Ka`u News Briefs May 23, 2011

Ka`u surfers and fishermen went to court in the 1970s to open up access to the beach at Kawa,
where the county wants to establish a park.  Photos by Julia Neal

THE FUTURE OF KAWA LANDS, where the County of Hawai`i wants to begin its stewardship managing a coastal park, is expected to be determined by a ruling soon by the courts. The county purchased more than 200 acres at Kawa to preserve the land after it was put on the market in real estate publications and advertised as the last available bay for sale on the island. However, Abel Simeona Lui, who built a house at Kawa about 20 years ago, claims the land is his family’s dating back to ancient Hawaiian times and was illegally taken from them.
     Previous owner Thomas Okuna asked Lui and his family and friends who put up temporary tents and dwellings there to leave many times after being warned by health officials about unsanitary conditions on the land. Okuna went to court, and the court authorized an eviction, which was never carried out. The county contends that the eviction still stands and the purchase of Kawa by the county is legal. 

The county plans to purchase the adjacent land south of
the surfing beach to manage the wetlands,
public health and parking.

     Lui still lives on the land and objects to the county conserving it as a park. In the 1970s young surfers in Ka`u went to court to secure a right of way to the beach for the public. The county plans to maintain the right of way and possibly add restroom facilities and some parking for surfers and other beachgoers to the ponds, springs, estuaries and surfing beach at Kawa.
     A separate case involves the adjacent land, also more than 200 acres, which is also planned for purchase by the county. It was sold by Okuna to the Edmund C. Olson Trust, which bought it for the purpose of holding onto it until the county could make it into a park. That land too had been advertised for sale in real estate magazines. The county has until June 30 to close on the Olson property or lose $2.5 million in state and federal funds that would be used to purchase the land. The county is waiting for the court to clear the title, and Judge Joseph P. Florindo said he will hand down decisions on the ownership of the two adjacent properties soon.
     In the meantime, Lui and his hui remain on the land and post sovereignty signs along Hwy 11 near their encampment, where they speak to passersby about their plight. They also monitor who comes in and out of the public right of way to the beach.

Dr. Brian Panik

DR. BRIAN PANIK, Ka`u Hospital’s chief of staff, has started a new community-based website designed to help distribute health information and encourage healthy diets and exercise, particularly on the Hawaiian Islands. Visitors to the website can ask questions about health, medicine or fitness through community forums and get answers from knowledgeable community physicians, pharmacists, dentists, nurses and other professionals. The website also offers programs for those looking to lose, gain or maintain weight. Visit www.tofindhealth.com. 

GASOLINE PRICES HAVE BEEN GOING UP AND DOWN in Ka`u and around the state. The cheapest gas this morning was at Kahuku Country market at $4.30 a gallon, followed by Kahala Gas in Ocean View at $4.35 and Ocean View Market at $4.36. In Na`alehu the 76 is selling for $4.35, and in Pahala, Ka`u Gas is selling for $4.40. 

KUMU MAILE YAMANAKA shares the Arts and Traditions of Hula at Kilauea on Tuesday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. One-hour long sessions include Hula at 10:30 a.m., Lei Making at noon and `Ukulele and Hawaiian Music at 1:30 p.m.

ALSO AT HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Ranger Jason Zimmerman demonstrates how to make and play an `ohe hano ihu, or bamboo nose flute, on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai at Kilauea Visitor Center.

Foggy will play at the Memorial Day
Music Festival at Punalu`u.

THE MEMORIAL DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL at Punalu`u next Monday promises to be a day full of entertainment. The line-up includes rock ‘n’ roll by the Ka`u Gonzo Music Society, Foggy, the Mile 25 Band and an Elvis impersonator.

