Sunday, August 25, 2013

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, August 25, 2013

Harvesting rainwater is the topic at Tuesday's After Dark in the Park program.
Photo from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
A PROGRAM TO TRAIN FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENTS, with the hope that they will stay and build their careers on the Big Island in areas including Ka`u, is looking forward to its first class next year. “Having a local residency on the Big Island is a game changer for us in Ka`u because 85 percent of those trained locally stay and practice locally,” Sen. Josh Green said this morning. 
        A story in today’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reports that the family medicine residents will train at Hawai`i Island Family Health Center in Hilo beginning in July.
Sen. Josh Green
      The Primary Care Training Program has received funding from several sources and got a major boost last month when Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui released $1.8 million that the state Legislature appropriated for the program.
      “Signing that bill was a really momentous occasion,” Lori Rogers, executive director of the Hilo Medical Center Foundation, told reporter Colin M. Stewart. “I really have to thank the community. Without them, and our Big Island legislators, as well as other representatives, this wouldn’t have been signed.… Someone that we especially have to recognize is Sen. Josh Green.”
      Green, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Health, introduced the bill.
      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

The View, by Ocean View resident Wanda Aus,
graces the cover of The Directory 2013.
THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ART SHOW to select the cover for The Directory 2014 is set for Monday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 5 at CU Hawai`i credit union building in Na`alehu. The theme is Ka`u. There are five categories for entries: graphic, sculpture, wood, photography, and craft. The fee is $5 per entry, and no more than three entries may come from one artist, with no more than one entry per category. All pieces must have been completed in the last 12 months and be for sale for the usual price. Entries are accepted Friday, Sept. 27 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
      The keiki division is for children in grades 1 through 6, one entry per keiki. Keiki categories are graphics and photos, no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, including frames, if any. The entry fee is $1. Keiki art is not eligible for the cover of The Directory and not for sale. Only the first 60 keiki exhibits are accepted.
      The show is open to the public Monday, Sept. 30 through Thursday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Each day during the showing, the public may sign in and receive a ballot to vote for their favorite entry.
      A reception to view the winners and greet the artists takes place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, with light refreshments at the CU Hawai‘i credit union building in Na`alehu. Announcement of the adult winner of the popular vote takes place at 11:30 a.m. This art will be featured on the cover of The Directory 2014, with appropriate credit being given inside. The ballot, a numbered ticket, will also be entered into a drawing for door prizes to be held each hour, and the winner does not need to be present. Various Ka`u merchants are donating prizes.
     A panel of local artists judges entries and awards prizes in each category, including Best in Show. Each category has first-, second-, and third-place awards and, if appropriate, as many as two honorable mentions. Ribbons will be given for each of the prizes, and all first-prize winners will appear in The Directory 2014.
      Entry forms are available at local schools and merchants and at the door during art drop-off hours on Sept. 27 and 28. All entries must be picked up from the building by the artist between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 or between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
      To donate door prizes or help with expenses, call Dallas Decker at 516-662-8789.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Jeanette Howard, at 90, is the oldest member of
Lori Lei Shirakawa's halau and was honored last
night by family, friends and community at
Pahala Plantation House. Photo by Julia Neal
NINETY-YEAR-OLD JEANETTE HOWARD was honored last night at Pahala Plantation House by community, friends and family. A native of Punalu`u, she is the eldest member in the halau of Kumu Lori Lei Shirakawa. Shirakawa said she remembers Jeanette coming to hula in 1993 when she first started teaching in Na`alehu. 
      Relatives, including members of the Akiu and Kawanui families, came from around Hawai`i and the mainland, recalling stories of days gone by. Irene Kawanui Norman said her father, Samuel Kawanui, was hired on a ship at Honu`apo when he was 16 and left Ka`u to see the world. He trained to bring pineapple barges coming from Lana`i to O`ahu. Howard was raised by the Kawanui family, she said.
      The party was a surprise, with Howard being told she was going to a Keoki Kahumoku concert at Pahala Plantation House, said daughter Myra Sumida. When Howard arrived, she found that the gathering of hundreds of people was for her.
      Entertainment was provided by Ernie Kalani, friends and family.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

WITH SIX GAMES SCHEDULED, THE KA`U HIGH TROJANS are leading the effort to establish eight-man football on this island. The tradition of the community going to the Ka`u High football field to cheer on the students and socialize will continue, with three of the games scheduled at home.
      Seabury Hall comes to Ka`u Friday, Sept. 6 for the first game of the season. Other games scheduled include Kealakehe Waveriders at Ka`u Friday, Sept. 20 and Ka`u at Kamehameha Saturday, Sept. 28. The Trojans then travel to Moloka`i to play against the Farmers Saturday, Oct. 5. Ka`u goes to Kealakehe Friday, Oct. 25, and the Moloka`i Farmers come to Pahala for the Trojan Homecoming and Senior Night game Friday, Nov. 8.
      Eight-man football is considered appropriate for smaller high schools and particularly for fast-running athletes with passing and interception skills. There are fewer tackles in the game, and it is higher scoring with fewer injuries.
      Regular 11-man football was cancelled before school started, when Ka`u could not come up with the 30 players required by Big Island Interscholastic Federation. Further complicating Ka`u continuing with 11-man play was the risk of weathering fines of $1,600 per each away game should Ka`u be unable to come up with enough players. Reductions in players usually comes from injuries, which are more likely with a small team playing both offense and defense. They can also come from players unable to meet academic standards.
      Head coach is Dwayne Kainoa Ke. Darrel Shibuya and Donavan Emmsley are among the other coaches.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Many of the Ka`u Trojan cross country competitors shown here in 2012
return this fall. First meet in this Saturday, Aug. 31 at Kamehameha.
Photo from Ka`u High School
THE KA`U HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY team begins its season this Saturday, Aug. 31 at Kamehameha School in Kea`au, under the leadership of Coach Erin Cole. Competition continues on Saturdays at Hawai`i Preparatory Academy, Sept. 7; Waiakea, Sept. 14; Konawaena, Sept. 21; Hawai`i Preparatory Academy, Sept. 28; Kamehameha, Oct. 5; and Kea`au High School, Oct. 12, followed by Big Island Interscholastic tournament and state tournament finals.

TODAY IS THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S 97th birthday, and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entrance fees to celebrate. Also in the park, Volcano Art Center Gallery extends a special gift to its patrons – an extra five percent off all purchases over $97. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kilauea Military Camp offers an open house so visitors can experience how KMC serves our troops by enjoying all facilities and services.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND SPONSORS ANCHIALINE POOL workdays tomorrow and Tuesday. Volunteers meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to carpool to the site. To sign up, contact coordinator Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

Trish Macomber
HARVESTING RAINWATER IS THE TOPIC Tuesday at 7 p.m. at After Dark in the Park. The practice has been going on for centuries all over the world, with rainwater being used for a variety of purposes including domestic water supply. As global warming and growing populations increase the demand on our limited fresh water supplies, more and more places are turning back to the ancient practice of harvesting rain. Atop Kilauea volcano, rainwater collection is the standard way of life and is promulgated by the National Park Service. 
      University of Hawai`i’s Trisha Macomber, author of Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai`i, presents a number of options for insuring safe, clean drinking water for the future. Guests will receive all the free rainwater they can drink.
      The program takes place at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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