Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 18, 2012

 DHHL planner Kaleo Manuel, whose family comes from Waiohinu, goes through the Ka`u Regional Plan with Native Hawaiians.
 Photos by Julia Neal

NATIVE HAWAIIANS FROM KA`U gave input to Hawaiian Home Lands Commissioners last night at Pahala Community Center. The commissioners from all islands gathered to go over their draft Ka`u Regional Plan. Commissioners applauded Ka`u’s Native Hawaiians for forming a Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association and for working as a group to gain more voice for their community. Goals expressed by those who spoke up include developing water for Kama`oa – Pu`ueo area ranches and homes at South Point, making homes more affordable for Native Hawaiians who can’t buy at the market price, and securing good mauka lands for farming and ranching. 

      Agency staff and commissioners talked about the DHHL purchase of 40 house lots in Discovery Harbour in 2005 at discounted prices in an effort to provide Hawaiians the opportunity to purchase affordable housing. Only two families have built houses and moved in at Discovery Harbour. Many others could not qualify for financing.

Paul Makuakane talks to DHHL staff about water for Hawaiian farmers.

      Engaging Habitat for Humanity and other self-help programs to assist Hawaiians in becoming homeowners was suggested.
      DHHL chair Jobie Masagatani also talked about the possibility of making a trade or some kind of arrangement with the state Department of Land & Natural Resources for  homesteaders to  farm mauka Ka`u Ka`u lands that have rainfall and irrigation water. Most of the more than 11,000 acres of Hawaiian Home Lands in Ka`u are in the Ka Lae area, have no irrigation, and are subject to high winds and fires. Wai`ohinu was one of the largest taro growing areas on this island when western explorers arrived. Some Wai`ohinu land is owned by the state, stewarded by the Department of Land & Natural Resources, and has ample soil and rainfall. Masagatani said there have been meetings with the DLNR regarding such a swap.

      Paul Makuakane said he is working on the water situation for the Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association, which is studying the cost of bringing water 14 miles from Ha`ao Springs at Wai`ohinu down South Point Road, versus putting Hawaiians on land near the water source.
      Tommy Kaniho, a Hawaiian Homesteader on one of the 25 pastoral lots near South Point Road, decried the lack of water for ranchers in Ka Lae. He became a lessee in 1986. “When we first got the land they said they would have the water in seven years and they gave us not even one bucket of water in 26 years.” Kaniho said ranchers also need longer-term leases to qualify for financing for their agricultural businesses.

Tommy Kaniho asks for water for ranches along South Point Road.

      Kaleo Manuel, whose family comes from Wai`ohinu, is a planner on the DHHL regional plan for Ka`u. He said the plan is a kind of profile of Ka`u showing opportunities and needs. He said the DHHL properties include the ranches and historically and environmentally resource-rich lands at Ka Lae, the 40 residential lots in Discovery Harbour, 65 acres at Wailau - above the residential subdivision mauka of Punalu`u, and 262 acres in Wai`ohinu.
      He said more public education is needed on the caring for the Ka Lae Lands, including Palehemo, Mahana Bay, known as Green Sands Beach. “It’s not that you can’t go there with your truck, it is learning what we need to protect,” he said. A possible program for curator training is under discussion, said Manuel.

      Sandra Phund, the land development division administrator for DHHL, said she and her staff help bring water, roads, and sewage projects to Hawaiian Home Lands. She said that a $100,000 water assessment plan is underway for Ka`u. In other places, the agency is working on wells and water delivery for agriculture. She said she believes that federal funding is possible to develop water sources in Ka Lae.
      The DHHL chair said her department “is not good” with agriculture and that she is talking with state Department of Agriculture chief Russell Kokubun about partnering with his agency to help Hawaiian homesteaders in their agricultural endeavors.

Jeff Kekoa, President of the new Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association.

