Ka`u News Briefs June 11, 2011

Half marathon runners come through the big dip on the old cane haul road heading toward Na`alehu.
Photo by Julia Neal

STEPHEN K. YAMASHIRO, who served in the County Council and as Mayor of the Big Island, will be honored on June 18. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has ordered flags statewide to fly at half-staff in honor of his service to the community. Yamashiro was mayor from 1992 to 2000 and on the County Council from 1976 to 1990, including 11 years as chair. He was also an attorney. He passed away in May.

     The governor extended his “deepest sympathy and condolences to the Yamashiro family on the passing of a true son of Hawai`i.”

Rep. Bob Herkes

REP. BOB HERKES is getting recognition nationally as one of the leaders in state legislation to address the mortgage crisis, according to state House of Representatives member Marcus Oshiro. “Other states are looking to Hawai`i right now to model the laws we just passed,” Oshiro said during a forum of legislators at University of Hawai`i in Hilo this week. Herkes championed the bill after hearing about foreclosures with no fair warning that surprised some local residents. The new legislation requires mortgage holders to interact directly with homeowners in an attempt to work out payments. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will administer the program, which will begin no later than Oct. 1 and continue through Sept. 30, 2014. The legislation is seen as the toughest foreclosure mediation bill in the entire nation. It was signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie last month.

THE NEW FARMERS MARKET at Kakaako on O`ahu opened yesterday with a big splash about Ka`u Coffee on network television news shows last night. Aikane Coffee was featured at the new farmers market, with Scott Halsted giving a shout out to Ka`u. He also talked about Ka`u Coffees getting high ratings internationally in the last five years - and this year’s top ten SCAA winner Bull Kailiawa. 

HOME SALES IN MAY increased on the Big Island, but prices dropped. There were 147 single-family homes sold, a hike of 14.8 percent over 128 homes sold in May last year. There were 61 condo sales, up 10.9 percent over the 55 sold in May last year.

KA`U FAMILY FUN FEST is ongoing today in its effort to raise money to build the new Bay Clinic medical building along Hwy 11 in Na`alehu. The half marathon took off this morning along with shorter runs. There are games and entertainment all day, including information and food booths, a live auction, a jumping castle, bungee jumping, rock wall climbing and a dunking booth. Entertainers include the Hawai`i County Band, Keoki Kahumoku, Dennis and David Kamakahi, the Lava Boys and One Journey.

Bay Clinic shows its services at Family Fun Fest today at
Na`alehu Park, a fundraiser for a new medical building
Photo by Julia Neal

     The fundraising is working to raise $15,000 to trigger a matching grant from the Edmund C. Olson Trust.

A HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE by Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola, under the direction of Keala Ching, takes place today at 10:30 a.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, along with Hawaiian cultural demonstrations at Volcano Art Center Gallery until 1:30 p.m.

VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts the third annual Volcano Pottery Sale at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eight Big Island potters showcase a large assortment of pottery and ceramic sculpture at the sale.

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs today at 3 p.m. on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television on channel 54. It will air again 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.

BEACH AND OCEAN IS THE THEME at Kilauea Military Camp’s Summer Jam Disco this evening from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cover charge is $3 for dressed-up contestants and $5 for everyone else. Park entrance fees apply.

THE FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK sponsor a moderately strenuous four-mile round-trip hike that explores the scenery, plants, birds and geology of the Mauna Loa Trail tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The hike is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join in order to attend. Call 985-7373 to register.

ANOTHER HIKE TOMORROW from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. explores Kipuka`akihi, an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This event is free, and pre-registration is required. Call 985-6011.