Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014

Maile Medeiros David and her supporters shared mahalo messages with the public after her win as Ka`u's new County Council member. Following a visit to Volcano Village, she stopped in Pahala on her way through her district. Photo by Julia Neal

MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID WILL BE the new County Council member for Ka`u. Her District Six, the geographically largest council district on the island, will also include Volcano Village, Hawaiian Orchid Island Estates, Miloli`i, Ho`okena, Honaunau, Ke`ei, Napo`opo`o, Captain Cook, a portion of Kealakekua, Keopuka Heights, the neighborhood of Kona Community Hospital and Keopuka Kai.

Ka`u's County Council member-elect Maile Medeiros David shared her win with
supporters in Pahala this morning. Photo by Julia Neal

      She wins because she took 66.89 percent of the vote in yesterday’s nonpartisan primary election, much more than the 50 percent plus one vote required to stave off a runoff in the general election on Nov. 4.

      Turnout for absentee, early walk-in and primary election day voting was dismal, according to poll workers Only 2,394 voted for the new councilwoman. Runner-up Richard Abbett, of Ocean View, took in 665 votes, and Jim Wilson, of Volcano, received 520 votes.
     Medeiros David, currently a deputy county clerk and formerly a County Council staff member and paralegal, said that becoming a council member is a natural progression in her community service.
      The daughter of coffee farmers in a large Hawaiian-Portuguese family, Medeiros has been a champion of preserving precious cultural sites by going to court to prevent and mitigate development. Her successes include conservation of a native Hawaiian cultural site in the face of a proposed multi-story condominium project on the shore along Ali`i Drive in Kona. She also prevented additional dredging of the shore at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort for visitor swimming areas.
      In Ka`u, David will be involved with the county administration and council in the future planning for management of Kawa and Honu`apo, which were purchased by the county to protect them from development.
      She told The Ka`u Calendar that she also hopes to work with Ka`u Coffee farmers to protect their land security on the former C. Brewer property now that most if not all of their leases have expired. The land is now owned by Lehman Bros., which has it up for sale after foreclosing on a developer that planned to turn it into coffee estates and received preliminary approvals to subdivide it. Ka`u Coffee farmers have developed their famous coffee, mostly at the Lehman land at Moa`ula and Pear Tree, over nearly two decades following closure of the sugar plantation.

      Medeiros David stood with supporters along Ka`u streets this morning and waved to passersby. She told residents who stopped by to congratulate her that she wants to visit with people to understand more about Ka`u’s issues and challenges. She learned about the needs of Wood Valley residents with electricity and water challenges after the Iselle storm hit.
    Second place finisher Richard Abbett said he met David in Na`alehu today and congratulated her. He said he wished her well and said "go get `em girl." He said she looked 'as happy as a girl waking up on Christmas." He said he also congratulated her volunteers. Abbett said he will spend a little time to see what other opportunities there are "to provide some leadership and be of service to the community. I have become required from my first career and view public service as my current career," he said. "I thank everybody from the bottom of my heart, especially the new voters getting involved. I think the community pulled together during the storm and so will the Democratic Party and community leaders," he said.

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Hawai`i County Council member-elect Maile Medeiros David joined the other two
candidates, Jim Wilson, at left, and Richard Abbett at several forums in Ka`u.
Photo by Bob Ernst

MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID, WHO WILL BECOME KA`U’S new council member, won more than 50 percent of the vote in Pahala, Na`alehu and Miloli`i, but not in Volcano or Ocean View.
      The County Council nonpartisan primary results from Volcano to Miloli`i are: 

      At Cooper Center in Volcano, Davis won 39.9 percent with 148 votes. Wilson took 26.1 percent with 99 votes, and Abbett took 23 percent with 87 votes.
      At Ka`u High, David received 81 percent with 85 votes. Abbett took 10.5 percent with 11 votes and Wilson 1.7 percent with two votes.
      At Na`alehu School, David received 56.7 percent with 123 votes. Abbett received 20.3 percent with 44 votes and Wilson 10.1 percent with 22 votes.
      At Ocean View Community Center, David took 48.9 percent with 149 votes. Abbett gathered 31.1 percent with 95 votes and Wilson 10.8 percent with 33 votes. 

      At Miloli`i Halau, David won 64.3 percent with 54 votes. Abbett took 20.2 percent with 17 votes and Wilson took 3.6 percent with three votes.

