 |
| Na`alehu Elementary sixth-graders worked together to build this kalo garden and rock wall on their own as an addition to the existing school garden. Front: (L-R) Zachary Ishii, Zachary Kai, Junel Candaroma, Tobee Lee, Daryl Moreira Jr., Kilion Laji, Junior Wajar. Back: (L-R) James Kuahiwinui, Jin Esquida, Daniel Chang, Sumuo Engichy, Po`ai Emmsley, Emily Gouveia, Nainoa Ke. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
 |
| Monk seal killings can bring up to $50,000 in fines and five years in jail. Photo by Judy Sweatland |
Monk seals steal fish from fishermen, become playful with divers and beachgoers and often bask along the Ka`u shoreline. Aila warned fishermen that monk seals “are here to stay.” There are only about a hundred monk seals living along the shores of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Another 1,100 live in the uninhabited islands, but their population is declining about four percent a year.
A WAVE OF CHINESE VISITORS could be the next increase in tourists to the islands as several Chinese airlines are looking to establish regular routes between mainland China and Hawai`i following several sold-out charter flights. Visas are easier to obtain, and tour operators are gearing up to serve the Chinese tourists, according to Hawai`i Tourism Authority officials who gave a report to the visitor industry yesterday.
MORE AGRICULTURAL INSPECTORS could be funded by the Hawai`i Legislature this year. The money would be used to fight invasive species. State House Agriculture chair Clift Tsuji, who represents the Big Island, said that he is pleased the House Finance and Senate Ways and Means conferees “recognized the urgency to support agriculture inspection and fight invasive species in a reliable and responsible manner. This is good news for the protection of Hawai`i’s precious natural resources.” The budget bill, HB2012, must clear the conference committee, pass a final floor vote in both House and Senate, and if passed, will be sent to the governor for his signature.
A WAVE OF CHINESE VISITORS could be the next increase in tourists to the islands as several Chinese airlines are looking to establish regular routes between mainland China and Hawai`i following several sold-out charter flights. Visas are easier to obtain, and tour operators are gearing up to serve the Chinese tourists, according to Hawai`i Tourism Authority officials who gave a report to the visitor industry yesterday.
MORE AGRICULTURAL INSPECTORS could be funded by the Hawai`i Legislature this year. The money would be used to fight invasive species. State House Agriculture chair Clift Tsuji, who represents the Big Island, said that he is pleased the House Finance and Senate Ways and Means conferees “recognized the urgency to support agriculture inspection and fight invasive species in a reliable and responsible manner. This is good news for the protection of Hawai`i’s precious natural resources.” The budget bill, HB2012, must clear the conference committee, pass a final floor vote in both House and Senate, and if passed, will be sent to the governor for his signature.
 |
| Volunteers help restore Opukahaia Memorial Chapel above Punalu`u. Photo by Fred Ramsdell |
`O KA`U KAKOU AND VOLUNTEERS logged 230 hours restoring the Opukahaia Memorial Chapel on the hill above Punalu`u Black Sand Beach. Suffering from dry rot, the frame was scraped, sanded and repainted. A large group of members from the Na`alehu Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints assisted on painting day.
In addition to volunteer care for the chapel grounds and graveyard, `O Ka`u Kakou maintains four other cemeteries in Ka`u. In Pahala, the group takes care of a Chinese graveyard and the Methodist church graveyard along the highway. In Na`alehu, they care for a small graveyard surrounded by pasture, and in Wai`ohinu, `O Ka`u Kakou, with assistance from Pacific Quest, looks after the Catholic cemetery.
Renovating the Pahala Hongwanji Judo Hall is also a project taken on by the organization. With funding donated by Edmund C. Olson Trust II, `O Ka`u Kakou president Wayne Kawachi said a new roof should be added in mid-May. After a new coat of paint and more work completed on the inside, Kawachi said the hall could be used for community activities, such as Karate, Judo or boxing.
The group will be volunteering logistical help at upcoming local events, such as Ka`u Coffee Festival, Na`alehu School Health Fair, and Ka`u School of the Arts Spring Fling. `O Ka`u Kakou also installs safety railings at senior citizens’ homes.
Renovating the Pahala Hongwanji Judo Hall is also a project taken on by the organization. With funding donated by Edmund C. Olson Trust II, `O Ka`u Kakou president Wayne Kawachi said a new roof should be added in mid-May. After a new coat of paint and more work completed on the inside, Kawachi said the hall could be used for community activities, such as Karate, Judo or boxing.
The group will be volunteering logistical help at upcoming local events, such as Ka`u Coffee Festival, Na`alehu School Health Fair, and Ka`u School of the Arts Spring Fling. `O Ka`u Kakou also installs safety railings at senior citizens’ homes.
