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| Ka`u Plantation Days is organizing for the October event. Kupuna who studied under the late Edna Aguil continue their hula tradition as part of the annual festivities at Pahala Plantation House. Photo by Julia Neal |
Interested persons and volunteers are invited to planning meetings at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24; Thursday, Sept. 10; Thursday, Sept. 24; and Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Pahala Community Center and Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the old sugar manager’s house.
Sponsored by Ka`u Multicultural Society, led by Darlyne Vierra and Liz Kuluwaimaka, Ka`u Plantation Days will be held on the grounds of the old sugar plantation manager’s manor, Pahala Plantation House.
It begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 with an opening pa`u parade, with representatives of ranches and farms on horseback, foot, car, truck and float. Flower lei-bedecked riders and horses represent each island. Clyde Silva emcees the parade. At the old manager’s house, families with roots in Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Filipino, Samoan, European and other traditions present their memorabilia, dress, dance and foods. It will be the first year with Samoan dance, Vierra said.
Sponsors include `O Ka`u Kakou and Pahala Plantation Cottages.
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| Tropical Storm Kilo, 435 miles south of South Point, is on its way past Ka`u. Map from NOAA |
TROPICAL STORM KILO, 435 miles south of South Point at 11 a.m., is expected to stay south as it passes Hawai`i Island today and tonight, according to Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The forward speed of the cyclone is forecast to diminish significantly with a gradual turn toward the north-northeast, with the most recent track showing it heading directly to Kaua`i.
The storm will strengthen into a hurricane Monday morning, CPHC reported. Kilo is moving over very warm water, and easterly shear winds, which often help destroy tropical storms, are expected to slowly weaken later today and then remain rather weak.
In advance of Kilo’s possible landfall in the state, Gov. David Ige today signed an emergency proclamation making Major Disaster Funds available for disaster relief.
CPHC said the U.S. 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron will begin flights into Kilo this evening and will continue to do so at 12-hour intervals until further notice, providing insight into Kilo’s structure and intensity.
Another tropical storm, Loke, is southwest of Hawai`i and not expected to impact the state.
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| Merilyn Harris |
KA`U HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR Merilyn Harris provided more information regarding Hawai`i Health Systems Corp.’s preliminary talks with Adventist Health, which initiated a conversation about possible acquisition of East Hawai`i Region facilities. Ka`u Hospital, Hilo Medical Center and Hale Ho`ola Hamakua had to cut $7 million from East Hawai`i Region’s budget this year, resulting in over 80 staff layoffs across the region and some service reductions.
“Fortunately for Ka`u Hospital, we did not lose any permanent positions, but the financial stresses on our facilities are considerable,” Harris said, “and we are very worried about the future because the road ahead is going to be even more financially challenging, and the health care needs in our community continue to grow. Ka`u Hospital is great evidence of that as our hospital and clinic have been busier than ever.
“Our Board has to look at all the potential options, and that includes evaluating any prospective strategic alliance that would ensure our ability to sustain our services. …. The fact that you are seeing these reports in the news is evidence of the fact that the leadership of the East Hawai`i Region of HHSC wants our staff and community to be confident that our Board is being open and transparent about all considerations.”
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“Our Board has to look at all the potential options, and that includes evaluating any prospective strategic alliance that would ensure our ability to sustain our services. …. The fact that you are seeing these reports in the news is evidence of the fact that the leadership of the East Hawai`i Region of HHSC wants our staff and community to be confident that our Board is being open and transparent about all considerations.”
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| Ka`u's organic coffee farmers are urged to contact their certifier regarding use of Mycotrol O. |
KA`U ORGANIC COFFEE FARMERS who use Mycotrol O to control coffee berry borers should contact their certifier immediately, according to University of Hawai`i Cooperative Extension Service Agent Andrea Kawabata. After next Friday, Aug. 28, it is highly likely that use of Mycotrol O, which contains Beauveria bassiana, will be prohibited on certified organic farms.