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U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, a candidate for U.S. Senate, campaigned
in Pahala last month. Photo by Ron Johnson

NA`ALEHU AND OCEAN VIEW WERE TWO of the last precincts in the state to report voting totals last night. This led commentators statewide to note that remote Ka`u, along with other distant polling places in west Kaua`i, including Ni`ihau, would help determine the U.S. Senate seat battle outcome between Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.
       However, key and still yet undetermined in the Schatz-Hanabusa match-up are two precincts in Puna that have not yet held the vote due to inaccessible polling places in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle.
      Statewide, the tally so far shows Schatz leading with 113,800 votes over Hanabusa’s 112,165, a tiny edge reflected in the tiny voting population of Ka`u. From Volcano to Miloli`i, Schatz took in 192 more votes than Hanabusa with the following precinct totals:
      At Cooper Center in Volcano, Schatz took 62 percent with 212 votes. Hanabusa received 33 percent with 114 votes.
      At Ka`u High School, Hanabusa garnered 54.6 percent with 53 votes. Schatz took in 41.2 percent with 40 votes.
      At Na`alehu School, Schatz earned 48.7 percent with 88 votes, while Hanabusa brought in 46.1 percent, with 83 votes.
      At Ocean View Community Center, Schatz took 60 percent with 147 votes, while Hanabusa took 34.3 percent with 83 votes.
      At Miloloi`i Halau, Schatz took 54.8 percent with 40 votes. Hanabusa took 38.4 percent with 28 votes.
      The remaining votes are expected to be gathered in Puna by absentee voting during the next three weeks.

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Democratic gubernatorial primary winner David Ige made a campaign stop
in Pahala last month. Photo by Julia Neal

IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR, though losing statewide, Neil Abercrombie received more votes than David Ige from Volcano through Miloli`i. Abercrombie took Volcano, Ocean View and Miloli`i but lost in Pahala and Na`alehu. 

      The governor’s race Democratic Primary results Volcano to Miloli`i are:
      At Cooper Center in Volcano, Abercrombie took 49.9 percent with 170 votes, while Ige took 46 percent with 157 votes.
      At Ka`u High, Ige took 56.7 percent with 55 votes, while Abercrombie took 41.2 percent with 40 votes.
      At Na`alehu School, Ige took 55 percent with 99 votes, while Abercrombie received 41.7 percent with 75 votes.
      At Ocean View Community Center, Abercrombie garnered 56.6 percent with 137 votes, while Ige received 40.1 percent with 97 votes.
      At Miloli`i Halau, Abercrombie took in 58.7 percent with 43 votes, and Ige received 41.7 percent with 30 votes.

      After winning the primary, Ige said it was a humbling beginning for his campaign. Pointing to his wife and children, he said, “This started in our living room.” He said his father instilled in him “that leadership is walking the talk and what you do is more important than what you say.     

      “Together, we have made history,” Ige said. “People told me I was crazy for giving up my seat in the state Senate. They reminded me that no incumbent governor had ever lost a primary election. 

     “That changed tonight. With our campaign’s primary election victory, we have proven that the people – not special interests – are in charge of Hawai`i’s future.

Rep. Richard Creagan is the Demcratic
nominee for state House District Five.
Photo by Ron Johnson

     “We have more work to do, of course. Tonight was just the beginning. We must set our sights on the general election on Nov. 4.
     “Mahalo for your support and the trust you have placed in me. Together, let’s move Hawai`i forward.”  

     After conceding the election to Ige, Abercrombie said to his supports, “You are so great. I am full of so much gratitude. Onipa`a, steadfast, forward.

      “Today, I begin the final chapter of a 40-year career of service to the people of Hawai`i. I couldn’t possibly be more appreciative of the faith and support you’ve given me. 

     “I have no regrets simply because every waking breath has been for you, Hawai`i. I have given all that I could, every day that I could.
     “To my campaign team and my administration, I wish to say ‘mahalo.’ To David Ige, our Democratic nominee for governor, I say ‘imua.’ I am behind your candidacy with every ounce of energy I possess.
     “I remain forever grateful for the opportunity to have served all of you. I look forward to working to elect a new Democratic governor, David Ige.”

KA`U HAS TWO MEMBERS OF THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, with incumbent Richard Onishi, of Hilo, running unopposed in the Democratic Primary and incumbent Richard Creagan, of Na`alehu, beating Gene “Bucky” Leslie, of Holualoa.
      House of Representatives District Five results for Na`alehu through Miloli`i are:
      At Na`alehu, Creagan received 66.7 percent, with 120 votes. Leslie received 24.4 percent, with 44 votes.
      At Ocean View, Creagan took 55.4 percent with 134 votes, while Leslie received 30.2 percent with 73 votes.
      At Miloli`i, Creagan took 56.2 percent with 41 votes, while Leslie received 35.6 percent with 26 votes.

