crops around the island between 2015 and 2020.
closure of Big Island Dairy in 2019. The survey did note the first return of sugar cultivation to the island with 14 acres in Hawi that is part of a distillery operation. The baseline studies provide a wide range of maps and graphics depicting the location of crops with island-by-island summaries. A DOA announcement describes it as a snapshot in time intended to help industry, government and the community in making decisions that affect agricultural land use in the state. The 2020 updated reports and the 2015 report were completed under contracts with the University of Hawai`i at Hilo’s Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Lab, which used Geographic Information System technology and aerial imagery from several sources to digitally document the footprint of lands engaged in commercial scale agriculture statewide. Both reports are available on the HDOA website at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/salubreports. The GIS metadata for both the 2015 and 2020 reports are available on the State Office of Planning’s Geospacial Data Portal at: https://geoportal.hawaii.gov/ (Land Use & Land Cover).
“The agricultural baseline reports are valuable in tracking the state of agriculture in Hawai`i and provides a gauge to long-term planning for the future,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture. “The 2020 baseline data will help determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in future years and may help to develop early responses to local, national and global crises.”
MONEY FOR LOCAL AGRICULTURE IS IN THE $1.5 TRILLION FEDERAL FUNDING BILL that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday. A report from Congressman Ed Case says, "The bill’s Agriculture Appropriations section funds federal efforts to tackle hunger and nutrition insecurity, grow opportunities and uplift rural communities, confront the climate crisis and advance world-leading agriculture research and development." The discretionary funding level is $25.1 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion over the 2021 enacted level. The bill includes a record $34 million for the Agricultural Quarantine Inspections program for invasive
species in Hawai‘i. Inspections will be allowed at inter-island airports to help mitigate the spread of invasive species between islands. The bill also directs federal agencies to target invasive species in Hawai‘i, such as the spittlebug, avocado lace bug and little fire ant. Programs and provisions requested and secured by Case in the Agriculture bill include: • $5 million for the Micro-Grants for Food Security program, which has provided direct funding to Hawai'i’s subsistence and small commercial farmers. • $4 million for Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, the first increase for this vital program in years. • $4.5 million for coffee research to address the threats of Coffee Leaf Rust and Coffee Berry Borer for Hawai'i's coffee industry. • $26 million for farmers market nutrition programs, which helps address food insecurity with fresh produce and supports local farms. • $1.2 million for research for the macadamia felted coccid. The measure also: • Directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update its Biosecurity Plan for Invasive Ants in the Pacific to help Hawai‘i deal with little red
fire ant and other invasive ant species.
• Requests the U.S. Department of Agriculture study the ability and
effectiveness of managed forestry best practices to aid in the
reforestation of native trees and the cultivation of forest crops in
tropical and subtropical forests.
• Emphasizes the importance of tropical and subtropical crop research,
given the threats posed by climate change and invasive species and
diseases.
• Urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture to responsibly and
efficiently take action to increase access to broadband on entities
related to Hawaiian homelands.
Eva Liu at her Ulu Ka'u Farms were the April 2 Hawai'i Farmers Union United meeting will be held.
A VISIT TO EVA LIU'S FARM IN NĀ'ĀLEHU is the event on Saturday, April 2, hosted by the Kaʻū chapter of Hawai'i Farmers Union United. Those interested can meet at Ace Hardware in Nāʻālehu at 11:30 a.m. There will be a potluck lunch. Liu owns Ulu Kaʻū Farms and provides land for O Kaʻū Kakou community organization to grow food and give it away at the Food Hub in Nāʻālehu where meals are served at no cost to those in need. She said she is open to proposals from area farmers to grow fruit and vegetables on plots of land that she can provide at the farm. See more on Hawai'i Farmers Union United at https://hfuuhi.org/
Hawai'i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY KELDEN WALTJEN SAYS JOHN LEE FRANKS IS BACK IN CUSTODY. The 43-year old Ocean View man was wanted on an outstanding $150,000.00 Grand Jury Indictment bench warrant. On Tuesday, Franks was escorted back to Hawai‘i Island by Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Investigators who extradited him from O‘ahu to face his criminal charges after his coordinated arrest by Honolulu Police outside of the Castle Medical Center in Kailua. On Feb. 23, Prosecutors indicted Franks before a Hilo Grand Jury with three offenses involving the sexual assault of a minor and secured the issuance of the $150,000.00 bench warrant. Franks, who was originally charged via Complaint in Kona District Court, was out of custody on $50,000.00 bail, which was reduced from $150,000.00 over Prosecutors’ objections. Prosecutors elected to present the case before the Grand Jury prior to his March 10, 2022 preliminary hearing in Kona District Court. As the Indictment alleges, Franks is charged with two counts of Sexual
John Lee Franks, of Ocean View, is back in custody, extradited from O'ahu.
