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| The Hawai`i County Band, alive and well, performed at the Ka`u Family Fun Fest. Photo by Misaki Takabayashi |
THE FIRST KA`U FAMILY FUN FEST, sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, was a big success for raising money for a new medical building for Bay Clinic in Na`alehu. While the final figures are not tallied, up to $30,000 has been committed to Bay Clinic from the event and a fundraising challenge by the Edmund C. Olson Trust.
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| Women's Hunters' Obstacle Course winner "Anna Banana" Photo by Nalani Parlin |
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| Overall 5K female winner 11-year-old Kiyena Beatty Photo by Nalani Parlin |
The Fun Fest began with early morning running races and drew 22 runners in a half marathon, 20 in the 10K, and 51 in the 5K. A large crowd gathered for a day of fun at Na`alehu Park. Entertainment, food and public service and product booths kept the crowd going along with the many competitive games.
The half marathon was taken by Michael Sullivan for the men and Merceda Rivera for the women. In the 5K, male overall winner was Lyman Perry, and overall female winner was Kiyena Beatty. In the 10K, overall male winner was Daniel Johnson, and overall female winner was Sasha Gusarchuk.
The Hunters’ Obstacle Course saw Jordan Cabreras winning the male division and “Anna Banana” winning the female division.
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| Dunking booth draws the keiki, who love to see adults take a splash. Photo by Misaki Takabayashi |
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| Men's Hunters' Obstacle course winner Jordan Cabreros Photo by Nalani Parlin |
Portuguese Horseshoes saw team John Masters and Elijah Duncan winning first, Brian Burgos and Russell Salmo winning second and Grant Fukunaga and Chris Chun-Hoon winning third. The overall Jan Ken Po Winner was Jeanette Howard.
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| Mayor Billy Kenoi and Tanya Aynessazian, of Volcano Art Center, conducted a live auction. Photo by Misaki Takabayashi |
THE HAWAI`I COUNTY BAND, which is funded and carrying out a full schedule into the future, performed at the Ka`u Family Fun Fest yesterday in Na`alehu. It plays every month in Hilo and is expected to be back in Ka`u on July 2 for the annual Independence Day Parade.
VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts the third annual Volcano Pottery Sale at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eight Big Island potters showcase a large assortment of pottery and ceramic sculpture at the sale.
NENE IN THE SPACE AGE is the topic at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Wildlife biologist Steven Hess discusses the use of satellite telemetry to track the state bird across Hawai`i Island.
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| In 1914, Thomas Jaggar (r) Frank Perret study a cone on Kilauea's southwest rift. |
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| Thomas Jaggar |
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY is approaching its 100th anniversary, and the journey began without a ribbon-cutting ceremony or grand opening, HVO reports in its recent Volcano Watch. In April of 1909, Thomas A. Jaggar, Jr. was traveling to Japan to learn how its scientists monitor volcanoes. On the way, he stopped in Honolulu and gave a speech calling for systematic study of volcanoes, saying that “no better place could be found for it than ... close to the crater of Kilauea.” He also extolled the accomplishments of American scientist Frank A. Perret, so successful at studying Italian volcanoes and forecasting their behavior that the Crown of Italy decorated him “for his splendid service to science and humanity.” Perret arrived at the edge of Kilauea caldera on July 2, 1911 and began observing the lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater, stretching a 1,200-foot cable across the crater, and constructing a hut for observers and instruments at the eastern edge of the crater. Jaggar arrived at Volcano House hotel on Jan. 17, 1912 and took up Perret’s observations and documentation. Jaggar received his first paycheck on July 1, 1912. This began the continuous record of volcanic activity and the establishment of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television this month on channel 54. It will air on Wednesday, June 15 at 6 p.m.; Friday, June 17 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m.