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| Bay Clinic's current building will be preserved for counseling and other offices. |
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| The site of Bay Clinic's new building in Na`alehu will be blessed Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. |
“In addition to expanding access to affordable medical care, the new clinic will provide dental and family counseling services and fully incorporate Bay Clinic’s evolving care model known as the ‘Patient Centered Medical Home,’” said Paul Strauss, who said there is a “new day for health care in Ka`u.”
To RSVP for the blessing, call Sarah Ferreira at 895-5872.
PAHALA LIBRARY WAS OPEN only 64 days of the 121 days that were scheduled between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 this year, according to Pahala resident Dorothy Kalua, who spoke at Sen. Gil Kahele’s forum this week in Pahala. She said the reason given by the state administration for libraries is that Pahala is always the library that closes when there are staff shortages at Na`alehu or Pahala. Librarian Dawn Shibano left her position at Pahala Library in April, and the Ka`u libraries are short two members, but the positions have not been posted, she said. Kahele and Rep. Bob Herkes said they both support keeping the library open and will look into the issue.
THE $17.9 MILLION DOLLAR DISASTER SHELTER AND GYM will be on the radar of Rep. Bob Herkes, who said at the Kahele forum this week that he plans to stay involved in the planning and construction to “make sure it gets done.” During the Kahele forum this week in Pahala he said he worked on the project to have a federally certified disaster shelter in Ka`u for eight or nine years. The money was recently released to the county to oversee construction and to manage the facility. He said it could be built on either county property next to Ka`u High School or on the school grounds, which are owned by the state.
To RSVP for the blessing, call Sarah Ferreira at 895-5872.
PAHALA LIBRARY WAS OPEN only 64 days of the 121 days that were scheduled between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 this year, according to Pahala resident Dorothy Kalua, who spoke at Sen. Gil Kahele’s forum this week in Pahala. She said the reason given by the state administration for libraries is that Pahala is always the library that closes when there are staff shortages at Na`alehu or Pahala. Librarian Dawn Shibano left her position at Pahala Library in April, and the Ka`u libraries are short two members, but the positions have not been posted, she said. Kahele and Rep. Bob Herkes said they both support keeping the library open and will look into the issue.
THE $17.9 MILLION DOLLAR DISASTER SHELTER AND GYM will be on the radar of Rep. Bob Herkes, who said at the Kahele forum this week that he plans to stay involved in the planning and construction to “make sure it gets done.” During the Kahele forum this week in Pahala he said he worked on the project to have a federally certified disaster shelter in Ka`u for eight or nine years. The money was recently released to the county to oversee construction and to manage the facility. He said it could be built on either county property next to Ka`u High School or on the school grounds, which are owned by the state.
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| Kenton Eldridge Photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy |
KENTON ELDRIDGE, co-founder and partner in `Aina Koa Pono, which plans to build a refinery and biofuel farm in Ka`u, is the new chair of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i, according to a report in yesterday’s Pacific Business News.
Eldridge is managing director of Sennet Capital, which he co-founded with the new chair of the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Richard Lim. Eldridge has a background in retailing with Federated Department Stores and Duty Free Shoppers. He is a former U.S. military intelligence officer, according to the story in PBN.
Eldridge serves as advisor to Innovasc and The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawai`i. He has served on boards of American Savings Bank, Assets School, HiBeam and Hoku Scientific.
The Olson Trust recently contributed $500,000 to The Nature Conservancy to protect native forests in Ka`u and South Kona. Its Ka`u mission includes caring for the endangered hawksbill turtle preserve at Kamehame Beach, the Kaiholena preserve and other pristine native forests in Ka`u that are owned by The Nature Conservancy.
Eldridge serves as advisor to Innovasc and The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawai`i. He has served on boards of American Savings Bank, Assets School, HiBeam and Hoku Scientific.
The Olson Trust recently contributed $500,000 to The Nature Conservancy to protect native forests in Ka`u and South Kona. Its Ka`u mission includes caring for the endangered hawksbill turtle preserve at Kamehame Beach, the Kaiholena preserve and other pristine native forests in Ka`u that are owned by The Nature Conservancy.
HAWAI`I CELEBRATES DIA DE LOS MUERTOS. Volcano Art Center and East Hawai`i Cultural Center are hosting a two-day celebration next week of Dia de los Muertos, “Day of the Dead,” in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away.
