Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Jan. 24, 2014

Yahoo Travel has named Punalu`u Black Sand Beach, with its "Hawaiian green sea turtles napping," one of its 10 Beaches that Should Be on Your Bucket List. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

KA`U’S STATE REP. RICHARD ONISHI has introduced a bill that would amend the state’s Right to Farm Act by stating that counties cannot enact laws, ordinances or resolutions that limit the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices. The amendment reads: “No law, ordinance or resolution of any unit of local government shall be enacted that abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology, modern livestock production and ranching practices not prohibited by federal or state law, rules or regulations.”

      The legislation comes after Hawai`i County recently enacted a law banning crops containing genetically modified organisms, with some exceptions. Kaua`i also passed legislation relating to GMOs and pesticides.

Ka`u's state Rep. Richard Onishi

      Onishi, vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee, told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporter Tom Callis that the same laws should apply to all farmers in the state. “It’s not about pre-empting the counties; it’s not about GMOs,” he said. “It’s about supporting farmers.”
      Callis said Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation requested the legislation. Ka`u resident and acting Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation president Chris Manfredi told Callis the bill would render Hawai`i and Kaua`i Counties’ anti-GMO laws “null and void” and that farmers should face a “level playing field” across the state.
      Manfredi also said the bill is not meant to benefit biotech companies. “It’s about all agriculture,” he told Callis. “Big ag, small ag all need to coexist within the community. It’s not about an ‘us versus them.’”
      Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, who introduced Hawai`i County’s law restricting GMOs, told Callis she sees Onishi’s bill as an attempt to protect companies that produce GMO crops. “My thoughts are that these biotech corporations don’t like local governments to intervene in their agendas,” she said. “The county has a right to deal with issues that deal with health, well-being and property.”
      Regarding her bill, Wille told Callis, “I was protecting farmers. I was responding to non-GMO farming, and there’s absolutely no debate that all crops that are pollinated by wind and insects are affected.”
      Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman, who testified before Hawai`i County Council in support of the anti-GMO bill, told Callis he stands by the county’s ability to regulate the industry. “I think it’s a cynical attempt to take away home rule,” he said. “The situation is not the same on every island. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.”
      The 35 other representatives listed in favor of the bill include Hawai`i Island Reps. Faye Hanohano, Cindy Evans, Clift Tsuji and Mark Nakashima.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN and Kona’s state Rep. Nicole Lowen have introduced companion bills in the state Legislature to reduce consumer fraud and deception caused by current state coffee labeling laws.

Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman

      Both bills cite a finding from a 2007 Concurrent Resolution of the Hawai`i Legislature that “existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee causes consumer fraud and confusion and degrades the ‘Kona Coffee’ name.”
      SB2354 states that “amendments to the relevant statutes are therefore necessary to prevent consumer fraud and confusion” and that the purpose of the bill is to “conform state coffee labeling laws to principles of consumer disclosure and fair marketing by requiring express label disclosure of the percent of coffee not grown in Hawai`i that is included in coffee blends that contain Hawai`i-grown coffee.”
      Currently, Honolulu coffee blenders, for example, are only required to state “10 percent Kona Coffee Blend” in small print on coffee blend packages.
      The Ruderman and Lowen bills would require blenders to expressly tell consumers that 90 percent of what is in the blend package is not grown in Hawai`i. Examples are: “Contains: 90 percent Panamanian Coffee; 10 percent Kona Coffee” or “Contains: 90 percent Foreign-Grown Coffee; 10 percent Maui Coffee.” 

      “This is a very modest step in the direction of fair marketing and consumer disclosure,” Kona Coffee Farmers Association president Cecelia B. Smith said. “Visitors from the mainland who don’t read beyond the large print – for example “Royal Kona” or “Hawaiian Gold Kona Coffee” – at the top of packages of 10 percent Kona blends will still be misled into buying what they wrongly believe to be Kona coffee. But for those buyers who carefully read the label, for the first time there will be an express indication that 90 percent of the contents is not from Kona or from any other region of Hawai`i.”
      Ruderman’s bill is SB2354 “Relating to Coffee,” and Lowen’s bill is HB1515 “Relating to Agriculture.”

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

HAWAI`I COUNTY’S REAL PROPERTY TAX Division is working to correct its records that show ineligible property owners claiming homeowner’s exemptions, according to a story in West Hawai`i Today.

