The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, April 21, 2022

Troy and Ala Keolanui reign over the Merrie Monarch Festival this week. See more below and at www.merriemonarch.com.
Photo from Merrie Monarch Festival by Bruce Omori.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO WAS ON HAWAI'I ISLAND on Thursday, explaining efforts to lower costs for working families and plans to invest in Hawaii communities. She said that amid rising costs around the world, she ad colleagues are doing everything in their power to lower costs for families. She said they have taken action to address short-term supply chain issues, increase oil supply, push for lower prescription drug prices and child care costs, and promote competition. In recent weeks, Hirono introduced legislation to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month and combat price gouging on essentials like food, gasoline, and prescription drugs. She also mentioned that she helped to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to invest in America's infrastructure. The law includes more than $2.8 billion in federal funding for Hawai'i to help upgrade and modernize the state’s infrastructure, which will strengthen supply chains, help goods get to market, and lower costs for Hawaii families, said Hirono.

Sen. Mazie Hirono visted KTA in Hilo on Thursday and reiterated her
support for Da BUX program that helps low income families buy
locally grown produce. Photo from Hirono's office

The Senator started her day with a visit to the KTA Super Store in Puainako, where she discussed DA BUX program, which partners with food retailers to make produce grown in Hawaii more affordable for SNAP-EBT cardholders, and efforts to lower food costs. Senator Hirono is a vocal supporter of DA BUX program. Last year she supported a $5 million federal grant to help the program build capacity. “With food costs rising, we need to do everything we can to help provide families with nutritious, affordable food. Today, I saw firsthand how DA BUX program is helping families with low incomes purchase fresh, locally-grown produce. As we work to make sure every family in Hawai'i has food to eat, I will continue to champion this important program and other initiatives that help to lower food costs for families.”
She toured the Kolekole Bridge in Honomu to discuss infrastructure investments in Hawai'i with Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Highways Ed Sniffen. The Kolekole Bridge is one of many bridges in Hawai'i that will be upgraded. “Thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hawaii is set to receive more than $2.8 billion for infrastructure investments including upgrades to bridges and roads. This historic funding will help make sure Hawaii remains a great place to live, work, and explore for decades to come.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono visited Merrie Monarch artists and
craftspersons on Thursday and called the festival an
important economic driver. Photo from Hirono's office

Hirono also visited a public high school AP Environmental Science class taught by Whitney Aragaki, Hawai'i’s 2022 Teacher of the Year and the Senator’s guest for this year’s State of the Union. Last year, Hirono helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which included more than $412 million for Hawai'i’s public schools.

Said Hirono, “As Hawai'i’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Whitney Aragaki has made substantial contributions to her school, students, and community. I was honored to have her as my guest for this year’s State of the Union, and I enjoyed the opportunity to see her in action in the classroom today with her bright young students. The last two years have been incredibly challenging for students, parents, and educators. As we continue our recovery and work to address learning loss, I’m working to make sure every student in Hawai'i can learn safely in the classroom.”
The Senator ended her day with a visit to the Merrie Monarch festival in Hilo, saying, “The Merrie Monarch Festival is a wonderful celebration of Hawaii’s unique history, culture, and talent—it has also developed into an important economic driver for the Big Island. After two years without the Merrie Monarch Festival, it was great to see the festival back in action this year and to meet so many talented local artists and craftspeople from across Hawai'i.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

Seth White, 21, who died in a motorcycle accident on
Tuesday morning at the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park. Photo from Jada-Simone S. White

SETH WHITE, THE 21-YEAR OLD WHO DIED when a car hit his motorcycle at the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday morning, has been identified on social media as an Ocean View community member who was on his way to visit his mother in Puna at the time of the accident.

His photo has been printed in newspapers across the country, from The Sacramento Bee to Kentucky's Lexington Herald Leader, the image provided by Jada Simone S. White.

