Ka`u News Briefs May 10, 2013

The solar eclipse was seen in Hawai`i but not the rest of the U.S. yesterday afternoon. Photo by Lee Ann Higginbotham

YESTERDAY’S SOLAR ECLIPSE was visible in the United States only from Hawai`i. It dimmed the light and created a ring of fire as the moon passed between Earth and sun. For the Big Island, the event occurred between 2:20 p.m. and 5:10 p.m.
      According to Bishop Museum scientists, viewers using safe filters saw 44 percent of the sun blocked by the moon. The “bite” that the moon cut out of the sun peaked before 4 p.m. and covered well over a third of the sun before the bite became smaller and smaller and disappeared.
      For the planet, the “path of anularity” began in western Australia and moved east across the central Pacific Ocean to include Hawai`i.

The Marshall Islands are experiencing drought conditions.

THE MARSHALL ISLANDS COMMUNITY of Ka`u has been hearing from relatives back home about a drought that has dried up banana, taro, breadfruit and other food crops and created a shortage of drinking water. The cabinet of Marshall Islands government yesterday declared a disaster area for the northern Marshall Islands and a state of emergency, with many families living on a gallon of water a day, according to Chief Secretary Castern Nemra. The lack of water has caused an increase of pink eye, flu, diarrhea and other diseases, he said. 

      Yesterday the Marshall Islands Journal reported that “people’s lives and health are in imminent danger. Many of the affected communities have less than 11 days of drinking water left and are already rationing households to one gallon of drinking water for six people per day.”
      “The Northern Marshall Islands is under incredible level of hardship, and reports indicate that conditions will get worse in the coming days,” the Chief Secretary said.
       Boats carrying food and water from the capital of Marjuro are reaching the affected islands. The population of the Marshall Islands is about 70,000. Ka`u is home to a Marshall Islands community which sends its children to school here. Some of the Marshall Islands were used by the United States government to test nuclear bombs more than 50 years ago, and the U.S. government continues to provides health and educational assistance to the Marshallese and their offspring in various parts of the U.S., where many of them relocated.

Lorie Obra took the top five position in the recent Roasters Choice competition at SCAA.
Her award-winning coffee has led Ka`u Coffee to become a favorite with chef Alan Wong,
shown here, and other coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

THE ROASTERS GUILD has announced the placement of the top ten coffees in the worldwide competition recently held at the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention in Boston. Ka`u Coffee and Ka`u toasters took two spots in the top ten. Here are the final results and placements of each roaster in the competition: First place went to Caitlin McCarthy-Garcia, Equator Coffees & Teas, San Rafael, CA. Second went to Winston Harrison, CREMA, of Nashville, TN. Third went to Steve Souphanhong, of Social Coffee & Tea Co., in Ontario, Canada. Fourth went to Jason Burkum, of Beansmith Coffee, in Omaha, NE. Fifth went to Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s Hawaiian, in Pahala. Sixth went to Adam Bad, of Deeper Roots Coffee, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Seventh went to Ed Strachan, of Single Origin Roasters, in Sydney, Australia. Eighth went to Allen Leibowitz, of Zingerman’s Coffee, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ninth went to Lee Segawa and roasting partner Kalikoweo Keolanui-Daniele, of Ka`u Coffee Mill; and tenth went to Shih Ru Wang, of Just Go Coffee, from Taiwan. 

      The coffees used by these roasters were from all over the world - Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Two coffees were from Hawai`i, and they were both grown and roasted in Ka`u.

A SPECIAL MEETING OF HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL takes place Monday at Council chambers in Hilo. The meeting focuses on the budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. Ka`u residents can participate from Ocean View Community Center’s remote videoconferencing site. Ka`u Council member Brenda Ford urges residents to make use of the facility, which the Council is considering closing down due to lack of use.
      The agenda is available at hawaiicounty.gov.

Kilauea Iki is the site of a hike tomorrow sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i
Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo by Michael Szoenyi

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK present their monthly Walk in the Park tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program brings together members of FHVNP to share in the park’s trails. 

      Cheryl Gansecki leads this four-mile, moderately difficult hike exploring Kilauea Iki Crater. Kilauea Iki Trail begins on the crater’s forested rim and descends through the rain forest onto the crater floor. Hikers cross the still-steaming crater, pass the gaping throat of the vent that built Pu`u Pua`i cinder cone and ascend the far rim. Of interest on the hike are forest plants, birds, insects, the 1959 lava lake, steam vents and cinder and spatter cones. 