Marion Villanueva, who recently held a coffee hour for Sen. David Ige, celebrated Ka`u's
Puerto Rican heritage at last year's Ka`u Plantation Days. A planning meeting for this
year's event takes place tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

SEN. JOSH GREEN RAN UNOPPOSED in state Sen. District Three Democratic primary.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO Ka`u Scenic Byways Committee’s meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS ORGANIZERS hold a meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to begin planning for the Oct. 11 event. For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS hold their 13th annual potluck reunion at Pahala Community Center a week from today on Sunday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are invited to attend. Organizers encourage attendees to bring a favorite dish to share and come and enjoy a day of fun, live music and good food.
      Individual classes also hold their reunions next weekend. For more information, see future Ka`u News Briefs or contact Lovey Grantz at 982-8242 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014

Satellite image at 2:49 a.m. Friday shows arrival of Iselle onto the Ka`u Coast. Image from Weather Underground

FOLLOWING ISELLE IS POWERFUL HURRICANE JULIO, packing winds of 100 miles per hour. Julio was 400 miles east-northeast of Hilo at 2 p.m. and continuing to move toward the west-northwest. It is projected to pass to the north of the state. There are currently no weather watches or warnings in effect related to Julio.

Whitney Coffman said that about 200 of his coffee trees and 100 macadamia trees
went down, along with this two-story drying shed. Photo by Julia Neal

WOOD VALLEY ROADS and stream crossings were being quickly repaired yesterday and today by county road crews with large machines and tools for cutting and moving aside fallen trees and other debris. Wood Valley residents who were cleaning up farms and homesites today praised the county and said they hope that restoration of electrical power will also come quickly. A major deterrent is a snarl of fallen eucalyptus and utility poles and wires at the junction of Wood Valley and Kapapala Ranch road. Government road crews must wait for Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to make a plan and work on extracting the electric lines from the mess. The company says it is bringing in workers from off-island to help with restoring numerous power outages in Iselle's hardest hit areas. 

      All power was restored last night in Pahala and by this morning in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and in Volcano Village. Power was out in the Discovery Harbour area just for several hours during the storm.
      There was no disruption in county water delivery in Ka`u. However, Wood Valley remained without water today. The community takes care of its own water system, and volunteers were working on broken lines and retrieving parts to restore the system.

      In agriculture, coffee farmers and macadamia growers lost some trees. Whitney Coffman, of Wood Valley, said about 200 coffee trees and 100 macadamia trees went down on his farms. Other coffee and mac nut trees could be seen on their sides driving up Wood Valley Road.

A video from Troy Gacayan's Facebook page shows rushing water
filling the flood control channel that passes Na`alehu Park. 

PASTOR TROY GACAYAN POSTED SEVERAL VIDEOS on Facebook of effects of Iselle. In one he said, “I was in my backyard checking up on the weather, and I heard like a freight train and explosions like the literal hurricane was coming, then I realized it was the ocean. I lived here in Na`alehu 10 years and never heard the slamming of waves that loud before. When I went to Puhina Pali I was blown away. Huge swells rolling in. Can’t really tell on the video but old timers there at the cliff said they never seen waves that huge at Puhina before.”

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

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS LOW VOTER TURNOUT so far this primary election day. Polls are open until 6 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau.

Will District Six voters decide who their next County Council member will be today? Candidates, from left, are Richard Abbett, Maile Medeiros David and Jim Wilson. Polls are open until 6 p.m.

KA`U MAY HAVE A NEW COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER when results of today's primary are tallied. Richard Abbett, of Ocean View, Maile Medeiros David, of Captain Cook, and Jim Wilson, of Volcano, are looking to replace outgoing member Brenda Ford, who has reached her term limit. To win outright, one candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote. If no one wins, the two highest vote-getters face off in the general election.

