The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, May 21, 2019

See the entire Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks 2018 Impact Report online, with its history of challenges
brought on by the volcanic activity of 2018. Cover image from Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association

HAWAIʻI PACIFIC PARKS ASSOCIATION released its 2018 Impact Report yesterday afternoon, detailing its challenges and accomplishments. During the earthquakes, eruption, and destabilization of the Jaggar Museum, the Association lost its book store there, one of three inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
A letter from the Association's board chair Rosemary Stancampiano and its Executive Director Margot Griffith introduces the report. It says 2018 is notable for "the great hulihia (overturning, change) wrought to the lands of Kīlauea, the landscape of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park - and to all of us who are privileged to live and work on or near this wahi pana (legendary place)."
The letter notes that in early 2018, "Visitors flocked to the viewing platform at Jaggar Museum... to enjoy the awe-inspiring sight of the active lava lake in the Summit Overlook Vent, which had overtopped its rim and flowed onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu in April.

"Then came the series of volcanological events that began on April 30th: the draining of the lava lake in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on Kīlauea's Middle East Rift Zone; the onset of the eruption in the Lower East Rift Zone on May 3; the 6.9 earthquake on May 4; and the draining of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. In anticipation of elevated activity at the summit, most of the park was closed for an indeterminate amount of time beginning on May 11." The two largest Hawaiʻi Pacific Park Association venues closed. "In the days and weeks that followed, Halema‘ma‘u and the surrounding caldera floor subsided dramatically, accompanied by collapse explosions registering as 5+ magnitude earthquakes, thousands of smaller magnitude felt earthquakes, and 60,000 quakes overall."
The letter describes a "remarkable staff" who moved the Association to temporary locations and "ventured in to Jaggar Museum to affect the rescue of our inventory and equipment." Staff "sorted out real estate, insurance, and other matters; and adapted to new sales environments outside the park in Hilo, all while continuing to deliver service with aloha, and remaining positive."
After the period of calm on Kīlauea began in early August, lava stopped erupting in lower Puna, and summit subsidence and earthquakes ceased, the park reopened on Sept. 22. The Association resumed operations at Kīlauea Visitor Center, and visitors are returning to the park and its "new normal."
The letter notes that "More areas are opening all the time, but the park will have tremendous needs in the near future, as the results of assessments of roads, trails, and infrastructure become clear. This time has not been easy for our board, staff, or our park partners. We have had to employ a considerable amount of belt-tightening to our overhead budget, with impacts to staff, and continuing to provide aid to parks funding to our partners has also been challenging. We continued to fund key park programs such as West Hawai‘i park cultural festivals, and fulfilled our commitment of $40,000 in support of endangered species protection at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park."

In 2018, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association provided financial support to the Park for Interpretation and Volunteers, Species Protection, Hale Rehabilitation, Cultural Programs and Events, and Youth Programs, valued at $690,764 of in-kind support and money, much of it raised through the stores at Kīlauea Visitor Center, Kahuku Unit, and before it closed, Jaggar Museum.
The Association also supports Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site on the north Kohala Coast; Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, north of Kailua-Kona; Haleakalā National Park on Maui; and National Park of American Samoa.
See the entire Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks 2018 Impact Report online.
See more at hawaiipacificparks.org.

Nippon Air passengers can purchased a stuffed Flying Honu
named Lani on flights to and from Hawaiʻi.
Image from All Nippon Airways

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THE SECOND OF THREE AIRBUS PASSENGER PLANES -- PAINTED UP LIKE HONU, the threatened Hawaiian green sea turtle -- was recently delivered from its French manufacturing plant to All Nippon Airways. Aviation Pulse news says the planes come in "a unique livery. Inspired by the
crystal-clear water of the ocean surrounding

Inflatable Flying Honu toys.
Image from All Nippon Airways

Hawai‘i, the green livery depicts the face of a Hawaiian Honu (turtle) with a welcoming smile."

Flying Honu model plane.
Image from All Nippon Airways

Aviation Pulse quotes Yutaka Ito, Executive Vice President of All Nippon Airways: "We are excited to welcome the second A380 into our world class fleet of aircraft. With its visually distinct livery that evokes the folklore and traditions of Hawai‘i, and the outstanding features of the A380, the beautiful Emerald Green FLYING HONU lives up to the ANA standard of excellence. We are ready to welcome the plane to Narita Airport so that we can begin operations."
The three Aribus A380 Flying Honu are planned for flights between Narita, Japan and Hawai‘i. The first Flying Honu will begin service May 24, the second in June. Passengers can make purchases of Flying Honu toys, including a model Flying Honu plane, inflatable Flying Honu planes, and a soft toy Honu named Lani.

