Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Sept. 26, 2014

Portable classroom at Kea`au High, part of the Ka`u-Kea`au-Pahoa state Department of Education complex area, would be used for students at Keonepoko Elementary, should lava cut off access to their school near Pahoa. Image from DOE 

“WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO KEEP A SENSE of normalcy in our schools, and we stand ready to adjust our operations as needed," said Mary Correa, state Department of Education complex area superintendent for Ka`u, Kea`au and Pahoa.
      DOE continues to work on contingency plans for public schools, students and staff in preparation for lava to eventually cross Pahoa’s Hwy 130. The lava flow stalled Sunday on its approach toward Pahoa. However, volcanic activity is ongoing.

DOE is placing module classrooms in Kea`au High School parking lot in anticipation
of the possible loss of Keonepoko Elementary to lava, which has slowed but
is still active. Photo from DOE 

      Given the information from the subject-area experts, the DOE is committed to doing what is necessary to allow public school teachers and students to continue teaching and learning. This includes preparing for the potential loss of Keonepoko Elementary on Kahakai Blvd. The DOE is building an alternate site for elementary students in the Kea`au High lower parking lot that could hold a number of classrooms. The site would accommodate at least 17 classrooms and up to 500 students and staff. The initial estimated cost to the DOE is $9 million.
      “We believe that setting up an alternate site is necessary in order to ensure that our teachers and students have everything ready should we lose a school,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “We continue to tackle a number of scenarios, and we appreciate the flexibility of our staff, the cooperation of our families, and the collaboration with Hawai`i County agencies in our preparation efforts."
      Based on the expectation that access to Keonepoko Elementary, Pahoa High & Intermediate, and Pahoa Elementary will be compromised, plans are being made for students who reside north of the flow to be rerouted to the Kea`au complex when the flow crosses Hwy 130. Students who reside south of the flow will remain in their home schools if those facilities are not negatively impacted.
      “When the lava crosses the highway, we want to make sure everything is in place in order to provide continued school services,” said Correa.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

      Pahoa complex currently has an estimated 1,800 students and roughly 300 employees.
      Plans have been shared with parents at all three schools via letters and school meetings. Besides student planning, DOE is also initiating plans that would guide affected employees on necessary changes. Earlier this month, the DOE asked parents and staff who may have changed their residence to immediately update their contact information with school administrators.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ENSURING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT recognizes the unique hardships facing Hawai`i’s rural areas in providing quality healthcare options is the subject of U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s new bipartisan legislation. H.R. 5592 would allow Hawai`i and Alaska to decide which areas of the state should be considered rural and, in turn, eligible for federal grants and programs dedicated to improve the healthcare services in rural areas. Alaska’s Republican Congressman Don Young is an original co-sponsor of the bill.
       The bill would allow Hawai`i and Alaska to make their own state-designated Frontier Areas. Currently, the federal government determines the areas based on a statistical model that does not take into account the unique geographical challenges facing Hawai`i and Alaska.
      “Hawai`i should be able to determine its own Frontier Areas because the current federal process doesn’t know or serve our communities, therefore negatively impacting the ability of our rural areas to qualify for certain federal assistance,” said Gabbard, who met with concerned rural community health leaders last month. “The problem with the federal standard is that it relies on population numbers and physical distances from urban areas without fully recognizing how long it can take to drive” to them. “The federal government cannot rely solely on numbers to understand the reality our island residents face.”
      In addition to allowing Hawai`i and Alaska to use state-approved definitions for rural areas, H.R. 5592 would also create another frontier category for other areas facing geographic remoteness that is not adequately reflected by simple distance and population figures.

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

Pres. Obama has expanded the Pacific Remote Islands Marine
National Monument. Map from wikipedia

“THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS DEDICATED to protecting our environment for our future generations,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said regarding President Barack Obama’s proclamation expanding protections for the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, creating the largest marine reserve in the world. The monument is a group of unorganized, mostly unincorporated United States Pacific Island territories managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior. These remote refuges are “the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction,” according to Wikipedia. They protect many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. The area covers 490,000 square miles.
      “I commend the president’s recognitions of traditional fishing opportunities and expanded protections of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument,” Abercrombie said.

      “This action strikes a good balance between protecting our ocean resources, along with traditional and recreational fishing, since they are such an important part of Hawai`i’s unique history and culture.
      “As a kama`aina himself, the president shares our sincere respect and affinity for our precious ocean. This welcomed act will provide a gift to our keiki, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of a healthy and thriving ocean ecosystem.”

