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| This unidentified whale was photographed about a month ago between Green Sands Beach and Ka`alualu. The carcass was 60 to 70 feet long with flippers detached, skin gone and blubber showing, scattered across a rocky flat. Photo by Richard Taylor |
DISTRICT FIVE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY held its elections yesterday, with many of the officers involved in agriculture. The District covers Kona and the west side of Ka`u through Na`alehu. The new chair is Steve Sakala, President of the Kona Chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United. Sakala is also a board member of the Kona Pacific Charter School, which has an agriculturally based curriculum for its 250 students. First Vice Chair is Charlie Young, of Kealia, who formerly worked in the macadamia industry.
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| Barbara Dalton |
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| Steve Sakala |
Second Vice Chair is Tane Datta, a farmer in South Kona, owner of Adaptations, producing high-grade lettuce and cinnamon, which was highlighted in a recent edition of the Hawaiian Airlines magazine. Third Vice Chair is En Young, of Kealia, who heads Hawai`i Island Food Basket. Secretary is Barbara Lewis, of Ocean View, who is retired from Cyanotech and the macadamia nut industry. Treasurer is Mike Matsukawa, one of the founders of the Young Farmers Association, who is also a public interest attorney who has worked on energy issues. Second Secretary is Sarah Crawford, Executive Director of Friends of Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i Authority.
West Ka`u state Representative and former District Five Chair Richard Creagan said yesterday’s meeting drew the largest turnout for any district meeting he has attended.
In Ka`u, two precincts are represented in District Five. Precinct One is in Na`alehu. Its officers are President Marilyn Creagan, who owns a farm in Kiolaka`a between South Point Road and Wai`ohinu along with Na`alehu Vice President, state Rep. Richard Creagan. The Na`alehu precinct’s District Council representative is Joe Iacuzzo, one of the founders of the new Ka`u Learning Academy and science fairs in Hawai`i.
Precinct One for Ocean View is headed by President Barbara Louis. Vice President is Greg Smith, who farms vegetables at Ka Lae.
During yesterday’s meeting, there was a mahalo presentation to John Buckstead for his years of service with the Democratic Party. The new West Hawai`i Vice Chair is Barbara Dalton, Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s liaison for West Hawai`i and former postmaster at Na`alehu. East Hawai`i Vice Chair is John Irving, and Chair for Hawai`i is Island is David Tarnas.
West Ka`u state Representative and former District Five Chair Richard Creagan said yesterday’s meeting drew the largest turnout for any district meeting he has attended.
In Ka`u, two precincts are represented in District Five. Precinct One is in Na`alehu. Its officers are President Marilyn Creagan, who owns a farm in Kiolaka`a between South Point Road and Wai`ohinu along with Na`alehu Vice President, state Rep. Richard Creagan. The Na`alehu precinct’s District Council representative is Joe Iacuzzo, one of the founders of the new Ka`u Learning Academy and science fairs in Hawai`i.
Precinct One for Ocean View is headed by President Barbara Louis. Vice President is Greg Smith, who farms vegetables at Ka Lae.
During yesterday’s meeting, there was a mahalo presentation to John Buckstead for his years of service with the Democratic Party. The new West Hawai`i Vice Chair is Barbara Dalton, Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s liaison for West Hawai`i and former postmaster at Na`alehu. East Hawai`i Vice Chair is John Irving, and Chair for Hawai`i is Island is David Tarnas.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Dennis Kamakahi performing at Pahala Plantation House. |
FRIENDS AND FAMILY HOST A BENEFIT CONCERT, dinner and silent auction today for Dennis Kamakahi on his 61st birthday at 6:30 p.m. at Willows Restaurant in Honolulu. Kamakahi is undergoing treatment for lung cancer.
Pakele Live! will stream the celebration at new.livestream.com/pakele. Admission to the event is free. Musicians include Ledward Ka`apana and Mike Kaawa, Keawe Ohana, Herb Ohta, Jr., Danny Carvalho, Maunalua, Stephen Inglis, Waipuna, Na Hoa, Kupaoa, Raiatea Helm, Bryan Tolentino, Nathan Aweau and special guests. Ben Gutierrez, of Hawai`i News Now, will host.
To donate, see teamdenniskamakahi.com.
To donate, see teamdenniskamakahi.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
JAPAN LOST ITS BATTLE TO BE ABLE to continue whaling. An international court told Japan to stop whaling under the guise of scientific research. Possible delisting of humpbacks, however, could lead to new whaling quotas for humpback whales. Only a few humpbacks are harvested each year legally, and these are by native hunters in the Grenadine Islands in the Caribbean. Whaling internationally has largely been for minkes by Japan, fins and bowheads in Greenland, minkes and fins in Iceland, minkes in Norway and bowheads among native hunters in U.S.
Pilot whales – about 950 a year – are taken in Faroe islands.
Japan said today it objects but will accept the ban on its whaling for scientific research.
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL fell to the Honoka`a Dragons Saturday, with a score of 8-19. Winning pitcher for the Dragons was Kailin Agustin, who started pitching in the third inning. Ka`u’s Shaylee Tamura hit one single and one double. The next game for the Trojans will be on Friday, April 4 at 3 p.m. at Pahala ball field.
VOLCANO ART CENTER’S NI`AULANI CAMPUS in Volcano Village each week presents Multi-Media Monday’s from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Lisa Louise Adams’ students experiment using drawing, painting, printmaking, bookmaking and more to find their inner voices and personal styles. $50 per month/$45 VAC members, plus a $30 per month materials fee. Call 967-8222.
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP for health insurance or possibly face a fine from the federal government. Help in Ka`u is being offered through a $125,000 grant given to Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. Those wanting to sign up can receive help by calling 928-0101.