All Nippon Air received 2,197 entries in its design contest for its
new planes. The Honu design won. Photo from All Nippon Airways

To come up with the Flying Honu name and design, All Nippon Airways launched a design contest in 2016. The airline received 2,197 entries and reported, "For the winning entry, we chose a turtle family-themed design featuring a sea turtle relaxing together with its children in the blue Hawaiian ocean."
A statement on the All Nippon Airways website says that good luck went into the decision to use the honu for its new aircraft: "The Hawaiian word 'honu' is a term of endearment used towards the sea turtle, and reflects the widespread love that the Hawaiian people feel for this animal. It is believed to be a sacred creature in Hawai‘i, and those who manage to catch a glimpse of one are said to be blessed with good fortune and prosperity. We decided to name these special liveries FLYING HONU (meaning 'flying sea turtle') in the hope that our customers traveling to Hawai‘i on these aircraft will also be blessed with good fortune."

All Nippon Airways decorates its three new Airbus passenger planes, made in France, with images of
the threatened Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, the Honu, and has named the fleet the Flying Honu.
Image from All Nippon Airways

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A MEETING ABOUT THE WIND FARM ON KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL LANDS at South Point will be held this Thursday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Public input on the Pakini Nui Wind Farm, operated by Tawhiri, along South Point Road, will be taken by the Environmental Protection Agency. The concern is for protection of endangered species such as native Hawaiian bats and endangered birds. The wind farm has presented a plan to help prevent their injury and death. The meeting also concerns wind farms on Maui and O‘ahu. See more in the May 10 Ka‘ū News Briefs.

Cattle grazing near Pakini Nui at South Point. Photo by Peter Anderson

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com..

See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

JUST ANNOUNCED

KĪLAUEA LUAU BUFFET happens every Friday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Adults $16.25, keiki ages 6 to 11 $8.25. Free Hula Show on June 7, 14, and 21 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 967-8356 for more information. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

UPCOMING

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

Story Time with Auntie Linda of Tūtū & Me, Wednesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Pāhala Public and School Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571

Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Star Hanging, Wednesday, May 22, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 16-21. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, MAY 23
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, May 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, MAY 24

Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association's 21st annual Rural Health Conference and General Membership Meeting happens Friday, May 24, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. The meeting features youth achievements recognition and community resource networks, and offers free health screenings, informational booths, food exhibits, and door prizes.

Special guests are Dr. Neal Palafox, MD, MPH Professor; University of Hawaiʻi; John A. Burns School of Medicine; and Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. A focus of the event will be embracing and understanding the cultural transition of Marshallese.

To be a vendor at the event, call the Resource and Distance Learning Center at 928-0101. See krhcai.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 2515th Annual Celebration of Life Lantern Floating, Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Reed's Bay, Hilo, same day Pre-Event, 1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m., Ka‘ū Hospital, Pāhala. Pre-event features motorcycle and classic car community riding in procession to the hospital to meet and greet patients, staff and Ka‘ū Community before riding to main event. Celebration of life bracelet available online, $10 donation, limited supply. Public welcome to both events. Benefits Hawai‘i Care Choices. 969-1733, hawaiicarechoices.org

Support Ka‘ū Coast Stewardship by attending the Of Water classical piano and opera concert at Pāhala Plantation House on Saturday, May 25, at 6 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are $25, donations for stewardship are welcome. See more, below.

SUNDAY, MAY 26

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Public Update on Senior Housing happens Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m. okaukakou.org

Memorial Day Buffet, Monday, May 27, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. BBQ Pork Ribs, Local Styles Fried Chicken, Smoked Vegetable Kabobs, salads and more. $20.95/Adults, $11.95/Child (ages 6-11). No reservations required. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

TUESDAY, MAY 28
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, May 28, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, May 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

After Dark in the Park – Hawai‘i's Landfill Crisis: From Hopeless to Hopeful, Tuesday, May 28, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Special guest speakers Lori Kahikina, P.E. Director, Department of Environmental Services and Jim Howe, Emergency Services Director present sobering look at Hawaiʻi’s future and a call to action that provides hope while separating myth from reality. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

Summer Programs for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary registrations are open. Uplink All-Stars on Friday, June 7 through Friday, June 28 for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 21, Algebra camp is also open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8.