Low voter turnout was experienced by poll workers in Pahala early this morning,
following Hurricane Iselle making landfall nearby on Friday morning as
a tropical storm. Photo by Julia Neal

      West Ka`u residents in state Senate District Three can vote for incumbent Sen. Josh Green on the Democratic ticket or Michael Last on the Libertarian ballot.
      Democratic incumbent state Rep. Richard Onishi has no challengers in the primary for District Three. He goes up against Republican Bill Dickson and Libertarian Fred Fogel in the general election.
      Democratic options in West Ka`u’s state House of Representatives District Five are incumbent Rep. Richard Creagan and Gene “Bucky” Leslie. The winner will face Republican Dave Bateman, Libertarian Jon LaLanne and nonpartisan Randy Ruis in the general election.
      Other hotly contested races include the Democratic nomination for governor between Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige. Van Tanabe is a third Democratic option on the ballot.
      For the Republican nomination, voters choose among Duke Aiona, Charles “Trump” Collins and Stuart Todd Gregory.
      Mufi Hannemann is running as the only Independent candidate, and Jeff Davis, the only Libertarian.

Lee Jenison at Wood Valley Ranch shows a new gouge in the bank of the stream
just beside the main house. Photo by Julia Neal

      Nonpartisan choices are Misty Davis, Khis Dejean Caldwell, Richard Morse and Joseph Spatola.
      The Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor will be either state Sen. Clayton Hee, Sam Puletasi, Miles Shiratori, incumbent Shan Tsutsui or Mary Zanakis.
      On the Republican ballot for Lieutenant Governor are Elwin Ahu and Warner Kimo Sutton.
      Les Chang is the only Independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and Cynthia Marlin the sole Libertarian.
      In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz faces challenges from Brian Evans and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.
      The Republican primary for U.S. Senate has four candidates to choose from: Cam Cavasso, Harry Friel, Jr., Eddie Pirkowski and John Roco. The nonpartisan choice is between Joy Allison and Arturo Pacheco Reyes.
      Michael Kokoski is the only Libertarian candidate.
      Republicans choose between Marissa Capelouto and Kawika Crowley to face Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Libertarian Joe Kent for U.S. Representative District Two in the general election.

Iselle toppled a large koa tree across from Kilauea Visitor
Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from Cindy Orlando

      Sixteen candidates are vying for three at-large seats at Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Lei Ahu Isa, Rowena Akana, Keli`i Akina, Lahilahi Desoto-McCollough, Jeremy Kama Hopkins, Leona Mapuana Kalima, T. Keikialoha Kekipi, Keali`i Makekau, Harvey McInerny, Landen Paikai, Alona Quartero, Lorraine Shin-Penn, Mililani Trask, John Waihe`e, Hina Wong-Kalu and Wes Kaiwi Nui Yoon.

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

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK IS OPEN TODAY, with some closures in effect as park officials assess damage and remove fallen trees and other debris from roadways and trails following Tropical Storm Iselle.


      The following closures are in effect:

• The Kahuku Unit will remain closed through the weekend, and today’s Palm Trail hike is canceled.

 
• Chain of Craters Road from Devastation Trail parking lot to the coast; 
• All backcountry areas, including Mauna Loa and cabins

; 
• Mauna Loa Road (known locally as Mauna Loa Strip Road); 
• 

All coastal areas and trails, including, `Apua Point, Keauhou, Halape and Ka`aha; 
• Kulanaokuaiki campsite; 
• Napau campsite; 
• Namakanipaio campgrounds and its A-frame cabins. 

Government road crews earned praise from Wood Valley residents today for their
hard work removing trees blocking access to homes and farms. Photo by Julia Neal

      

Power has been restored, and phones are working. Kilauea Visitor Center and the Jaggar Museum will open and be staffed from until 5 p.m. today. 

“Visitors should prepare for limited services and some front-country trail closures as we mobilize back into operation and continue to assess damage,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.


      Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp are open.

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

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. IS ADVISING CUSTOMERS who are currently out of power to prepare for extended outages, which could last through the weekend and in some cases much longer. For those who remain without power for an extended time, food safety may become a concern.

      Discard any perishable food that has been above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish and leftovers before cooking or eating it.
      Always discard any items in the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
      Foods can stay frozen in the freezer for one to three days: one day for a half-full freezer, three days for a fully stocked freezer.
Food that has been thawed completely and has not been held at or below 41 degrees should be cooked and eaten immediately. If food still has ice crystals, it’s safe to refreeze.

Water in this Wood Valley gulch was much higher when Iselle passed through Ka`u,
as evidenced by flattened areas upstream. Photo by Royden Okinishi

      As a general rule, “when it doubt, throw it out.”

      If power is out for an extended period of time, consider using dry ice if available. Remember to use gloves or tongs when handling dry ice. Dry ice can be placed directly on top of your foods, since dry ice cools things under it.
      These tips have been adapted from Hawai`i Department of Health’s Food Safety – During and After a Power Outage brochure and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Foodsafety.gov website. For specifics on when to save or throw out certain types of food, see HELCO’s Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at hawaiielectriclight.com under the Safety and Emergency tab.
      Customers who wish to submit damage claims can access a claim form on our website www.hawaiielectriclight.com under the Residential Services section.