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

VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ARE PLANNING a Ka`u Legal Clinic, and those in need of legal services can sign up now for free legal advice to low-income Ka`u residents. This will be an opportunity to get information on the following types of cases: 

• Family Law – Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity, Guardianships and Adoptions; 
• District Court – Landlord-Tenant, Small Claims; 
• Bankruptcy – Collections, Chapter Seven; 
• Probate/Estate Planning – Wills and/or Trusts, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directives; and 
• Native Hawaiian Rights – Water Rights, Trusts, Access Rights and Hawaiian Homelands. 

      Ka`u Legal Clinic is being planned for Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ka`u Rural Health Community Association’s Resource and Distance Learning Center, 96-3126 Puahala Street in Pahala.
      Interested residents must pre-qualify and pre-register to participate in this special service. Call 313-8210 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Oct. 17.
      Registration forms are available at krhcai.com, okaukakou.org and vish.org.

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

IN TROJAN BOWLING, Lanni Ah Yee is holding an average score that ranks her in the top 20 varsity girls on the island, while Kathryn Padaray ranks in the top 30. In Trojan boys bowling, Cameron Enriques ranks in the top 15 islandwide, Travis Taylor, J-R Albos and Jamal Buyan rank in the top 25, and Trevor Taylor, Jacob Flores, Titan Ault and Kaweni Ibarra rank in the top 30.

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

Ka`u High Trojans host Kamehameha this evening.
Photo from Taylor's Treasures Photography

Drop-off is today and tomorrow for next
weeks Directory cover art show.

ARTISTS CAN REGISTER TODAY from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for Ka`u Chamber of Commerce’s Art Show at CU Hawai`i Na`alehu Branch. Next week, Ka`u residents vote for art to grace the cover of The Directory 2015.
      For more information, call Dallas at 516-662-8789.

KA`U HIGH TROJANS EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL TEAM plays its final home game of the season today at 6:30 p.m., hosting Kamehameha-Hawai`i.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees to celebrate National Public Lands Day tomorrow.

Bob Herkes

SERVICES FOR THE LATE Rep. Bob Herkes are tomorrow at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo. Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Celebration of Life begins at 11 a.m. Aloha attire is requested.

BOTANIST TIM TUNISON LEADS AN EXPLORATION of a pristine, species-rich, old-growth rain forest tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      Participants visit Pu`u Maka`ala, a section of the Natural Area Reserve System just outside of Volcano Village, and habitats such as a rare Kilauea sedgeland bog that boasts a minimal amount of invasive species intrusion and an abundance of native fauna.
      Tuition is $50, and pre-registration is required. Call 967-8222 to sign up.

THE PACIFIC CRAFTS & CERAMIC SALE and yART Sale take place today from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED meets tomorrow at Na`alehu Community Center at 5 p.m. Statewide President Vince Mina will talk about his recent trip to Washington, D.C. for the National Farmer’s Union Fly-In event.
      Organizer Malian Lahey encourages gardeners and farmers to “bring your home-grown produce for the produce swap table. Drop off something and pick up something yummy that your neighbor is growing!”
      Rep. Richard Creagan will also answer questions from attendees.
      For more information, email Malian Lahey at malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014

Botanist Tim Tunison leads an exploration called Fern-Lovers' Paradise Saturday. Photo from Volcano Art Center

BOOSTING RESOURCES FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES in Hawai`i is the subject of a bill supported by Sen. Mazie Hirono. Last week, Hirono co-sponsored the Digital Coast Act, which will authorize the next phase in coastal mapping at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Coastal mapping provides current data and training to enable coastal communities to make critical planning decisions and better protect and sustain natural resources.

Light blue lines along the Ka`u Coast show changes that would occur with
a sea-level rise of five feet. Map from NOAA

      “Protecting Hawai`i’s coastal areas is critical to our environment and economy,” said Hirono. “The Digital Coast Act will allow NOAA to continue to build on its successful Digital Coast initiative, which focuses on providing the public and private sectors access to a range of important coastal data. Expanding the Digital Coast initiative will allow scientists and community members to access data to plan for long-term coastal resilience including managing water resources, tracking changes along the coastline and combating the threat of global warming.”
      Digital Coast has been used in Hawai`i and the Pacific region to perform a wide range of projects – assessing land-based threats to coral reef habitats, assessing vulnerability differences in tsunami evaluation zones, compiling natural resource data for development of watershed strategies and capturing traditional knowledge to inform restoration planning. Digital Coast products are also being used by private sector firms in Hawai`i for their land use planning analysis and documents or reports.
      “The Digital Coast provides a user-friendly website that communities can access to find reliable data and other tools to help increase their resilience and be ready for the challenges they face in the future,” said Kim Hum, Marine Program Director for the Nature Conservancy’s Hawai`i Program. “But it’s not just about the data. The project also provides training to help translate all of that data into usable information for decision making.”