      Stephanie Tabada asked the DHHL how it is going to approach the land in Ka`u, “Are you going to do things out here like they did in Hilo with Wall Mart?” She also brought up the new state Public Land Development Corporation and said it should be abolished. She asked if the PLDC, which is able to partner with developers on state lands, would have any say over Hawaiian Home Lands. Masagatani said the PLDC has no jurisdiction over DHHL lands and that the commissioners are the only ones who have a say on how the Hawaiian lands are treated.
      Another woman asked whether the blood quantum requirement for people to be at least 50 percent Native Hawaiian in order to inherit Hawaiian Home Land leases could be changed. Commissioners and staff pointed to 20,000 qualifying people still on the waiting list. Masagatani also warned that such a change would have to go through the state legislature and congress and that there are members of congress who want to dismantle the Hawaiian Home Lands laws and agency.
      Hawaiian Home Lands commissioners stayed in Ka`u last night and continued their discussions this morning at a Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association meeting, led by its president Jeff Kekoa, at Na`alehu Community Center.
      See the complete draft of the Hawaiian Home Lands plan for Ka`u at hawaiianhomelands.org. Comments are being taken.

THE `AINA KOA PONO CASE before the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission will involve intervention of Life of the Land and participation by the County of Hawai`i and the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The state Public Utilities Commission approved inclusion of the consumer and environmental group, as well as the government agencies, and has posted its decision on its website. The PUC also set a Nov. 30 deadline for public testimony in the case.
      The case determines whether the PUC will approve a 20-year contract between `Aina Koa Pono and Hawai`i Electric Light Company for a fixed price for biodiesel that would be manufactured at a refinery at the mouth of Wood Valley and trucked to HELCO’s oil burning power plant near the airport in Kona. The refinery would use a patent-pending process called Micro Dee, with 27 large microwave units to process pellets made from grasses, shrubs and trees, sending the resulting vapor and gas up a stack to draw off biodiesel.
      Big Island hearings on `Aina Koa Pono are Monday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m., Hilo High School cafeteria and Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m., Kealakehe High School cafeteria in Kona.
      To read and submit testimony, see the `Aina Koa Pono case at puc.hawaii.gov. Click on `Aina Koa Pono under “What’s New?”

Kealakehe High School is the site of a State Senate and House candidate
forum tonight. Photo from vthawaii.com

STATE SENATE AND HOUSE CANDIDATES for districts between Honu`apo and Kona participate in a public forum tomorrow, 6 p.m., at Kealakehe High School. State Senate District 3 candidates are incumbent Josh Green, Jeff La France and Michael Last. State House District 5 candidates are incumbent Denny Coffman and Dave Bateman.
     The forum will air live, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on LAVA 105.3 FM. Other candidate forums at Kealakehe High School are: U.S. Senate and U.S. House at 2 p.m. this Sunday; Hawai`i County Mayor and Hawai`i County Prosecutor at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1; and Hawai`i County Council District 6 (Volcano through South Kona) and District 9 (Waikoloa, Kohala) 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.

ALI`I KEANAAINA performs at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Singer, songwriter and musician Keanaaina debuts his first solo album, He Mele No. The public event is free, but entrance fees may apply.

KEIKI, GRADES K THROUGH 8, can sign up through Thursday for a String Art program hosted at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more call Nona at 928-3102.

Organizers of the International Day of Peace celebration at Honu`apo
make peace flags for attendees. Photo from Shary Crocker

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED to pre-register for a ranger-guided hike through an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This Kipuka`akihi Hike is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration required, hike is free to all. For more, call 985-6011.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA`U meets Thursday. For more, call 929-9731 or 936-7262.

THE FIRST 60 PEOPLE TO ATTEND the International Day of Peace celebration at Honu`apo Park on Friday, will have a choice of three different block printed peace flags to take home. The event starts at 3 p.m. and organizers encourage everyone to wear white for a human peace sign photo at 4 p.m. The photo will be “shared with the world,” says one event coordinator Shary Crocker. For more, call 939-9461 or 929-7647.