      The walk is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join the organization in order to attend.
     For more information and to register, call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org. Park entrance fees apply.

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for Arts in Bloom, a Mother’s Day orchid sale and fundraising event taking place tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The event features live music, giveaways, a Ni`aulani Rain Forest photo tour with local photographer Britten Traughber, a talk story with a local native fauna expert and tea education by JoAnn Aguirre. Pupus, mimosas, champagne, orchids and native plants will be available for purchase. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door and are available at VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the Ni`aulani Campus, the office of The Ka`u Calendar in Pahala, online at volcanoartcenter.org or by calling 967-8222. 

A FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR Ocean View’s Summer Fun program takes place tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kahuku Park. Chef Jason Lofland is planning a Cinco de Mayo theme. For $7, the meal includes homemade carnitas, rice and beans. Beverages are $1.
      Summer Fun registration will also be available. Coordinator Genny Galletes said that, thanks to fundraising efforts, the per-child fee to sign up for the program has been lowered from $100 to $20.
      To donate or volunteer, contact Genny at 217-5593 or gengalletes@gmail.com.

`Ohi`a lehua at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park. Photo from NPS

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE of the `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a tree and the lehua flower on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Visitors traveling through the park area will be able to identify the many differences of this most prominent tree in the Kahuku Unit. Pack a lunch to enjoy during the program. 

KA`U CELEBRATES MOTHER’S DAY on Sunday with many dining options. In Na`alehu, South Side Shaka’s restaurant offers a champagne breakfast and brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prime rib dinner starts at 5 p.m.
      Hana Hou Restaurant’s lunch options, available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., include Italian seafood in a red clam sauce or roast beef sirloin and shrimp. Dinner features prime rib or a seafood platter and includes a special dessert.
      Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has a buffet from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu items include prime rib au jus, blackened shrimp alfredo, macadamia nut-crusted fish, salad and potato bar, mashed potatoes, rice, green beans, pineapple-upside-down cake, ice cream bar and beverage. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests, and park entrance fees apply.

EVAN ENRIQUES, of Punalu`u in Ka`u, led the Kamehameha Warriors with 16 kills in the state high school volleyball finals being held on O`ahu. However, it was not enough to take Kamehameha past number one seed Punahou, which beat the Warriors of the Big Island. Punahou took down Kamehameha-Hawai`i 25-14, 25-22, 25-19. Kamehameha takes on Maui’s Baldwin High School this evening at Waipahu High School on O`ahu for a fifth-place semifinal. Coach for the Warriors is Guy Enriques.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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

Ka`u News Briefs May 9, 2013

Habitat for Humanity has built four homes in Ocean View and just received a grant from The Home Depot Foundation
that will help build another one. Photo by Jim Skibby

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY West Hawai`i will soon build a house for a veteran in Ocean View. To help out, Habitat has received at $5,000 Community Impact Grant from The Home Depot® Foundation. On May 18, Habitat will break ground for the new house for an Ocean View vet.

Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to help build a house for
a veteran in Ocean View. Photo by Jim Skibby

      Habitat is recruiting volunteers for the home construction. “We built four homes in Ocean View and look forward to our next build – Our First Veteran Build! We need the support of the community – skilled volunteers, unskilled volunteers, churches, service groups and lunch sponsors – to make it a reality for our new partner family,” said community relations director Margo Takata. 

      Patrick Hurney, executive director of Habitat for Humanity West Hawai`i, said, “The Home Depot Foundation’s generous donation will help with upcoming repair work and new home construction for veterans. It is through these types of partnerships that we are able to assist our local veterans.”
      The Home Depot Foundation’s Community Impact Grants Program supports the work that local nonprofit veteran organizations are doing to improve the lives of veterans and their families. “The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring that every veteran has a safe place to call home,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “We are proud to work with Habitat for Humanity West Hawai`i in our efforts to give back to those men and women who have so bravely served our country.”

      To volunteer, email info@habitatwesthawaii.org or call 331-8010.

Volcano House in 1947. Photo from NPS

VOLCANO HOUSE HOTEL is expected to be fully open next month, according to a statement from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It says that “soon guests will stroll through the lobby, where polished concrete floors of deep jade have been restored to their 1940s luster, and into the Grand Lounge. Flames from the original lava fireplace will warm the lobby and cast flickering light upon the imposing bronze of volcano goddess Pele, sculpted by Honolulu artist Marguerite Blassingame. A few more steps will reveal an expansive, comfortably appointed sitting room with spectacular views of Kilauea and fuming Halema`uma`u Crater beyond large picture glass windows.” 