For high school students, Early College runs from Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11.

All three programs require registration by calling 313-4100.

Open to all people under age 18, no registration required, the Seamless Summer Program offers free breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., and free lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on weekdays in the school cafeteria.

Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, runs through June 16, daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.

Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.

___________________________________________________________________
A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAʻŪ COAST will be held on Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. The concert is one in a series of performances during the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, in its third season in the islands. The series is called Of Water.

Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy
Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo

2018 International Bach Competition
Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum.
HIMF photo

The recital features internationally acclaimed artists Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra and 2018 International Bach Competition Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum. They will perform works by Turina, Mahler, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, Duke, and more.
Donations accepted at the event go to Kaʻū Coast non-profit stewardship organizations, including Nā Mamo O Kāwā, nmok.org; Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo, honuapopark.org; Ala Kahakai Trail Association, alakahakaitrail.org; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, wildhawaii.org; and Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, hoomalukau@gmail.com.
In addition to the opportunity to donate to coastal stewardships, an opportunity to support Hawaiʻi International Music Festival is available by reserving best seats for $25 each. They are available at recitalpahala.bpt.me and at the door – cash or check only. See the concert schedule for other islands at himusicfestival.com. For overnight accommodations, contact Pāhala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811.
___________________________________________________________________

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Monday, May 20, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 20, 2019

More than $7,000 will go to the Roxana and Orlando Argueta family, following Sunday's fundraiser at Miranda Farm.
The family and donors prayed for the fire victims. Photo by Julia Neal

OVER $7,000 WAS RAISED YESTERDAY at a fundraiser for the Argueta family, who lost their newly-built home in a fire in April in Ocean View. Miranda Farm, on Highway 11 near the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, hosted the event, with fresh homemade tacos, Salvadoran and Mexican Tamales, and Miranda Farm's coffee. An auction of donated baked goods helped raise more dough.

Maria Miranda helps Pastor Bob Stevenson auction off a dessert during a
fundraiser for her family members whose new home burned down in
Ocean View in April. Photo by Lee McIntosh

Maria Miranda, former Miss Kaʻū Coffee, of Miranda Farm, organized the event. She told The Kaʻū Calendar what happened to her family's home: "On April 23, 2019, my family received a devastating call that our family's house in Ocean View, Hawaiʻi had been engulfed in flames. My Aunt Roxana and my Uncle Orlando had been close to completing the construction of their first home, when in an instant they were left with nothing but the debris of fallen ashes.

"Unfortunately, since the house was under construction, there was no insurance coverage for the house. Over ten years of savings was completely lost. The loss from the fire is estimated at over $125,000 of material and labor.

The entrance to Miranda Farm from Hwy 11.
Photo by Michael Worthington

"This tragedy has shaken them, but they are standing strong and are grateful that no one was harmed. They have faith in God that they will rebuild their dream home in the future. I humbly ask that if you find it in your heart to give to this wonderful family, your support would be greatly appreciated."

Miranda said her family reported that neighbors saw someone leave the house just before it went up in flames. Anyone with clues or information regarding the possibility of arson is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Miranda Farms representatives said they hope to hold more fundraisers for the Argueta family to help to rebuild the house lost to fire.
To donate, see gofundme.com/f/my-aunts-house-burnt-down-today.

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Coffee and cattle at Miranda Farm. Photo by Julia Neal

THE COUNTY GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION TOLD THE STATE last week that it wants to provide more input to a Game Management Plan for the island. Commissioners, DLNR representatives, and members of the game hunting community gathered at a public meeting in Hilo last Tuesday.

Pele Defense Fund leader Palikapu Dedman, originally from Kaʻū, told the commission to develop the plan with input from local hunters before passing it on to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. Commissioner Teresa Nakama said the Game Management Plan is "for our people that we represent; DLNR does not represent us. They are a political entity telling us what to do."