      Nancy Cook Lauer reported county Real Property Tax administrator Stan Sitko saying that a comparison of the records against vital statistics from the state Department of Health showed 1,200 deceased people benefiting from the exemption, some for as long as 10 years.
      The exemption of $40,000 is deducted from a property’s assessed value, resulting in lower taxes. It increases for seniors, the disabled and veterans. A property owner older than 70 receives a $100,000 exemption, and disabled property owners get an additional $50,000.
      According to the story, about 40,000 property owners in Hawai`i County claim the homeowner’s exemption. To qualify, property must be homeowners’ primary residence. The exemption automatically renews each year.
      Property owners were notified last year and were required to file for exemptions or pay the higher tax bill going forward.
      Sitko, addressing the Real Property Tax Stakeholder’s Task Force yesterday, said his office has been coordinating with state agencies to remove ineligible names from homeowner rolls. He plans to compare the list regularly against vital statistics and is working on a memorandum of agreement with the state Department of Taxation for that agency to check the county list against the state tax rolls.
      Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille told Cook Lauer, “There hasn’t been a lot of accountability and a lot of coordination. I think the key thing is, we need to tighten up the abuses. Someone pays for this, and if it’s not done fairly, then the rest of the people are paying for it.”
      Ending automatic renewal and requiring annual registration for the exemption would entail more work for the Finance Department, according to the story. “That’s 40,000 submittals coming in every year for our staff to review,” director Nancy Crawford told the task force.
      Al Inoue, a Hilo Realtor and task force member, said the homeowner’s exemption needs a thorough review. “Property owners are taking advantage of the homeowner’s exemption,” Inoue said. “We think it’s quite significant.”
      See westhawaiitoday.com.

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

PUNALU`U BLACK SAND BEACH is one of Yahoo Travel’s 10 Beaches that Should Be on Your Bucket List. The description states:

      “This famous beach on the Big Island’s southeastern Ka`u coast is one of the rare places in the world where you can squish black sand between your toes. The jet-black shoreline is unforgettable. Every inky basalt grain at Punalu`u is the result of lava from nearby Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park exploding as it hits the ocean and cools. Admittedly, this rocky beach isn’t the best place for swimming. But the tradeoffs are the unique sights of coconut palms rising up from black sand and Hawaiian green sea turtles napping on the beach.”

Punalu`u Black Sand Beach will be busy tomorrow for `O Ka`u Kakou's annual
Keiki Fishing Tournament. Photo by Julia Neal

      Punalu`u is the only beach in Hawai`i on the list. Yahoo says the beaches chosen are “so impossibly picture-perfect that you have to see them in person to believe they’re not photoshopped.”  

      See travel.yahoo.com/photos/10-beaches-that-should-be-on-your-bucket-list.

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

`O KA`U KAKOU HOSTS ITS ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament tomorrow. Check-in is from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and fishing begins at 10 a.m.
      For more information, call Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline is Jan. 31, one week from today.

SEE THE DIRECTORY from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014

Dramatic spattering at Halema`uma`u's lava lake is getting national attention. Photo from USGS/HVO

HALEMA`UMA`U MADE NATIONAL NEWS this morning with CBS among networks carrying the story and video showing dramatic spattering from the lava lake inside the crater. U.S. Geological Survey explained that spattering occurs at the lake margins with surface crust flowing into the spattering source. Large bubbles bursting at the surface drive the spattering activity, as shown occasionally by large, spherical bursts, said scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. 

      See youtube.com/watch?v=6FvEccaBySo where Honolulu Star-Advertiser posted the USGS video.
      USGS also reported 11 earthquakes beneath Kilauea Volcano in 24 hours, with four on south flank faults, two in Kaoiki Pali, two beneath the summit caldera and three in the southwest rift zone.
      Scientists at University of Miami wrote in Geology magazine last year that they located a magma reservoir five to six miles beneath Kilauea’s upper east rift zone.
      Researcher Guoqing Lin and colleagues used compression and shear wave velocities from earthquakes to pinpoint the magma chamber, which they said is “similar to those widely recognized beneath mid-ocean ridge volcanoes.”
      They said the reservoir could have supplied the magma that intruded into the deep section of the east rift zone and caused its rapid expansion following the 7.2-magnitude Kalapana earthquake in 1975.

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

DLNR map shows hunting areas and areas to be fenced
under Ka`u Forest Reserve Management Plan.

KA`U FOREST RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN, which calls for fencing 12,000 acres or about 20 percent of the reserve to protect native plant species and watersheds, has received a favorable summary judgment from a Circuit Court judge, according to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

      Pele Defense Fund and four other plaintiffs had filed a lawsuit in Nov. 2012 arguing that the state did not properly take into account the impact of fencing on hunters and cultural practices.