      The park statement calls Volcano House, Hawai`i’s oldest – and newest hotel. It reviews the history:
      “While temporary shelters on Kilauea predate the 1824 grass hut built by Chiefess Kapi`olani and her entourage, it was in 1846 that Hilo resident Benjamin Pitman, Sr. built a grass house, and christened it ‘Volcano House.’ The name stuck, and the first substantial wooden structure to welcome guests at Kilauea was built in 1877. (Eventually, this one-story building was relocated, repurposed, and currently houses the Volcano Art Center). Famed writers Mark Twain, Isabella Bird and Robert Louis Stevenson were among guests in the 1877 building, as were King David Kalakaua and French microbiologist Louis Pasteur.

Overlooking Halema`uma`u Crater, Volcano House as it appeared
 in February 1966. NPS photo by William Robenstein

      “In 1895, Greek-born George “Uncle George” Lycurgus acquired the Volcano House, and several structural evolutions ensued, including the construction of an ornate, two-story, Victorian-inspired building that served many distinguished guests. Visitors included President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934 (the first U.S. president to visit Hawai`i), Amelia Earheart and Princess Victoria Ka`iulani,” says the history provided by the park service. 

      "In 1940, a fire from an oil burner destroyed the Victorian-style Volcano House. No lives were lost, but the entire hotel was a complete loss. Undaunted, Uncle George negotiated the construction of a new hotel with the park some 200 yards from its former site. In late 1941, the new Volcano House, designed by Maui-born architect Charles W. Dickey, was unveiled with great fanfare on the crater rim – and it is unveiled again in 2013 in the historic character of the 1940s. Uncle George’s name, flair for hospitality, and affinity toward volcano goddess Pele, will continue to define the character of Volcano House."

      The 33-room hotel is owned by the National Park Service and is managed under contract by Hawai`i Volcanoes Lodge Company, LLC, who also manage Namakanipaio Campground and ten A-frame cabins.
      “While the views from Volcano House of the active volcano may be distracting, the careful observer will note the restoration of canec ceilings in the comfortable guest rooms, appointed with historic crown moldings. Prints by local artist Marian Berger of native birds in the Audubon style of the era adorn the walls. Original tiled hearths in three rooms were upgraded with electrical fireplaces,” says the park statement
      Outside, two new decks overlook Kilauea caldera. Indoors, guests can “have a seat at the lovingly restored original koa wood bar in Uncle George’s Lounge, where another bronze sculpture depicting Pele’s vengeance graces a historic fireplace.
      “If Uncle George were alive today,” says the statement from the park, “perhaps he’d marvel over the coincidental return of Pele to her home at Halema`uma`u Crater, which began to erupt again in 2008, and to the return of guests to historic Volcano House.” 

BIG ISLAND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL is shutting down offices, and 20 employees around the island will lose their jobs. The organization has worked closely with the Hawai`i Paroling Authority and Drug Court to provide counseling to drug and alcohol offenders through its Therapeutic Living Program. However, it has lost about 60 percent of its funding, according to its CEO, Hannah Preston-Pita. 

      To raise money for programs, Kamehameha Schools Hawai`i Campus has offered a venue for a Recovery Day on Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events include a strong-man competition, dance competition, a wellness fair and cooking demonstrations. Admission to Recovery Day is free.

Image from Department of Health shows mostly good air quality with
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park experiencing SO2 in the
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.

AIR QUALITY IMPROVED TODAY after several hours of bad air descended on Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center and Volcano Art Center yesterday. It was the third day with SO2 levels reaching unhealthy levels, but for far less time yesterday than previous days. Jaggar Museum had good air all day, following periods of bad air on Tuesday. 

HIKING OVER LAVA IN THE HOT SUN with volcanic emissions in the air can be deadly. Near Kalapana Gardens, a tourist, 57 years of age, from Victoria, British Columbia collapsed and died on Tuesday after a day-long hike. According to police reports, they were not carrying a cell phone and were somewhat lost on the lava. The victim’s companion left for help, and the man’s body was found by fire rescue crew aboard a helicopter.

AN IDENTITY THEFT SCAM is in the radar of the Hawai`i Police Department, which is warning residents about emails. The fake messages warn recipients of suspicious activities concerning their accounts and ask readers to click on a link to verify accounts. On the link, the reader is asked for personal information, which, police warn, could be used for identity theft. According to a statement from police, legitimate banks and other financial institutions do not ask for personal information through email or phone.

