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Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014

Na Kupuna O Ka`u, under the direction of Kumu Lori Lei Shirakawa, participated in the Kupuna Hula Festival last month.
Photos from Na Kupuna O Ka`u
THREE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES debated issues on KITV yesterday. Republican Duke Aiona, Independent Mufi Hannemann and Democrat David Ige gave views on issues including the economy, education, prisons, aging, the environment, the state hospital system, the state budget, energy, GMOs and invasive species.
      To an opening question asking what the candidates thought is the major problem facing Hawai`i and what they would do about it, Aiona replied, “I would focus immediately upon jobs, the economy and cost of living. I think those are some of the biggest problems we have in the state right now. ... Cost of living is something like an elephant in the room. How do you treat an elephant? Well, you take it one bite at a time. … Regarding jobs and economy, we’re going to have to play to what I call our naturally competitive industries. That’s things like renewable energy, dual technology, marine and ocean science and things of that nature. So we have to grow those industries. Tourism will always be there for us, and I think we can expand our economy, get livable wages in regards to our jobs, and of course that we can touch on the cost of living and taxes, etc., by eliminating more taxes.”
From left, Kananiokalani Neizman, Beth Waller, Bob Smith, Sue Smith, Kasa
Neizmen and Charlyn Nakamoto with Kumu Hula Lori Lei Shirakawa.
      Hannemann said, “I think it’s clear that the situation calls for change. The Lingle/Aiona administration had eight years to implement many of the changes that we see continue to persist today. They couldn’t get many of those things done because they couldn’t figure out a strategy of how to get their bills, their initiatives through an entrenched Democratic majority. A record number of bills that they submitted that were vetoed by the governor were overturned by the Legislature – over 100 over an eight-year period, including a record 38 in one year. I don’t believe that the current candidate for governor who is running on the Republican party is going to be able to effectuate much change. I believe it’ll be same old, same old results that occured with the entrenched Democratic majority in the Legislature.
      Ige said, “I really believe that the biggest challenge before the people of Hawai`i really is about our public schools. It is about making investments in the public schools - empowering schools and getting those closest to the children - to give them the authority and the resources to make a difference. I know growing up that it really is the relationship between the teacher and the child that is most important in improving education. Education is the foundation of our economy. It’s the foundation of our society. It really is about making a difference for those school children in our public schools.”
      See the debate at kitv.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Director Ted Sakai has been selected by the Association of State Correctional Administrators as Outstanding Director of Corrections for 2014.
      “This national recognition reminds us how fortunate we are in Hawai`i to have leaders like Ted,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “Since his appointment two years ago, Ted has implemented positive change to our Public Safety Department, achieved clear progress in bringing our inmates housed on the Mainland back home and moved transformative Justice Reinvestment Initiatives forward that will have lasting benefits beyond this administration.”
Their rendition of Henehene Kou Aka brought third place to Na Kupuna O Ka`u
in the Kane Group division.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I’S U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION has announced two Fiscal Year 2015 grants totaling $3 million for Hawai`i organizations that support homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. The United States Veterans Initiative and Catholic Charities Hawai`i each will receive $1.5 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.
 
      “No veteran should ever go without care or without a place to sleep at night,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “These funds from the VA will make sure veterans who have fallen on hard times have access to job training and temporary financial assistance for rent and utility expenses to help them get back on their feet. Our veterans and their families have made great sacrifices for our nation, and we must continue to make sure every veteran has a safe place to call home.”
      “Safe, affordable housing is a basic necessity,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Finding and keeping a job, supporting a family and living a secure life without a place to call home is a major challenge for too many of our Hawai`i veterans. We must do better for our veterans in need. The grants will support ongoing efforts to provide much-needed services to at-risk veterans and their families.”

      “Our veterans and their families have sacrificed greatly on behalf of their fellow Americans, and it is a tragedy that some end up living on the streets or in poverty,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “The SSVF grant program connects community-based homelessness organizations with the VA to confront homelessness while addressing the distressing challenges that can face our veterans. This $3 million in grant funding will give our veterans and their families the support and resources they need in order to secure permanent housing and provide a stable environment for their families.”
      
In August, U.S.VETS and Catholic Charities Hawai`i also received FY2014 grants of $1,017,000 and $1,101,224, respectively, for the same purpose.


