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Monday, October 16, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, Oct.16 , 2023

Ancient Valley Growers in Wood Valley, featured in a new Hawai‘i Tourism Authority story,  has found a stable market for its produce through food hubs that sell to restaurants, chefs and other entities around the island. Photo from Ancient Valley Growers
ANCIENT VALLEY GROWERS IN WOOD VALLEY is highlighted in an Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority story entitled Farmers, Chefs Rely on Food Hubs for Consistency in Supply and Demand. It quotes Matt Drayer who, with his wife Andrea, owns the Ancient Valley Growers farm and manages the adjacent mamaki tea farm. Matt Drayer said, "With farming, everything revolves around time and food hubs enable us to grow crops in bulk without finding a customer." 
    Drayer is a former chef, who gave up his 11-year profession in California's culinary industry, started farming in Wood Valley and works with the food hubs Adaptations, Kohala Food Hub and Hawai‘i Food Basket, Da Box CSA.
    Drayer told the Visitors Bureau, "I don't have time to sell direct to chefs though I miss going into restaurant kitchens to see what's going on,." He detailed that "chefs make a lot of sauces and stocks," and that he purposely grows celery and carrots for them to make mirepoix, a sautéed mixture of those veggies, plus onions, to build flavor. "We have the carrots and celery down, now we need to work on growing onions, which require a greenhouse."
Audrey Meyerhofer harvests Selanova butter lettuce at Ancient 
 Valley Growers in Wood Valley. Photo from Ancient Valley Growers
   
    Drayer, wife Andrea and their crew of work-for-trade farmhands grow a dozen types of veggies, and sell eggs and poultry. Plans are ito put in an apple orchard at their 2.400-foot elevation in Wood Valley and Ancient Valley Growers may also cultivate some stone fruits: plums, cherries and peaches, said Drayer.
    Emphasizing that he likes to grow crops that Hawai'i imports, Drayer said he would like to see the amount of food imported here reduced to at least half in his lifetime. "We are reliant on a fragile importation system and if the 2020 pandemic taught us anything, it's that we are very susceptible to a cataclysm of our food system," he emphasized. 
    Ancient Valley Growers works with food hubs Adaptaions, Kohala Food Hub and Hawai‘i Food Basket Da Box, CSA. Other food hubs featured in the story are OK Farms, Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative and Ho‘ola Farms. 
    Other farmers featured in the story:
    Luis Rincon, who has operated Rincon Family Farms in Waimea for 35 years and now grows carrots, beets, spinach and kale, along with some strawberries, Halloween pumpkins and sometimes green beans.
    "Seed" Tyler Levine, of Nāhua ‘Āina Farms in Āhualoa, grows sprouting cauliflower, radishes, baby beets, carrots, salad turnips and cilantro on a quarter acre.
    Adam Miranda, with his 23-acre Makana Raw Farms in Hilo, grows a variety of veggies and herbs and has planted a fruit orchard. His operation features seven greenhouses.
    The story also quotes restaurant chefs and restauranteurs like Soni Pamaski, of Moon & Turtle in Hilo, former Hilton Waikoloa Village chef Dayne Tanabe with his private chef company DYNE by Chefbuddha, and Dan Robayo, chef de cuisine at the Beach Restaurant at Kona's Kohanaiki Private Club Community and at his own Pā‘ina Pantry.
    The story quotes rancher and state Sen. H.M. Tim Richards III: "By marketing products for growers, increasing food security and providing chefs with a reliable supply chain, food hubs act as a crucial intermediary — effectively marketing products on behalf of farmers and allowing them to focus on cultivation. By doing so, they build essential bridges between producers, chefs and ultimately the consumer, strengthening the entire food ecosystem."
    The story, written by Fern Gavelek, who also helped to promote the Kaʻū Coffee Festival for many years, is sponsored through Hawai‘i Tourism Authority's Destination Management Action Plan.
Matt and Andy Drayer of Ancient Valley Farms in Wood Valley sell their produce to chefs and other outlets through food hubs.
  Photo courtesy of Ancient Valley Farms
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

Kekuhi will lead a session on mo‘olelo, oli
and hula on Tuesday at After Dark in the Park.
KEIKUHI  KEALI‘IKANAKAOLEOHAILILANI will host the teaching of mo‘olelo (story), hula
(dance), mele (song and poetry), and oli (chanting) during After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, Oct. 17 in Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium at 7 p.m., at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
    Kekuhi will guide participants to connect to the landscapes of Hawai‘i on a deeper level. A statement from the Park says, "Passed down from her grandmother, Edith Kekuhi Kanakaʻole, her hula, chant, and stage performances have touched thousands of lives."
    This event is expected to be well attended. Doors will open for seating beginning at 6:30 p.m.
    The program is co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A $2 donation helps to support park programs. Admission is free but Park entrance fees apply.