      The fencing project, which includes gates and walk-overs, also calls for removal of ungulates by hunting and trapping.
      Attorneys for plaintiffs plan to appeal. James Dombroski told reporter Tom Callis that since Judge Glenn Hara ruled that DLNR did not make any procedural violations in completing its environmental assessment on the plan, the plaintiffs could argue during an appeal that the department erred by not conducting a more extensive environmental impact statement.
      Callis reported that a Department of Land & Natural Resources spokeswoman said the plan is being implemented.
      William Aila, DLNR chair, said, “We believe the plan does accommodate the needs of different communities in Ka`u.” According to DLNR, the area to be fenced is remote and the least often used by hunters. 

      PDF president Ralph Palikapu Dedman told the Tribune-Herald that he felt the ruling dealt too much with bureaucratic procedure, and not enough with the “merits of the case.”
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

“THE BATTLE IS OVER; LET US MOVE FORWARD working together for all the people of Hawai`i,” said Hawai`i Island’s state Sen. Malama Solomon, who issued a public “Mahalo” on behalf of all Hawai`i Island residents to both the U.S. Supreme Court and the legal team working “to protect Hawai`i Island’s right to equal representation as guaranteed by both the U.S. and State of Hawai`i Constitutions.”

U.S. Supreme Court made Hawai`i Island's four state Senate seats
official Tuesday.

      Solomon’s message of gratitude came after more than two years of intense litigation concluded Tuesday, when the U.S. Supreme Court formally resolved a case she and several Hawai`i Island residents had taken to the state Supreme Court challenging the 2011 state Reapportionment Commission’s initial plan based on the 2010 Census to count out-of-state military members and their families stationed in the islands and out-of-state students when re-drawing legislative districts.
      Solomon and her legal team, working with the state attorney general, challenged the plan on the basis that it denied Hawai`i Island residents equitable representation which they believed required adding a fourth state Senate seat for Hawai`i Island because of the nearly 25 percent increase in resident population on the island between 2000 and 2010.
      After an O`ahu group appealed to the U.S. District Court, the court rejected their argument and ruled that the state Redistricting Commission upheld the constitutional guarantee of one man, one vote.

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

PRIVATE, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PARTNERING with Ka`u Hospital and others in the state public hospital system “will be one of the top two or three issues we’ll take up in the health care committees this year,” Ka`u’s state Sen. Josh Green, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, told Colin M. Stewart, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.
      “I’m going to float a bill which is essentially us trying to encourage local partnerships with hospitals — health care systems already in the state of Hawai`i — while also maintaining the same criteria I brought up last session, including honoring people’s history of work in our state, and the benefits that they’ve earned. … That would allow us to begin to reduce the tax burden on our people,” he said.

Ka`u's Sen. Josh Green expects partnerships between state hospitals, including Ka`u Hospital,
and private, nonprofit organizations to be a topic at the state Legislature. Photo by Julia Neal

       Green said he planned to introduce a bill today that addresses nonprofits partnering with Hawai`i’s public hospitals.
      “The reason for encouraging local people is that they have a full understanding of our state,” he said. “They understand the health care system and the challenges it faces. They’ve also already built up a relationship of trust.”
      Green said that under his bill, companies could partner with public hospitals if they agree to certain conditions. “One, services are not to be decreased. Two, the state has to honor all of its responsibilities as far as maintaining full pensions and those accrued by employees. And the prevailing sentiment was that we want a partner we can trust, someone local, who will give us a fair shot. 

      Green said that while the ultimate goal is to eliminate state subsidy of hospitals, he doesn’t want “to cut off the subsidy immediately.” 

      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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

Ka`u's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD has announced the launch of her campaign for re-election this year.
      “It has truly been my honor and privilege to represent Hawai`i’s 2nd Congressional District, and to do my best to be your voice in Washington,” Gabbard said. “There is still much work to be done. I know that by bringing people together in the spirit of aloha, striving to be servant leaders, we will create positive change by working to strengthen our economy, get people back to work and care for our kupuna.
      “This past year, in spite of a bitterly divided Congress, we have overcome tremendous odds to deliver real results for the people of Hawai`i.”
      Gabbard listed her actions in Congress:

• Introduced and led the passage of the Helping Heroes Fly Act with a unanimous vote of support in both the House and Senate. This measure improves airport security screenings for severely wounded warriors and was signed into law by President Obama in August.  
• Led passage of a measure to reinstate the Native Hawaiian Education Act to increase student achievement and opportunity among Native Hawaiian keiki. 
• Successfully added a provision to the FARM bill which will help Hawai`i’s coffee farmers and work to protect them from coffee berry borers. 
• Fought for justice for service men and women who have been victims of sexual assault while serving within ranks, bringing about changes to increase accountability, transparency and justice. 
• Spoke out strongly against the overreach of the National Security Agency and its data collection, sponsoring legislation such as the USA Freedom Act to bring reforms to protect privacy and civil liberties without sacrificing national security. 

