Ka`u News Briefs April 29, 2011

Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya (center), Young Miss Ka`u Coffee Dayse Meleani Andrade (left) and
Miss Ka`u Peaberry Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar will join first First Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess Jaeneise Cuison
and Second Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess Brandy Eder on the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative's floats
in the Merrie Monarch Parade tomorrow morning in Hilo.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS PRODUCED the final draft of a two-year budget “that attempts to preserve the most basic of services – core government services – in these trying times,” said Rep. Marcus Oshiro, chair of the House Finance Committee. The budget eliminates state furlough days, including those for schools. Although cuts in Medicaid are included in the budget, there is no cut to the core benefit package of basic monthly benefits to temporary assistance for needy families, said Department of Human Services director Patricia McManaman.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro

     Still to be considered are various appropriations bills to pay for the services. On the table are suspending general excise tax exemptions for businesses, taxing pensions and removing income tax deductions of high-income earners, capping the amount of the Transient Accommodations Tax that goes to the counties and raising the general excise tax.
     The budget now goes to full House and Senate to be voted on before the Legislature adjourns on Thursday.

THE VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES held its third annual Keakealani Walkfest yesterday. Children in grades K – 8 got residents to sponsor them to walk for two to three hours, going distances from three to nine miles, to raise money for the building fund used to prepare the Keakealani School House for classes later this year. Sponsorships were $100 per student or $1,000 per class. More fundraising is being planned.

AT MONDAY’S MEETING of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, the proposal for Ka`u’s Highway 11 to be named a Scenic Byway was well received. Rita Pregana, of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit, called Ka`u “the last remaining soul of the Hawaiians.” Dennis Elwell said state approval is expected in late June, at which point the proposal would go to the federal government for approval.
     The Chamber is holding another meeting at Punalu`u Bake Shop on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Applications for new board members are being accepted. Interested parties can join the meeting, call the Chamber at 939-8449 or Marge Elwell at 929-7236, or send resumes to PO Box 6710, Ocean View 96737.

ABOUT A DOZEN KA`U COFFEE farmers and representatives are attending the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention in Houston. The are making contacts with coffee buyers from all over the world and learning about sustainability, marketing, farm practices, roasting and tasting. Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm, Rusty’s Hawaiian 100% Ka`u Coffee, Kailiawa Coffee and Ka`u Farm & Ranch are some of the participating organizations. 

KAHU 91.7 FM is looking for local residents who are interested in walking alongside the station’s turtle car and banner in the Merrie Monarch Parade tomorrow morning. Call the KAHU office at 935-8874 or Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a at 640-1435 to sign up.

First Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess
Jaeneise Cuison in the
Gown Competition.

Second Miss Ka`u Coffee Princess
Brandy Eder in the
Gown Competition.

THE KA`U COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE is also preparing for the Merrie Monarch Parade. Their two floats will showcase winners from the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant held last Saturday. Miss Ka`u Coffee Queen Brandy Shibuya will be accompanied by her court, first Princess Jaeneise Cuison and Second Princess Brandy Eder. Also representing Ka`u Coffee will be Miss Ka`u Peaberry Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee Dayse Meleani Andrade. 

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS hosts the Spring Fling at Punalu`u Bake Shop’s new pavilion tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. Opening the day will be the Ka`u `Ohana Band, playing patriotic and inspiring marches. The Na`alehu Civic Club Singers, Hands of Time and Keoki Kahumoku and more will perform. Ka`u artists and artisans will display their creations and offer them for sale, give demonstrations and lead art activities.

Jim "Kimo" West
Photo by Kristine Slipson

JIM “KIMO” WEST PLAYS slack key guitar at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village tonight at 7 p.m. Special guests Dennis and Christy Soares also perform. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 967-8222. 

     Also at VAC’s Niaulani Campus is the second annual May Day is Lei Day Festival on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cultural practitioner Loke Kamanu will showcase a display of various lei and assist in hands-on lei making using ti and kui style, using flowers. Lei makers of all ages and levels of experience can enter a lei contest. All lei entries become part of a silent auction fundraiser to benefit VAC’s year-round educational offerings.
     Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org for details.