IPADS FOR KA`U SCHOOLS are provided by Hawai`i Business Roundtable to incentivize schools to adopt its teacher evaluation pilot program. Ka`u schools have signed on, and each will receive three iPads. A total of 63 schools throughout the state have joined the program. “Outside of family factors, effective teaching has the single most significant impact on students’ learning; this is true across socio-economic levels,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Administrators participating in the pilot program have been using iPads to collect evidence of teacher practice during observations in classrooms.
 |
| Jessie Ke, left, and Arroyah Rivas. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
SOWING SEEDS garden educator Arroyah Rivas hosted a composting workshop to celebrate Earth Day at Na`alehu Elementary garden, where the Sowing Seeds program is based. Rivas shared that composting is “a great way to recycle and give nutrients back to the soil. Plants take up the nutrients and give them back to us when we eat fruits and vegetables.” Rivas and garden volunteer Tom King have created a composting area on the school grounds.
During the day, Na`alehu Elementary sixth-graders worked to create a kalo garden entirely on their own. Jessie Ke, who works as kupuna and Hawaiian culture educator in the schools, brought the plants and shared with the students a method of planting above ground.
“It was so beautiful. They were totally self-directed,” said Rivas. The students collected rocks to build a circular rock wall and used math skills to measure the circumference. Then they filled the area with compost and soil before planting. Sixth-graders worked with kindergartners collecting mowed grass for the compost pile, said Rivas.
For more information or to volunteer in the garden, call Rivas at 939-2413.
“It was so beautiful. They were totally self-directed,” said Rivas. The students collected rocks to build a circular rock wall and used math skills to measure the circumference. Then they filled the area with compost and soil before planting. Sixth-graders worked with kindergartners collecting mowed grass for the compost pile, said Rivas.
For more information or to volunteer in the garden, call Rivas at 939-2413.
THE FOURTH ANNUAL MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT is seeking contestants for the Saturday, Aug. 18 event. The committee is planning to make it a Miss Hawai`i qualifying event. Candidates will be judged on talent, beauty, poise, and speaking skills. The event will also include a pageant for younger girls. Miss Ka`u Coffee and her court will reign over the 2013 Ka`u Coffee Festival and participate in the Merrie Monarch Parade and other events. For more information, call Nalani Parlin at 217-6893 or Gloria Camba at 928-8558.
 |
| Ka`u High players exuberant after winning the BIIF Division II first round versus Christian Liberty Academy. Photos by Nalani Parlin |
FRESH OFF A WIN over Christian Liberty Academy in the first round of the BIIF Division II Varsity boys volleyball playoffs, Ka`u High looks forward to competing in the BIIF semi-finals tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at Konawaena. Teams will fight for third place on Saturday at 4 p.m., while the championship match kicks off at 5:30 p.m., also at Konawaena.
 |
| Franklin Orcino goes for the shot. |
Going into the game, the Trojans and CLA had tying season records, however the Trojans received the higher seat, having earned just two more points than their opponent. Even so, Ka`u proved to have superior skill, dominating the first two games 25-16 and 25-16. The Trojans continued to lead in the third set, but allowed CLA to catch up, tying at 18 points. After a series of serving error for both teams, the Trojans finally moved ahead to win 25-21.
MAY 1 IS THE DEADLINE to apply for the annual Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. The program has expanded to include not only high school juniors and seniors, but also adults seeking to re-enter the educational system. Preference is given to those who intend to remain in or return to Ka`u and live here. Scholarship money, ranging from $250 to $1,000, can be used for all college and vocational training. Need is also considered. Scholarship renewal is also possible.
Visit http://kauchamber.org/scholarship.html to download the application form or call 929-9872 for more information.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE National Marine Sanctuary holds a public meeting this evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center to discuss its management plan. The Sanctuary is evaluating gaps in existing marine conservation efforts in Hawai`i and identifying potential roles for the Sanctuary in the future. For more, see hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.
MAY 1 IS THE DEADLINE to apply for the annual Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. The program has expanded to include not only high school juniors and seniors, but also adults seeking to re-enter the educational system. Preference is given to those who intend to remain in or return to Ka`u and live here. Scholarship money, ranging from $250 to $1,000, can be used for all college and vocational training. Need is also considered. Scholarship renewal is also possible.
Visit http://kauchamber.org/scholarship.html to download the application form or call 929-9872 for more information.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE National Marine Sanctuary holds a public meeting this evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center to discuss its management plan. The Sanctuary is evaluating gaps in existing marine conservation efforts in Hawai`i and identifying potential roles for the Sanctuary in the future. For more, see hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.
 |
| Lava Moon performs at Pahala Plantation House Saturday. Photo from Lava Moon |
FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES’ fundraising book sale continues today and tomorrow at Pahala Public & School Library. The hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
JOHN KEAWE PRESENTS a Tribute to Slack Key tomorrow 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, presents a free house concert at Pahala Plantation House Saturday. Keoki Kahumoku also performs. The potluck event begins at 6 p.m.
JOHN KEAWE PRESENTS a Tribute to Slack Key tomorrow 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, presents a free house concert at Pahala Plantation House Saturday. Keoki Kahumoku also performs. The potluck event begins at 6 p.m.