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Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 17, 2012

The Department of Land & Natural Resources responsibilities range from helping to manage invasive seaweed with native sea urchins to rules for the new Public Land Development Corp. Photo from DLNR

THE NEW PUBLIC LAND DEVELOPMENT CORP. is getting support from Gov. Neil Abercrombie, according to a Derrick DePledge story in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser. The act, which the governor signed this year after the bill passed the state legislature, would allow private development on state lands as a way to manage property and bring in income. It would be under the oversight of the Department of Land & Natural Resources.
      The Public Land Development Corp. has received criticism at public hearings around the island from citizens, and environmental, Native Hawaiian, historic preservation and union groups, who said they fear it will allow undesired development of lands owned by the people.

      According to DePledge, the governor “has launched an enthusiastic defense of the troubled Public Land Development Corp, describing it as a potential catalyst for partnerships with the private sector on modern schools, workforce housing, long-term care and early childhood education." According to the story,  “The governor said the corporation, which has a broad exemption from land use and county zoning laws and construction standards, could have the flexibility to cut through government bureaucracy and help the state deliver on long-delayed promises.”
      The DePledge story quotes Abercrombie characterizing those who testified against the PLDC concept at public hearings around the state this summer “as the ‘usual suspects’ who used public hearings this summer on the corporation’s draft administrative rules to create ‘conspiratorial hysteria.’” See more at www.hawaiistaradvertiser.com. See the governor's website explanation of the PLDC at
http://hawaii.gov/gov/faq/public-land-development-corporation-pldc.

STATE SENATOR MALAMA SOLOMON recently issued a statement saying she is “sorely disappointed that there is so much misinformation" about the Public Land Development Corp. "Our public lands are a ‘treasure’ that must be protected.” She said Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the state Senate and House of Representatives have agreed to work on a Strategic Plan that “clarifies the vision, mission, goals and values of the PLDC, putting public benefits as a top priority.”

Sen. Malama Solomon

      She said the PLDC, which could bring economic development and income from state lands, is comparable to the idea of managing lands through a national park system. “Our state is very unique in the nation. The state owns and manages most of the public lands, while in other states the federal government is the owner and manager. This legislation is patterned after the federal National Park Mission Statement, which is to conserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects and to provide for the public’s enjoyment of these features in a manner that will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations,” said Solomon. She said, "It is my hope and vision that the PLDC creates a vehicle to replicate what I call 'The Yosemite Model.'"
      She also said there are misunderstandings concerning historic preservation and restated that the act includes a prohibition on selling ceded lands. Under the oversight of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the PLDC would be allowed to go into partnerships with private investors for economic development on state lands and would be exempt from many environmental and zoning laws. Said Solomon: “For some, partnerships are a new way of doing business, but in today’s economic climate, partnerships are the only way we can effectively improve public benefit and make things happen without raising taxes or fees.”

THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS COMMISSION hosts a public meeting tonight at Pahala Community Center to gather local input for its regional plan for Hawaiian Home Lands in Ka`u, which are mostly located at South Point, Ka Lae. The session begins at 6 p.m. when community organizations will host information booths and representatives from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will be available for one-on-one consultation with beneficiaries. It continues with presentations and public input at 6:30 p.m. The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association urges everyone to attend. Read the Ka`u Regional Plan at hawaiianhomelands.org.

KA`U HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS ASSOCIATION will host its annual meeting tomorrow, 9:30 a.m., at Na`alehu Community Center regarding the properties in Ka`u under Hawaiian Homes Lands, both residential and agricultural. The meeting is open to the public.