Numerous facebook posts to The Kaʻū Calendar express condolences to the family of the victim and to the 65 year old woman who was driving the small SUV that hit the motorcycle. There are also posts concerning improving the safety of the intersection and also the need for drivers to become much more aware of motorcycles on the highway.

TROY AND ALA KEOLANUI are the King and Queen of the 2022 Merrie Monarch Royal Court. The Keolanui's are long associated with the Olson Trust and its OK Farms in Hilo, as well as its Ka'u Coffee Mill and macadamia orchards in Kaʻū.

Merrie Monarch Festival described the couple on its facebook: "Mōʻī Kāne Troy David Keolanui and Mōʻī Wahine Alaʻamoe Kahanuola Kuʻikahi Keolanui Kahanu have five children and one grandchild.

Troy and Ala Keolanui who work with Edmund C. Olson Trust and OK Farms are
king and queen for Merrie Monarch. Photo from Merrie Monarch by Cody Yamaguchi
See livestream, results and more at www.merriemonarch.com

They farm macadamia nuts, coffee, citrus, tropical fruits, spices, cacao and hearts of palm on their Olson Keolanui Farms (OK Farms) in Amaʻulu, Hilo.
"Troy, born in September 1963, is the son of Norbet Kahalehili Keolanui and Rachel Keolanui Epperson. A Hilo High School graduate, he attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, then embarked on a career in construction and management, and in 1989 began working for the Edmund C. Olson Trust. In 2002, in partnership with Edmund Olson, Troy founded the

OK Farms on former cane land at Amauʻulu. He has also served as a soccer coach, referee and youth administrator.
"Ala'amoe was born in Hilo in October 1978 to Gary and Barbara Kuʻikahi. Raised in Keaukaha and Waiākea Uka, she graduated from Waiākea High School, then earned a certificate in Human Services from Hawaiʻi Community College. After a career in admissions at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi for many years, ʻAlaʻamoe began to work full-time on the OK Farms in 2013."

Kehau Ke will represent Ka'u in the Merrie Monarch Parade

on Saturday. Photo by Kamalani Kualahine-Salmo

As king and queen of the festival, the two participate in processions and grace their thrones to oversee the competitions and performances. Other participants with Kaʻū connections include those in the Merrie Monarch parade this Saturday, including a riding group led by Kehau Ke, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with its endangered species troop, Jovena Moses and Hui Malama, and county Department of Environmental Management with Brenda Iokepa Moses. Area artists and craftspersons have been showing and selling their creations at Merrie Monarch venues in Hilo and Debbie Ryder's Hālau Hula ‘O Leionālani opened the week of events at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

See live streaming of Merrie Monarch hula events and more at www.merriemonarch.com

CONCERT AT THE CRATER ON SATURDAY, MAY 21 has been announced as a free community live music event at Kilauea Theater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music to begin at 6 p.m. . The event will feature two local music groups.

Hawaiian-fusion singer/songwriter Patrice Ka'ohi will perform with Jefferey O'Casey. Chris Carr, organizer of Concert at the Crater said Kaohi is renowned for her soulful vocals and unique jazz and motown influences. Hailing from O'ahu, she has lived on Big Island for the past several years. Headlining the event will be Carr's band, The Kilt Lifters, a four-piece ensemble performing their eclectic folk-rock with celtic and historic influences. The Kilt Lifters have performed throughout Hawaii the Mainland and beyond, at festivals and special events, from as far as Alaska to small town pubs of rural Ireland.

Carr said Kilauea Theater, built in 1924, "is an asset in our community. Seating over 300 people, the theater has the potential to bring the community together as a community cultural and entertainment resource. It is our hope to bring events to the theater regularly for the benefit of our residents and visitors to the area."
The event is free to the public, with the community and visitors "being warmly welcomed," said Carr. Park entrance fees apply.

