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| Students of the late Edna Aguil's halau performed at the Ka`u High potluck reunion yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal |
WATER AND POWER ARE RESTORED TO WOOD VALLEY, according to Mayor Billy Kenoi’s executive assistant Reed Flickinger.
HELCO crews drove from Kona yesterday to work on power lines that were down for more than eight days after Tropical Storm Iselle came ashore along the Ka`u Coast on Aug. 8.
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| Power and running water have been restored to Wood Valley, according to county officials. Photo by Anne Celeste |
Road crews had cleared the roads of debris prior to HELCO’s arrival yesterday, including debris at the intersection of Wood Valley and Kapapala Ranch roads, where live electricity transmission lines were tangled in trees as they fell across the road.
At the urging of the county, Hawai`i Electric Light Co. sent a crew on Tuesday, Aug. 13 to determine that the wire was live. They turned off the power and posted a sign on pole number 123 on the Pahala side of the gulch stating “Danger, Do Not Operate this Switch.” After the power was turned off, road crews quickly cleared tree trunks and other debris, making all of the access roads in Wood Valley passable.
Flickinger had previously visited Wood Valley to meet victims of the storm and to help assess damage, along with executive assistant Sissy Pittulo, Deputy Planning Director Bobby Command, Annie Bailey, with the Office of Housing & Community Development, and a group from the National Guard.
Flickinger said if any residents are still without water or power, they should contact him at 323-4702.
HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED and Earth Matters farm at Kama`oa and South Point Roads held a food, music and farm tour event yesterday to support small, family farms.
HUNDREDS OF KA`U HIGH & PAHALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL graduates and their friends celebrated the school yesterday at their annual reunion at Pahala Community Center. The potluck event featured entertainment by Hands of Time, Ernest Kalani and the Back to the Fifties group and hula from students of the late Edna Aguil.
Graduates also hold an annual event in Las Vegas. The next one is June 19 – 22, 2015. Contact Priscilla Obado at 808-225-9173 or pobadomtview@gmail.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
PAHALA COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTS A HEALTHY SOILS WORKSHOP Friday, Aug. 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees learn how to optimize inputs, protect against drought and increase production. The event features vendor booths, food and door prizes. Seating is limited. Sign up with Jennifer at 933-8350.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| Sentry became a sea creature sporting a Hawaiian flower before one of its deployments off the Ka`u Coast. Photo by Carlie Wiener/SOI |
DURING NEARLY TWO WEEKS ONBOARD THE RESEARCH VESSEL Falkor in June and July, scientists studying Loihi Seamount off the Ka`u Coast gathered enough data to keep them busy for six months. Brian Glazer, an oceanographer at University of Hawai`i-Manoa, led the expedition, along with colleagues from University of Minnesota, IFREMER Centre de Brest and Woods Hole Oceanographic. They mapped the seamount’s base using Woods Hole Oceanographic’s Sentry autonomous underwater vehicle and collected water samples to better understand the processes impacting delivery and dispersion of hydrothermal fluids from Loihi to the Pacific Ocean.
The researched had seven AUV Sentry deployments to the two deep regions of Loihi Seamount: FeMo Deep and Shinkai Deep. This provided a closer look at these lesser-known regions of the ocean’s floor.
Sentry shared information from its sensor data like temperature and how much oxygen is in the water as well as visuals including high-resolution maps and 49,130 photos. This information will help scientists better understand the area and hone in on hydrothermal plumes for future research.
The crew also deployed a conductivity, tempature and depth rosette for 18 different hydrocasts. This instrument can also go down to the deepest parts of this underwater volcano and collect water samples at different depths to get a better idea of the water chemistry related to hydrothermal plumes. Some areas explored were Pele’s Pit, Pit of Death and Loihi Summit.
Seventeen scientists worked around the clock to gather as much information as they could during their time onboard Falkor. “We are excited to see what comes of all of this data and to be part of the science that is helping researchers know more about this mysterious underwater volcano,” said Carlie Wiener, of Schmidt Ocean Institute. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Vince Mina and his daughter Kahaulani came from their family farm on Maui to support the Ka`u chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United at Earth Matters farm yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal |
Hawai`i Farmers Union United president Vince Mina traveled from his family farm on Maui to support the recently organized Ka`u chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United. He said he is also on island to help with the organization of a Kohala chapter and a Hilo chapter.
Mina said that it is important for people to know who is producing food locally and called farmers to the microphone. Growing food “is the kind of behavior that is a primal expression of what we do each day, eating wholesome food that is nutrient rich.
Mina talked about Hawai`i Farmers Union United’s efforts at the state Legislature. He noted that state budget to support agriculture is 0.4 percent, far less than many programs not as dear as food security. Mina talked about agriculture supporting soil health. He said, “It is important to help educate our legislators as to importance of what regenerative agriculture means to becoming food-secure. Regenerative agriculture builds resiliency to the land being farmed on a consistent basis. Land responds in a way that supports healthy plants and healthy people.”
Mina said that it is important for people to know who is producing food locally and called farmers to the microphone. Growing food “is the kind of behavior that is a primal expression of what we do each day, eating wholesome food that is nutrient rich.
