Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013

Ka`u's Hawai`i County Council member Brenda Ford, shown at the recent Pahala Christmas Parade, said this morning that she will not seek the state House of Representatives seat vacated by Denny Coffman. Photo by Julia Neal

DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES for West Ka`u’s state House of Representative District is tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 23 by midnight. Candidates must be been in good standing as members of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i for at least six month, provide signatures showing support from at least five other district Democratic Party members or provide contact information for the five supporters. 

     Candidates must send no more than two pages of description of why they are interested, their experience, community activities and efforts that make them good candidates.

Christmas garb, Hawaiian-style: Kelly Andrade Thome, who grew up in Pahala,
handmade Christmas outfits for herself and her daughter Tehya and proudly wore
 the off-shoulder costume at last night's Pahala Filipino Association Christmas
party. Her Andrade family in Ka`u is Hawaiian, Filipino and Portuguese.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Leaders of the Democratic Party of District 5, which extends from Honu`apo, around South Point and up the Ka`u and Kona Coasts to Kailua-Kona, may choose to interview candidates. The top three candidates’ names will be submitted to Hawai`i Democratic Party chair Dante Carpenter and forwarded to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who will appoint the new House member to replace Denny Coffman, who is resigning in the wake of serious health problems among his family members.
    Anyone needing further clarification can contact John Buckstead, vice chair for West Hawai`i in the Democratic Party, at jbuckstead@hawaii.rr.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U’S COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER BRENDA FORD confirmed this morning that she will not be seeking the vacant District 5 state House of Representatives seat. She said she has had many calls and emails but has stood firm in her vow to stay on the Council. “I am not putting my hat in the ring,” she said. “My reason is that I have a commitment and an obligation." She also said, “I really and truly appreciate people's belief that I could help.”  To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Pahala Filipino Association president
Hilaria Panglao. Photo by Julia Neal

PAHALA FILIPINO ASSOCIATION president Hilaria Panglao urged her community last night to remember the Sakadas, the hard working immigrants who came to Hawai`i between 1906 and 1946 to work in the sugar fields. She was speaking at the association's annual  Christmas party and said that many Filipino families here today are “an extension of the Sakadas.” She said that when she first arrived, she was able to interview many of them through research she was conducting with her university professor. A Filipino radio personality and emcee at the party reminded the party-goers that Pahala is one of the few communities left with a Filipino association. Panglao said the organization helps many with socialization and understanding of the U.S. government, in addition to helping the sick and elderly in the community. 

      To contact Pahala Filipino Association, call Panglao at 928-8261.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

SAMPLES THAT COULD BE LITTLE FIRE ANTS were collected on Friday and have been submitted for identification to the Hawai`i Ant Lab in Hilo, according to Michelle Montgomery, of the UH-Pacific Cooperative Studies unit. She said yesterday that “a neighbor of Bay Clinic initially reported possible LFA, and further communications with other people in the area lead to reports of possible LFA on surrounding properties. The ant surveys were conducted and spanned the area of a vacant lot next to Bay Clinic (NE side) all the way to (and including) the park ball field. Samples were collected with locations recorded and are awaiting processing and ant identification.”
          Little fire ants, Wasmannia auropunctata, are the size of pin heads but can be destructive to agriculture and painful to people and pets. Anyone seeing little fire ants can call Hawai`i Ant Lab at 315-5656. See littlefireants.com for more on their identification, distribution and problems that come with their possible invasion of Ka`u.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Pahala Filipino Association's annual Christmas party last night drew caroling,
with members also going house-to-house to sing. Photo by Julia Neal

THE U.S. SENATE HAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED the Native American Memorial Amendments Act of 2013 introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz and co-sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono and several others. Passage paves the way for a Native American Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. honoring Native Hawaiian, Native Alaskan and American Indian veterans. The legislation has already passed the House of Representatives and now goes to President Obama for his signature.

      “In every conflict since the Revolutionary War, Native Americans have answered the call to serve and defend our country. It is long past time for our nation to honor the uncommon contributions of Native Hawaiian, Native Alaskan, American Indian, and other native veterans,” Schatz said. “I introduced this bill so that our nation can recognize Native Americans’ service and patriotism with a fitting memorial. A memorial to native veterans will make sure future generations learn about the sacrifices Native Americans made in service to our nation, and it will commemorate their exceptional commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy.”
      A Native American Veterans Memorial was originally established more than 20 years ago, but has been languishing due to funding and logistical problems. Sen. Schatz’s legislation allows the National Museum of the American Indian to accept donations to privately fund the memorial, as well as enabling the museum to take on a more active role in planning and construction. Previously, the memorial would have had to be built inside the museum building, but Schatz’s bill allows for the memorial to be located on the National Mall.