Emmett and Evan Enriques led Kamehameha School to victory over
Kalaheo High School last night on O`ahu. They take on top-seeded
Punahou tonight. Photo from Julie Enriques

PUNALU`U RESIDENTS EVAN AND EMMETT ENRIQUES led Kamehameha-Hawai`i to pound Kalaheo High School on O`ahu last night in state Hawai`i Athletic Association Division I volleyball competition. Kamehameha won with scores of 25-22, 25-17 and 25-21 at the match held at McKinley High School. Evan scored 28 kills, and Emmett scored ten kills. Evan also came up with 16 digs. Kamehameha takes on Punahou, the top-seeded school in the state playoffs, at 7 p.m. tonight. The coach for Kamehameha is the two boys’ dad, Guy Enriques. 

MAY DAY ON THE PAHALA SCHOOL CAMPUS will be held tomorrow with the elementary school celebration at 8:30 a.m. and the middle and high school starting at 10:45 a.m. Parents and families are invited to the school gym. During the elementary school celebration, each class will perform. During the middle and high school celebration, May Day Queen Casey Koi and King Keoki Pavao and court will dance and reign over the gathering. Winners of the middle school talent show will sing.

VOLUNTEER TO PLANT NATIVE SEEDLINGS in the Kilauea section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Friday, May 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The activity, sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, provides education on the park’s native forest restoration program. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older and able to hike a mile over uneven terrain through brush on a moderate slope. Scrub soles of shoes before arrival to ensure dirt and invasive species are kept out. A crew of at least a dozen people is needed and must pre-register at forest@fhvnp.org or call 352-1402. 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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

Wednesday May 8, 2013

Fees for using county Department of Parks & Recreation facilities, like Pahala Community Center shown here at last weekend's Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaulea where Lori Lei Shirakawa's Hula Studio danced,  could double, under a proposal that goest to public hearing. Photo by Julia Neal

BEACH PARK PAVILIONS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, BALLPARK AND GYMNASIUM FEES would double under a measure proposed to the County Council by the county Department of Parks & Recreation. Swimming pool use would remain free of charge. The ballfields and gyms would remain free for non-profit athletics. The charge for commercial money making events would go to $400 a day for the ballfields and $1,000 a day for the gyms.
      A hearing on the issue will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28 at the Aupuni Center in Hilo and at West Hawai`i Civic Center.

A Big Island march against GMO's. Sen. Russell Ruderman sponsored a labeling bill in
the state legislature and a ban on new GMOs on the Big Island is before the County Council.
Photo by Julia Neal

BANNING MOST GMO CROPS is a goal of County Council member Margaret Wille. Her bill will be heard in committee, with public testimony allowed at 9 a.m. in council chambers on Tuesday. Rainbow papaya, engineered to resist ringspot virus and other genetically modified organisms, already grown here would be exempt. The bill would also allow University of Hawai`i – Hilo and other institutions to continue GMO research. The bill would not affect GMO products shipped into the islands for sale, such as corn and soy. However, growing the non-exempt GMO plants on the island would draw a $1,000 fine, the legislation proposes. She said she wants to keep out the large biotech companies that grow seed corn and other mass

KA`U GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS are encouraged to apply for the state Transformation Internship Program. The program provides students the opportunity to work alongside innovators within state government and gain hands-on experience in a wide range of areas.
     “TIP represents an investment in those who have likewise invested in themselves through higher learning,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said. “This public-private partnership offers a unique opportunity for college and university students to gain training and experience while taking part in our ongoing transformation of state government. The students emerge ready and empowered to take an active and leading role in shaping Hawai`i’s future, particularly as they begin their respective careers in an increasingly technological global marketplace.”
   
 TIP is open to students in a wide range of majors including business administration, management information systems, computer science, social sciences (research focus), political science, public administration, human resource development, communications, engineering and other related fields.


     The TIP summer 2013 session starts in June, with applications being accepted through June 8. Applicants must be currently enrolled with junior or senior status, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, have the ability to work well in a team with a broad range of stakeholders (e.g. state employees, outside consultants and private organizations) and communicate effectively at multiple levels.
     Applications can be submitted online at www.dhrd.hawaii.gov.