Palikapu Dedman.
Photo from Big Island Video News

Richard Hoeflinger, who has long worked on developing a plan on behalf of hunters, said they spent a dozen years on a plan for Hawaiʻi Island. In 2007, a group of Hawaiʻi Island hunters met with DNLR officials to ask for a plan that would "sustainably manage Hawaiʻi's resources," to include game that many local people hunt to feed their families. The game includes wild pigs, sheep, turkeys, and other game birds. After the hunters approached the state, DNLR hired a game management planner.

For three years, DLNR staff and hunters started drafting a plan. It identified game animals and their habitats, the human resources that could manage habitats and hunting, and economics of hunting. The process stalled before a final plan was implemented. Hoeflinter said, "From April 2010 to April 2017, nothing happened."
In April of 2017, DLNR sent the working group of hunters an "extensively revised version" of the game management plan. Hoeflinger said that DLNR reported during meeting of the working group in May 2018 that it would also issue a contract to create a game bird management plan.

DLNR wildlife biologist Kanalu Sprout and Steve Bergfield, Hawaiʻi Island forestry manager, both working for DNLR, said they plan to draft a new version of the game management plan from earlier versions, to be presented to the Hawaiʻi County Game Management Commission.

Steve Bergfield and Kanalu Sproat of DLNR.
Photo from Big Island Video News

Sproat and Bergfield said the commission should take concerns to state Game Management Advisory Commission representative, Ryan Clauson, first deputy director of DLNR, Bob Matsuda, or DNLR's Division of Forestry & Wildlife administrator, Dave Smith.

Palikapu Dedman said that DLNR has a "bad habit" of telling local communities what to do with game, fishing, and other natural resources, and that Hawaiʻi Island should be responsible for its own natural resources management.

Donald Garo, with niece Cileyna holding his daughter

Dlyla, weigh their pig at the Olson Trust weigh in

site in Pāhala during the second annual Kaʻū

Multicultural Society Pig Hunt. Photo by Aloha Vierra

Dedman said the commission needs to listen to hunters so they can "tell how much pigs they catch. How much boars they see. How many billies they see. How many nēnē they see. What part of the district they stay in." He said the "heart of every hunter" is about taking care of "this island, its future, its resources."

Dedman remarked that game animals could become backup for imported food to survive, in case of disaster. "Get a count, get a map, get everybody kōkua."

He questioned the classifying of wild boar as an invasive species, saying pork had been "used in our ceremonies for how long?"

Teri Napeahi, also of Pele Defense Fund, said she is concerned that the present rules are only about control and eradication of invasive species.

Danny Itos, a hunter who spoke on behalf of himself and other hunters, asked what is being done about invasive weeds.

Mark Carvilio said he raises goats and sheep to help control invasive plant species without disturbing endemic plants. He will be the guest speaker at the next commission meeting, in June.

Richard Hoeflinger.
Photo from Big Island Video News

The Hawaiʻi county Game Management Advisory Commission is comprised of Stanley Mendes, Kean Umeda, James O'Keefe, Naniloa Pogline, Abraham Antonio, Grayson Hashida, Bronsten-Glenn "Kalei" Kossow, Teresa Nakama, and George Donev.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

TEACHERS NEEDING SCHOOLROOM SUPPLY HELP can sign up at ClassroomGiving.org. The site helps link donors with specific classrooms. Teachers can sign their classroom up by creating a supplies wish list on Amazon; verifying school employment, contact, and delivery information; and emailing the information to give@classroomgiving.org. Teachers can see the instructions at https://sites.google.com/site/classroomgiving/get-listed.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

JUST ANNOUNCED

RED PIN BOWLING happens every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at Kīlauea Military Camp Lanes, located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Bowl a strike with the RED PIN in the head pin position and get that game free. $3 per game, $1.75 shoe rental – don't forget to bring socks. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

UPCOMING

TUESDAY, MAY 21

Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Star Hanging, Wednesday, May 22, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 16-21. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, MAY 23
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, May 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, MAY 24

To be a vendor at the event, call the Resource and Distance Learning Center at 928-0101. See krhcai.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 25
15th Annual Celebration of Life Lantern Floating, Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Reed's Bay, Hilo, same day Pre-Event, 1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m., Ka‘ū Hospital, Pāhala. Pre-event features motorcycle and classic car community riding in procession to the hospital to meet and greet patients, staff and Ka‘ū Community before riding to main event. Celebration of life bracelet available online, $10 donation, limited supply. Public welcome to both events. Benefits Hawai‘i Care Choices. 969-1733, hawaiicarechoices.org

Support Ka‘ū Coast Stewardship by attending the Of Water classical piano and New York Metropolitan Opera soprano concert at Pāhala Plantation House on Saturday, May 25, at 6 p.m. The soprano is a member of the Lorie Obra family of Ka`u Coffee fame. See more, below.