Kilauea Theater in Kilauea Military Camp is located at 99-252 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785. To find the theater, enter Hawaii Volcanoes National Park through the main entrance gate, go straight for 1.3 miles and make a right turn onto the service road before the main KMC driveway. KMC is open to the public and offers meals at Crater Rim Cafe and cocktails at Lava Lounge.

Any questions, call Carr at 808-298-7254.

The Pet Nail Trim in Ocean View is a fundraiser

for Big Island Farm Sanctuary on South

Point Road. See www.bigislandsanctuary.com and

https://www.instagram.com/bigislandfarmsanctuary/?hl=en

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at

www.kaucalendar.com, on newsstands and in the mail.

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Brian Neilson, of the Dept. of Aquatic Resources atstate Dept. of Land & Natural Resources, led the public hearings on
Wednesday concerning Miloli'i. Kaimi Kaupiko was one of many who supported rules that set regulations for fishing.
Image from Zoom public hearing. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

A GREAT MAJORITY OF TESTIFIERS SUPPORTED PROPOSED MILOI'I COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA rules, which could soon be established with final approval of the state Board of Natural Resources, the Attorney General and Gov. David Ige. Two public hearings were held on Wednesday, one by zoom, and the other in person at the Miloli'i Pavilion. Much testimony was given about the importance of scientific data and local knowledge of fishermen and other community members who have taken care of the reef and the fish population for many generations.
The hearing was led by Brian Neilson, of the state Department of Aquatic Resources. Ka'imi Kaupiko, who heads up the community organization Kamalani, which worked with agencies, other non-profits and the community to come up with proposed regulations, said, "This is our time and our promise to the

Leivallyn Ka`upu pointed to the increase in development
and tourists who impact natural resources.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

kupuna," referring to the rules being created from knowledge of stewarding the nearshore waters, handed down in the community of Miloli'i for generations. He described Miloli'i as not only the last Hawaiian fishing village, but also "one of the last of its kind," with "little in the way of material wealth and modern amenities." He said people live simple and noted that much of the demographics remain - native Hawaiian with fishing a main occupation.
U'ilani Naipo, like Kaupiko, described herself as a lineal descendent of the place, where many generations of stewards continued to feed and maintain the fish population, with their traditional and customary protection standards. "Miloli'i is our home, our piko; we malama this place and feed our people," she said. She and others asked for more protection in the proposed 86 mile long Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area, to include a ban on fishing for certain species until they can recover their populations.

Miranda Steed, of Lana'i, was one of many supporters from
other fishing communities who supported the Miloli'i effort.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

Leivallyn Ka'upu said she has seen a huge increase in development and tourists who "impact our natural resources." She noted that the possibility of designation of protections for the Fishing Area came up in 2005 and asked that no more time to go by before the rules are finalized. She and others talked about not just saving marine species but striving for "recovery of their abundance."
Another speaker noted that Miloli'i was known for weaving sennet rope and that its waters are where marine life thrives in the meeting of swirling currents from Kona and from the south.
Charles Young, a fisherman from Kealia, said he and his three children all learned from Miloli'i fishermen who taught them to "take for your family's table and leave plenty for the rest of us." He said it will take more rules for the fish to recover at Miloli'i. Another speaker, Kawika Winter, gave his entire testimony in Hawaiian. A number of speakers gave parts of their testimony in Hawaiian.

Charles Young, of Kealia, thanked the fishermen
of Miloli'i for teaching him and his family.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

Speakers from other islands, from Lana'i, Moloka'i, Maui and Ha'ena on Kaua'i threw their support behind the Miloli'i proposal. Testimony contended that Ha'ena has shown through scientific data that protection of the fishing area with seasonal off-limits, bag limits
and other no-take rules, increased the fish population.
A number of speakers said Miloli'i residents and their knowledge have helped to establish Subsistence Fishing Areas elsewhere. Mahina Poepoe, of Moloka'i said she supports Miloli'i's "incredible efforts put into the development, outreach and advocacy," in developing its plan. "We are beginning to restore a future of abundance for the next generation," She described the efforts across the state as "more together than separate," and said creating the Subsistance Fishing Areas is "like making a patchwork quilt.