Chris Eldridge

      For more information, see coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast.
      The late Rep. Bob Herkes supported this kind of mapping for Ka`u and beyond. Services for Herkes are Saturday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel in Hilo. Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Celebration of Life begins at 11 a.m. Aloha attire is requested.

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

`AINA KOA PONA PARTNER Chris Eldridge has sold his American Mattress franchise for the state of Hawai`i and founded a private equity investment firm called Koa Capital Partners, LLC. His partner is Dustin Sellers, formerly president of sales and marketing for Pro Service Hawai`i.
     A Pacific Business News story this week said that Eldrige is a “partner in a local biofuel project.” It reports that “Eldridge was the president of America’s Mattress Hawai`i and left in April; he also serves as a partner with biofuels company `Aina Koa Pono.” The story says that the two partners “have known each other since their days at Punahou School, and it was serendipitous that they had both left their companies around the same time.”
     The story says that Koa Capital “is looking to invest in companies with a focus on Hawai`i and profits between $500,000 and $5 million, and will invest primarily in majority, control positions.”
    AKP sought approval to sell biofuel to Hawaiian Electric Light Co. from a microwave refinery it would have built on the edge of Wood Valley. It was turned down twice by the Public Utilities Commission and opposed by Mayor Billy Kenoi, who said he was concerned it would raise the price of electricity. AKP’s website is www.ainakoapono.com.
      See bizjournals.com/pacific.

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

Lava flow front headed toward Pahoa has stalled, and a new flow front behind
it is moving to the north. Map from USGS/HVO

THE PATH OF LAVA SLOWLY MOVING TOWARD Hwy 130 is shown on a new USGS map. It clearly illustrates roads, homes and buildings at risk. To prepare for Pahoa and lower Puna possibly being cut off from the rest of the island, state, county and federal officials are preparing to repair and open the old Chain of Craters Road from Kalapana into Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park that was covered by lava some 37 years ago. Other emergency routes are prepared along Railroad and Government Beach roads, but they too could be cut off by lava traveling downhill toward the coast.
      Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists this morning report that surface lava, remains active several hundred yards upslope from the stalled flow front, with a breakout advancing through forest along the north edge of the previously active portion of the flow. Because the flow did not advance over the past few days, HVO is not offering a projection of its future movement at this time.

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

SEPT. 30 IS THE DEADLINE to donate through Foodland to the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund which leads beach cleanups and pond restorations along the Ka`u Coast. The donations opportunity is the Give Aloha Campaign through which Foodland allows contributors to double the impact of their gifts. Foodland matches each donation it receives to specific charities up to $300,000 total.
      Support Hawai`i Wildlife Fund by using code 78764.

Ka`u Trojans eight-man football team takes to the home
field tomorrow, hosting Kamehameha.
Photo by Taylor's Treasures Photography

      The nearest Foodland to Ka`u is in Kea`au. Sack n Save Foods in Hilo and Kona are also raising money for the nonprofit.

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

`O KA`U KAKOU IS STILL COMPILING RESULTS from the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run events. “Our race committee used an ‘old’ time recorder. I am terrible sorry for the delay,” the website states. Results will be posted at okaukakou.org when they are available.

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

IN SPORTS TOMORROW, the Trojans’ eight-man football team hosts Kamehameha tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., and girls volleyball teams travel to Kohala following their losses at Kamehameha yesterday. Scores 20-25 and 15-25 for junior varsity and 13-25, 10-25, 25-20 and 9-25 for varsity. 

GERMAN FOOD, BEER AND MUSIC ARE ON TAP during Oktoberfest at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow at 4 p.m. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
      For more information, call 967-8356 or 967-8365.

Drop-off for entries is tomorrow and Saturday

ARTISTS ENTERING KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S Art Show can register tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at CU Hawai`i Na`alehu Branch. Next week, Ka`u residents vote for art to grace the cover of The Directory 2015.