Native collector sea urchins clean the reef from
invasive seaweed. Photo from DLNR

THE DLNR REVEALED series of television productions has released a new hour-long program called Protecting Hawai`i`’s Reefs from Invasive Seaweed. It explains DLNR research with native collector sea urchins used to keep invasive seaweed populations low. The program is shown on ‘Olelo Channel 54. The DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources is also featured. According to a statement from the agency, “DLNR Revealed, a periodic televised program, seeks to share with the community the various exceptional efforts of the department’s staff and partners doing conservation projects throughout our islands.
      Two previous episodes have addressed Wildland Fires and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Wildland Fires features a panel discussion about Hawai‘i’s wildfires, how DLNR and fire-fighting partners work to prevent them, and how the public can help. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary illustrates how DLNR and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration partners with communities to protect the Humpback Whale, and how the public can get involved. Protecting Hawai‘i’s Reefs from Invasive Seaweed airs on Channel 54 on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 24, at noon.

THE HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND’S CLEANUP this past Saturday marked the organization’s fourth annual beach cleanup at Kamilo Point for the statewide Get the Drift & Bag It event. Coordinator Megan Lamson said 61 participants joined in Saturday with volunteers from around the island and five people from San Diego.
      Lamson reported that 2,760 lbs of rubbish, including approximately 1,000 lbs of derelict fishing nets, were removed from one-mile of coast. Other debris included toothbrushes, cigarette lighters, plastic toy figures, and myriads of miscellaneous unidentifiable pieces of plastic bits in every shape and color imaginable. She said, “interesting finds included intact glass light bulbs (standard size and 8" long), several fiberglass boat pieces (up to 6' long), and an odd large orange buoy. As of now, no ‘verifiable’ tsunami debris from the March 11th, 2011 event at Fukushima has washed ashore in the Hawaiian archipelago. However, HWF and volunteers are on the lookout,” Lamson reported.

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund drew 61 volunteers to clean up the Ka`u Coast at Kamilo Point last weekend. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund has cleared marine debris from the shoreline, Ka Lae to Wai`ohinu, since 2003 and has hauled over 155 tons. The next cleanups in Ka`u are Saturdays Nov. 17 and Jan. 12. For more information or to sign-up for the next event, contact Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call the HWF marine debris hotline at 769-7629.

ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH CELEBRATES OKTOBERFEST on Friday, Oct. 5, with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the church hall in Ocean View. It includes: sauerkraut and bratwurst, boiled potatoes, dill pickles, cookies, and beverages. The event, a fundraiser in which half of the proceeds will be donated to the Food Basket in Ocean View, also includes a live polka band and a drawing for hand quilted wall hangings. St. Jude’s Publicity Committee member Madalyn McWhite-Lamson said, “Bring your friends and ohana for a fun filled evening with good food, music, and polka dancing. This was a popular event last year, so get your tickets early.” Tables may be reserved for larger parties. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $13 each or 2 for $22. For tickets, to volunteer or for more information call 939-7555.

GEMS, the American Association of University Women’s Girls Exploring Math & Science event on Saturday, Nov. 11, has been moved to the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa Keauhou. The deadline for registration forms to be postmarked has been extended to Tuesday, Sept. 25, as the change in venue resulted in a delay in getting registration forms to the schools. For more, contact GEMS Chairperson, Cindy Armer at cbarmer@hotmail.com.

KEIKI, GRADES K THROUGH 8, are can sign up today through Thursday for a String Art program hosted at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more call Nona at 928-3102.

STATE SENATE AND HOUSE CANDIDATES for districts between Honu`apo and Kona will participate in a public forum tomorrow, 6 p.m., at Kealakehe High School. State Senate District 3 candidates are incumbent Josh Green, Jeff La France and Michael Last. State House District 5 candidates are incumbent Denny Coffman and Dave Bateman. In advance of the forum, citizens can submit questions by email to sherryb@lava105.com.The forum will air live, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on LAVA 105.3 FM. Other candidate forums at Kealakehe High School are: U.S. Senate and U.S. House at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23; Hawai`i County Mayor and Hawai`i County Prosecutor at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1; and Hawai`i County Council District 6 (Volcano through South Kona) and District 9 (Waikoloa, Kohala) 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.

ALI`I KEANAAINA performs at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Singer, songwriter and musician Keanaaina debuts his first solo album, He Mele No. The public event is free, but entrance fees may apply.