Ka`u News Briefs May 22, 2011

A monk seal sunning at Honu`apo.  Photo by Julia Neal

MORE MONK SEALS could be seen in Ka`u if a federal program to relocate pups to the main Hawaiian islands is approved to help save them from extinction. Only one in five monk seals are making it to adulthood in the northern, uninhabited Hawaiian atolls, and scientists believe it may be from competition for food from sharks. Such places as the Ka`u Coast do not have such high concentrations of sharks and may be a better nursery for the seal pups. Wildlife scientists say that there were 15,000 monk seals in Hawai`i in the past and that the population is crashing, with only about 1,500 remaining, according to a story by the Associated Press. Monk seals have hauled out in recent years near South Point and at Honu`apo and its estuary. 

Old Bay Clinic building to be preserved.

A CHALLENGE TO RAISE $15,000 to support the construction of the new Bay Clinic just off Hwy 11 in Na`alehu has been issued by an anonymous donor. The donations are due by June 11, the day of the Ka`u Family Fun Fest, which is also raising money for the project. The donor will match every dollar given for improvements of the Bay Clinic up to the $15,000. Bay Clinic is raising more than $3 million to build the new facility and restore the old plantation home that now serves as its Ka`u home.

Half-marathon will go along the old sugar cane haul road.

     In addition to the fundraising challenge, the Ka`u Family Fun Fest, based at Na`alehu Park, will include a half marathon on the old plantation road above Na`alehu, headed toward Pahala. It will put on a fishing tournament, archery, basketball, Jan Ken Po, Portuguese horseshoe tournaments and a hunter’s obstacle course. Mayor Billy Kenoi will conduct an auction. The event is sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. Anyone wanting to donate money to the Bay Clinic restoration and new building fund can drop off checks at the Pahala, Na`alehu or Ocean View offices of the Ka`u Federal Credit Union, with the checks made payable to `O Ka`u Kakou. Please note that the funds are for Bay Clinic. Donations can also be made through an online form at okaukakou.com. 

CROWN CASTLE, which owns communications towers in Ka`u, has given permission for KAHU Radio to place a transmitter on one of its towers above Na`alehu on the mauka road to Pahala, according to Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, of KAHU Radio. The tower would help boost the signal to reach South Point and Ocean View and even toward Mountain View to complete the radio station’s coverage of the district. 

Del Mar's winning Ka`u Coffee BBQ
Chicken Summer Roll Wrap.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Deanna Del Mar with her
father. Photo by Julia Neal

DEANNA DEL MAR, of Wai`ohinu, won three Professional Division awards at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Recipe Contest last weekend. She took first in the Pupu category for her Ka`u Coffee BBQ Chicken Summer Roll Wrap with a Coffee BBQ Sauce; first in the Dessert II category (Candies, Drinks and other Desserts) for her Ka`u Cherry Spiced Coffee; and second in the Entrée category for her Ka`u Coffee Braised Kahuku Beef Tenderloin. Del Mar also won in 2009. Del Mar said she expected to win something but was shocked to win two firsts and a second. She works as a professional chef at Okolemaluna Tiki Lounge in Kailua-Kona and said she grew up around cooking and learned most of her skills from her father, a retired professional chef who specialized in ice carving and garnishing. Anyone interested in asking Del Mar for advice on cooking or about her recipes can call 929-7293. 

KUMU MAILE YAMANAKA shares the Arts and Traditions of Hula at Kilauea on Tuesday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. One-hour long sessions include Hula at 10:30 a.m., Lei Making at noon and `Ukulele and Hawaiian Music at 1:30 p.m.

Danny Akaka, Jr. plays for the life of
Buddy Fo.  Photos by Julia Neal

Bruddah Walter said
he grew up wanting
to be like Buddy Fo.

MUSICIANS FROM NEAR AND FAR celebrated the 60-year career of Buddy Fo yesterday at Ocean View Community Center. Veteran Hawaiian singer Bruddah Walter, famous for selling more 45-rpm Hawaiian records than any other musician, said he wanted to be just like Buddy Fo and his band, the Invitations, when he was growing up. Danny Akaka, Jr. said he always appreciated how Buddy Fo took Hawaiian music on the road and helped make it more famous. Bolo, Tony Salvage, Moon Brown, Chris Yeaton and many others performed. 

Sammi Fo (center) will continue to
teach hula in Ocean View.