      For more information, see va.gov/homeless.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kananiokalani Neizmen danced to Aliamanu Hula
for first place in the Tutu Kane division.
NA KUPUNA O KA`U, UNDER THE DIRECTION of Kumu Lori Lei Shirakawa, showed their talent at the 2014 Kupuna Hula Festival held Sept. 11.
      First Place in the Tutu Kane division went to Kananiokalani Neizmen, dancing to Aliamanu Hula.
      Kananiokalani Neizmen, Bob Smith, Kasa Neizmen won third place in the Kane Group competition, perfoming to Henehene Kou Aka.
      Ka`u participants in mixed Mixed Group were Kananiokalani Neizmen, Beth Waller, Bob Smith, Sue Smith, Kasa Neizmen and Charlyn Nakamoto. Their song choice was Kaneohe.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION will be visible in the skies over Ka`u this month, according to astronomer Lew Cook, who contributes a monthly article to The Ka`u Calendar. “There is a pass where this satellite goes through Aquila in the early evening the night of Oct. 3 after sunset,” Cook said. “If you want to see it, go outside and look up. Remember the summer triangle? The southern star of those three first-magnitude stars is Altair. At 7:05 p.m., the ISS will pass Altair on a southwest to northeast pass. At 5:03:30 p.m. (that’s three and a half minutes past 5 p.m.) it went through the tail of Scorpius on its track through Aquila heading toward the northeast. It will wink out of sight before it sets as it passes Cassiopeia. It appears as a bright moving star against the background of stars we know.
      “There is another pass easily visible from Ka`u on Oct. 28 at almost the same time of day. It will appear over Mauna Loa (northeast), traveling southwest at 7:08 p.m. At 7:09:30 p.m. it should pass quite close to Vega heading through the center of the summer triangle before vanishing about midway between Altair and Fomalhaut at 7:10:40 p.m. Please note these times can vary a bit depending upon orbital adjustments of the ISS. Sit outside on the evening of a pass with your eyes scanning the sky, and I’m sure you’ll see it. It can be much brighter than Vega. There’s another pass the following night about half an hour after sunset with the satellite appearing in the north above Polaris just before 6:18 p.m., reaching its highest altitude (36 degrees) at 6:19 p.m. in Andromeda. It sets in the southeast at 6:22 p.m.
The International Space Station, seen from the departing Space Shuttle Atlantis, will
be visible from Ka`u this month. It is 239 feet long, 356 feet wide and 66 feet high.
NASA photo from Lew Cook
      “ISS may be moving along and quickly fade from view. What happened? They just saw a sunset on the ISS. They see about 15 sunsets and sunrises each day. It frequently is over Ka`u during the orbital passes, but is seen only occasionally, provided the conditions are right. These conditions are that it is above us shortly after sunset or before sunrise, the sky is clear and dark enough to see the station, but the sun is still shining on the station.
      “Remember, the orbit is fixed in space; the earth turns beneath it. As we travel around the sun, the orbit remains fixed while our view changes. This means that while we could see the ISS in August, we may not see it in November when the station passes overhead in daylight or the sun is not shining on the station.”
      Lists of visible passes are available at spotthestation.nasa.gov. Click on Sightings, then follow prompts to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Email notices of ISS passes are also available.

VOTING FOR PEOPLE’S CHOICE at Ka`u Chamber Of Commerce’s Art Show continues at CU Hawai`i Credit Union in Na`alehu. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow. Along with People’s Choice, which will be on the cover of The Directory 2015, first, second and third place will be awarded in categories of Graphic, Wood, Craft, Sculpture and Quilting. Keiki categories for grades one through six are Graphic and Photo.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.









Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014

Quilting is a new category in Ka`u Chamber of Commerce's current Art Show, where Ka`u residents can vote for art to grace the cover of The Directory 2015. Quilt by Ric Stark; Photo from Donna Masaniai
LAVA-PRONE AREAS IN KA`U MAY BENEFIT from experiments and precautions Hawai`i Electric Light Co. is conducting and implementing in Puna to keep power on in case lava continues moving through the district toward the ocean.
Dark red shows areas of active lava flows as of yesterday. Map from USGS/HVO
      One concept involves fortifying bases of power poles to keep them from burning and falling if lava reaches them. According to a story in West Hawai`i Today, HELCO is using cinder-filled dry well pipes six feet tall and nine feet in diameter to encase bases of poles, creating a buffer between insulation-wrapped poles and the pipes. The outsides of the pipes also have mounds of cinder surrounding them. HELCO spokeswoman Rhea Lee told reporter Colin M. Stewart that lava, when it hits objects, tends to act much like water and flows around them rather than continue to move forward. “This is experimental,” Lee said. “We don’t know if it will work. But we hope it will.”
      HELCO is also considering increasing the distance between utility poles. Taller, reinforced poles can increase the average distance between poles from 250 feet to up to 1,800 feet, Lee told Stewart. This would theoretically lower the number of poles in harm’s way.
      Placing large-capacity generators in areas that could be cut off by lava is another option HELCO is pursuing.
      This morning, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported that lobes of lava are creeping northeast around the north side of the existing flow. Also, a lower volume of lava than two weeks ago during a period of more rapid flow-front advancement is moving through the tube from Puʻu ʻŌʻō.
      See westhawaiitoday.com and hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Rep. Richard Creagan
SHOULD MARIJUANA BE LEGALIZED FOR CLINICS on the Big Island? Should it be legalized altogether, including recreational use? Should it be legal to farm marijuana in Hawai`i? Studying in the potential health and social benefits and risks of marijuana is a matter that Rep. Richard Creagan promises to take up at the next state Legislature should he be elected and keep his seat representing West Ka`u and up the coast to Kona.
      During the September Ka`u Farmers Union United meeting held in Na`alehu, Creagan, who is also a physician, said he would propose enabling legislation in the 2014 state House of Representatives calling for local decision making on these subjects. He contended that decisions on regulating marijuana should be as local as possible. Some communities in Hawai`i might want to farm marijuana. Some might want marijuana clinics. Some may see marijuana as too risky.
      Hawai`i Farmers Union United president Vince Mina said there is more effort being put into the farming of marijuana strains to maximize their characteristics for medical use, such as for pain, rather than maximizing THC contents that get people high.
      Dave Bateman, the Republican who is running against Creagan, a Democrat, in the General Election on Nov. 4, states on his campaign website bateman2014.com that he opposes decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. “Where are the studies that assess impacts on children if they are allowed access by parents and on their academic and social growth? What is the impact on job performance with the adults? What are the social/economic impacts of more adults using marijuana? What are the social impacts arising from more drivers driving while impaired? These questions need to be asked and answered,” writes Bateman on his website.
Dave Bateman
      Bateman contends that “scientific research on this issue and my years of experience defending many of these kinds of cases while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, as a JAG (military attorney) back in the 1970s, have convinced me that marijuana is a dangerous gateway drug that will lead to more serious drug use such as meth, amphetamines, cocaine, crack and other dangerous level II drugs. Hawai`i already has a known serious drug abuse problem with meth. Knowing that marijuana is a gateway to these kinds of higher level abuses, and more addictive (Schedule 1) drugs, why would we want marijuana to be used recreationally? It is guaranteed that this will lead to other more serious drug addictions. And we don’t want more impaired drivers on the road maiming or killing other drivers and pedestrians,” Bateman writes.
      During the HFUU meeting, Creagan also noted legalization downsides and said that each island should decide on its regulation of marijuana. Several people brought up the fact that marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Creagan said that many states are drecriminalizing and legalizing use of marijuana in various forms, sending a message to the federal government not to prosecute where it is legalized by states.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A HIGHER EDUCATION SOURCE FOR MANY KA`U STUDENTS, Hawai`i Community College is one of seven statewide that will benefit from nearly $10 million in grant funding as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative. This is the fourth and final installment of the $2 billion initiative aimed at creating and supporting new job training partnerships between community colleges, local businesses and state workforce training systems.
Sen. Mazie Hirono
      “By the time this year’s freshman are ready to graduate high school in 2018, estimates show that two-thirds of the jobs in Hawai`i will require education or training beyond a high school diploma,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said. “Hawai`i’s community colleges provide an important option to prepare Hawai`i students for higher-skilled jobs in fields like information technology, cybersecurity and health care. The U.S. Department of Labor’s investment in the U.H. Community College Consortium’s efforts is moving Hawai`i toward a more secure and sustainable economic future.”
      Over the last four years, the U.S. Department of Labor has invested more than $52 million in Hawai`i. In 2010, as a member of the Education and Workforce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, then-Congresswoman Hirono fought for the inclusion of this four-year, $2 billion funding for community college job training in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law. Hawai`i community colleges have won significant funding in each of the four rounds of competition.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HPR President and General Manager Michael Titterton
Photo from HPR
HAWAI`I PUBLIC RADIO, WHICH IS BROADCASTING its statewide programming through KAHU-FM radio in Pahala, goes on the air with its fall pledge drive Celebration 2014 tomorrow at 6:19 a.m. For the first time in many years, the station’s pledge goal of $1,032,000 remains the same as the last fund drive. Early giving to Celebration 2014 totaling more than $100,000 has already reduced the remaining amount to be raised.
      Over 11,000 individual members and more than a hundred corporate underwriters currently support the station. Michael Titterton, HPR’s President and General Manager, said, “Our pledge goals are always carefully calculated to raise just what the station needs to stay in business for the next six months, not a dollar more, not a dollar less. Each drive, the target amount has risen slightly; but this fall, we are thrilled to be going into the fundraiser with a goal that is unchanged from this past spring. This is due to the growing number of our members who are choosing to make automatic payments on a regular monthly basis. That kind of sustained support gives us not only precious predictable income, but takes some of the pressure off the semi-annual pledge drives.”
      Highlights of the pledge drive include the premium offer of ten frequent flyer miles on Hawaiian Airlines for every dollar donated to HPR. Also, in the Radio Flyers Program, donors can choose to re-gift the miles to Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children’s Family Fund, to assist Neighbor Island families seeking treatment at Kapi‘olani with their travel needs.
      Through Oct.10, membership pledges are accepted toll-free at 888-970-8800 or 877-941-3689. Online donations may be made at hawaiipublicradio.org.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar. 