Amy Javar, grand-dame of the Javar coffee farming clan, said she
picks coffee every day, taking time out last night to distribute
presents at Ka`u Coffee Farmers Co-op holiday party.
Photo by Julia Neal

      As part of his speech, Schatz shared Hawai`i’s record of Native Hawaiian military service and spoke of Congressional Medal of Honoree, Army Private First Class Anthony T. Kaho`ohanohano, who posthumously received the award for his acts of bravery after being killed in the Korean War.
      “My home state of Hawai`i is second to none when it comes to patriotism, public service, and personal sacrifice,” said Schatz. “The heroic deeds of Anthony T. Kaho`ohanohano from Wailuku, Maui, prove just how true this is.”

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“THE FINDINGS OF THE PRESIDENT’S REVIEW GROUP (on Intelligence and Communications Technology) are consistent with my call for the need to protect the personal privacy of innocent Americans, who have been unnecessarily targeted by the overreach of the National Security Agency,” said Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a co-sponsor of the USA FREEDOM Act. “This report acknowledges that surveillance reform is critical and urgent, and also builds on a U.S. district court ruling earlier this week that indicated that bulk collection of phone records is likely unconstitutional.”

Sen. Brian Schatz spoke of Anthony Kaho`ohanohano in his call for
a Native American Veterans Memorial.

       The USA FREEDOM Act calls for improvements to privacy protections for Americans and limitations of the NSA’s domestic surveillance programs. The legislation primarily targets reforms to Section 215 of the 2001 USA PATRIOT Act, which has been widely blamed for the bulk collection of innocent Americans’ personal data.      “The NSA’s blatant violations of personal privacy and freedoms are extremely disturbing, and it is crucial that Congress take action on legislation like the USA FREEDOM Act to put an end to this abuse of the constitutional rights of the American people.”

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FIREWORKS PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE beginning Thursday, Dec. 26. Each permit costs $25 and entitles the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older, are non-transferable and non-refundable. Fireworks sales begin on Thursday and end at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

      Permits are not required for purchasing novelties and paperless firecrackers. Setting off of fireworks for the New Year celebrations are allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Permits must be visibly displayed at the site of use during the time of the firing.
      Hawai`i Fire Department asks everyone to kokua in helping prevent fires and also to avoid the unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year.
      Regulations and recommendations regarding fireworks are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

Young Kira, of the Orcino coffee family, hands out one of
the many presents at Ka`u Coffee Growers Co-op Christmas
party, with lucky numbers drawn by co-op president
Gloria Camba. Photo by Julia Neal

      For more information on purchasing fireworks permits, or use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2912 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PAHALA PLANTATION HOUSE HOSTS a Christmas Concert by Ka`u School of the Arts today at 3 p.m. with performances by Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, David Matson and Ben Houghton. Call 854-1540. 

VOLCANO ART CENTER HOLDS ITS holiday celebration for keiki today at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Activities beginning at 3:30 p.m. include a forest music walk, yule log hunt, kanikapila `ukulele group, marshmallow roast, games, ornament decorating and lighting of the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Call 967-8222 for more information.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers Christmas Day Buffet Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information. 

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 31.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at kauchamber.org.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013

Teachers and students could see reindeer racing across the sun-drenched clouds from the Ka`u High School campus before Christmas break began. Photo by Julie Williams

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS ENDORSED Gov. Neil Abercrombie for a second term. The President cited Abercrombie’s fiscal stewardship of the state, investment in Hawai`i’s youth, commitment to renewable and alternative energy and efforts to improve infrastructure and housing.

Pres. Barack Obama has endorsed Gov. Neil Abercrombie
for a second term. Photo from Office of the Governor

      President Obama said, “I’ve known Gov. Abercrombie for decades, and I’ve come to appreciate him not only as a friend, but as an extraordinary public servant who has never let politics get in the way of serving the people of Hawai`i. Since taking office, Neil has brought a renewed sense of fiscal discipline to the state, cutting back on wasteful spending and making the investments necessary to grow the economy and expand opportunity. Neil has never hesitated to make tough choices, and the people of Hawai`i are better off today because of his leadership. I firmly believe that Neil deserves a second term as governor, and I look forward to continuing to work with him for years to come.”