     At the end, Sammi Fo offered a feisty dance to celebrate the partying spirit of Buddy Fo. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP hosts Sacrifice for Freedom’s Sake in a special Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the KMC front lawn. Lt. Col. Rolland Niles, Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area, will deliver the keynote address. Representative Clift Tsuji, of House District 3, will be a guest speaker. Other participants include Pastor Bob Bruzelius, Erin Gallagher, Josh Timmons, Brianne Schlegelmilch, and the Waiakea High School Naval Junior ROTC. A buffet following the ceremony features pot roast, mahi mahi, clam chowder and salads in the Crater Rim Café from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The buffet is $13.75 for adults and $7.75 for children 6 – 11 years old.

Ka`u News Briefs May 21, 2011

Senior Class President Daryn Galigo.  Photos by Julia Neal

SIXTY-TWO STUDENTS make up the 2011 graduating class of Ka`u High School, and most of them made the walk to receive their diplomas last night at Ka`u High School Gym. Principal Sharon Beck bragged that graduates received $250,000 in scholarships, and 47 of them are going on to higher education, a growing percentage over years past. She noted that girls volleyball and wrestling went to state finals, and the musical group One Journey won the statewide Brown Bags to Stardom competition, a David over Goliath achievement from one of the smallest schools in the state.
     Beck said the class of 2011 has brought “leadership, energy, a great deal of laughter and yes - some stress, to the school. Parents, you have much to be proud of,” she proclaimed. 

     Senior Class President Daryn Galigo said, “We have learned to endure and overcome whatever tribulations come our way. It is time to show the world what we are capable of and give back to those who sacrificed to get us here.” 

Valedictorian Dakota Walker
and his grandmother.

Salutatorian Jaeneise Cuison.

     Salutatorian Jaeneise Cuison thanked teachers, coaches and family members for helping her overcome the fear of being a freshman and to become an adult. She said all the seniors contributed “blood, sweat and energy.”
     Sen. Daniel Akaka sent a letter saying “graduation is a milestone that allows us to reflect on past achievement and contemplate the future.” He urged students to “take an active part to make this a better Hawai`i.” 

     Valedictorian Dakota Walker won a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University. He gave credit to his family and to teachers and coaches who, despite pay cuts and poor access to resources, “managed to make four years at Ka`u High School anything but a waste of time.” He said that no expensive private school provides the kind of love, understanding “and sheer effectiveness that you find at our school.”

Keynote speaker Kurt Dela Cruz.

     Keynote speaker Kurt Dela Cruz talked about his kid days in Ka`u when he was known as “Swingy,” living behind Matsumoto store in Na`alehu. He now works as a freshman counselor at University of Hawai`i in Hilo but still thinks of Ka`u as home. He urged the graduates not to “be shame” of their accomplishments. “Shame is when you steal,” he said, “not when you achieve. Shame is when you get your name in the paper – abuse of household member,” he joked. He urged students to always be proud of being from Ka`u and said that there is a glow, something special about everyone from this place. It can be seen in everyone from Navy commanders to attorneys and others who graduate from Ka`u High. He encouraged everyone to always remember where they come from.

THE SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL CLUB is having a car wash today until noon at Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu to raise funds to go the Nationals in Minnesota this summer. Baked good and desktop plants such as anthuriums rooted on lava rocks are also available for purchase.

Bo Lozoff performs
tonight in Volcano.

BO LOZOFF CELEBRATES the 70th birthday of Bob Dylan tonight at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Long hair and peace signs are encouraged. Tickets are $15 for this evening of great music and fun. 

FREE ART DEMONSTRATIONS and hands-on activities are featured at the annual Artists in Action event at Volcano Garden Arts in Volcano Village today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include book making, jewelry making, relief printmaking, glass blowing, pottery making and metal tooling.

A GATHERING HONORING THE LIFE of legendary Hawaiian composer, musician and entertainer Buddy Fo will be held today at 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. He lived in Ocean View with his wife, Sammi. They were very active in the Hawaiian music scene in Ka`u, and Sammi plans to continue to teach hula.