      For more information, call Dallas at 516-662-8789.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees to celebrate National Public Lands Day Saturday.

BOTANIST TIM TUNISON LEADS AN EXPLORATION of a pristine, species-rich, old-growth rain forest Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pu`u Maka`ala, a section of the Natural Area Reserve System just outside of Volcano Village, is also known as a fern-lover’s paradise to Tunison. The three-mile, moderate hike includes light field lessons in native plant identification and native rain forest ecology. On the first part of the trail, the plethora of ferns is nurtured by a 2,000-year-old, deep ash soil and sheltered by a canopy of majestic old-growth `ohi`a trees. 

      Tunison also leads participants on short, inviting side trips to habitats such as a rare Kilauea sedgeland bog. Not only is it a fern lover’s paradise, it is also one that boasts a minimal amount of invasive species intrusion and an abundance of native fauna.
      Tuition is $50, and pre-registration is required. Call 967-8222 to sign up.

THE PACIFIC CRAFTS & CERAMIC SALE and yART Sale take place tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

Volcano Art Center's Pacific Crafts & Ceramic Sale and yART sale takes
place tomorrow and Saturday. Photo from VAC

      The event features pottery and handcrafted items from the estate of Kathy Montvel-Cohen. Montvel-Cohen was a professor of Fine Arts at the University of Guam from 1975-90. Primarily a ceramic artist, she and her husband Monty, who was a painter and anthropologist, traveled extensively throughout the Pacific islands, seeking out carvings, baskets, textiles and other fine crafts from New Guinea, Yap, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia and other areas. The family generously donated this collection, as well as many ceramic pieces made or collected by Montvel-Co, to VAC for sale.
      Many items have been donated for the companion yART Sale, as well.

STATEWIDE HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED PRESIDENT Vince Mina will address the Ka`u chapter’s meeting Saturday at Na`alehu Community Center at 5 p.m. Organizer Malian Lahey encourages gardeners and farmers to “bring your home-grown produce for the produce swap table. Drop off something and pick up something yummy that your neighbor is growing!”
      Mina will talk about his recent trip to Washington D.C. for the National Farmer’s Union Fly-In event.

      Rep. Richard Creagan will also answer questions from attendees.

      For more information, email Malian Lahey at malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

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 Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014

Summer Fun kept Ocean View keiki busy with excursions and activities. Photos from Teresa Anderson

GRASSROOTS INSTITUTE OF HAWAI`I is calling for tax reform following a study by the financial site Wallet Hub concluding that Hawai`i has the second most unfair tax system in the country. According to the study, Hawai`i trails only Washington in the gap between what citizens consider a fair tax structure and the reality of the state system. In addition, the Aloha State ranked third among states where the middle class (defined as the 40-60 percent income quintile) is overtaxed and was little better about overtaxing the poor. Hawai`i ranked fourth in states that overtax the lowest 20 percent of income earners.


Wallet Hub ranked Hawai`i's tax system as second least fair in the nation.
 Wallet Hub map from Grassoots Institute of Hawai`i

      The survey found that the majority of Americans, regardless of political outlook, believe that higher income households should be taxed at a higher rate than lower earners. Those states that most conform to this model were rated more fair, while those where the tax burden was heavier on middle and lower income householders were rated as unfair. The Wallet Hub survey also noted that Hawai`i is especially dependent on sales and excise taxes – the state ranked seventh in its reliance on revenues from this source.
      “This survey is only confirming what too many of us realize every day,” said Keli`i Akina, President of the Grassroot Institute of Hawai`i. “Hawai`i’s tax system is badly in need of reform that stimulates the economy and reduces the burden on middle class and working households. This isn’t a question of partisanship or politics – the system is faulty no matter what your perspective. If Hawai`i’s policy makers want to help our working families in a substantial and effective way, they should seek out reforms that provide real, measurable tax relief.”

Sen. Brian Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ, A MEMBER of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, commended President Barack Obama and leaders from around the world on new commitments to combating climate change. President Barack Obama yesterday addressed the United Nations Climate Summit and announced a new executive order that will require federal agencies to consider climate change in the design of all international development programs and investments. 


      “With more than 120 world leaders committing to fighting climate change today, and hundreds of thousands marching for action over the weekend, our calls to act on the global threat of climate change cannot be ignored,” Schatz said, “Today’s commitments from President Obama and leaders from around the world are an important step forward, but more needs to be done. America has a chance to lead the fight against climate change. If we act now, cut carbon pollution and move to a clean energy economy, we can create opportunities for a better world for our families, our children, and future generations.”


