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Monday, September 15, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Sept. 15, 2014

Volcano School of Arts & Sciences students present their own goodies along with professional chefs at yesterday's Grape Harvest Festival at Volcano Winery to raise funds for the school's STEAM programs. Photo by Julia Neal
VOLCANO WINERY RAISED MONEY for Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences yesterday with its Grape Harvest Festival. Volcano Winery served its wines and teas. Ka`u Coffee growers, chefs and makers of locally sourced foods also made their presentation to the public with generous tastings.
Cafe `Ohi`a brings its offerings to the fundraiser for Volcano School
of Arts & Sciences. Photo by Julia Neal
      The $40 tickets sold out, and attendees were entertained by Keoki Kahumoku and his `ukulele kids, including Volcano School student and singer Jade Tredinnick.
      Volcano Winery partner Marie Bothof said the festival “was wonderful all the way around, and everyone said they would come back next year.” Those who attended were able to tour the vineyard, tea garden, fig orchard, greenhouse and vat room, led by partner Del Bothof and general manager and head winemaker Alex Wood.
      Money raised will support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) programs at the school. To donate, call Kim at 985-7055.

KA`U’S STATE REP. RICHARD CREAGAN has concerns about proposed wastewater system rules that could raise the price of homes and commercial entities that currently use cesspools in Ka`u. The state Department of Health regulations are aimed at further protecting drinking water sources and the environment.
Chefs came from as far as Hilo, with VooDoo's presenting Cajun
and Creole cuisine at Volcano Winery's Grape Harvest Festival.
Photo by Julia Neal
      “Everything has a risk benefit and a cost benefit ratio, and I think the costs of requiring septic systems as opposed to cesspools on the Big Island far outweigh the risks to both individuals and the environment,” Creagan said. “In my view, as a physician and a former epidemiological investigator for the state health department, the system on the Big Island is not broken, and the proposed rule changes by the Health Department are based on poorly substantiated claims and science that does not apply for the most part to the unique geology of the Big Island.
      “We have a housing shortage. These rules would unnecessarily increase the cost of housing and put another roadblock to the expansion of badly needed additional homes.
      “These rule changes are being rushed through by a lame-duck administration, and I think that these proposed changes should be deferred until we have a new administration and the Legislature is back in session to enable a more measured and informed look at the situation.” Creagan said that if the proposed rule changes are adopted, he will fight for statutory exemptions for the Big Island.
Olson Trust manager for Ka`u,
Randy Stevens, brought Ka`u
Coffee Mill brew to Volcano
Winery. Photo by Julia Neal
Lorie Obra of Rusty's Coffee contributed
 to the fundraising festival. Photo by Julia Neal
      According to DOH, other states, including Iowa, New Jersey and Massachusetts, require cesspools to be upgraded to septic systems whenever property ownership changes. “Requiring cesspool upgrades when property is sold makes sense because the cost of the upgrade can be shared between the buyer and seller at a time when sellers, with proceeds from the sale, are better able to afford upgrading costs and buyers, who are usually borrowing already for their purchase, may obtain additional financing for eliminating a cesspool,” DOH said in its Rationale for the Proposed Revisions.
      To read the proposal and send comments by email, see health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/public_notice. Written comments can be sent to Wastewater Branch, Environmental Management Division, State Department of Health, 919 Ala Moana Blvd, Room 309, Honolulu, HI 96814-4920.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

She Holds a Torch for Johnnie by Suzanne Dix Kaliko
Image from the artist
SUZANNE DIX KALIKO, WHO LIVES in Ocean View with her husband Ronald, has been selected to display her artwork at the Third Annual Alumni Art & Design Fair at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, Sept. 20. 
      A graduate of Pratt in 1974, Kaliko will exhibit her “Social Commentary” oil and acrylic paintings. Her collection depicts a humorous and refreshing analysis of the human condition from a feminine perspective.
      An artist all her life, Kaliko started on a chalkboard drawing houses, birds and clouds at the age of two. Raised in a rural community in western New York, she was self-taught until 18 when she was admitted to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Her 1974 graduating class was the last classically trained painting/drawing curriculum before computers. 

“We were taught the hard way,” Kaliko said. “Photography was barely accepted at that time as a fine art, and there was zero tolerance for photographic imagery, including the use of photographs for drawn or painted works. I was trained when it was considered ‘cheating.’”
      Kaliko said old-school techniques have served her well over the years. “The test of conveying a scene by drawing from life develops all an artist’s skills. Nature (plein aire technique) forces the artist to work fast and absorb all the nuances of color and light before they change – in about 20 minutes. Since every painting takes more that 20 minutes to complete, the artist is challenged to render the painting from memory once the initial impression is made.

 It is easy to be inspired. Everyone has his or her ‘Aha!’ moment where a saying or an image impresses itself on the psyche. The toughest aspect of making art is taking that inspiration and acting on it. One must get out there and make the painting, dance the dance, play the instrument. That’s when the joy comes – during the act of creation.”
Alex Aden
      Over the forty years Kaliko has spent in the art field, she has created hundreds of paintings and taught thousands of students. Her community involvement supports an interest in connecting others with their own creativity. Her poetry reflects her impressions of culture and social interactions.
      For more information, contact Kaliko at 929-7113 or suzanne@dixstudios.com. See www.509studios.biz.

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE HAVE FOUND ALEX ADEN, the 19-year-old Ka`u man who was reported missing Saturday.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hawai`i Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald
HAWAI`I CHIEF JUSTICE MARK E. RECKTENWALD is seeking public comment on judicial nominees for the current vacancy in the District Court of the Third Circuit (County of Hawai`i). The names submitted for this vacancy by the Judicial Selection Commission, in alphabetical order, are: Jeffery N. Burleson, 
Wendy M. DeWeese, 
Margaret K. Masunaga, 
Michael H. Schlueter, 
Cynthia T. Tai and Kimberly B.M. Taniyama. 
      Because the Chief Justice has the discretion to assign judges to the district or district family court calendar, comments about the qualifications and character of any of the nominees with regard to either calendar assignment may be sent, in writing, to
      Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, 
Supreme Court of Hawai`i, 
417 South King Street, 
Honolulu, HI 96813 
or by fax to 808-539-4703 
or email to chiefjustice@courts.hawaii.gov
      Comments must be postmarked, emailed, faxed or hand delivered no later than Friday, Sept. 26. All comments will be kept confidential.
      The individual selected by the Chief Justice is subject to Senate confirmation.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Backroads of Puna may become lifelines if lava covers Hwy
130 near Pahoa. Photo from Big Island Video News
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ARE CONTINUING in Puna to create alternate access routes in the event lava covers Hwy 130 in the Pahoa area. Clearing and grading are taking place on Railroad Avenue and Government Beach Road, which would allow residents to connect with Hwy 130 north of the flow.
      The county is also today opening an operations center at Pahoa Community Center. Fire, police, Civil Defense and other personnel will be available there for the duration of the emergency period.
      See bigislandvideonews.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KAI HO`OPI`I, WINNER OF ALOHA FESTIVAL’S Hawaiian falsetto signing contest, shares music of his `ohana Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK asks families to sign up by this Friday for its free Ka`u `Ohana Day on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Keiki of all ages are invited to join park rangers and take a closer look at the Kahuku Unit during a day of activities. Connect with the culture, people and `aina (land) through mo`olelo (stories), GPS and compass. Free lunch is provided.
      Call 985-6019.

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