A few options for repellency and control of CBB still exist. Surround WP Crop Protectant and Garlic Barrier are for repellency, and Pyganic Crop Protection EC 5.0 is for direct contact. Unlike Beauveria products, Pyganic does not persist or continue to kill after initial contact with the beetle. The beetle must be contacted directly to kill.
“We would like you to be prepared and informed about this situation,” Kawabata said. “Please talk to your certifier to better understand how this ruling by Organic Materials Review Institute will affect you.”
Information has also been posted at http://hawaiicoffee.weebly.com/educational-events-and-announcements.html.
“We would like you to be prepared and informed about this situation,” Kawabata said. “Please talk to your certifier to better understand how this ruling by Organic Materials Review Institute will affect you.”
Information has also been posted at http://hawaiicoffee.weebly.com/educational-events-and-announcements.html.
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NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Fisheries’ recently completed Draft Main Hawaiian Island Monk Seal Management Plan is now available for public comment.
NOAA developed the draft plan through a participatory process, reflecting ideas and input from experts, partners, stakeholders and communities, including outcomes from workshops and other meetings held to discuss monk seal management issues. The agency chose to continue the participatory process by voluntarily including a public review before finalizing the plan.
While this plan will be a living document and may be updated to reflect changing ecological and social conditions, the target for finalizing this version is Sept. 30.
The plan is available for public review and comment through Sept. 9. Download the plan at http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/PRD/Hawaiian%20monk%20seal/Draft_HMS_Management_Plan_FNL.pdf.
Submit comments to monkseal@noaa.gov.
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| Woodley White builds `ukulele in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE BIG ISLAND `UKULELE GUILD’S annual exhibit opens Friday, Oct. 2 at Wailoa Center in Hilo at 5 p.m. The formal opening features live music, pupus and a drawing for a free `ukulele. The exhibit features builders from across the island including Ka`u builders Woodley White, Dennis Lake, Rodney Crusat and Dave Stokes. It also features other invitational pieces from woodworkers across the island, including furniture, sculpture and turned bowls. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Oct. 30. The exhibit was hailed as the best attended show of 2013.
The public is invited to join in the fun for the formal opening and to see the show throughout the month and to vote for their favorite `ukulele for the People’s Choice Award. The public is also invited to join in `ukulele kanikapila on Saturdays, Oct. 3 with Alan Hale and Oct. 17 with Keoki Kahomoku from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 10, members of the `Ukulele Guild lead demonstrations for the public.
Big Island `Ukulele Guild was started in 2001 and has 50 members. Its primary focus of the guild is to promote `ukulele making by sharing information between builders. Many of the members build as a hobby, while about ten percent build professionally. Any interested person can become a guild member. The guild meets four times a year at varying locations across the island to share food, kanikapila and a presentation on some aspect of `ukulele building.
For more information about the, contact coordinator Dave Stokes at 989-8890 or visit BigIslandUkuleleGuild.org.
For more information about Wailoa Art Center, call 933-0416.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Big Island `Ukulele Guild was started in 2001 and has 50 members. Its primary focus of the guild is to promote `ukulele making by sharing information between builders. Many of the members build as a hobby, while about ten percent build professionally. Any interested person can become a guild member. The guild meets four times a year at varying locations across the island to share food, kanikapila and a presentation on some aspect of `ukulele building.
For more information about the, contact coordinator Dave Stokes at 989-8890 or visit BigIslandUkuleleGuild.org.
For more information about Wailoa Art Center, call 933-0416.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS are Saturday in Volcano Village. Half Marathon begins at 7 a.m.; 10K, 7:45 a.m.; and 5K, 8 a.m. Keiki Runs begin at 10 a.m. All events start and finish at Cooper Center on Wright Road.
Food and entertainment make the day fun for everyone.
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| A program about `ohi`a lehua takes place tomorrow. Photo from NPS |
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.
Participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and the lehua flower tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Visitors identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this easy, one-mile or less walk.
Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka & Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Call 985-6011 for more information.
Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka & Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Call 985-6011 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf. |