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 16, 2012

Ka`u Gym & Disaster Shelter design by Matsunaga & Associates to be built by Summit Construction, Inc. with a
groundbreaking in early October.

KA`U HIGH, PAHALA AND NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY schools will receive funding from the state of Hawai`i to make repairs and take care of deferred maintenance. The funding is part of uplifting schools that are undergoing transition through the federal Race to the Top program. The schools are described as being in “zones of school innovation.” The Pahala campus will receive $1.3 million and Na`alehu will receive $650,000. Funding statewide is $18 million and is aimed a leveling the playing field for students who study in facilities that may be sub-par compared to others.

Plans for Ka`u Gym & Disaster Shelter.

THE NEW KA`U GYMNASIUM & DISASTER SHELTER is expected to break ground in early October with the date to be confirmed this week. Building the 46,000 square-foot facility, designed by Honolulu-based Matsunaga & Associates, will help improve statistics for new construction on the island, particularly in Ka`u where there has been no project of this size since the condominiums, restaurant and golf course clubhouse at Punalu`u a generation ago. The more than $17 million  has been awarded to Summit Construction, of O`ahu to build the complex. Public officials, including Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Billy Kenoi and county council members and state legislators and political candidates and are expected to attend. Members of the community are invited to the groundbreaking and to enjoy light refreshments.

      The facility will be managed by the county Department of Parks and Recreation for Ka`u High School and Pahala Elementary and Intermediate school athletics and for the community. There will be activities rooms, workout rooms, a gym that is flexible to offer multiple courts for practices and tournaments, and seating that will allow community concerts and events, with a portable stage. A certified kitchen will help community groups raise money during events at the gym.
      Sections of the facility will have air-filtering systems where students and residents can gather during vog events and the entire facility is designed to become a disaster shelter, if needed.

Federal agricultural loans of up to $300,000 are available
to farmers. Photo by Julia Neal

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE offered very low interest loans to Ka`u farmers who attended a lender fair yesterday at Pahala Community Center. The federal government offers operating loans, as low as 1.1 percent, and loans to purchase agricultural property, as low as 3 percent. Both have a maximum of $300,000. State agricultural loans range from 3.3 percent to 7.5 percent with a maximum of $800,000.

State agricultural loans of up to $500,000 are also
available to farmers. Photo by Julia Neal

      The event was sponsored by the Ka`u Farm Bureau and coffee growers and other farmers came through the doors all afternoon. Farm Loan Programs Assistant Manager Linda Kow explained that federal operating and ownership loans are accepted only if applicants do not qualify for the loans from other creditors.
      Those unable to attend yesterday can contact U.S.D.A. Farm Services Agency at 933-8343 or fsa.usda.gov, State Dept. of Agriculture Agricultural Loan Division 933-9975 or hawaii.gov/hdoa/agl, and Farm Credit Services at 961-3781 or hawaiifarmcredit.com.
      Some of the farmers attending yesterday said they need help following the disastrous fire this summer that burned sections of some coffee farms and surrounding windbreaks at Pear Tree above Pahala.

Sherry Bracken moderates State
Senate and House forum Tuesday.

STATE SENATE AND HOUSE contenders for the districts from Honu`apo into Kona will present their views at a public forum this Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Kealakehe High School at 6 p.m. State Senate District 3 candidates are Sen. Josh Green, Jeff La France and Michael Last. State House District 5 candidates are Rep. Denny Coffman and Dave Bateman.
      In advance of the forum, citizens can submit questions by email to sherryb@lava105.com.
      The moderator is Sherry Bracken of Mahalo Broadcasting (LAVA 105 and KKOA) and Hawai`i Public Radio. This forum is sponsored by Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Hawai`i Island Board of Realtors, Kealakehe High School, Mahalo Broadcasting/LAVA 105 radio, Hawai`i 24/7, West Hawaii Today, Kealakehe High School, and Rotary of Kona.
      The forum will also air live 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 on LAVA 105.3 FM. Other candidate forums at Kealakehe High School are:
      U.S. Senate and U.S. House at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23; Hawai`i County Mayor and Hawai`i County Prosecutor at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1; and Hawai`i County Council District 6 (Volcano through South Kona) and District 9 (Waikoloa, Kohala) 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.