U'ilani Naipo was one of the lineal descendants
in Miloli'i supporting the fishing rules.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

She also said, "Progress can be regress," including going back to the ocean and traditional practices of of the past - "that's progress." She said that with climate change and the geopolitical situation, including war, restoration of resources needs to move quickly. "We don't have time to pander and placate to commercial self interests."
Billy Kinney, an urban planning student from Hanalei, talked about the return of "inspired, empowered and equipped community members." He also welcomed settler allies, partners, co-conspirators and new maka'iana'a who have joined in the movement to restore marine resources.
See more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. Go to the following links to view or download:

Jeanette Akiu Howard celebrating her
90th birthday in 2013 with Kumu
Hula Lorie Shirakawa at Pāhala
Managers House. Before her 99th
birthday, Howard will fly to Las
Vegas for a Kaʻū High Class reunion.
Photo by Julia Neal

Revised draft rule, Management plan, and Administrative record. Also see www.Kalanihale.com.

KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY ALUMNI HAVE TWO DAYS to sign up to receive a discounted rate to attend the Oct. 28-30 school reunion to be held in Las Vegas. Forty-eight have signed up so far, according to organizer Glenn Kawachi.
The earliest graduating class representative will be Jeanette Akiu Howard, Class of 1942. She is 98 years old and is headed from her Punalu'u Home across from Black Sand Beach to the airport for the trip to Las Vegas with school mates whose graduation dates are all much later than hers. Akiu Howard graduated in 1942 and has been a teacher of Hawaiian language and culture in the schools and the community for much of her life. Her home is affectionately known as Tutu's House at Punalu'u.
Alumni will fly into Vegas from as far flung places as North Carolina, Washington and California, as well as the Hawaiian Islands. To sign up, contact Glenn Kawachi at mrgyk50@outlook.com.

THE MAN WHO DIED TUESDAY AT ENTRANCE TO HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, after his motorcycle collided with a small SUV at the intersection of Highway 11, has been identified as 21-year-old Hawaiʻi Island resident Seth White.

Police have determined that speed and inattention are major factors in this incident. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2329 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo.

The fatal collision occurred around 7:52 a.m. when the 2006 Suzuki motorcycle operated by White crashed into a small SUV that was making a left turn into the park. White was heading towards Hilo on Highway 11. He was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 9:03 a.m. The 65-year-old female driver of the SUV was the sole occupant of the vehicle and reported no injuries.
The collision closed both lanes of Highway 11 near the park entrance for several hours. Hawaiʻi Police Department and park law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation.

UPCOMING HAWAI'I WILDLIFE FUND EVENTS to celebrate Earth Day include Saturday, May 14 with a Ka'u Community Cleanup at at Kamilo coast. BYO-4wd vehicles as limited space is available in other vehicles. Contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for more info.

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at
www.kaucalendar.com,
on newsstands and in the mail.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Rainbow frames the snow as Ānuenue (a rainbow) arches above Pele's Kīlauea Volcano and

Poliahu's Mauna Loa volcano on Sunday morning. NPS photo by Janice Wei

PUBLIC HEARINGS TO ESTABLISH THE MILOLI'I COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA ARE WEDNESDAY, April 20, online at 3 p.m. and in person at 5 p.m. at the Miloli'i Community Outdoor Pavilion located at 89-1200 Miloli'i Road. The hearing will be held by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources as it considers adopting Administrative Rules to establish the Fishing Area. Read about the plan at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_02_27_archive.html. See the plan at https://www.kalanihale.com/_files/ugd/d88e72_3064b82fde054c17bfcd2df0c49af04f .pdf

Kaimi Kaupiko, of the community organization Kalanihale, said, "The time has come for this once in a lifetime moment as the community of Miloli'i prepares for the public hearing on April 20 @ the Miloli'i Pavilion. We share this for all those who want to reaffirm their commitment to preserving and protecting their kuleana as stewards of their ‘aina."
According to the DLNR public announcement, the aim is "to ensure long-term sustainable populations of fish and other marine species and to reaffirm and perpetuate fishing practices that were customarily and traditionally exercised for Native Hawaiian subsistence, culture, or religion along the southwest coast of Hawai'i Island."

