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| Kilohana Domingo presented the `oli. |
TODAY IS THE DAY THAT GOVERNOR NEIL ABERCROMBIE and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz came to Ka`u. E Ho`omalu O Hawai`i is the name of the ceremony that began at 10 a.m. at Pahala Plantation House. E Ho`omalu O Hawai`i means To Protect Hawai`i.
THE FIRST BILL BEFORE THE COUNTY COUNCIL comes up this Tuesday, December 15 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa. Introduced by new County Council Chair Dominic Yagong, it would require council review of cost overruns from contract changes. Such changes have added millions of dollars to county expenses in some years, Yagong said. He said he wants county spending to be more transparent.
THE SUMMIT OF MAUNA LOA had snowfall to the lowest elevations in years, early yesterday, creating beautiful views from Ka`u, but sunny skies burned it off by midday. The storm, which passed through all the islands, left deep snow on Mauna Kea, too, closing the access road due to low visibility, ice and snow drifts. People working at the astronomy centers left Friday so they wouldn’t be stranded.
THE SKATE PARK at Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano has re-opened following extensive repairs by volunteers. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bicycles, mopeds and scooters are banned from the skate park to prevent damage.
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| Gil Kahele emceed, with musical accompaniment by Demetrius Oliveira, Hulali Ku`ilipuli and Leka. |
EMCEE was Miloli`i community leader Gil Kahele, and musical accompaniment was by Demetrius Oliveira, Hulali Ku`ilipuli and Leka. Both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will make remarks. There was presentation of lei, an opening pule by Aunty Pele Hanoa, of Wai`ohinu, and an ‘oli by Kilohana Domingo, of Ka Lae.
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| Auntie Pele Hanoa with Demitrius Oliveira |
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| Anna Kailiawa Cariaga with Rory Kahakuloa Kailiawa Akau |
A HO`OKIPA`EKE ceremony presented gifts from the communities of Volcano, Pahala, Na`alehu and Ocean View along with special gifts from the Keiki of Ka`u. Anna Kailiawa Cariaga introduced keiki and Rory Kahakulia Kailiawa Akau for an `oli.
MISS KA`U COFFEE, Ulu Makuakane, of Na`alehu, danced hula to Aloha Hawai`i Ku`u One Hanau, sung by Hulali Ku`ilipuli. Everyone was invited to stand up and sing and dance hula to Uncle George Na`ope’s Ka Nani A`o Ka`u. About 45 members of the Boys and Girls Club attended.
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| Miss Ka`u Coffee, Ulu Makuakane, danced for the governor and lieutenant governor. |
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| Ka`u Boys and Girls Club members joined the governor in singing Christmas carols. |
PAHALA’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE took place at 1 p.m. today, with churches, clubs, businesses and farms represented. This is the parade that goes to many of the houses in the village with Santa offering candy. It also makes a stop at Ka`u Hospital.
THE FIRST BILL BEFORE THE COUNTY COUNCIL comes up this Tuesday, December 15 at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa. Introduced by new County Council Chair Dominic Yagong, it would require council review of cost overruns from contract changes. Such changes have added millions of dollars to county expenses in some years, Yagong said. He said he wants county spending to be more transparent.
THE SUMMIT OF MAUNA LOA had snowfall to the lowest elevations in years, early yesterday, creating beautiful views from Ka`u, but sunny skies burned it off by midday. The storm, which passed through all the islands, left deep snow on Mauna Kea, too, closing the access road due to low visibility, ice and snow drifts. People working at the astronomy centers left Friday so they wouldn’t be stranded.
THE SKATE PARK at Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano has re-opened following extensive repairs by volunteers. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bicycles, mopeds and scooters are banned from the skate park to prevent damage.