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| Ka`u Coffee farmers with Coffees of the Year organizers. Willie Tabios (left), was top in the U.S., and Lorie Obra (center) and Trini Marques (right) followed, all three taking spots in the top ten in the worldwide competition. Photo by Julia Neal |
KA`U COFFEE FARMERS wrapped up their visit to Portland, Oregon on Sunday. They represented Ka`u Coffee in the Specialty Coffee Association of America annual convention. Representatives of Ka`u took roasting classes, supported Rusty’s 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee, Ka`u Coffee Mill, Aikane Coffee and the brands of Willie Tabios, Trini Marques and Bull Kailiawa. Ka`u Coffee winners have been placing in the top ten year after year. This was the first year that three landed in the top ten. They were the coffees of Tabios, Obra and Marques. Their coffees were sponsored by Chris Manfredi, of Ka`u Farm & Ranch, and the travel and accommodations for Tabios, Marques, 2011 winner Bull Kailiawa and Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba were sponsored by Edmund C. Olson of Ka`u Coffee Mill.
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| Map from hawaiiscenicbyways.org |
KA`U SCENIC BYWAY has been added to Hawai`i’s Scenic Byway website. The page provides a map with points of interest marked, along with descriptions of each one. The route, called the Slopes of Mauna Loa, includes points of interest on the western, southern and eastern slopes of the volcano, following Highway 11 from Manuka State Park to the main entrance to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and some side trips. See hawaiiscenicbyways.org.
THE HAWAI`I LEGISLATIVE SESSION ends next week. Legislators must finalize bills in conference committee by this Thursday in order for them to move forward. See www.capitol.hawaii.gov for information and to provide testimony.
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| Brenda Ford Photo by Chuck Greene |
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| Bradley Westervelt Photo by Chuck Greene |
AT FRIDAY’S CANDIDATE FORUM at Ocean View Community Center, County Council candidates were asked what they could do to provide public, vehicular access to Pohue Bay.
MARIE BURNS said that “an ancient trail is our public access. We have a right via this mauka-makai trail.”
MAILE DAVID said, “Opening the road is the job of the adminstration. The mayor needs to work to resolve the issue.” She said that public rights and native rights have to be established.
BRENDA FORD said, “I’ve always supported rights of access to Pohue Bay.” She suggested that it may be necessary to buy right of entry.
LEE MCINTOSH said he would have to research the issue and get back with an answer.
BRADLEY WESTERVELT said, “It’s a paradox, and I don’t have an answer.”
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| Pahala Swimming Pool will be closed for safety upgrades beginning this Saturday. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS at Pahala Swimming Pool are scheduled to begin Saturday, April 28. The pool will be closed for approximately ten days while the Department of Parks and Recreation replaces drain covers with newer, safer versions that meet mandated federal standards to address potential entrapment issues. Call 928-8177 for updates.
FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES hold a book sale this week at Pahala Public & School Library. The hours today, Thursday and Friday are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND sponsors a cleanup of an anchialine pond in Ka`u tomorrow. Volunteers can sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or meg.hwf@gmail.com.
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| Linda Pratt Photo from NPS |
ENDEMIC HAWAIIAN FLOWERS is the topic at After Dark in the Park tomorrow. Isolated by thousands of miles of ocean and cut off from the rest of the world for thousands of years, Hawai`i boasts one of the highest rates of endemic species. U.S. Geological Survey botanist and author Linda Pratt’s program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs.
IN CELEBRATION of National Library Week, John Keawe presents a Tribute to Slack Key this Friday. He performs at 12:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Public Library and again at 2:30 p.m. at Pahala Public & School Library. Call 939-2442 or 928-2015 for more information.
LAVA MOON, featuring Ka`u High graduate Carlotta Leina`ala Kailiawa, offers a free house concert Saturday, April 28 at Pahala Plantation House. The potluck event begins at 6 p.m.
VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.
IN CELEBRATION of National Library Week, John Keawe presents a Tribute to Slack Key this Friday. He performs at 12:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Public Library and again at 2:30 p.m. at Pahala Public & School Library. Call 939-2442 or 928-2015 for more information.
LAVA MOON, featuring Ka`u High graduate Carlotta Leina`ala Kailiawa, offers a free house concert Saturday, April 28 at Pahala Plantation House. The potluck event begins at 6 p.m.
VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.