The proposed Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area would extend from Pa'akai Point at Kipahoehoe in the north to Kauna in the south, from the shoreline out to the 100-fathom depth contour. The Fishing Area would include the following sub-zones: the Opelu Traditional Management Zone, the Pu'uhonua Papa, the Pakuikui Rest Area, Puakaia Miloli'i, the Pu'uhonua Honomalino, the Pu'uhonua Kapua, and the Pu'uhonua Manuka.
The proposed rules would establish bag limits, size limits, seasonal closures, and/or gear restrictions for a'ama crab, kole, opihi, pakuikui, uhu, ula, and u'u within the CBSFA; prohibit the take of marine life for aquarium purposes within the entire CBSFA; establish additional restrictions on certain activities and species within the designated subzones;

DLNR map shows proposed protected areas for the Miloli'i Community-Based
Subsistence Fishing Area.

provide an exception allowing vessels in possession of restricted gear or species to traverse through the CBSFA as long as they remain in active transit; identify authorized administrative, criminal, and civil penalties for violations of HAR chapter 13-60.XX; and provide notice of the State’s authority to utilize civil asset forfeiture as an enforcement tool for violations of HAR chapter 13-60.XX.
All interested persons may view the online Public Hearing on YouTube at this link: www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGVbR8IMi1hnPksQeSVUZA. To be put on the list for live video or phone testimony, email request to DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov. Include email, full name and phone number. A confirmation email will be sent with instructions and the meeting link and call-in phone number.
For the public hearing at Miloli'i Pavilion, DLNR invites all interested persons to attend in person and provide oral testimony by writing their names on the testimony sign-up sheet at the public hearing.
Persons can also mail or email written testimony by May 6, 2022 to the Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813. Email DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov.

A FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE ENTRANCE TO HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK took one life this morning. The National Park Service reported that A 21-year-old man lost his life after his motorcycle collided with a small SUV at the intersection of Highway 11 and the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Tuesday just before 8 a.m.

The motorcycle was heading north on Highway 11 towards Hilo when he crashed into the SUV that was turning left into the park. The 65-year-old female driver of the SUV was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was not injured in the crash.
The accident closed both lanes of Highway 11 near the park entrance for several hours. Hawai'i Police Department and park law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2329 or via email Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo.
Identification of the victim is pending notification of family.

A Civil Defense Road Closure message for Tuesday, April 19th was issued at 8:30 a.m. Hawai'i Police Department reported Highway 11 closed in both directions in Ka‘ū near the 28 Mile Marker. There was no detour available. Motorists were asked to use Saddle Road or Hwy 19 during the work of first responders and the police investigation.
The Park put up a message on its social media, saying, "CLOSURE ALERT: Highway 11 and Park Entrance Closed for Next Several Hours Due to Traffic Fatality. The park entrance and Hwy 11 near mm 28 are closed in both directions due to a traffic fatality. No alternate route. Closure will last several hours while HPD conducts an investigation."

SHAM FREITAS OF KAʻŪ IS TARGET OF POLICE. Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance with locating 42-year-old Sham Freitas of Ka‘ū, who is wanted on several outstanding bench warrants and for questioning in connection with other criminal investigations.

Sham Freitas is wanted by
Hawai'i Island police.

Freitas is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is known to frequent Nā‘ālehu and the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision.
The Hawai‘i Police Department would also like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbored or concealed the wanted person.
Anyone with information on Freitas’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646 ext. 267, or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

HELPING KEIKI TO LEARN ABOUT DRINKING WATER is the aim of the County of Hawai'i Department of Water Supply's Earth Day effort. On Earth Day April 22, Department of Water Supply will launch a virtual education program with tools and resources for keiki to learn about their drinking water, and the importance of protecting its quality and quantity.