FREE AG TOURISM WORKSHOPS will be offered in Ka`u. The Hawai`i Agri-Tourism Association invites the public to meet Saturday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Pahala Community Center to help plan the workshops. Information will be provided on scope and timing. Those with agri-tourism potential in Ka`u can sign up for the workshops, which are funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. 

      “The intention of the trainings is to help build economic development for the Ka`u agricultural community and it’s partners,” says Hawai`i Agri-Tourism Association Executive Director Lani Weigert. For more, visit hiagtourism.org. Those interested in attending can reserve a seat by emailing lani@hiagtourism.org or calling (808) 283-3777. 

A CANDIDATE FORUM HOSTED BY THE FARM BUREAU, All About Agriculture, is tonight at 6 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal Meeting Hall, in Kealakekua. Candidates seeking legislative office, both state and county will include incumbent Brenda Ford and Maile David who are running for Ka`u District 6 in the County Council. Also on hand will be incumbent Josh Green who is running for state Senate, along with his competitors Jeff LaFrance and Michael Last and incumbent Denny Coffman who is running for state House of Representative to represent Honu`apo through Kona, along with his competitor Dave Bateman. Questions at the forum will range from economic development, land use, resource management to product development and protection, with agriculture being the common theme. For further information, call 324-6011.

A GARDEN TALK STORY & PLANT & SEED EXCHANGE is today at Na`ohulelua Historical Church and Garden from noon to 3 p.m. Call 929-8164 for more. 

Hawaiian Homes Lands property on the Big Island.

THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION hosts a public meeting tomorrow at Pahala Community Center, 6:30 p.m. to gather local input for its regional plan for Ka`u. From 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. community organizations will host information booths and representatives from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will be available for one-on-one consultation with beneficiaries.
      The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association urges everyone to attend. Read the Ka`u Regional Plan at hawaiianhomelands.org.
      The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association will host its annual meeting Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., at Na`alehu Community Center regarding the properties in Ka`u under Hawaiian Homes Lands, both residential and agricultural. The meeting is open to the public.

KEIKI, GRADES K THROUGH 8, are encouraged to sign up between this Monday and Thursday for a String Art program hosted at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more call Nona at 928-3102.

Ali`i Keanaaina performs at HVNP Wednesday.
Photo from waimeatown.org

ALI`I KEANAAINA is scheduled to perform at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Singer, songwriter and musician Keanaaina debuts his first solo album, He Mele No, an album dedicated to those who inspired him to sing and write. Keanaaina's stories that he has set to melody are brought to life by his band, He Mele No, which is comprised of his twin brother Nui, and cousins Pililani Pua-Kaipo and Bradshaw Ellis. CD’s available for purchase at the concert. The concert is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Na Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations. The public event is free, but entrance fees may apply.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE will be celebrated at Honu`apo Park on Friday. The public is invited to gather at 3 p.m. and organizers encourage everyone to wear white for a human peace sign photo at 4 p.m. The photo will be “shared with the world,” says one event coordinator Shary Crocker. For more, call 939-9461 or 929-7647.

KA`U JUNIOR VARISITY AND VARSITY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL WON at Kamehameha Schools yesterday. JV scored 25-7 in the first set and 25-22 in the second set against Kamehameha Schools. Varsity scored 25-23, 25-13 and 25-15 in the final set against Kamehameha Schools and 25-9, 25-8 and 25-8 in the final set against Laupahoehoe. The volleyball teams face Makualani at Konawaena Saturday, Sept. 22, starting at 10 a.m. For more, call Ka`u Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 928-2012 or 928-2088.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM.AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.