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

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS ORGANIZERS hold a meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to begin planning for the Oct. 11 event.
      For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 8, 2014

Satellite image of tropical storm Iselle moving west of the Big Island after making landfall on the shore near Pahala.
Image from NOAA

HURRICANE ISELLE MADE LANDFALL as a tropical storm at 2:30 a.m. this morning near Kamehame, the Hawksbill turtle preserve, on the shore near Pahala. As the Weather Channel and other international media outlets reported the event, they described the area as a sparsely populated region with a village of 1,300 people. 
     Th leading edge of Iselle arrived to Pahala with a dry wind, colorful clouds at sunset and the appearance of Ka`u being spared, while nearby Volcano and Puna took the pounding with early electrical outages, blocked roads, downed trees and damaged homes. With electricity going out in Pahala late last night and communications lost, most residents didn’t realize they were experiencing the eye of the storm at 2:30 a.m., when circular bands of clouds traveled across the night sky. The eye was followed by lightning and thunder and the beginning of heavy rain that flooded Hwy 11 at Kawa and Wood Valley Road making them  impassable this morning. A bridge above Ka`u Coffee Mill on the way to Wood Valley was blocked due to buckled pavement. Further inland, numerous trees fell on power lines, making travel to Wood Valley nearly impossible by vehicle.

Buckled pavement on a Wood Valley Road  bridge, undercut
by the flooding. Photo by Rob Blosser

     Several visitors took shelter at the Ka`u High School band room after the SeaMountain at Punalu`u staff told guests they would be evacuated. However, guests were able to return this morning to the condominiums as they did not lose power. David and Lannie Colombo managed the Red Cross shelter in Pahala. They housed 50 people overnight, including 30 from the local Micronesian community, a family of four from Canada, a couple on their honeymoon and another on their 25th anniversary. Pahala Plantation Cottages guests were offered rooms in the Pahala Plantation manager’s house which was boarded up before the storm. 
     Schools, medical clinics, community centers, banks, credit unions and beach parks remain closed today as county and state road crew clean up all the remnants of trees and debris and as Hawaiian Electric Light Co. attempts to restore electricity. Some, if not all Wood Valley residents, cut off from Pahala, reported deafening thunder and lightning. The Wood Valley community is without running water, and at least one tree fell on a resident’s car.

Families shelter at Ka`u High. Photo by Ron Johnson

     Many eucalyptus trees fell around Wood Valley Temple, providing new views toward Kapapala Ranch.Where Wood Valley Road turns left toward the temple, the crossing remained blocked this afternoon by a tangle of utility lines, poles and fallen trees, a daunting mess to clear and perhaps evidence of  a long wait for electricity to be restored in Wood Valley. However, county road crews helped improve the unpaved section of  Center Road so residents could reach homes with 4WD vehicles.

Wood Valley Road blocked by trees. Photo by Royden Okinishi

Upstream, the apparent torrent of water dropped by Iselle cut new paths through the land. 
     On some farms, young coffee trees were uprooted. Guinea grass in pastures was flattened by high winds that also sheared off tops of windbreaks like Norfolk pines. Around the damage - photogenic rushing streams and waterfalls tumbling from the steep walls of Wood Valkey. 
     Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported that HELCO crews are working as fast as they can to restore power to Ka`u and other areas of Hawai`i Island. Crews flew in from Honolulu to help.
     Hwy 11 reopened Friday evening after flood waters receded at low-lying Kawa between Punalu`u and Honu`apo. The detour used for most of the day was the old sugar cane haul road between Na`alehu and Pahala along the mountainside. One Pahala resident, Bobby Tucker, who was returning home, described it as somewhat daunting with gorges, waterfalls and new waterways cut by Iselle, but also incredibly beautiful.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Julio's predicted path. Photo by weather.com

HURRICANE JULIO is predicted to track north of the Hawaiian Islands. Roughly 900 miles behind Iselle, Julio has been downgraded from a Category Three on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to a Category Two as it enters cooler waters. Although it may benefit from the moisture left behind Iselle, Julio is expected to weaken in terms of wind speed as it continues its journey north of the islands. Despite the predicted path of Julio completely missing the Big Island, some Ka`u residents insist on keeping their houses boarded up, just in case.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS SATURDAY, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local polling places are Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Hale.

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