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S ART SHOW continues at CU Hawai`i Credit Union in Na`alehu. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Thursday. Along with People’s Choice, which will be on the cover of The Directory 2015, first, second and third place will be awarded in categories of Graphic, Wood, Craft, Sculpture and Quilting. Keiki categories for grades one through six are Graphic and Photo.

KA`U YOGIS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE THIRD annual Time for Yoga Global Community Practice as National Yoga Month Goes Global today at 7 p.m. local time at Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission. Yoga students of all levels are encouraged to practice as an international observance and the culmination of Yoga Month. For more information, call 937-7940.

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








See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.


Monday, September 29, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Sept. 29, 2014

Reopening Chain of Craters Road, which has been closed for years by lava flows, will increase Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's traffic management, maintenance and operating costs, according to Superintendent Cindy Orlando. Photo from NPS
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is preparing for a huge increase in traffic once Chain of Craters Road opens for Puna residents in the event that lava covers Hwy 130 near Pahoa and cuts off access to the rest of the island.
A sign nearly buried by lava covering Chain of Craters Road warns
drivers that the road is closed. Photo from NPS
      “Our law enforcement presence is going to have to go way up because we don’t want illegal fishing along the coast,” Superintendent Cindy Orlando told Dan Nakaso, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “We’re going to have to patrol it regularly so we don’t have illegal activities down there. We’re also going to require a lot more traffic management, and that 19 miles (of Chain of Craters Road) is also going to have increased maintenance and operating costs.”
      Orlando hopes to get more rangers and specially trained law enforcement rangers from other national parks in Hawai`i or from the mainland.
      “And we still have to take care of the 5,000 visitors we get every day,” she said.
      Nakaso reported that, according to Orlando, the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Environmental Planning is requiring the portion of the road on federal land to be one lane of unpaved road to protect Hawaiian archaeological sites and endangered species, including the nene.
      “There will be impacts,” Orlando told Nakaso. “I hope people remember that this is a national park and we need to ensure the impacts are lessened as much as possible. With one lane, we do not expect any significant impacts.”
      While the flow has been stalled for several days, it is showing signs of activity, with breakouts upslope from the flow front having advanced to the north about 100 yards, Civil Defense reported this morning.
Breakouts upslope of the Puna flow front are more active. Photo from
Hawai`i County Civil Defense
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

OTHER OPTIONS HAWAI`I COUNTY OFFICIALS are considering are building a bridge over the lava flow expected to cross Hwy 130 and taking out part of the road to allow lava to flow across the area rather than be impeded by man-made berms.
      Regarding the bridge, county spokesman Kevin Dayton told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporter Tom Callis, “We’re asking if something could be constructed. We don’t know” if that’s possible.
      According to Callis, removing a stretch of the road could help keep the lava’s path narrower over the route and allow it to cool sooner if the flow stops. County officials say that could make it easier for crews to re-establish the highway.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