The family and members of the coffee cooperative of the late Mike Matsui, of Wood Valley
presented his coffee at last weekend's Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaulea. Matsui was a
businessman who helped encourage entrepreurship. Photo by Julia Neal

FARMERS RISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP comes to Pahala on Thursday, May 23 at Pahala Community Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Michael Holl will give and update for farmers and ranchers about taxes. The workshop is designed to help manage labor, financial and legal risks. Holl is a federally authorized tax practitioners and is experienced in resolving issues between taxpayers and the IRS. The workshop is set up to help farmers lower tax liabilities through understanding deductions, preparation and record keeping. Holl will discuss how employment laws and independent contractor requirements affect businesses and special provisions in the tax code for farm income averaging.

VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS, which raise money for Volcano Arts Center, are drawing hundreds of competitors to sign up for races on Saturday, Aug. 17. A Half Marathon, 10K and 5K are on the agenda for the roads through Volcano Village. The races start at 7 a.m. for the Half Marathon, 7:30 a.m. for the 10K and 7:45 a.m. for the 5K. Kids runs begin at 10 a.m.

      Keiki runs are free and include a 100-yard dash for one- to four-year-olds and a 200-yard dash for five- to seven-year-old children, both sponsored by Kilauea Lodge. Start and finish for all events are at Cooper Center on Wright Road.
      Artists of Volcano Art Center Gallery provide prizes to the overall winners in adult races and top two in the ten years of age divisions in all races. Entertainment, face painting, animal balloons, Health and Fitness booths, food booths and a silent auction will be held at Cooper Center finish line. Entertainment includes the Hiccup Circus.
      On Friday night, August 16, the great Rainforest Pasta Party will be open to the public as well as participants, raising money for the Friends Feeding Friends Program.
      To register or volunteer, see rainforestruns.com, email raceinfo@volcanoartcenter.org or call Sharron Faff, race director at 967-8240.

Hunter education classes are available all year.
Photo by Julia Neal

HUNTERS EDUCATION CLASSES will be given at Na`alehu Community Center this Aug. 10 and 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Only standby applications are being accepted as the classes are filling up. Other classes on the island will be at Kealakehe Intermediate School Cafeteria May 27, 28 and 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. with only standby applications being accepted. Another session is set for June 17, 18 and 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and space is available. Another will be held July 16, 17, and 18 at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, which still has spaces, and at Kealakehe Intermediate School on Aug. 26, 27 and 28, with only standby registration accepted.
       See the entire schedule for the next year at dlnr.hawaii/gov/programs/huntered/classes.

KA`U SUMMER FUN REGISTRATION for keiki who completed grades kindergarten to six continues today and tomorrow. In Ocean View, registration takes place from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Kahuku Park. Families can also register at their respective sites at Pahala Community Center and at Na`alehu Community Center between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
      The Summer Fun program runs from June 10 to July 19, Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pahala and Na`alehu and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Ocean View. Payment of $100 per child must be by cash, money order or certified check.

THE NON-PROFIT FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK present their monthly Walk in the Park Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Usually offered on second Sundays, the program brings together members of FHVNP to share in the park’s trails.
“For May only, we changed our walk to the second Saturday so as not to conflict with Mother’s Day,” said FHVNP education and outreach coordinator Elizabeth Fien.
     Led by Cheryl Gansecki, this month’s four-mile hike explores Kilauea Iki Crater. Kilauea Iki Trail begins on the crater's forested rim and descends 400 feet through the rain forest onto the crater floor. Hikers cross the still-steaming crater, pass the gaping throat of the vent that built Pu`u Pua`i cinder cone and ascend the far rim. Of interest on the hike are forest plants, birds, insects, the 1959 lava lake, steam vents and cinder and spatter cones.
     This hike, rated moderately difficult, traverses pahoehoe lava and forested trails. Participants should be prepared for the 4,000-foot elevation as well as for variable weather conditions, including sunny, windy, chilly, and/or rainy.
     FHVNP’s Saturday Walk in the Park is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join the organization in order to attend. Annual memberships are $30 for individuals and $45 for families and come with a variety of benefits.
     Participants should bring a bag lunch for a rest stop along the walk. To register, contact FHVNP at 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org. For more information, visit www.fhvnp.org. Park entrance fees apply.

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for Arts in Bloom, a Mother’s Day orchid sale and fundraising event this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Participants can purchase pupus, mimosas, champagne, orchids and native plants. The event features live music, giveaways, a Ni`aulani Rain Forest photo tour with local photographer Britten Traughber, a talk story with a local native fauna expert, tea education by JoAnn Aguirre and more. Tickets, $5 in advance and $8 at the door, are available at VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the Ni`aulani Campus, the office of The Ka`u Calendar in Pahala, online at volcanoartcenter.org or by calling 967-8222.