SUNDAY, MAY 26

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Public Update on Senior Housing happens Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m. okaukakou.org

MONDAY, MAY 27
Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 27, 3 p.m., Front Lawn, Kīlauea Military Camp. Keynote speaker: Lt. Col. Loreto Borce, Jr., Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area. Open to public. In case of rain ceremony will be moved indoors. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Memorial Day Buffet, Monday, May 27, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. BBQ Pork Ribs, Local Styles Fried Chicken, Smoked Vegetable Kabobs, salads and more. $20.95/Adults, $11.95/Child (ages 6-11). No reservations required. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

ONGOING

For high school students, Early College runs from Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11.

All three programs require registration by calling 313-4100.

Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy
Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo

2018 International Bach Competition
Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum.
HIMF photo

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, May 19, 2019

PONC wants to preserve the area in white, where Manākaʻa Fishing Village is located. Map from Big Island Video News

PRESERVATION OF ANOTHER 1.2 MILES OF KAʻŪ COAST is up for consideration by the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. The 348 acre Kawala parcel includes a portion of the Ala Kahaki Trail and the Manākaʻa Fishing Village. It is contiguous to already-preserved state land that is contiguous to the 2,013 acre Kahilipali-Waikapuna property, which is finalized for purchase for conservation.

During the PONC meeting last Monday, assurance of public access to the Kawala property came up. Keoni Fox, of the Ala Kahakai Trail Association, said access would come from adjacent mauka property owners and Ala Kahakai Trail. The Trail Association has agreed to steward the Kahilipali-Waikapuna properties along with the Ala Kahakai Trail through Kawala and along all of the Kaʻū Coast. He said Ala Kahakai is a federally established trail open to the public and noted that public use of the trail was established by Queen Liliuokalani in 1892, when "she passed the highways and trails act. All trails and highways and roads that were in existence at that time were to be owned by people and that law has since been adopted by our state constitution. Even though these properties are all private, we try to remind the public that they have rights to use those trails."

PONC commissioner Rick Warshauer. Photo from Big Island Video News

The Kawala property is owned by Kawala, LLC, of Waimea. It is designated agriculture, except for the makai portion near the pali, which is designated conservation. More than a decade ago, owners of the property proposed a consolidation and resubdivision of the land which would have created long, narrow lots above the coast for maximum value and views. The current ownership group has agreed to sell the coastal property for preservation. See 2013 and 2014 stories in The Kaʻū News Briefs.
PONC commissioner Rick Warshauer said, "The protection of the Kaʻū Coastline has been a long standing goal of the community, as expressed in the Community Development Plan and interests in other related projects, particularly those along the Ala Kahakahi where connectivity along that trail is important." He described the Kawala property as being geologically old, having a special prominence, making it higher than some surrounding properties. In terms of a link along the Ala Kahakai Trail, he said, the view is "particularly good on the makai side where you can sweep along, as you walk along the coast, you can see east, you can see south, and you can see makai." He also noted that, due to its age, much ash has accumulated on the land and it has been largely used for agriculture. He said that its importance is less for native organisms and more for its view, its cultural significance, and protection of the coastline along that trail. "It's an important link in the chain."

A focus of the preservation effort are the remains of the Manākaʻa Fishing Village. It is located in a kipuka, which takes up a good portion of the property, and is surrounded by a stone wall. Warshauer said the remains of the village are "mostly overgrown," which lends protection to the site; "it's not obvious where all the features are." Manākaʻa is named after a man "who was turned to stone by Pele as he grieved over the loss of his children, Kanoa and Pōpōʻohai," according to ulukau.org.