AN UPDATE FOR THE COFFEE TEA WATER: ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS EXPO, this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nāʻālehu Park, was issued on Monday from the festival coordinator, host and founder/CEO of Stargazer Industries, Christine Kaehuaea.  
    Kaehuaea wrote, "In the District of Kaʻū, the southern tip of Hawai‘i island, decades after the large plantation generated 'free festivals' for the community, Stargazer Industries of Nāʻālehu is hosting the Coffee Tea Water: Essential Elements EXPO to celebrate the Kaʻū Coffee & Tea farmers, offer island bottled water from Waiakea Water, have live musical artists perform from across the state, welcome food and retail vendors from around the island, and thanks to sponsors, make this a FREE event for all residents and visitors to Hawai‘i island."
    She said, "The concept of the Coffee Tea Water: Essential Elements EXPO is a celebration of coffee farmers, and now, Kaʻū tea farmers coupled with Hawai‘i island bottled water. The term EXPO is being used to offer vendors and products that are tied into the themed categories of Coffee, Tea, and Water; from accessories for brewing, tea and water infusion containers and condiments to products made with those ingredients, or created in relation to those categories.
    "The next step to this event was secured LIVE musical performers and vendors from around Hawai‘i island and beyond to create a well balance event for everyone to enjoy."
     Kaehuaea wrote, "This event, as it materialized, seemed to generate a buzz in the community not seen in decades. People liked that this event would benefit vendors as an outlet for their products, sponsors towards taking part of a feel-good event that also gave them a return on their sponsorship through media visibility, and open the door to communities and visitors on or coming to Hawai‘i island so that they get the chance to enjoy a FREE event of this nature. This event will be giving back to the local community by donating trash cans and making a monetary donation to ʻO Kaʻū Kākou for their role in keeping the event clean and providing overflow parking at their Nāʻālehu Farmers’ Market space."
    Kaehuaea said that "orange fencing and T-Posts delineating public parking will be donated to the Hawai‘i County Parks & Recreation Maintenance for Nāʻālehu Park. The 10-foot and 20-foot cattle gates from Hawai‘i Wholesale Fencing in Kailua-Kona being used to separate the backstage and artist/EMS parking lot from event-goers, will be raffled off to those that sign up. The raffle winners must be present at 5:05pm to pick-up their gate as the event is disassembled. A monetary donation will be provided to the Nāʻālehu Methodist Church for use of their parking lot for overflow event parking. 
    "The event will also be promoting the Kaʻū Wish List Fund to help kids in Kaʻū and Lāhainā, Maui continue to soar." Kaehuaea said, “Not only is this event designed to 'Give Back' to the local community on a variety of levels, but with sponsors like KTA Superstores, Paradise Helicopters, Hawai‘i Med-Spa, the WS Restaurant at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and HPM Building supply, it has helped to pay for the some of the expenses for the event and fuel the media plan, however at this 11th hour, we are still reaching out to businesses hoping to find sponsors to help us cross the finish line.”
     “The Kaʻū Wish List Fund will give 75% of donations to Kaʻū schools and educators via Stacey Bello, Superintendent East Hawai‘i DOE and 25% of donations go to the Hawai‘i Teacher’s Association of Lahaina, via Christopher Chang, UniServe Director," wrote Kaehuaea.
Vendors to be in Kaʻū Coffee Tea Water Essential Elements EXPO this Saturday at Nāʻālehu Park.
Image from Stargazer Industries

SECOND BEST COLLEGE IN HAWAI‘I IS UH HILO, according to WalletHub, which issued rankings nationwide this week. University of Hawai‘i Manoa ranked first, Third is Hawai‘i Pacific University and fourth is U.H.- West Hawai‘i. According to the assessment, UH Hilo is the most affordable and boasts the
lowest student-to-faculty ratio. It ranks third in graduation rate and on-campus crime, fourth in gender and racial diversity and post-attendance median salary. Many Ka‘ū students take a hybrid curriculum, with online classes and traveling to Hilo for live classes on certain days of the week.
    With the first "early decision" college application deadline looming on Nov. 1, and tuition and nationwide room and board at a four-year college costing $27,940 – $57,570 per year, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its 2024's Best College & University Rankings report, as well as commentary, in addition to separate rankings for colleges and for universities.
    WalletHub compared over 800 higher-education institutions in the U.S. based on 30 key measures grouped into seven categories, such as Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing and Career Outcomes. The data set ranges from student-faculty ratio to graduation rate to post-attendance median salary.
    UH Manoa ranked first in admission rate, graduation rate, post-attendance median salary and gender and racial diversity, second in cost and student-faculty ratio and fourth in on-campus crime.
    Hawai‘i Pacific University ranked second in graduation rate, post-attendance median salary, on-campus crime and gender and racial diversity and third in net cost, admission rate and student-faculty ratio.