KRHCAI has assisted Ka`u residents at various events around Ka`u District and in its offices at 96-3126 Puahala Street in Pahala.
The next open enrollment period begins Nov. 15 for coverage in 2015.
The next open enrollment period begins Nov. 15 for coverage in 2015.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS ENDORSED Sen. Brian Schatz in his race facing Rep. Colleen Hanabusa for Senate. "I have worked with Sen. Schatz on the issues that matter to Hawai`i. Brian's deep commitment to the people of Hawai`i and his effective leadership are why I believe it is important to return him to the Senate,” President Obama said. “Sen. Schatz is protecting Hawai`i’s values and fighting every day on behalf of middle-class families. There is no question that Sen. Schatz is the right choice to continue delivering for Hawai`i.”
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| Pres. Barack Obama has endorsed Sen. Brian Schatz. |
Schatz said, “This is confirmation that the work we’ve been doing to fight for Hawai`i’s values is gaining support and momentum. I’m proud to be one of Pres. Obama’s staunchest allies in the Senate. Whether it’s protecting Social Security or advancing clean energy, I hope you will give me a chance to keep working hard for what matters to all of us.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
JAPAN LOST ITS BATTLE TO BE ABLE to continue whaling. An international court told Japan to stop whaling under the guise of scientific research. Possible delisting of humpbacks, however, could lead to new whaling quotas for humpback whales. Only a few humpbacks are harvested each year legally, and these are by native hunters in the Grenadine Islands in the Caribbean. Whaling internationally has largely been for minkes by Japan, fins and bowheads in Greenland, minkes and fins in Iceland, minkes in Norway and bowheads among native hunters in U.S.
Pilot whales – about 950 a year – are taken in Faroe islands.
Japan said today it objects but will accept the ban on its whaling for scientific research.
The court’s rulings at the Hague are binding and not subject to appeal.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
JAMES M. K. TAKAMINE IS THE NEW Executive Vice President of CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union. Takamine was previously President and CEO of Hawai`i Community Federal Credit Union in Kailua-Kona.
“James comes to CU Hawai`i with years of financial experience outside of the credit union industry as well. His past experience with American Savings Bank and First Hawaiian Bank, along with his background with prestigious companies such as M&T Bank Corporation and the New York Stock Exchange, gives James a well-rounded perspective of the finance world from all angles,” said Marketing Manager Cheryl Weaver.
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| James Takamine |
Takamine is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and East Asian Studies from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.
“Outside of the office, James keeps busy giving back to the community in many capacities,” Weaver said. Currently, he is Board Chairman of Hawai`i Island Economic Development Board, Director/Treasurer of The Kohala Center and Director of Bishop Holdings Corporation. Takamine has also dedicated personal time as a director with The Food Basket and as a volunteer with Hawai`i Island United Way.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY SOFTBALL fell to the Honoka`a Dragons Saturday, with a score of 8-19. Winning pitcher for the Dragons was Kailin Agustin, who started pitching in the third inning. Ka`u’s Shaylee Tamura hit one single and one double. The next game for the Trojans will be on Friday, April 4 at 3 p.m. at Pahala ball field.
VOLCANO ART CENTER’S NI`AULANI CAMPUS in Volcano Village each week presents Multi-Media Monday’s from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Lisa Louise Adams’ students experiment using drawing, painting, printmaking, bookmaking and more to find their inner voices and personal styles. $50 per month/$45 VAC members, plus a $30 per month materials fee. Call 967-8222.
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| Ab Valencia Photo by Jay Robinson |
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| Tim Tunison Photo by Lanaya Deily |
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES INSTITUTE, a program of the Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, presents Plants of Hula: Na Mea Kanu o Ka Hula Friday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In this field seminar, which celebrates the Merrie Monarch Festival, a kumu hula and botanist team up for a cultural and scientific exploration of the plants used in hula.
Kumu hula Ab Valencia teaches about hula plants as kino lau, manifestations of Hawaiian deities in plant form, as his Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu understands them.
“There are plants for the hula altar, the kuahu, which include maile, `ie`ie, `ilima, lehua, and halapepe. In addition, there are adornments—mele hula plants that are worn by the dancers—which include maile, `ilima, and lehua, plus palapalai, `a`ali`i, pukiawe, and `olapa,” Valencia said.
At Kilauea Overlook, the group discusses cultural protocols used when picking plants and walks among native species in their natural environment, with scientific information and insight shared by botanist Tim Tunison.
“After lunch, we’ll visit Tunison’s property in Volcano Village, where he is restoring the land to its native ecosystem. We’ll get a hands-on lesson in native plant propagation, plus receive plant seedlings to grow at home,” said Valencia.
Program cost is $45 for Friends members and $65 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are $25. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member discount.
To register, call 985-7373 or see fhvnp.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
“There are plants for the hula altar, the kuahu, which include maile, `ie`ie, `ilima, lehua, and halapepe. In addition, there are adornments—mele hula plants that are worn by the dancers—which include maile, `ilima, and lehua, plus palapalai, `a`ali`i, pukiawe, and `olapa,” Valencia said.
At Kilauea Overlook, the group discusses cultural protocols used when picking plants and walks among native species in their natural environment, with scientific information and insight shared by botanist Tim Tunison.
“After lunch, we’ll visit Tunison’s property in Volcano Village, where he is restoring the land to its native ecosystem. We’ll get a hands-on lesson in native plant propagation, plus receive plant seedlings to grow at home,” said Valencia.
Program cost is $45 for Friends members and $65 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are $25. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member discount.
To register, call 985-7373 or see fhvnp.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.