Meilli O'Loughlin won first place among second graders last
year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, now
open for entries for the 2022 competition through April 29.

Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to visit www.hawaiidws.org to explore the new Water Education At-Home Toolkit, offering free, age-appropriate materials that can be downloaded and used remotely. The toolkit features water-themed word searches, activity books, and a volunteer pledge to end water waste. Starting April 22, all those exercises and more will be available by clicking the "Community" drop-down menu on the website's homepage.
A Department of Water Supply statement says it "welcomes everyone to enjoy the fun activities to better understand why safe drinking water is our most precious resource and how to become stewards of it. Taking shorter showers, fixing leaking faucets, and

Basil Au won first place among fifth graders last
year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, now
open for entries for the 2022 competition through April 29.

turning off the tap while brushing your teeth are easy ways to reduce wasting water. The online materials also stress the need to preserve and protect the quality of the island's fresh water sources. Effective strategies include keeping trash out of rivers, not dumping oil or other hazardous materials into the ground, and drinking water from the tap rather than out of plastic bottles that can end up littering roadsides."
Celebrated annually since 1970, Earth Day is held to increase public awareness of the world's environmental problems and is credited for having helped establish the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Today, Earth Day is observed in 192 countries and coordinated by the nonprofit www.earthday.org/. This year's theme is Invest in Our Planet.
For more information or assistance, please contact Jason Armstrong, DWS Information and Education Specialist, at jarmstrong@hawaiidws.org or (808) 961-8050.

Nevaeh Kaipo took first place among third graders last year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, which is open
for entries for 2022 through April 29.

KEIKI WATER CONSERVATION POSTER CONTEST DEADLINE is Friday, April 29. Student artists can enter their water-themed artworks in the 4th Annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest held by the Department of Water Supply, County of Hawai‘i.
The contest is open to Big Island students from keiki attending kindergarten through fifth grade. There is no charge to enter.
Student artists are encouraged to submit an original artwork illustrating this year’s theme of Be a Superhero – Waste Zero on a flat, 11- by 17-inch poster. Any medium may be used, except for three-dimensional renderings, chalk, charcoal and oil-based crayon. No computer graphics or photographs will be accepted.
Each entry should include a completed entry form available at www.hawaiidws.org, via email by contacting dws@hawaiidws.org or by calling DWS weekdays at 961-8050.

Reese Makaimoku took first place among fourth graders last
year in the Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest, now
open for entries for the 2022 competition through April 29.

Entries should be mailed to DWS in Hilo or dropped off in designated bins at DWS’ offices in Hilo, Kona or Waimea by Friday, April 29. Address locations and additional contest rules are listed on the attached entry form and at www.hawaiidws.org.
The free contest aims to highlight the importance of reducing water waste and protecting the island’s drinking water supplies. It challenges keiki to utilize artistic ways of conserving our most precious resource – safe drinking water. Conservation ideas, including the video Save Water to Help the Earth, are posted under the Conservation link at www.hawaiidws.org.
Prizes will be mailed to the 1st and 2nd place entrants from each grade level K-5, as chosen by a panel of judges, for a maximum total of 12 winners island-wide. Winning entries will be announced at a future Water Board meeting.

NA'ALEHU THEATRE PRESENTS A LIVE-STREAM KANIKAPILA this

Saturday, April 23, continuing the legacy of the late Cyril Pahinui and honoring his father, the late Blah Pahinui. The virtual event includes eight hours of entertainment, with a presentation of the Skylark Award. Also included is a How Da Stew cooking segment. Viewing is free and is supported by T-shirt sales and donations, as well as a grant from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. The 15th annual Kanikapila is organized by Pahinui Productions. For more info and the live stream, visit Naalehutheatre.org.