The first day of the event takes place in Hilo on Tuesday, Nov. 1, with a procession through downtown beginning and ending at the East Hawai`i Cultural Center. Volcano Art Center education coordinator Anne Catlin says “participants are encouraged to dress in themed attire and bring flowers and candles in jars to illuminate the path with light and color.” Personal sentiments will be shared in short, individual readings of three minutes or less.
The second day of the event takes place at Volcano Art Center on Wednesday, Nov. 2, where guests are invited to dine and dance. Tickets, $12 in advance and $15 at the door, are available for purchase by calling 967-8222. Participants will vote for the most impactful, inspirational and festive art submissions. Art and jewelry will also be available for purchase during the event.
Free Shrine Making and Mexican Folk Art activities are offered at both Volcano Art Center and East Hawai`i Cultural Center from now until Nov. 1. For more details, visit Volcano Art Center’s Dia de los Muertos page at www.volcanoartcenter.org. To get involved, contact Catlin at community@volcanoartcenter.org.
PARKING LOT AND ROAD CLOSURES within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be in place this week and next while improvements are made. Superintendent Cindy Orlando said "much-needed improvements will make the park even more enjoyable for everyone."
Hilina Pali Road is closed to traffic during the day. Hikers and campers wanting access to backcountry trails and campsites including Halape are encouraged to use other routes; backcountry permits and alternate route information are available at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Kulanaokuaiki campsite will not be accessible by vehicle during daylight hours, and campers are encouraged to consider the newly remodeled facilities at Namakani Paio campground.
Parking lot partial or temporary closures for next week include: Devastation Trail lot on Nov. 1 and Pu`u Pua`i lot on Nov. 2 – visitors are still welcome to hike between the two lots; Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku) and Kilauea Iki lots will have limited accessibility on Nov. 3.
Due to ongoing road work, visitors should expect 15-minute delays in construction areas near Crater Rim Drive, the bike trail and pedestrian paths near Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks, and the sidewalks at Kilauea Visitor Center. These areas will remain open to the public. Work at the front entrance station is scheduled to begin Nov. 9. Check www.nps.gov/havo for updates.
Free Shrine Making and Mexican Folk Art activities are offered at both Volcano Art Center and East Hawai`i Cultural Center from now until Nov. 1. For more details, visit Volcano Art Center’s Dia de los Muertos page at www.volcanoartcenter.org. To get involved, contact Catlin at community@volcanoartcenter.org.
PARKING LOT AND ROAD CLOSURES within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be in place this week and next while improvements are made. Superintendent Cindy Orlando said "much-needed improvements will make the park even more enjoyable for everyone."
Hilina Pali Road is closed to traffic during the day. Hikers and campers wanting access to backcountry trails and campsites including Halape are encouraged to use other routes; backcountry permits and alternate route information are available at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Kulanaokuaiki campsite will not be accessible by vehicle during daylight hours, and campers are encouraged to consider the newly remodeled facilities at Namakani Paio campground.
Parking lot partial or temporary closures for next week include: Devastation Trail lot on Nov. 1 and Pu`u Pua`i lot on Nov. 2 – visitors are still welcome to hike between the two lots; Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku) and Kilauea Iki lots will have limited accessibility on Nov. 3.
Due to ongoing road work, visitors should expect 15-minute delays in construction areas near Crater Rim Drive, the bike trail and pedestrian paths near Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks, and the sidewalks at Kilauea Visitor Center. These areas will remain open to the public. Work at the front entrance station is scheduled to begin Nov. 9. Check www.nps.gov/havo for updates.
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| Today is the last day to apply as human prey for Mantracker. Photo from Bonterra Productions |
THE DEADLINE TO TRY OUT FOR MANTRACKER, the Discovery Science Channel reality show, is today. Casting is for a team of two on foot, to be hunted by Mantracker and his sidekick on horseback. Producers are looking for two teams of prey who think they can outsmart the Mantracker in Ka`u. Each team will have 36 hours to make it over 25 miles of Ka`u wilderness without getting caught by Mantracker.
The prey must be “exciting, competitive and compelling people who have the strength, smarts and strategy to outfox and evade,” says Mantracker production coordinator Michelle Budden. Members of each team of prey must be related in some way. They could be siblings, co-workers, or husband and wife.
To apply, visit www.mantracker.ca or email Budden at contact@bonterraproductions.com for more information. Mantracker airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m.