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

Ka`u High Trojan releases the ball for a basket at Kohala Tuesday.
Video Capture from Jay Blanco

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH BASKETBALL TEAMS play their next games at home, with boys hosting Hilo tomorrow at 6 p.m. and girls challenging Laupahoehoe Saturday at 6 p.m.
      Kohala fan Jay Blanco posted a video of Tuesday’s Ka`u – Kohala game on youtube.com. Search Kau vs Kohala Basketball Highlight 2014.
      On Saturday, swimmers travel to Hilo for a match at 9 a.m., and wrestlers have a meet in Pahoa at 10 a.m.

`O KA`U KAKOU HOSTS ITS ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament Saturday. Check-in is from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and fishing begins at 10 a.m.
      For more information, call Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.

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

SEE THE DIRECTORY from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014

`O Ka`u Kakou's annual Keiki Fishing Tournaments are family affairs. This year's tournament is on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Photo by Julia Neal

IN HIS FOURTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS before the Hawai`i Legislature, Gov. Neil Abercrombie emphasized the state’s restored financial stability, along with his administration’s long-term plan to sustain it, as an opportunity to act with confidence on key investments in Hawai`i’s future. Areas highlighted by the governor included efforts to expand early childhood education, tax relief and support for seniors, an increase in the minimum wage and collaborative efforts to address homelessness, climate change and invasive species.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie gave his fourth State of the State address yesterday.
Photo from Office of the Governor

      “I am able to report to you, our state government’s financial house now stands on solid ground,” Abercrombie said, extending his appreciation to legislators, public employees, local businesses and the people of Hawai`i for sharing in the decisions and sacrifices that made the state’s financial turnaround possible. “We are now entering a new phase. The administration’s package and supplemental budget do not rely on any new taxes or fees. On the contrary, I believe we may be able to reduce taxes in key areas. We also have the resources to deliver services to the people of Hawai`i while living within our means.”
      Abercrombie concluded his address by remembering the late Loretta Fuddy, a lifelong supporter and advocate of public health measures. “Loretta Fuddy was their champion,” the governor said. “I am asking for specific attention to make funding for Early Intervention Services a priority. This will serve as a fitting tribute and appropriate legacy to honor Loretta. There will be lasting benefits for the affected families and children – the children she loved and cared for passionately to her last day.”
      The entire text of the State of the State Address is posted at governor.hawaii.gov.

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

West Ka`u Sen. Josh Green

East Ka`u Sen. Russell Ruderman

KA`U’S REPRESENTATION BY TWO STATE SENATORS will continue, with the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday upholding Hawai`i’s 2012 reapportionment plan.

      Plaintiffs argued that reapportionment after the last U.S. Census was unconstitutional, claiming that a senatorial post was unconstitutionally removed from O`ahu to give Hawai`i Island an additional senator and leaving non-resident military and out-of-state students – most of them on O`ahu – without representation. Hawai`i Island state Sen. Malama Solomon and others argued that including the military skewed the population in favor of O`ahu, and left Hawai`i Island and its growing population underrepresented.
      The O`ahu group appealed to the U.S. District Court, which rejected their argument on July 11, 2013, ruling that the state redistricting commission upheld the constitutional guarantee of one man, one vote.

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

THE HAWAI`I RENTAL BY OWNER AWARENESS ASSOCIATION is watching bills in the 2014 state Legislature. Some of the bills would require owner-operators to have professional property managers operate their facilities. “If they succeed, we will no longer have the direct communication that we enjoy today with our guests. Nor the direct relationship with our housekeepers, our contractors and our neighbors. Our revenues will plummet, and a substantial portion will disappear as management fees. Many of us will be forced out of business,” according to a statement from the organization. HROAA vice-president Meera Kohler wrote that the organization seeks to retain “our ability to own and manage our Hawaiian homes and to enhance the vacation experience for visitors to Hawai`i.” 

      See rboaa.org.