HAWAI`I ISLAND RANCHERS MAKE MORE MONEY by shipping cattle to the mainland, according to a story in West Hawai`i Today. Prices for beef cattle in drought-stricken areas of the mainland are currently $2.25 per pound, compared to $1.50 to $1.65 per pound in Hawai`i.
      Although consumers increasing want local, organic and healthy meats, 60 to 70 percent of local beef is shipped out of state. Glen Fukumoto, an extension agent with the University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, told reporter Brett Yager that current infrastructure can’t support much increased production in the short term. Fukumoto also said more pressure comes from high water costs and development pressures.
      Yager reported that less than nine percent of beef consumed in the state is local. If ranchers kept all their beef cattle here, it would meet less than 40 percent of demand, Fukumoto said.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A small wasp could help control Mediterranean fruit flies in Ka`u Coffee
and fruit orchards. Photo from speciesfile.org
THE STATE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL is accepting public comment through Oct. 23 on the University of Hawai`i’s application to the state Department of Agriculture and Board of Agriculture for a permit to release wasps as a biological control of Mediterranean fruit flies. Fopius ceratitivorus combats Mediterranean fruit fly found in coffee and other crops throughout Hawai`i by laying its eggs in the pests’ larvae.
      The target pest, Ceratitis capitata, is one of the most important agricultural pests in the world, infesting hundreds of species of fruits and vegetables, according to the application. In Hawai`i, it is a direct pest and a quarantine pest of crops including citrus, eggplant, guava, loquat, mango, melon, papaya, passion fruit, peach, pepper, persimmon, plum, star fruit, tomato and zucchini. Current control practices for medfly rely on a combination of pesticide-treated bait sprays and field sanitation, use of sterile insects, release of mass-reared parasitoids and semio-chemical-based male annihilation. “The sustainability of the latter three techniques, once the federal government stops the influx of implementation funding, is questionable. The use of GF-120 as a bait spray is safer than the previous alternative (malathion); but has nevertheless been shown to be toxic to a wide array of beneficial and non-target insects,” the application states.
      “Numerous entomologists have emphasized the importance and potential economic benefit of introducing new parasitoids of tephritid fruit flies into Hawai`i and other infested regions. Biological control is increasingly viewed as a practical, safe and economically effective means of fruit fly control, and its importance continues to grow as pesticide use becomes more restricted. Imported parasitoids can incrementally increase fly mortality, reduce infestations and contribute to a systems approach to quarantine security for fruit and vegetable industry exports.”
      See oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u residents still have time to register
to vote in the General Election.
ONE MORE WEEK REMAINS TO REGISTER to vote. During the two weeks prior to the Nov. 4 General Election, absentee walk-in voting will be available at Pahala Community Center. 
      Voters have five proposed state constitutional amendments and one proposed amendment to the County Charter to vote on this General Election. One state constitutional amendment relating to disclosure of judicial nominees asks, “Shall the Judicial Selection Commission, when presenting a list of nominees to the governor or the chief justice to fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, Supreme Court, intermediate appellate court, circuit courts or district courts, be required, at the same time, to disclose that list to the public?”
      Another relating to agricultural enterprises asks, “Shall the state be authorized to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to assist agricultural enterprises on any type of land, rather than only important agricultural lands?”
      The state Legislature proposed that the mandatory retirement age for all state court justices and judges be increased from seventy to eighty years of age. Voters will decide next month.
      Relating to early childhood education, another proposed amendment asks, “Shall the appropriation of public funds be permitted for the support or benefit of private early childhood education programs that shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex or ancestry, as provided by law?”
      The fifth proposed amendment asks, “Shall the state be authorized to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to offer loans to qualifying dam and reservoir owners to improve their facilities to protect public safety and provide significant benefits to the general public as important water sources?”
      Term of appointment for the County Clerk is the subject of a proposed Hawai`i County Charter amendment that would create a four-year term for the position, with the County Council having the authority to remove the County Clerk from office by a two-thirds vote of its membership.
      Voter registration forms are available at local post offices and libraries and online at hawaiicounty.gov/elections-voter-registration.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S ART SHOW began today at CU Hawai`i Credit Union in Na`alehu. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Thursday. Along with People’s Choice, which will be on the cover of The Directory 2015, first, second and third place will be awarded in categories of Graphic, Wood, Craft, Sculpture and Quilting. Keiki categories for grades one through six are Graphic and Photo.

KA`U YOGIS CAN BE A PART OF THE THIRD annual Time for Yoga Global Community Practice as National Yoga Month Goes Global. Yoga studios, teachers and students unite on tomorrow, Sept. 30 for a worldwide yoga practice.
      At 7 p.m. local time at Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission, yoga students of all levels are encouraged to practice yoga as an international observance and the culmination of Yoga Month. A gentle one-hour yoga practice will be followed by savasana at 8 p.m. and a 15-minute meditation for universal peace and well-being at 8:15 p.m. “By participating during your own local time, a wave of yoga will take place around the globe,” said yoga teacher Stephanie Pepper.
      September is National Yoga Month, a national observance designed to build awareness of yoga’s health benefits and provide people with actionable guidance and tools to enhance their own well-being.
      Pepper is offering a free yoga class to new students through October. She teaches each Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji. For more information, call 937-7940.

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

See  kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.