      Abercrombie stated, “I am deeply honored and gratified by President Obama’s endorsement. I share the President’s vision of a nation and a state that improves the lives of all families and communities. I am eager and ready to continue working with him and his administration on an agenda for Hawai`i and the United States. With him I say, ‘yes we can!’”
      Abercrombie’s work with the President and the White House includes appointment to the Council of Governors to co-coordinate with the Pentagon and Secretary of Defense on the nation’s military budget and all issues involving National Guard units across the country. Obama also asked the governor to join the President’s Climate Change Task Force and make recommendations on global warming and climate change.

      To comment on or “like“ this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ATTORNEY JOHN CARROLL, A FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR, and Honolulu energy advocate Edward Wagner have filed a lawsuit against the state of Hawai`i and Gov. Neil Abercrombie seeking relief from the implementation of an agreement signed by Gov. Linda Lingle in 2008 which they say “created an ironclad control over the production and sale of electricity in the state.”

The National Honor Society and Interact members celebrated the holidays before school
vacation, which lasts through Jan. 6. Photo by Julie Williams

      In a letter to Abercrombie, Wagner, the primary plaintiff in the class action suit, questioned what he called the governor’s “failure to fulfill or even attempt to fulfill his many campaign promises and statements regarding electrical energy production, the effect of a monopolistic control over electrical production and other failures.”
      Wagner said, “You ran for governor on an energy platform in which you called out the HECO monopoly for its abuse of power and promised bold action to reign in those abuses.”
      He quotes Abercrombie as saying, “We have a regulatory system and a utility monopoly that were built for a time and public purpose that are in the past. If we do not fundamentally change our approach, we will not reach our (energy) goals.”
      Wagner asked Abercrombie to explain “why have you not rescinded the 2008 Lingle-HECO agreement, knowing full well that its only intent was and still is to support, protect and perpetuate the archaic utility monopoly and its profits to the detriment of our economy, our planet, and our residents.”
      Carroll stated, “The current grip on electrical production makes it excessively expensive for Hawai`i’s people and, like the Jones Act restrictions, current practices are in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. The current effect of the 2008 Lingle agreement is to give HECO/HEI and subsidiaries virtual, unfettered control and is causing solar and geothermal production to be diminished, hampered or eliminated.

      To comment on or “like“ this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Richard Ha

“IF SUDDENLY THERE WAS REAL SCIENCE that showed harm from genetically modified organisms, I would cross that off my list and move on to the next best solution that would help our island. To date, though, there has never been any such science, not anywhere,” said Richard Ha, owner of Hamakua Country Farms, in a commentary in Civil Beat. 

      Regarding Mayor Billy Kenoi’s signing of Bill 113, which bans most GMO crops in Hawai`i County, Ha said he would have preferred a veto, but he supports the mayor over the County Council. “Its members have proven that they cannot separate fact from fiction, and therefore they are unqualified and unable to prepare us for the future,” Ha said.
      “Our county Council clearly does not understand farming. Councilwoman Wille likes to show how many letters she has in favor of banning GMOs, but the smaller stack from people opposing the ban was from the farmers who produce more than 90 percent of the calories grown here on the Big Island.
      “Why is she listening to the gardeners and not the farmers? There is such a difference between gardening and farming.”

      See civilbeat.com.

      To comment on or “like“ this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR THE MEMORY of Hawai`i Department of Health director Loretta Fuddy, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has ordered that the flags of the United States and state of Hawai`i be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai`i National Guard from sunrise to sunset today, the day of her memorial service.

Services for the late Loretta Fuddy, seen here with Gov. Neil Abercrombie, are today.
Photo from Hawai`i Children's Trust Fund

      Fuddy was appointed to the governor’s Cabinet in Dec. 2010 as deputy director of the Hawai`i Department of Health and then as its director on March 2, 2011.
      She previously served as chair of the Hawai`i Public Health Association, president of the Association of State and Territorial Public Health Social Workers, treasurer and secretary of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs and a member of the Policy Committee of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers. 