Assault in the First Degree and a single count of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of 14. The alleged crimes occurred between November 2021 and February 2022. Sexual Assault in the First Degree and Continuous Sexual Assault of a Minor Under the Age of 14 are both class A felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty 20 years in prison. Franks is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Wednesday in Kona Circuit Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $150,000.00 bail. The lead investigator was Detective Kevin Brodie, Area II Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich. The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A statement from the Prosecutors says, "If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please go to a safe place, and call a trusted friend or relative for
support. You can call 911 to report the sexual assault to the police. The YWCA Hawai‘i Island 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline has advocates available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support and advocacy. They can be reached at (808) 935-0677. Mahalo to the Hawai‘i Police Department, Honolulu Police Department, and the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s Criminal Investigations Unit for their coordinated effort in the arrest and extradition. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement, call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
TEN YEARS IN PRISON IS THE SENTENCE FOR VOLCANO WOMAN, Tearon Teashell aka “TT” Pacheco-Fernandez, who had no prior felony convictions. Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen made the announcement on Wednesday, noting that she committed a series of crimes in 2019 and 2020. The Court ordered
that Pacheco-Fernandez serve a mandatory minimum of three years and four months without
the possibility of parole.
“Here, a prison term is the only just result and appropriate punishment to reflect the
seriousness of these offenses, promote respect for the law, deter future criminal conduct, and protect
our community,” said Waltjen. “Despite her age (26) and not having
any prior felony convictions, Defendant was involved in a brazen crime spree of offenses, including:
two robberies, where she utilized pepper spray and a 12 gauge shotgun; a residential burglary; and a
criminal property damage case, where she drove a Toyota Tacoma into two cars while fleeing from
police in a crowded Hilo parking lot.”
"TT" Fernandes gets ten years in prison.
On November 3, 2021, Pacheco-Fernandez, entered “Guilty” pleas to two charges of
Robbery in the Second Degree, and a single count each of Ownership Prohibited, Firearm on
Highway, and Burglary in the First Degree, in relation to two separate robbery incidents at the Target
Store and Burger King located on E. Makaala Street in Hilo and a residential burglary in Pana'ewa, all
of which occurred on March 6, 2020. Pacheco-Fernandez, also pleaded “No Contest” to two charges
of Criminal Property Damage in the First Degree, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, and Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, in relation to a resist order to stop
incident which occurred on November 27, 2019 within the parking lot of KTA Superstores on
Puainako Street in Hilo and Accomplice to Theft in the Third Degree, in relation to a theft from a
Puna residence which occurred between May 19 and May 20, 2019.
The investigations were initiated by Puna, South Hilo, and South Kohala Patrols and the
arrest and follow up investigation was handled by the Area I Criminal Investigation Section. The
case was prosecuted by Waltjen, who said: "The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with
integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call
Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300."
Aloha Gas Station in Ocean View on Tuesday, where the price was $4.99 per gallon for regular. Photo by Kathy Jensen
GAS PRICES REACHED $5.02 AT SPIRIT GAS IN OCEAN VIEW AND $5.049 AT KAMEI GAS IN PĀHALA on Tuesday. The cost was $4.99 at Aloha Gas and $4.979 at Kahuku Gas in Ocean View. The lowest was $4.889 at the 76 Gas Station in Nāʻālehu. All prices are for regular, unleaded. The average in Kaʻū was $4.985 per gallon. The American Automobile Association reported the islandwide average at $4.889 per gallon, the state average $4.718 and national average $4.173. AAA reported that average price in the state increased 30 cents in the last month and $1.22 in the last year. On Tuesday, gas prices in Hawai'i and the U.S. reached the highest prices ever, not accounting for inflation, according to AAA. The hike in gasoline prices in Hawai'i comes as the only refinery in the state rejected Russian imported oil. It also comes as the U.S., on Tuesday, banned Russian oil imports amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces. Pres. Joe Biden said, "That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at U.S. ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin's war machine." Prior to President Biden's announcement, prices had already accelerated due to pandemic-related supply chain issues and inflation. The Executive Order signed by Biden not only bans import of Russian oil, it bans liquified natural gas and coal shipments to the U.S. from Russia. Americans are also prohibited from financial investments in Russia's energy sector.