      Earlier this year, Schatz led 31 of his Senate colleagues in a rare all-night session of the Senate to urge action on climate change.

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

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

IN AN EFFORT TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE oversight and accountability of the nation’s intelligence community, Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has joined Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, in spearheading a bipartisan, bicameral effort to strengthen the government’s privacy protection board. The legislation gives the oversight board greater ability to carry out its function of balancing the government’s national security and counterterrorism activities with the need to protect the privacy rights of law-abiding Americans. 

      The Strengthening Privacy, Oversight, and Transparency Act, or SPOT Act, expands the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board’s authority to play a watchdog role over surveillance conducted for purposes beyond counterterrorism. It also allows the PCLOB to issue subpoenas without having to wait for the Justice Department to issue them, and makes the board members full-time positions.


      “The American people should not be forced to choose between safety and security, or freedom, privacy and civil liberties. Recent revelations of actions within the intelligence community show that these basic principles upon which our country was founded have been violated in the name of security. We have a responsibility to the people we serve to make sure that this is not allowed to occur, which is what this legislation seeks to do.
      The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board is an independent body that was expanded in 2007 as part of Congress’ measures to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The commission called for an executive branch board that would ensure that government efforts to protect American security also protect Americans’ privacy and civil liberties. More recently, a number of outside experts, including the President’s own surveillance Review Group, have recommended that the Board’s mandate and authorities be expanded and clarified.

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

Kahuku Summer Fun participants enjoyed arts and crafts projects and journaling.
Photos from Teresa Anderson 

OCEAN VIEW STUDENTS, NOW BACK IN SCHOOL, kept busy during Kahuku Summer Fun. Participants enjoyed excursions to Punalu`u Black Sand Beach, Kahalu`u Beach and Kona Aquatics Center. During the first trip to Punalu`u, representatives from Three Mountain Alliance, state Division of Forestry & Wildlife and Hawai`i wildlife Fund lead a mauka to makai talk story and mini beach cleanup. Then it was swim time.
      Many visitors gave presentations on important subjects. A Ka`u public health nurse taught proper hand washing and the importance of nutritious foods and proper food portions. A healthy snack of oranges and grapes provided by Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center followed.
      Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai`i taught about dangers of smoking.
      A representative from University of Hawai`i at Hilo discussed STEAM curricula, which includes science, technology, engineering, art and math. Students learned about marine biology, how data is collected, importance of coral reefs and dangers of overfishing.
      Recycle Hawai`i taught about the importance of recycling and how to do backyard composting to feed gardens and plants.
      Kahuku ahupua`a and Hawaiian culture were topics of visiting kupuna.
      Hawai`i Electric Light Co. sent someone to teach about clean energy, including wind, solar, hydro and geothermal. Participants made boats driven by solar power.
      More fun came with soap making, other arts and crafts and journaling. Home Depot donated race car and herb pot craft kits along with aprons, pins and certificates.

      Kahuku Park is looking for coaches for T-ball and Coach Pitch. Call Teresa at 929-9113.

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

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS travels to Kamehameha today at 6 p.m. On Friday, they travel to Kohala.
      The Trojans’ eight-man football team hosts Kamehameha Friday at 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR KA`U fifth-grade girls to register for GEMS – Girls Exploring Math & Science – workshops set for Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou. Registration forms are available at public and private schools.

Drop-off for Ka`u Chamber of Commerce
entries is Friday and Saturday.

      For more information, to sponsor a girl or to request a registration packet, contact Laurel Gregory at 969-8833 or lgregory@hawaii.edu.

PACIFIC ISLANDS ARTS & CRAFTS SALE & yART Sale is Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The fundraiser includes arts, ceramics, new and slightly used tools, household goods and collectables.

OKTOBERFEST AT KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Friday at 4 p.m. features German food, beer and music. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 

      For more information, call 967-8356 or 967-8365.

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY IS SATURDAY. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entry fees to celebrate.

BOTANIST TIM TUNISON LEADS an exploration of a pristine, species-rich old-growth rain forest Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meeting point is Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
      Call 967-8222 to sign up.

ARTISTS ENTERING KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S Art Show can register Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at CU Hawai`i Na`alehu Branch. Next week, Ka`u residents vote for art to grace the cover of The Directory 2015.
      For more information, call Dallas at 516-662-8789.

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