      To comment on or “like“ this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

SENS. MAZIE K. HIRONO AND BRIAN SCHATZ have joined Alaska Sen. Mark Begich in introducing an amendment that would exempt Hawai`i and Alaska from an increase in air travel fees. This exemption would protect interisland flights from increased air travel fees, which would more than double from $2.50 to $5.60 in the budget compromise bill.
      “The budget deal makes tough choices, working to balance critical investments that grow our economy, ease the pain of the sequester and preserve our promises to our seniors,” Hirono said. “However, raising air travel fees ignores the disparate economic impact that increased fees and taxes on air transportation would have on non-contiguous states. In Hawai`i, residents rely on air travel to receive healthcare, connect with family and friends and conduct business. That’s why I’ve introduced this amendment with my colleagues from Hawai`i and Alaska to help maintain affordable air transportation for our constituents.
      To support her request, Hirono sent a letter to Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, before the budget deal was unveiled, noting the history of Congressional exemptions for Hawai`i air travel passengers.
      Schatz said, “We in Hawai`i are in a different situation than those on the mainland, and we often are dependent on air travel for business, health care or to visit family. Recognizing the unique position of both Hawai`i and Alaska and exempting us from increased air fees is not only fair, it is common sense.”

      To comment on or “like“ this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

The Winter Fest at the Pahala school campus featured games and a
Christmas theme. Photo by Julie Williams

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS PRESENTS a Christmas Concert today at 3 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, David Matson and Ben Houghton. Call 854-1540.

PAHALA PLANTATION HOUSE HOSTS a Christmas Concert by Ka`u School of the Arts tomorrow at 3 p.m. with performances by Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, David Matson and Ben Houghton. Call 854-1540.

VOLCANO ART CENTER HOLDS ITS holiday celebration for keiki tomorrow at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Activities beginning at 3:30 p.m. include a forest music walk, yule log hunt, kanikapila `ukulele group, marshmallow roast, games, ornament decorating and lighting of the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Call 967-8222 for more information.

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 31.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at kauchamber.org.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Dec. 20, 2013

Little fire ants may have come to Ka`u, and the state Department of Agriculture is trying to bait them with help from The Nature Conservancy. Photo from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture

LITTLE FIRE ANTS may have been discovered in Ka`u, according to representatives of the Department of Agriculture and The Nature Conservancy. John Replogle, of TNC, and Michelle Montgomery, of University of Hawai`i's Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit and Hawai`i Ant Lab, were putting peanut butter on sticks this morning in Na`alehu in an attempt to find any possible little fire ants in the area for identification. One person on land near Bay Clinic reported her dog being stung, which drew concern, said Replogle. Others in the neighborhood also reported the possibility.
     Montgomery said ant surveys spanned from the  Bay Clinic to the Na`alaheu park and ballfield. 

      Little fire ants can be distributed to new locations through many methods. These include hitching on potted plants and agricultural products, in mulch, construction materials, dirt, cinder and gravel and on vehicles.
     In Ka`u, little fire ants could stunt coffee trees, spoil coffee cherry, cause premature fruiting and become a hindrance to coffee and macadamia pickers. Little fire ants like to live in stands of banana trees, ti plants and palms, particularly if there is consistent moisture.

Little fire ants are much smaller than the tropical fire ant, which is also more red
in color. Photo from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture

     Little fire ants were first found in Hawaiian Paradise Park in 1999, and the state Department of Agriculture set up a quarantine to prevent shipment of infested potted plants from the Big Island to the rest of the state. The ants, however, made it to Kaua`i. By 2009, they reached Maui. By 2010, they landed in Kona. In 2012 they were discovered on a coffee farm in Honaunau. Little fire ants have been located from sea level to an altitude of 2,000 feet.
     Fire ants, with the scientific name Wasmannia auropunctata, are only a pin head in size, about one-sixteenth of an inch long and colored pale orange. They are slow moving. In the U.S., they are common in southern Florida. Internationally, they live in many places, including South America, West Indies, Mexico, West Africa, the Galapagos, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands.
      While little fire ants are not aggressive and sting only when disturbed, the sting produces large, painful, raised red welts, followed by more pain and intense itching. Little fire ants sting humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. Multiple stings in the eye can cause damage.
      The tropical fire ant is a distinct species from the little fire ant and more than twice as large and brighter red in color.
     Anyone finding little fire ants can call Hawai`i Ant Lab at 315-5656. For more information on little fire ants and how to control them, see. www.littlefireants.com.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TAX BREAKS FOR CLAIMING agricultural use of property will be reviewed more strictly by the county, but those coming forward and admitting that no ag is taking place will receive amnesty, according to Hawai`i County Finance director Nancy Crawford. Sometimes landowners place a couple of head of cattle, sheep, horses or goats to claim the discount without actually being involved in any ag enterprise. The claim of ag use is also sometimes an effort to keep taxes down while the land is being planned for subdivision and development. 