Gas Prices in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. on March 8, 2022. Image courtesy of AAA
With Russia providing 10% of the world's oil and more than a third of its natural gas, rising energy and gas prices were expected. According to a statement from the White House, "the Administration has already committed to releasing more than 90 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve this fiscal year, with an emergency sale of 30 million barrels announced just last week." The Administration has also reached out to oil-rich Venezuela and is negotiating to lift a ban on importing from that country. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2020 Americans used an average of 18.19 million barrels of petroleum per day. The Biden Administration said it is communicating "with a range of energy producers and consumers on further steps we can take to ensure a stable global supply of energy." A Senior Administration Official told reporters that "the only way to eliminate Putin's and every other producing country's ability to use oil as an economic weapon, is to reduce our dependency on oil...this crisis reinforces our resolve to make America truly energy independent, which means reducing our dependence on fossil fuels."
People and bikes ride free on the countywide Hele-On buses, an alternative to paying high gas prices for vehicles when going to Kona, Hilo and beyond.
BE MINDFUL OF FUEL AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION, urges Mayor Mitch Roth. He issued a statement on Tuesday saying, "Although we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the decisions of the United States government to place strict sanctions on Russia in defense of democracy, we must also remember that we are an isolated island chain that the decision will heavily impact. By being mindful, we can stretch our on-island supply as the global market adjusts to the economic impacts the sanctions are sure to cause."
"We are confident that solutions will be found to address this
issue and appreciate the cooperation and commitment from the community in the meantime. Every effort, big or
small, is valued and necessary to our economic vitality moving forward,” said the mayor. The county recently notified the public that its Hele-On Bus system offers fare-free rides for all bus and van routes until Dec. 31, 2023. This came into effect last month after Bill 105 was approved by Hawaiʻi County Council.
AN ACCIDENT WITH A DUMP TRUCK NEAR KAPĀPALA RANCH on Tuesday led to a one lane contra-flow on Highway 11 at the 45 mile marker. Motorists were advised to drive with caution when approaching the area with the start and go traffic delays lasting for about two hours.
MISSING IS FRANCISCO KELLY DAKAMAS MANALO, of Ocean View. Hawai‘i Island police ask for the community's assistance in locating the 22-year-old, reported missing by his family. Manalo was last seen on Tuesday, March 8 around 10:30 a.m. in the Kealakekua area wearing a gray hooded jacket, black pants, and a red bandana. He is described as a Pacific Islander, 5 feet tall, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Manalo has a medical condition that requires medication. Police ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 911 or the police department's non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
MOKUPĀPAPA, IMILOA AND HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK are teaming up to offer students a new educational program. It's called Earth, Sea, Sky: Creating Connections. The program is a series of learning opportunities offered through the park and its partners, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and NOAA's Mokupāpapa Discovery Center for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Through participation in field trips with each organization, virtually or in-person, students will learn how interconnected and interdependent life is on the island of Hawaiʻi, as well as how we can mālama ʻāina, care for the world around us. Students will be exposed to a diverse range of scientific research happening on island and the different careers available to curious students.
Hōlei Sea Arch at the end of Chain of Craters Road n Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo by Janice Wei
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the partners will continue to follow COVID safety protocols "to make sure that each in-person field trip experience is as safe and fun as possible," says a statement from the park. There are also options for classes unable to do in-person field trips that include virtual field trips and classroom visits (for schools on the island.) For more information and to schedule a field trip, email Erin Deskin at havo_education@nps.gov. Funding may be available to assist with transportation and admission on a needs-based basis. More educational classroom resources are available at all three partners' websites: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/education/curriculummaterials.htm; ʻImiloa Astronomy Center at www.imiloahawaii.org and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center: https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/new-education/ The park also sent out a reminder that every fourth grader is eligible for a free park pass through the Every Kid Outdoors program. Ask at the park entrance, or visit https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm.
abundant and showy yellow flowers appear dangling on a long inflorescence, giving way to reddish berries once pollinated. Hala pepe are dioecious, meaning their flowers contain both male and female parts. In ideal conditions, hala pepe can reach 10 meters tall (~33 feet) and have multiple trunks. However, due to fire and grazing pressures by both feral and pastured ungulates, many remaining wild plants show signs of damage, and natural recruitment is little to non-existent (rodents love to eat the ripe fruits). 
HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES is live at KMC's Kilauea Theatre on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through March 20. Tickets are $15 at the door. For reservations and more, call 808-982-7344. The comedy by Alan Ayckbourn is presented by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network, which explains:
