The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Friday, September 16, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, Sept. 16, 2022

Locals looking to see the fire of Kīlauea Crater might choose late night to dawn to avoid tourist crowds. See more from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on good viewing sites below. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

LAST CALL FOR COMMENTS ON THE KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN'S
ACTION ENGAGEMENT: County of Hawai'i sent out a "gentle reminder" on Friday concerning this Sunday, Sept. 18 deadline to fill out its Action Committee Engagement Survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzs8IWvzRasSPfTh0yonvFZ3IiHdOIB3FaLWyzIPK8kgWSYw/viewform.

The reminder from the Community Development Plan staff states that in connection to the General Plan

Comprehensive Review, "our team is exploring improvements to our community engagement program. It is our hope to continue learning from our past experiences as we move forward by clarifying the role and guidelines for both staff and Action Committees. Our goal is to better align our process to create a meaningful and engaging way for community to partner with the County and implement the CDPs.
"The results of this survey will directly inform our direction moving forward; therefore, your participation is extremely important. It should only take about 10 minutes of your time. The deadline for responses is Sunday, September 18th. Please share this link with your network. Please be on the lookout for more information and opportunities for you to contribute to this effort as we seek to improve our community engagement practices. Mahalo for your participation!"

The Kaʻū Community Development Pan is available to read at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzs8IWvzRasSPfTh0yonvFZ3IiHdOIB3FaLWyzIPK8kgWSYw/viewform.
The Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee is comprised of Kaʻū citizens tasked with helping move forward the Kaʻū CDP, in partnership with the Hawai'i County Planing Department and other community stakeholders. However, all public meetings sponsored by the county with the Action Committee were recently canceled by the county, siting staff changes and an effort to better plan community engagement.
Kaʻū's Action Committee members are: Leina'ala Enos, Babette Morrow, Catherine Williams, Kaohinani Mokuali'i, Pernell Hanoa, Jason Masters, Kaweni Ibarra and Jessie Ke. See story at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_08_22_archive.html

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

PEACE WEEK STARTS SUNDAY and Hawaiʻi County invites members of the Kaʻū community to travel to Hilo to help kick it off with a peace pole dedication, making paper cranes, and a walk with the Mayor and taiko drummers this Sunday, Sept. 18. The event will go from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's cosponsored by Blue Zones Project, Rotary International, and Hilo Bayfront Trails.

Food trucks will be on-site from 10 a.m., and entertainment and activities begin at 11 a.m. The peace pole dedication will be hosted by Rotary International at noon, followed by the one-mile walk with Mayor Mitch Roth and the Puna Taiko Group. The walk will begin and end at the Moʻoheau Bandstand, following along the Hilo Bayfront Trails pathway.
"We're asking our community to join us in solidarity as we promote peace and unity," said Roth. "This great family-friendly event will give us the opportunity to enjoy some ʻono local food and entertainment while enjoying all the Hilo Bayfront Trails have to offer. At a time of so much anger and animosity around the world, this is our chance to be a beacon of hope and aloha."
Patrons will also have the opportunity to make their own paper crane with a personal message of peace that will be displayed at the County Building.

Peace Week coincides with the United Nations International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, the day of the vernal equinox, which is observed around the world. The UN General Assembly declared it a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
A U.N. statement says that "achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race." U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”

The U.N. statement says, "As conflicts continue to erupt across the globe, causing people to flee, we have seen race-based discrimination at borders. As COVID-19 keeps attacking our communities, we have seen how certain racial groups have been hit much harder than others. As economies suffer, we have seen hate speech and violence directed at racial minorities.
"We all have a role to play in fostering peace. And tackling racism is a crucial way to contribute. We can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism in our midst. We can support movements for equality and human rights everywhere. We can speak out against hate speech – both offline and online. We can promote anti-racism through education and reparatory justice."

LATE NIGHT TO PRE-DAWN AT KILAUEA CRATER is the least crowded time for looking at the bright lava. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park posted guidance on Friday concerning the best views at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. "This will, of course, depend on your definition of the best view. Do you want a secluded overlook? Views with a stunning background? View off by steam vents? There are many options when it comes to witnessing an eruption.

Late night and predawn are the least crowded viewing times
at Kīlauea Crater. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

"But, if you insist on getting advice from a ranger – overlooks along Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and Kūpinaʻi Pali is where it is at! Visitors have been enjoying views of the vigorous lava lake in this area. According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists, lava has risen 469 feet (143 meters) from the start of the eruption and is continuing to rise.
"Overlooks are very crowded during peak hours which are between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The park is open 24 hours a day, and viewing is exemplary before sunrise and after 9 p.m., weather permitting.
Download the NPS app for a list of the possible eruption viewing overlooks: https://go.nps.gov/appdownload. Also follow Hawai'i volcanoes facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps.

TROJANS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL HOSTS KOHALA Saturday at 10 a.m. at Kaʻū District Gym. Girls and Boys Cross Country heads to Kealakehe for an islandwide meet at 9 a.m. Air Riflery takes on other East Hawai'i Schools at 9a.m. Trojan Girls Bowling takes on Kealakehe at KB Extreme in Kona, followed by Boys Bowling against Kamehameha at 12:30 p.m. Trojans Boys Varsity Football heads to Kea'au to play Pahoa at 2 p.m.

WITHOUT THE OKK SATURDAY OUTDOOR MARKET IN NĀ'ALEHU, sponsor ʻO Kaʻū Kākou reminds the community that market days are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., both days.

See September issue of The Kaʻū Calendar
at www.kaucalendar.com, and in the
mail - Volcano, Kaʻū to South Kona.

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022

Challenged by heat, drought, coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust, Kaʻū and Kona coffee farmers face lower production, but will likely achieve a price increase, says a story on Hawai'i Public Radio's The Conversation. Photo from HPR

KA'Ū AND KONA COFFEE FARMING was featured on Hawai'i Public Radio's The Conversation this week. Interviewed was Suzanne Shriner, who has worked with Kaʻū Coffee farmers over the years.

Suzanne Shriner said some farmers refer to the many recent
challenges in coffee growing as "farmageddon."
Photo from rainwaterwrunoff.com

She said that some Hawai'i Island coffee farmers are bracing for what could be one of their worst years for production, which will likely elevate prices for drinkers of local coffee as well. She said some farmers are reporting a 30 percent to 40 percent reduction in yields, pointing to coffee leaf rust, coffee berry borer, heat and drought.
Shriner is a board member of Hawai'i Coffee Association and president of the Kona Coffee Growers Association, known for her work with Synergistic Hawai'i Agriculture Council. She told HPR, “We've seen that in Kona and Kāʻu in particular, it's been a very dry year. We didn't get our usual summer afternoon rains, which has brought the harvest in a little bit early because it's been hotter than usual. We're struggling a bit with it on all ends. The harvest started in July and will continue through roughly December. July is early. In a normal year, we'd start harvesting in late August or early September, but nothing is normal anymore with the weather patterns. Everything is moving around on us. It's been a problem."

Regarding the price increase, she said, "We'll try and come out equal at the end of the year. But some farmers are reporting yields off 40 percent over their regular crop, for example. And we can't raise our prices 40 percent to match that. But we will raise our prices to try and get a little bit closer to even, which is helpful for us — but not so great for the consumer."
Shriner said Kona Coffee farmers "had a particularly tough time last year with coffee leaf rust, which defoliated a number of our trees, which reduced yields again. So our trees are having a tough year overall," she said. "We jokingly like to call it 'farmageddon' because it always seems like something new is hitting farmers." See the entire interview at https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/podcast/the-conversation/2022-09-13/the-conversation-kona-coffee-crop-lawsuit-update-photographers-go-monochrome-for-new-exhibit

KA'Ū'S CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE is continuing his Hawai'i Not For Sale campaign beyond his effort to become Governor of Hawai'i and beyond the upcoming end of his term in the U.S. House of Representatives. After falling short of winning the gubernatorial Democratic Primary against Vicky Cayetano and the winner Josh Green on Aug. 13, Kahele said he and his family reflected on Hawai'i's future, and suggest that those who share their views take a look at www.hawaiinotforsale.com.

Kahele and his wife Maria also produced a YouTube video thanking those who supported their "unprecedented grassroots campaign and led the charge on critical discussions about campaign finance, including the campaign finance of other candidates." Kahele said, "Our model Hawai'i is Not for Sale grew into a movement which was embraced by other candidates and will serve as a model for others in the future who who stand with our communities first."

Kahele thanked more than 3,000 individual donors to his gubernatorial campaign, "who helped us raise over $215,000 in less than 98 days, with an average contribution of just $63.95. Our campaign pledge to not accept more than a $100 monetary donation, to not have a single fundraiser, and to reject

Kai Kahele and family continue his campaign for finance reform with
www.hawaiinotforsale.com

PAC, corporate and special interest money is something no other candidate for governor has ever attempted to do. Our opponents spent a combined over $6 million on their campaigns, an obscene amount of money when so many local families are struggling to get by."

Kahele said that "Regardless of the result, we are extremely proud of the people powered, grassroots campaign we ran." He thanked those who posted the campaign signs, banners and bumper stickers, which he pointed out, were printed in the U.S. at a union shop.

Kahele thanked three unions who endorsed him, Ironworkers Local 625, Masons Local 630, and United Public Workers Union Local 646. He also thanked those union members who broke rank with unions who did not endorse Kahele in order to vote for Kahele for governor.

Kahele thanked the "37,738 voters who stood for change, who believed in a movement, who believed that Hawai'i should not be for sale, who truly believe in ethics and campaign finance reform and not just rhetoric, who believe this election was not just about covid and name recognition, but about the myriad of issues facing this state over the next decade... I still truly believe that changing campaign and election finance is the reform that will make all other reforms in government possible.... So long as money is the main driver in our politics, we will never make the necessary changes to help our working communities.

Maria Kahele encourages measuring candidates by the
size of their hearts and commitment to this place. Here
she supports her union. Photo from twitter

He contended that this year's gubernatorial election is different than the past, with "the incredible amount of mainland funding our gubernatorial campaigns. The same money driving up housing prices, buying up our land and pushing out local families, is the same money the Democratic nominee for governor has used and is using to fund his campaign. I will never accept this as being good for Hawai'i or for our people. And if we don't change the system that allows this to happen, the Hawai'i we know will start to look dramatically different in the years to come."

Maria Kahele said, "At some point in the future, when Hawai'i truly wants change, we are going to have to measure candidates by the size of their hearts and their commitment to this place, not by the size of their campaign war chests."

"We must be critical of media institution that is beholden to advertising dollars and pressure from big money candidates and their political operatives. We are going to have to start caring about where candidates get their money from and do our own homework on issues and voting records. We can do this, but it will take courage. It will take bold candidates and it will take an electorate who is ready to demand change and hold our elected officials and candidates accountable."

Kai Kahele thanked Gov. David Ige for appointing him to the state Senate, "what would lead me to serve in the United States Congress." Regarding his loss in the gubernatorial primary, Kahele said he respects the democratic process and quoted his father, the late state Senator Gill Kahele: "It is better to lose the right way than win the wrong way."

See the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G-KOS7CL-w

Kahele finishes his term in Congress this year, having chosen to run for governor instead of reelection.

See September issue of The Kaʻū Calendar
at www.kaucalendar.com, and in the
mail - Volcano, Kaʻū to South Kona.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022

What does the future hold for public libraries across the state like this one in Pāhala? The Hawai‘i State Public Library System is taking a public survey about Pāhala, Nā'alehu and other libraries, as it builds plans for future library services and programs.

See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

A BIG CAT, LIKE A MOUNTAIN LION, HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED LOOSE ON HAWAI'I ISLAND, according to a statement Tuesday from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, which notes reported members of the public claiming sitings islandwide:

This photo has been widely circulated by news
and social media and paranormal platforms in
claims of sitings of a big cat on this island.

"The DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife has looked into reports of a ‘big cat,’ but without clear photographs or video it’s impossible to make any determinations. DOFAW staff maintained bait stations and game cameras for three-weeks in the Hōlualoa area, where an animal was first photographed. Staff only saw pigs and small cats in their images. Sightings, reported from all over Hawai’i Island, are unlikely due to the distances and terrain even a large animal would need to traverse. The Hawaiʻi Dept. of Agriculture has authority over this type of situation. Please direct inquiries to DOA."

HAWAI'I IS THE THIRD MOST DIVERSE STATE IN THE COUNTRY, according to a WalletHub study released on Wednesday. Hawai'i ranks first in Racial & Ethnic Diversity, second in Generational Diversity, third in Household Size Diversity and fourth in Worker-Class Diversity. Hawai'i is ninth in Income

Diversity, 13th in Birthplace Diversity, 22nd in Industry Diversity, 25th in Occupational Diversity, 28th in Educational-Attainment Diversity.

The report publishes a quote about the positives of diversity. Rashwawn Ray, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute, said, "There are many pros to living in a diverse state. Exposure to different cultures and ways of life is important. It helps people to be more well-rounded, tolerant, inclusive, and equitable. There really are not too many negatives of diversity unless people native to an area are resistant to change and cultural exposure. This is often where conflict ensues and can lead to a tense environment. Most people who migrate to an area aim to integrate and want to be accepted."

For the full report, see https://wallethub.com/edu/most-least-diverse-states-in-america/38262.

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT Kaʻū and all of rural Hawai'i , Jill Takuda, issued a statement on Tuesday in response to a proposed bill that would ban many abortions at the federal level. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would prohibit abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy and provides some exceptions in cases of rape or to protect the life of the pregnant person.
Tokuda condemned the legislation and called for the election of pro-choice candidates to Congress. "It is no secret that Republicans in Congress have been seeking to ban abortions nationwide." She called the proposal put forth by Sen. Lindsay Graham "a mockery of our rights as women."

Congressional candidate Jill Takuda presses
back on a bill that would erode federal funding
for abortions. Photo from Takuda

"While Republicans are positioning this measure as a compromise, their efforts are insulting and an outright abomination. We, as women, are fighting not just for ourselves, but for our daughters, granddaughters and future generations. Our children should have absolute control over their own bodies – no judicial decision or piece of legislation should ever limit our basic human right to bodily autonomy.
"In order to protect the right to access an abortion and the freedom to make reproductive healthcare decisions, we must elect pro-choice candidates at all levels of government and fight to keep our majority in Congress.
"Hawaiʻi has long been a leader in protecting a woman's right to choose and ensuring access to reproductive healthcare. We will not go backwards in the defense of our rights as women. We must do what we can to expand access to those who need it and ensure that our existing protections remain in place," said Tokuda.

Her opponents in the General Election are Republican Joe Akana and Libertarian Michelle Rose Tippens.

A NEW SOLID WASTE CHIEF WILL OVERSEE VEHICLE DISPOSAL, RECYCLING, LANDFILL DIVERSION INITIATIVES and other responsibilities. County of Hawai‘i announced the appointment on Wednesday of Michael Rivera as Solid Waste Division Chief for the Department of Environmental Management, starting next Monday, Sept. 19.
A graduate of the University of Illinois in Chicago with a BS in chemistry and biology, Rivera worked for Clean Harbors in the environmental laboratory analyzing waste samples for 14 years, conducting waste characterization and waste profiling. He was promoted to Laboratory Manager, leading the laboratory to

Mike Rivera is the new Solid Waste
Division Chief for Hawai'i County.
Photo from Dept. of Environmental Management

treat waste samples, conduct acceptance testing, and profiling waste streams. In 1991, Rivera managed the laboratory for the Laidlaw/Buttonwillow Hazardous Waste Landfill outside of Bakersfield, California. This facility processed and treated hazardous waste for land disposal. His responsibilities were to accept, treat and analyze hazardous waste for appropriate processing.
Beginning in 2002 and for the next 15 years, he worked for Waste Management as the laboratory/scale house manager at the Kettleman Hills Facility in California. The facility managed hazardous and solid waste for treatment, disposal, and transfer. He managed WM facilities in California, including the McKittrick Waste Treatment Site, Anderson Landfill, and the Guadalupe/Kirby Canyon Landfills, as the District Manager, ensuring the respective sites remained in safety, regulatory, and financial compliance. From 2006 to 2008, he was a leadership coach traveling to different facilities ensuring employees were engaged, productive, and efficient.
Since 2016, Rivera has served in the public sector as Manager or Director for solid waste matters for the cities of Garland, Texas, Watsonville, California, and most recently for Raleigh, North Carolina.
In his private life, Rivera is a husband, father of two, owner of four dogs, and an avid golfer, cyclist, runner, and outdoors enthusiast.
Following Rivera’s hiring, Hawai‘i County’s Acting Division Chief, Michael Kaha, resumes his duties as Deputy Chief. In addition, the Acting Deputy Chief, Gene Quiamas, resumes his duties as Environmental Compliance Specialist.

KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUN is this Saturday, Sept. 17. Organized by Hawai'i Island Racers, the very long distance 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m. and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. The 50K cutoff time is nine hours. RFID Chip Timing will come up with the results after the races take off with a gun start.

Proceeds go to support O Kaʻū Kakou, the Kaʻū nonprofit to fund local scholarships, land for a

Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run is this Saturday, public
invited to the start and finish line. Photo by Julia Neal

proposed senior housing project, purchase of life-saving equipment for Kaʻū Hospital, restoration and maintenance of three historical cemeteries, sponsorship of a free Veterans Day celebration, and Fourth of July Parades and fun day.
After the race, hydration and light snacks will be provided to participants. Local vendors from the Kaʻū community will sell chili and rice bowls, Portuguese beach soup, nachos and other foods as well as beverages. Kaʻū Coffee Mill's shop will open at 8 a.m.
The race website says, "From Keiki to Kupuna, the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run is a challenging course that meanders over Pāhala’s unpaved trails. It is the perfect race venue, through coffee fields and macadamia nut groves. The Kaʻū Coffee Mill’s 1,900 acres features courses from 50K, Half Marathon and 5k distances. Please join us for the southern most race in the U.S. The run is done entirely on private property." See last year's results, photos and much more at https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/

Liko A'e Fall Camp at Volcano
Art Center is open for registration.
Photo from VAC

PĀHALA and NĀ’ALEHU LIBRARIES ARE ASKING FOR INPUT. Take a survey. A statement from Hawai'i State Public Library System says, "The Hawai‘i State Public Library System is building plans for future library services and programs. We are conducting a survey to make sure HSPLS is meeting the needs of your community." Take the survey at https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001OLfT6eODtNrDXbr8w6a8nlw8FV55Oi-SnaaSfVRqgDK7S_DBM39es6o-mq959seCcgqWkNFXCQGIuwdcDemxpk_c5nGPJw0A7Q_mANoqszloeF_cendXr1PQoCfZcai_lA0p8wDrjBQqqBSfReLMyA==&c=fsNb0tOSJUTUK8MSvQk1yv_vv4jhAp_4FHlPBHncYFFNWQy9awrNkw==&ch=Qs75PKSa-axCb5NOlGpMTQ-9afhBh6nWuEu9a25KtFeaaWERHpWBkg==.

Handbuilding with clay is one of the
activities at VAC's Fall Camp.
Photo from VAC

THE LIKO A'E FALL CAMP at Volcano Art Center is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 7 for keiki seven to 13 years of age. The Camp will include: handbuilding with clay, creative dance, drawing, hula, 'ukulele, and more.
A weeklong Fall Camp will be held at at VAC’s Niaulani Campus from 8:30 a.m.. – 2:30 p.m. Call Volcano Art Center for more information (808) 967- 8222.

Cost is $250 per child/ $230 for members of VAC. Financial scholarships are available for those in need. Apply for a scholarship Here.

HEALTH SCREENING BY STUDENTS AT DANIEL K. INOUYE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY start up this Saturday, Sept. 17 through its Aloha Project. While the first outreach since before the pandemic will be held on campus in Hilo, outreach to Kaʻū is expected soon.

School of Pharmacy held screenings in Miloli'i as early as 2011,
when the late state Sen. Gil Kahele received health checks.
The school returns to public screenings, beginning in Hilo this
Saturday, following two years of COVID restrictions.

Aloha Project Chair Carly Bell said, “We are happy to be able to again offer these services to the public after taking a two-year break from in-person community-based events during the pandemic. Participants can choose the types of screenings and consultations they want, and our student pharmacists will provide screening results and helpful information, answer questions and can help to connect them with other resources, such as smoking cessation or nutrition management support groups.”

This Saturday's event will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the pharmacy school's Hale Kiho'iho'i Classroom A, located at 722 South Aohoku Place in Hilo. No appointment required.

The College of Pharmacy has conducted health screenings in Kaʻū and Miloli'i, where it started its program in 2011, screening everyone, including the late Sen. Gil Kahele.

See September issue of The Kaʻū Calendar
at www.kaucalendar.com, and in the
mail - Volcano, Kaʻū to South Kona.

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, September 16, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, Sept. 16, 2022

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022