      For more information, contact the Real Property Tax Office at 961-8201, or see hawaiipropertytax.com.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Randy Perreira

HAWAI`I PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS AND THE AFL-CIO have forged a partnership which was announced this week. 

      “We will continue to build on the success of this new affiliation by working in unity with the members of the HSTA to ensure the ongoing improvement of education in Hawai`i for all students,” Hawai`i AFL-CIO president Randy Perreira said.
      HSTA president Wil Okabe said, “A partnership with the AFL-CIO will allow our 13,500 members an opportunity to work with other union members in the community to promote a shared goal of transforming education in the state of Hawai`i.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI SIGNED INTO LAW BILL 135 to raise the legal age of sale of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 in Hawai‘i County. A ceremonial signing of the bill was held yesterday at West Hawai`i Civic Center. 

      The Coalition For A Tobacco-Free Hawai`i West Hawai‘i and East Hawai‘i Coalitions and staff from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids worked closely with West Hawai`i Councilmember Dru Mamo Kanuha and his staff to pass this bill. Hawai‘i County Council unanimously passed the bill on Nov. 20.

      “I signed this bill for the benefit of our community, and most importantly, our kids,” Kenoi said. “Mahalo to Councilman Kanuha for hearing their voices and having the courage to follow through. With all of the known harmful effects of tobacco use, this measure is in the best interest of public health and safety.”

      More than 40 students from Kealakehe High and Konawaena High attended the initial committee hearing on Oct. 15 and the final reading on Nov. 20, wearing T-shirts stating “One Good Reason” with an arrow pointing up toward their faces. Waiakea High students submitted nearly 300 pieces of written testimony. 

Representatives from the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawai`i and Kealakehe High School
students who advocated for the measure join Mayor Billy Kenoi and Counciman Dru
Mamo Kanua for a ceremonial signing of Bill 135.

      “My commitment is to help our young people live longer and healthier lives than the generation who came before them, and to improve the overall health of our island,” Kanuha said.

      “We are deeply grateful to Council member Kanuha and his staff for creating a bill that was easy for the other council members to support,” said Sally Ancheta, East Hawai‘i Coalition coordinator for CTFH. “We thank Mayor Kenoi for taking the initiative to protect our youth and supporting the many voices that came to testify.”
      The ordinance takes effect on July 1, 2014 and will exempt people who reach the age of 18 before that date. Any person who distributes tobacco or electronic cigarette products to an underage customer will be subject to a fine of up to $2,000.
      Nearly 1,200 Hawai`i residents die each year from diseases that can be attributed to smoking, according to CTFH. Of those, more than 90 percent of them became daily tobacco users before the age of 18.
      For more information about the 21 reasons campaign, see twentyonereasons.org.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

St. Marianne Cope

ST. MARIANNE COPE’S REMAINS WILL RETURN to Hawai`i next year, according to a press release from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Syracuse, New York, where the saint’s remains have been housed during her canonization process. 

      “Through great deliberation and prayer, the sisters have determined that the remains of St. Marianne Cope will return to Hawai`i,” said Sister Lorraine Wesolowski.
      The Diocese of Honolulu is in the process of renovating Our Lady of Peace Cathedral and will be building a special reliquary chapel to house the relics of both St. Marianne and St. Damien, who dedicated years of ministry in helping people afflicted with Hansen’s disease in Kalaupapa on Moloka`i.
      The relocation was prompted by the congregation’s need move due to their current facility being found to be structurally unsound and too costly to repair. A new shrine and museum will be built at a different location in Syracuse, and a relic of St. Marianne will remain there in her original reliquary.
      The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities is a congregation of more than 460 sisters who serve in 12 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Africa and Peru.
      See sosf.org. 

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS PRESENTS a Christmas Concert tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, David Matson and Ben Houghton. Call 854-1540.

PAHALA PLANTATION HOUSE HOSTS a Christmas Concert by Ka`u School of the Arts Sunday at 3 p.m. with performances by Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, David Matson and Ben Houghton. Call 854-1540.

VOLCANO ART CENTER HOLDS ITS holiday celebration for keiki Sunday at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Activities beginning at 3:30 p.m. include a forest music walk with Dina Kageler and friends, yule log hunt, kanikapila `ukulele group, marshmallow roast, games, ornament decorating and lighting of the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Call 967-8222 for more information.

THE 14TH ANNUAL INVITATIONAL WREATH EXHIBIT continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Gallery artists, working in a wide variety of media, materials, and techniques, present their concepts of “wreath,” from the whimsical to the traditional. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-7565 for more information.

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 31.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at kauchamber.org.

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