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| Sally Yamaguchi, of the Class of 1943, was the oldest to attend the reunion. Photo by Julia Neal |
He said state legislators look to national farming organizations to help guide them in developing policy around local agriculture.
He talked about Hawai`i Farmers Union United preferring to support small farms. He said the organization is not retreading and used the term “agvance.” We are the ones in the trenches, the small holder farmers. We want to clear the way for them.”
He talked about Hawai`i Farmers Union United preferring to support small farms. He said the organization is not retreading and used the term “agvance.” We are the ones in the trenches, the small holder farmers. We want to clear the way for them.”
Mina reported that Hawai`i Farmers Union United recently received a
$150,000 grant from the 112-year old national Farmers Union United to help the Hawai`i organization reach charter status.
He said the organization is open to matching funds and additional memberships. He explained that “you don’t have to be a farmer – anyone who eats food – consumers, gardeners, farmers, ranchers are members, those who value local agriculture.”
He said membership numbers are important at the Legislature. “Having a voice in the Legislature is having a seat at a table so we are not part of the menu. The more members, the bigger the voice,” Mina said.
He said the organization is open to matching funds and additional memberships. He explained that “you don’t have to be a farmer – anyone who eats food – consumers, gardeners, farmers, ranchers are members, those who value local agriculture.”
He said membership numbers are important at the Legislature. “Having a voice in the Legislature is having a seat at a table so we are not part of the menu. The more members, the bigger the voice,” Mina said.
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| Augusto Ballo displays his Pahala-Ka`u reunion T-shirt with Dolores Natividad. More are available at Pahala Plantation Cottages' office. Photo by Julia Neal |
The annual meeting for Hawai`i Farmers Union United will be on O`ahu on Nov. 7, 8 and 9, and state administrative and legislative leaders will be invited to tour farms and attend sessions. For more on the Ka`u chapter, call Malian Lahey at 808-280-2851.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Graduates also hold an annual event in Las Vegas. The next one is June 19 – 22, 2015. Contact Priscilla Obado at 808-225-9173 or pobadomtview@gmail.com.
Ka`u High Class of 1959 graduates also held parties at the old Sasaki Store, now called the Market House, with cooks Robert Ahia and Lovey Grantz. Fish came from Vince Damazo, and Dane Galiza provided floral decorations.
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| Keiki runners got a glimpse of what Volcano Rain Forest Runs are like. Photos from Sharron Faff |
Reunion T-shirts are still available at Pahala Plantation Cottages’ office in the Olson Building at Pikake and Maile Streets for $15 each.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
CLOSE TO 600 RUNNERS AND WALKERS ENJOYED Volcano Rain Forest Runs Saturday, challenging themselves to a Half Marathon, 10K or 5K race. Keiki between ages one and seven also had their own special 100- and 200-yard dashes, which were sponsored by Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Village.
According to organizer Sharron Faff, participants had nothing but great things to report, from how well the course was set up to the many volunteers who came out to help with the event. Participants came from all over the United States and Canada.
According to organizer Sharron Faff, participants had nothing but great things to report, from how well the course was set up to the many volunteers who came out to help with the event. Participants came from all over the United States and Canada.
The successful weekend full of events was presented by Kona Marathon Events and sponsored by Volcano Art Center, Cooper Center, County of Hawai`i, Nutrex/BioAstin, Volcano Rotary Club, GU, Ultima and local businesses.
“A big Mahalo goes out to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped in making this event be such a successful community day,” Faff said.
Next year’s race will be on Saturday, Aug. 22. Keep up to date with all the news about the 2015 event on Facebook and at volcanorainforestruns.com.
Next year’s race will be on Saturday, Aug. 22. Keep up to date with all the news about the 2015 event on Facebook and at volcanorainforestruns.com.
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| Miss Ka`u Coffee Amery Silva started all the races on Saturday. |
KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life tomorrow and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. A Walk into the Past program participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center and walk to Whitney Vault near Volcano House in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where they view instruments used by Jaggar.
HAUNANI’S ALOHA EXPRESSIONS PRESENT a hula performance Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The halau greets visitors at Port of Hilo and Hilo International Airport. They also entertain patients at many of Hilo’s senior kokua organizations and have performed at the park’s annual cultural festival.Free; park entrance fees apply.
HAUNANI’S ALOHA EXPRESSIONS PRESENT a hula performance Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The halau greets visitors at Port of Hilo and Hilo International Airport. They also entertain patients at many of Hilo’s senior kokua organizations and have performed at the park’s annual cultural festival.Free; park entrance fees apply.
PAHALA COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTS A HEALTHY SOILS WORKSHOP Friday, Aug. 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees learn how to optimize inputs, protect against drought and increase production. The event features vendor booths, food and door prizes. Seating is limited. Sign up with Jennifer at 933-8350.
KA`U HIGH CLASS OF 1979 REUNION is coming up on Friday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. at Rays on the Bay at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Contact Margo Lu Takata or Holli Wade on facebook for info.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. |