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

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Aquatic Resources has launched a newly recast and mobile-friendly freshwater fishing license website. The online resource allows Hawai`i residents and non-residents to purchase a license required to fish in the state’s freshwater streams and waters from their computer or mobile device.
      Customers may visit the website to purchase a Hawai`i freshwater fishing license directly and immediately. Upon successful purchase, licensees will receive a copy of their fishing license and any other required permits by email.
      See freshwater.ehawaii.gov.

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

APPLICATIONS FOR KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS’ summer programs are due by Saturday, Feb. 15. Parents and caregivers should plan now and apply their child for one of the three Explorations Series programs and/or Summer School programs. 

      The Explorations Series consists of three different summer boarding programs, each targeted at specific grade levels. Each program offers an opportunity for students to turn summer into an adventure, with activities and field trips designed to introduce and expand upon Hawaiian cultural traditions and knowledge. Programs take place in a variety of locations.
      Summer School programs have a limited number of seats available for both current and non-Kamehameha campus students. Hawai`i Summer School courses will take place from June 12 to July 10.
      For more information about Explorations Series, see apps.ksbe.edu/hcbe or call 808- 534-8272. For Hawai`i Campus Summer School, see hawaii.ksbe.edu/summer or call 808-982-0033.
      Applications are available at ksbe.edu/admissions.

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

THE MELLON-HAWAI`I DOCTORAL AND POSTDOCTORAL Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2014-15 academic year. The application deadline is Feb. 28.
      Entering its seventh year, the Mellon-Hawai`i fellowship program was established in 2008 for Native Hawaiian scholars early in their academic careers and others who are committed to the advancement of knowledge about the Hawaiian natural and cultural environment, Hawaiian history, politics, and society.

Kohala Center executive director
Matthew Hamabata
Photo from Kohala Center

      The program is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Kamehameha Schools and administered by The Kohala Center. The Kahiau Foundation joined in support in the academic years 2010-2011 and 2012-2013. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s recent award of $500,000 will enable the fellowship program to support three additional cohorts of doctoral and postdoctoral fellows in the academic years 2014–2015, 2015–2016, and 2016–2017. 

      Applicants accepted to the program as doctoral fellows receive $45,000 in support to complete their dissertations before accepting their first academic posts. Postdoctoral fellows receive $55,000 in support to publish original research early in their academic careers.
      In addition, the program provides fellows with opportunities to prepare presentations of their research; network with community leaders, mentors, and previous fellows; and meet academic publishers who may be interested in their work.
      “We are delighted and honored to support the work of Hawai`i’s finest thinkers and writers,” said Dr. Matthew Hamabata, executive director of The Kohala Center and senior support staff to the Mellon-Hawai`i Fellowship Program. “The Mellon-Hawai`i fellows have successfully established themselves as intellectual and educational leaders from Hawai`i — for Hawai`i and the world.”
      Since its inception, 25 doctoral and postdoctoral scholars have been accepted to the program, with many subsequently receiving academic appointments or offers to have their manuscripts published.

      Mellon fellows gather at Pahala Plantation House annually to share their research.
      Award notifications will be made by April 4.
      More information and application materials are available at kohalacenter.org/mellon/abot.html.
      For further information, contact Cortney Hoffman at choffman@kohalacenter.org or 808- 887-6411.

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH SOCCER TEAMS traveled to Hilo yesterday. On the boys team, Carlos Uribe-Bounos scored a goal from a corner kick. Final score was Ka`u 1, Hilo 8. Next game is Tuesday, Feb. 4 at BIIF Division II as third seed. 

      Girls soccer team played the last game of their season with a loss to Hilo, 0 – 14.
      In yesterday’s boys basketball games at Kohala, Junior Varsity won 68 – 43, with Trojan Joven Padrigo scoring 41 points. Varsity lost 56 – 68. Larry-Dan Al-Navarro scored 20 points.

HA`AO SPRINGS & MOUNTAIN HOUSE AG WATER CO-OP meets tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park.

Kahuku Junior Ranger Day is Saturday.
Photo from NPS

`O KA`U KAKOU HOSTS ITS ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament Saturday. Children one to 14 can enter. Early registration is available at Mizuno Superette, Pahala Gas Station, B&E Union 76, Ace Hardware and Kahuku Mini-Mart. 

      Check-in is from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and fishing begins at 10 a.m.
      For more information, call Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.

KAHUKU JUNIOR RANGER DAY IS SATURDAY from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Keiki of all ages join park rangers for a day of activities and connect the culture, people and `aina through `oli, GPS and compass while taking a short and easy walk. Register at 985-6019.

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

SEE THE DIRECTORY from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.

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