A MAN WAS SHOT IN THE FACE IN OCEAN VIEW and Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance regarding the attempted murder investigation. The shooting took place on Sunday evening, Oct. 15.
    At 8:50 p.m. on Sunday, Ka‘ū patrol officers were dispatched to the area of Aloha Boulevard and Paradise Parkway in the Hawai‘i Ocean View Estates subdivision for a report of a male in need of medical assistance after possibly being assaulted. Arriving on the scene, officers found the victim, believed to be a 53-year-old Ocean View man, with severe facial injuries lying on the ground near a gold Toyota van. Due to the severity of his injuries, police were unable to ask the victim how he had been injured.
    The victim was transported by Hawai‘i Fire Department medics to the Kona Community Hospital with life-threatening injuries. At the hospital, it was determined that the victim sustained a gunshot wound to his facial area. He was later transferred to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment and is currently in stable condition.
    As part of their ongoing investigation, police are seeking leads on what led up to the incident and who may have been responsible for the shooting. Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are asking for residents in the vicinity of Aloha Boulevard and Paradise Parkway in the Hawai‘i Ocean View Estates subdivision to review their home security camera footage and report anything suspicious.
    Anyone with information regarding this incident or who may have witnessed it is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
    Citizens can also 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.










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Sunday, October 15, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, Oct.15 , 2023

Both teams say a prayer on the Pāhala field before Saturday's game in which the Trojans dealt Kamehameha Warriors the most points scored against them all their winning season. Photo by Mark Peters

KAʻŪ DEALT KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL THE MOST POINTS SCORED BY AN OPPONENT all season during Saturday's Trojans home football game. Kamehameha Warriors from Kea‘au beat the Trojans 50-8 to remain undefeated and in first place in the division. With ten wins and no losses, Kamehameha could wrap up the Big Island Interscholastic Federation D2 championship in a game against Hawai'i Preparatory Academy next Saturday in Waimea.

Adahdiyal Ellis-Reyues evades the Warrior defendants while looking
to pass downfield. Photo by Mark Peters
  During Saturday's game in Pāhala, the eight points scored by the Trojans are the most given up all year by Kamehameha. 
    Adahdiya Ellis-Reyes led the Trojan offense with 15 carries for 131 yards. He added six completed passes for 101 yards.
    Seniors Keaka McDonnell caught two passes for 57 yards; TJ Kauhula-Faafia hauled in three for 35 yards; and Ocean Nihipali-Sesson caught one pass for ten yards and the touchdown.
    Vladimir Fedoruk led the Trojans defense with five tackles. Also notable on defense was Triton Blanco with a quarterback sack.           La‘a Kajiwara-Ke made an interception.
   Adhadiyal Ellis-Reyes had three passes knocked down. 
   Next Friday night, Ka‘ū Trojans close out the season at Honoka‘a.

Jo Buyuan and family.
THE SENIOR GAME FOR TROJAN FOOTBALL on Saturday brought recognition to senior players Jaestin Karasuda, Keaka McDonnell, Kinalu Wanzer, Stephen Adler, TJ Kauhuia-Faafia, La'a Kajiwara-Ke, Joe Buyuan, Ocean Nihipali Sesson, Dakota Seaver and Dominic Nurial-Dacalio.
    The seniors received public recognition with lei and photos with friends and families.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & FOOD RESILIENCE IN HAWAI‘I is a presentation and discussion this Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. The subtitle is Best Practices and Learned Lessons from the Summer of Extreme Weather. Registration provides a link to the recording. The live event takes place at University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu.  
Dominic Nurial-Dacalio celebrates 
with La'a Kajiwara-Ke at Senior Game.
    A statement from the organizers says, "The Maui fires exposed Hawai‘i's vulnerability to extreme climate change-induced weather events, once again raising questions over how disaster-ready the state is. This panel discussion will highlight the needs and strategies for building greater food system resilience and disaster preparedness for Hawai‘i."
Dakota Seaver and his parents.

