Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

Colorful characters and historic buildings of Pahoa, threatened by the lava flow that has entered the village. Photo by Julia Neal
KA`U VOTERS CAST BALLOTS for federal and state offices a week from today on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local polling places are Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau.
Libertarian Jon LaLanne is one of three candidates
running for State House District Five.
      One U.S. Senate office for Hawai`i is on the ballot following the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye. Appointed to the vacant seat by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, incumbent Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, who won the Primary against Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, faces Republican Cam Cavasso and Libertarian Michael Kokoski.
      Incumbent Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard faces Republican Kawika Crowley and Libertarian Joe Kent.
      The Hawai`i governor’s race has four choices on the ballots. After winning the Democratic Primary against incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie, David Ige is up against Republican Duke Aiona, Independent Mufi Hannemann and Libertarian Jeff Davis.
      The four gubernatorial candidates have partners in the Lieutenant Governor’s race: Republican Elwin Ahu, Independent Les Chang, Libertarian Cynthia Marlin and Democrat Shan Tsutsui.
      While Ka`u has two state Senate seats, only one is on the ballot this year. Incumbent Democrat Josh Green, of Kailua-Kona, faces Libertarian Michael Last, of Na`alehu, in District Three (Honu`apo into Kona).
      In Ka`u’s state House of Representative races, the incumbents each face two opponents. Democratic incumbent Richard Onishi, of Hilo, in District Three (Punalu`u into Hilo) faces Republican Bill Dickson, of Mountain View, and Libertarian Fred Fogel, of Volcano. In District Five (Honu`apo into Kona), Republic Dave Bateman, of Holualoa, and Libertarian Jon LaLanne, of Ocean View, faces incumbent Richard Creagan.
      Six candidates are seeking three seats as Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees with no island residency requirements. All from Honolulu, they are Lei Ahu Isa, Rowena Akana, Keili‘i Akina, Harvey McInerny, Mililani Trask and John Waihe`e.
      Walk-in voting for the General Election is available at Pahala Community Center through Friday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Residents on the Hilo side of the lava flow vote at Hawaiian Paradise Park
Community Center. Photo from HPPOA/Jane Buffington
MOTHER NATURE IS ONCE AGAIN impacting voting in Puna, where Tropical Storm Iselle caused confusion during the August Primary Election. 
      While Keonepoko and Pahoa High School remain as polling sites for the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, Chief Election Officer Scott Nago announced that voters in Ainaloa and Orchidland Estates who normally vote at the Pahoa Community Center will vote at Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center because the lava flow is expected to cross Hwy 130 and cut those residents off from their polling place. “We’ll be providing poll workers at Hawaiian Paradise Community Center with the poll books and ballots to allow voters in these communities the opportunity to vote on Nov. 4,” Nago said. He estimated about 2,000 voters are affected by this move. Voters who still have access to Pahoa Community Center may still vote there.
      In preparation for the lava flow, county election officials mailed absentee mail applications to voters in the area and set up an early vote location at Nanawale Community Center, which is open through Friday.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE LAVA FLOW entering into Pahoa village  took out an agricultural building, set a Hawaiian Electric Light Co. pole on fire and threatened numerous homes and buildings today. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported that the most rapidly advancing lobe of the flow entered the first occupied residential property at about 2 a.m. and advanced northeast toward Pahoa Village Road into an adjoining property. Firefighters prepared to defend homes against fires caused by the flow igniting brush and trees, but would not fight off the flow itself. HVO scientists said they expect the flow to cross Pahoa Village Road between Apa`a Street and Post Office Road. The state planned to closed some schools to remove equipment from buildings that could be in the path of  lava. Other area schools will close to prepare for additional students who may become refugees from the lava flow.
     In the meantime, international media outlets sent their crews to film the lava as it winds its way into Pahoa and to interview Puna people, the fate of their homes and businesses yet to be determined by Madame Pele.
Lava crossed into two privately owned properties in Puna this morning.
Photo from USGS/HVO
      Post Office Road is now one-way toward Hwy 130, with parking along the berm prohibited. With Pahoa Village Road blocked from Apa`a Street to Post Office Road, entry to the downtown area of Pahoa is at the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Hwy 130 near the high school.
     HELCO reported that its effort to protect its utility poles with wide jackets full of gravel and protective materials kept power intact even though a pole burned.
    One Pahola resident was reported to have surrounded his home with a berm in an effort to fend off the lava.
     See more at bigislandvideonews.com
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar

MARY CORREA, COMPLEX SUPERINTENDENT for Ka`u, Kea`au and Pahoa, has announced that beginning tomorrow, there will be no school for students at Keonepoko Elementary School in Puna, which is closing indefinitely, as it is in the anticipated path of lava.
      Hawai`i Department of Education is closing this and other schools ahead of the rapidly advancing Kilauea lava flow. The pace of the flow has accelerated implementation of DOE’s contingency plans, which will affect about 1,700 students and 300 employees beginning this week. 
      Last month, the DOE announced it was allowing teachers and students to continue teaching and learning, while making plans to accommodate them at alternate sites.
      The DOE and its teams have been working with many in the community to erect a temporary school to be named Keonepoko North for elementary students at Kea`au High’s parking lot that would accommodate at least 17 classrooms.
      DOE faculty, staff, administrators and facilities’ teams tomorrow begin administrative work in preparation of the new facility to receive students. The work will also include moving school furniture and equipment to the Keonepoko North facility at Kea`au High School from tomorrow through Friday and longer as needed.
      Beginning Thursday, there will be no school for students at Pahoa High & Intermediate, Pahoa Elementary, Kea`au High and Kea`au Middle to allow administrators, faculty and staff from those schools to help with administrative work and prepare for the transition of students affected by the move.
Na`alehu Methodist Church is the site of Ka`u Aloha Forum.
Photo from wikipedia
      Classes are scheduled to resume on Friday, Nov. 7 and Monday, Nov. 10.
      “Our teachers and principals have been tremendous in their efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy in our schools, all while preparing for this week,” said Correa. 
      “The flexibility of our staff, the cooperation of our families and the collaboration with Hawai`i County agencies have been instrumental in making these adjustments for all schools,” said Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MEMBERS OF NA`ALEHU UNITED METHODIST CHURCH announce the creation of the Ka`u Aloha Forum. This forum will provide presentations and concerts. The first event is at the Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 7. Mary Carroll, Honorary Consul of Nepal and resident of Ka`u, will give a presentation about the Nepal Foundation and how it has been helping those in remote regions of the high Himalayan country. This event is free and will include refreshments.
      Following the presentation, the Nepal Foundation sponsors a fundraising Christmas reception at the Carroll home. All donors of $50 or more are invited. Reservations will be taken until Thursday, Dec. 4. Donation checks can be made out to Na`alehu Methodist Church, PO Box 654, Na`alehu, HI 96772.
      For more information, contact Bob Stock at bobstockinkau@yahoo.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Toni Beck is a leading college player as a freshman after playing on the Ka`u team
that won the BIIF championship. Photo from Toni Beck
COLLEGE FRESHMAN TONI BECK, a star volleyball player during her years at Ka`u High, is making a name for herself in volleyball on the mainland. The Sioux City Journal quotes her coach Trevor Schirman after Beck made 11 kills in a late October game: “She’s really starting to come into her own. Somebody steered me in her direction. I liked what I saw, and we flew her out here for a trip. It’s been a good fit so far. I expect big things from her.” 
      The college, Briar Cliff in Sioux City, Iowa, provided Beck with a scholarship. She was assisted by her after-school Pilipa`a 18 Club coach Chris Leonard, who played with her Briar Cliff coach Schirman. The two attended Punahou on O`ahu.
      Beck, who has reached six feet in height, has earned her way into regular rotation of the Briar Cliff volleyball team, which plays in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
      At Ka`u, Beck was coached by Joshua Ortega and Elijah Navarro. During her time as a Trojan, Ka`u became BIIF champions. Beck was co-valedictorian when she graduated from Ka`u High in May of 2014. In her speech, she encouraged students to learn more about the world. She plans to study nursing.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Community Wildfire Protection Plans are the topic at public meetings in Ka`u
today and tomorrow. Photo from HWMO
HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds community input meetings this week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u. 
      Meetings are today from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

DIANE FERLATTE shares ghostly tales at Pahala Public & School Library tomorrow at 3 p.m. In Haunted Bayou: Ghostly Tales, Spirits Have Souls, Too, Ferlatte uses expression, gesture and intense emotion to create multiple characters for each story.

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See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.