More than a decade ago, owners of the Kawala property planned to consolidate and resubdivide the land to create high
value lots along the coast. Instead, it is now being considered by PONC for conservation.
Subdivision map from Hawaiʻi County Planning Department

PONC is determining which properties suggested by the public islandwide should be slated for for purchase with two percent of property taxes collected in Hawaiʻi County, designated for conserving special lands. PONC's recommendations go to the County Council and the mayor for approval. Members of PONC are E. Koonan Paik Mander, Kaiʻena Bishaw II, Shelly Bee Allen Naungayan, Dr. Wayne Frank, Rick Warshauer, Kekaulike P. Tomich, and Susan Weiss Fischer.
The PONC administrative secretary and contact is Maxine Cutler at 961-8069, Maxine.Cutler@hawaiicounty.gov.

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ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, the Hawaiian hoary bat, can be affected by windfarms.

Photo from Animalia-life.com

GIVE INPUT ON PAKINI NUI WIND FARM'S SOUTH POINT OPERATIONAL PLANS aimed at reducing danger to endangered endemic animals. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service holds a public meeting this Thursday, May 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Nāʻālehu Community Center. Animals of concern are ʻōpeʻapeʻa, Hawaiian hoary bat; nēnē, Hawaiian goose; and ʻuaʻumu, Hawaiian petrel. These animals occasionally fly into the windmills and are sometimes disturbed by windmills in their living space.

The windfarm produced 20.5 megawatts of renewable power to Hawaiʻi Electric Light last year, contributing almost 10 percent of the island's power.

See fws.gov/pacificislands. Public comment is open through June 10.

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PUNA GEOTHERMAL IS IN TALKS WITH HELCO to restart operations and sell electricity to the utility. Tom Callis of Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald reported Saturday that price talks between HELCo and Puna Geothermal Venture are ongoing in light of PGV preparing to reopen. The geothermal plant closed shortly before part of its facilities were covered by lava during last year's volcanic eruption.

Before it shut down, geothermal contributed, in 2017, 38 megawatts, 31 percent of renewable energy used on the island.

Lava approaching Puna Geothermal last year. The owners hope to

reopen by the end of this year. USGS photo

Mike Kaleikini, senior director of Hawaiʻi affairs for Ormat, PGV's parent company, told Callis part of the renegotiation is disconnecting the cost of oil from the price PGV charges HELCo for electricity. The current agreement ties oil cost to the first 25MW sold to HELCo during peak hours, reported Callis. The Public Utilities Commission, reports Callis, is encouraging HELCo and PGV to lower prices.

Kaleikini told Callis that PGV plans to be operational by the end of the year, and that the plant is assessing the wells that were quenched or covered prior to the lava inundation. New wells could be built. Kalekini told Callis that PGV is permitted to operate as many as 28 geothermal wells. When the geothermal plant shut down, it was operating seven production wells and five injection wells. Two wells were covered by lava.
At a meeting in Pāhoa on Friday, PGV plant manager Jordan Hara said corrosion issues make the reopening a big job, as everything at the plant, including generators, must be rebuilt. "We probably have an average of about 40 to 50 contractors on site giving us a hand, from all over the United States," he said.

In preparation for reopening, PGV built Pioneer Road over hardened lava to its plant. The road opened in April, and is accessible for PGV contractors and employees but also to about 250 landowners whose lots were cut off by the lava flow. See more in the Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald.

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NO TSUNAMI THREAT from a 6.7 magnitude earthquake this morning near the Loyalty Islands, north of New Zealand, reports the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

JUST ANNOUNCED

FATHER'S DAY BUFFET at Kīlauea Military Camp's Crate Rim Café, located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, happens 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 16. Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish, and Vegetable Stir Fry with Tofu will be the main entrees. No reservations required. For more information, call 967-8356. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

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UPCOMING

MONDAY, MAY 20

Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Monday, May 20 (Committees), Tuesday, May 21, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Summer Musical Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song Auditions, Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. Parts for all ages and ability. Cold readings. Dress comfortably to move on stage, be prepared to sign a song that best shows vocal range. Show to run July 12-28. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com

TUESDAY, MAY 21

Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Lei, Tuesday, May 21, 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 13-17. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
Story Time with Auntie Linda of Tūtū & Me, Wednesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Pāhala Public and School Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571

Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Star Hanging, Wednesday, May 22, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 16-21. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Public Update on Senior Housing happens Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m. okaukakou.org

ONGOING

For high school students, Early College runs from Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11.

All three programs require registration by calling 313-4100.

Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy
Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo

2018 International Bach Competition
Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenbaum.
HIMF photo

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About The Kaʻū Calendar

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Monday, May 20, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 20, 2019

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, May 19, 2019