    The session is presented by The Hawai‘i Institute for Sustainable Community Food Systems at University of Hawaiʻi - West Oʻahu, Honolulu Civil Beat, UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, and Waiwai Collective. "The event series generates opportunities for community dialogue among a diverse audience, aiming to achieve a healthy, equitable, resilient and sustainable food system for Hawai‘i."

    Panelists are Chad Buck, Founder and Owner of Hawai‘i Foodservice Alliance Logistics and Disaster Support Services and Jennifer Walter, Deputy Director of Department of Emergency Management for the City & County of Honolulu. Discussion will be moderated by Civil Beat reporter Thomas Heaton. Speakers will start at 6 p.m, followed by an optional post-discussion community forum from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Register for this event at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disaster-preparedness-and-food-system-resilience-in-hawaii-tickets-728664313577?aff=eblast

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

Jaestin Katsuda with his father.
Keaka McDonnell and fans.
BEEFED UP CROP INSURANCE OPTIONS have been announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for specialty crop and organic producers, including rolling out new and expanded options based on feedback from agricultural producers.
    USDA's Risk Management Agency recently accelerated its outreach efforts to hear directly from producers across the country by hosting in-person and virtual roadshows and making investments in risk management education.
    According to USDA, "These improvements are part of a comprehensive effort to improve risk management tools and other programs for a wide variety of producers as well as expand access to organic markets.
TJ Kauhuia-Faafia and fan.
Photos by Mark Peters

    "We're committed to working with specialty crop and organic producers to develop crop insurance options that fit their needs," said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. "We've listened, and we're proud of our efforts to deliver crop insurance options that meet the needs of producers as well as to share information on available crop insurance options. This is part of USDA's commitment to reach underserved and underreached producers and to help producers access new and better markets."
    From 1990 to 2022, liabilities for insured specialty crops in the U.S. rose from $1 billion to more than $23 billion. Over the past 20 years, the number of individual specialty crops insured under crop insurance programs increased by 27%. Currently, there are over 70 individual specialty crops insured under crop insurance programs.  See more at https://rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Press/Press-Releases/2023-News/Crop-Insurance-for-Specialty-and-Organic-Crops-Grow-as-Options-Improve-and-Expand?utm_campaign=specialtycrop&utm_content=expansion&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

IN WASHINGTON, D.C., CHAYENEE BROOKS, AN ENGLISH EDUCATOR AT KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY was on a National Education Association Fellowship last week. A group of 36 teachers from across the country are preparing to go to Costa Rica next summer as Global Learning Fellows. "We will experience culture and education abroad and bring what we learned back to our schools to expand global awareness," said Brooks. 


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Saturday, October 14, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Saturday, Oct.14 , 2023

Applications are open to become an intern to digitize and safeguard historic images for
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from NPS

THE HISTORIC IMAGE COLLECTION AT HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES National Park needs help. An intern is sought. "We're searching for an intern to digitize and safeguard our invaluable historic image collections representing geology, biology, and culture. Dive into over 31,000 items, including archaeological, ethnological, historical, biological, and geological materials, as well as records and audio-visual content," says the post from the Park.
    The mission is to scan and catalog images from significant collections following the Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative. Primary duties are to scan and write metadata for photographic prints, cellulosic negatives, and transparencies for digital preservation and public accessibility. 
    The Park offers an online look at one of the completed albums from the Charlotte Lovejoy Wescott collection at https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm...
     The internship opportunity is funded by the National Council for Preservation Education and in collaboration with the National Park Service. Check out eligibility and application details at https://ow.ly/PGIK50PVNQX. #PreserveHistory #InternshipOpportunity

HAWAI‘I WILL BECOME THE THIRD STATE TO LAUNCH THE CIVIL RESOURCE VIOLATION SYSTEM. Following Vermont and Oregon, state conservation resource officers in Hawai‘i will issue tickets and fines on the spot for violations of rules. The officers carrying out the program will be from state Department of Land & Natural Resources' Division of Conservation & Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). They enforce the rules of Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). The program begins with a three-month-long pilot project.
    Officers from DOCARE will have the ability to write civil citations for rule violations. Civil Resource Violation System penalties are civil and carry non-criminal penalties. 
    Their “toolbox” also contains 
DOCARE officers issuing citation at illegal camping spot.
Photo from DLNR

criminal actions the DLNR can take, such as the physical arrest of violators, or the issuance of criminal citations which carry criminal penalties. Criminal penalties and board actions can result in high fines or jail time, so these penalties are often ordered for egregious violations.
    The Civil Resource Violation System functions like a traffic ticket. DOCARE officers issue a ‘Notice of Violation” to a suspected violator, who can respond in one of three ways: Admits the violation and pays the fine; admits the violation, with mitigating circumstances and waits for a response from the CRVS hearing officer; or contests the violation and waits for a hearing notice from the CRVS hearing officer.
    A statement from DLNR says, "The system is unique from pursuing cases through the criminal justice system in that violations are processed by the DLNR Administrative Proceedings Office, rather than going through the district court system. Fines are collected in a Special Fund account rather than being deposited in the State General Fund. Considered a civil fine, the Standard of Proof is lower.
    DLNR expects to fully deploy CRVS in February 2024. The three-month pilot will provide time for DOCARE officers to be trained, and develop guidance for office discretion, and other protocols.
    Board of Land & Natural Resources Chair and DLNR Chief Dawn Chang said, “We expect the civil violation system will provide our DOCARE officers with greater latitude in addressing resource violations; will reduce the amount of time they need to be in court and away from the field; and let violators know immediately the penalties for violating natural and cultural resources laws and rules and give them an opportunity to immediately settle their cases.”

BEING AN ALLY: CARING FOR THOSE IN CONFLICT is this month's free talk, sponsored by the non-profit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center on Oct. 19 for its Finding Solutions, Growing Peace Brown Bag Lunch Series. Talks are Third Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
Darlene Viggiano is speaker on Being an Ally:
Caring for those in Conflict on Oct. 19.
Photo from Ku'ikahi Mediation Center
 
    This month's speaker is Darlene Viggiano, Ph.D. (MFT) who said, "Anyone can end up at odds with themselves or others over an issue or decision. Being an ally is a way to accompany yourself or another during times of conflict when resolution seems far off and unclear. Allying can help you and those you care about by offering a source of hope and support."
    In this talk, learn what it means and how it feels to be an ally--at home, school, work, and in the larger community.
    Viggiano is Board Vice President for Puna Community Medical Center Foundation and adjunct Faculty of the College of Mind-Body Medicine at Saybrook University. She is an online therapist licensed in marriage and family counseling and a psycho-educator who is dedicated to helping adults grow psychologically and spiritually. Dr. Viggiano has authored two books, been published in peer-reviewed journals, and presented internationally.
    Ku‘ikahi's Brown Bag Lunch Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and connect with others interested in Finding Solutions, Growing Peace.
   To get the Zoom link, register online at https://freebrownbagtalk.eventbrite.com.
    For more information, contact Ku'ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 or info@hawaiimediation.org. Or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.
 
Third annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway will be on
 Nov. 4 next to Malama Market, 8:30 a.m. to noon,
sponsored by West Hawai'i Master Gardeners.
  This lunch-and-learn series is made possible thanks in part to funding from the County of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Island United Way.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

ARBOR DAY TREE GIVEAWAY IN NOVEMBER will be sponsored in Ocean View by West Hawai‘i Master Gardeners. Arbor Day - when individuals and groups worldwide are encouraged to plant trees – was first held in the U.S. in 1872. Though usually observed in the spring, Hawai‘i celebrates Arbor Day in November, due to the mild temperatures and winter rainy season for most of the state.                        
    West Hawai‘i Master Gardeners will hold its third Hawai‘i Arbor Day event on Saturday, Nov. 4 beside Malama Market in Ocean View from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Both native and non-native trees will be available for free to the public. Quantities will be limited on a per-family basis depending on species.          Tree planting guides will be available. Master Gardeners will be present to answer gardening questions. Also, free seeds will be available from the WHMG Free Seed Library.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

VENDORS ARE INVITED TO KAUAHA‘O CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FALL BAZAAR on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the church campus. Location is the corner of Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamaoa Road and Pinao Street just above the Wong Yuen Store.
    Individuals, schools, clubs, sports/athletic groups are invited to be a vendor at the flea market on the church lawn. Charge for a 10' X 10' space is $10. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tents, tables and chairs, and if power is needed, a generator. Vendors can sell anything except hot foods/plate lunches.
    Vendors must submit a Vendor Application with the $10 fee by Friday, Nov. 10. To request a Vendor Application, and for more information contact Dave Williams at 808-657-5256.
    Church members will be selling Teriyaki Beef plate lunches, Rotisserie Chicken with gravy bowls, drinks, baked goods, popcorn and have a Craft and Rummage sale.
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