Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016

Na`alehu Honu fans in green shirts watch teammate Roselita Anni compete at Hawai`i County's age group track meet.
Photo from Bob Martin

KA`U KIDS RAN AND JUMPED their way to success this past Saturday at Hawai`i County Department of Parks & Recreation’s age group track & field meet held at Konawaena. Na`alehu Elementary and Ka`u Middle School took home nearly 40 medals collectively.
Honu Terlynn Hirata races toward the finish
line. Photo from Bob Martin
      Stand-out sixth-grader Kevin Hirata won two first-place medals for Na`alehu Elementary, finishing the 400-meter run in one minute and 12.78 seconds and the 200-meter in 30.37 seconds in the boys age group 11-12. First-place finishers for the Na`alehu Honu in this age group also included triple-jumper Rudolph Lanwi (26’ 7.25”). Lanwi also placed third in the 400-meter run (1:13.13). Gold also went to the girls age group 11-12 relay team of Terlynn Hirata, Rolinda Bunglick, Roselita Anni and Rosiena Joseph, who beat the pack with a time of 1:15.56.
      Ka`u middle-school students, ages 13-14, took home three gold medals. Kauila Acasio jumped to first place in the boys running long jump at a distance of 15’ 10”, while Takios Paul took first in the boys shot put with a throw of 27’ 2”. Lyric Oliveros placed first for girls 13-14 shot put.
      With 50 girls and boys attending the track meet, Na`alehu, coached by Bob Martin, Linda Le and Audrey Meyer, ended up taking home 21 medals for the girls and 10 for the boys. For boys age group 9-10, fifth-grader Derek Lang placed second in the 400-meter run (1:15.71) and third in the standing triple jump (17’). Fellow fifth-grader Nyzea Kainoa also placed third in the 100-meter run. For the girls, sixth-grader Keahi Forcum gained a silver medal in the age group 13-14 triple jump (22’5”).
      Na`alehu relay race medalists also included the following girls teams: Girls 6-8 4x50 third place 51.55 – Sarah Meyer, Wailea Kainoa-Haili-Barawis, Kamalea Davis, Hoku Cohen; Girls 9/10 4x100 Silver 1:18.58 – Naehu DeGuair, Omella Luther, Meola River, Neilynntha Paul; Girls 9/10 4x100 Bronze 1:19.31 – Zaela Malia Kainoa-Haili-Barawis, Arielle Cohen, Madison Okimoto, Candace Keohuloa; and Girls 11/12 4x100 Silver 1:21.80 – Linna Ading, Kaialani Okamura, Amelia Uribe-Bounos, Akela Kuahiwinui.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Studio 4 owner and stylist Elise Russell
with fellow stylist Kathy Mateo and
client Patti Barry. Photo by Nalani Parlin
STUDIO 4, A NEW HAIR AND NAIL SALON, opened its doors in Ocean View Town Center, holding its grand opening party earlier this month. Owner and stylist Elise Russell said, “We need these services here,” which remained her driving reason for opening Studio 4 after the closure of Ocean View’s only longtime operating salon. With a lot of elbow grease and help, Russell cleaned up the large space adjacent to Kahuku Country Market, formerly the location of a thrift store, which revealed a striking black-and-white checkerboard floor under several layers of dirt and grime. “So many people have come in and asked if we put in new floors,” said Russell, “but it was there all along!”
      Russell’s ultimate goal for the salon is to provide an attractive and welcoming environment for clients with a “really good professional team.” Russell works with hair stylist Kathy Matteo, of Ocean View, who has 26 years of experience with hair and color. Matteo previously owned and operated her own salon in Oregon for six years but loves living in Ocean View. “I love the people (here) and making them feel special when they come in,” she said. She said she is enjoying the Studio 4 roomy atmosphere because it is “well decorated and well lit.” Studio 4 has recently added a manicurist to the roster and offers stations for other hair professionals to rent.
      Russell, who also lives in Ocean View, is a seasoned entrepreneur and professional hair stylist and cosmetologist who owned businesses on the mainland. Her credits also include working with celebrities at Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe and the Mauna Lani resort, and most recently at Kama`aina Kuts in Na`alehu.
      Also a reverse glass painter, Russell has a heart for the arts. She hopes to feature a local artist every other month at her salon, with a meet-and-greet session, so that the community can get to know local artists. Along with her goal to make clients feel pampered, Russell has included opportunities for “retail therapy” with quality hair products and hand-selected jewelry, scarves and other items for sale.
      Studio 4 is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 929-9000 to make an appointment.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui
ACTING GOV. SHAN TSUTSUI has extended the emergency declaration proclamation to address homelessness statewide. This is the third extension to the emergency proclamation on homelessness that Gov. David Ige first declared in October 2015.
      Along with continuing to support the state’s work with homelessness, this third supplemental proclamation continues to support efforts to establish temporary and long-term housing in Hawai`i County and other counties, as well as provide all counties relief in their work for repair and maintenance of existing county shelters.
      “I believe it’s important that we continue to provide the support and services to our state, city and county partners to address this pressing issue,” Tsutsui said. “There’s still much work to do to address this crisis, and we must keep the momentum going to help the homeless community.”
      Hawai`i has the highest rate of homelessness per capita in the nation, with an estimated 465 homeless individuals per 100,000.
      “This extension puts an emphasis on the need for long-term housing for the homeless,” said Scott Morishige, the governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness. “At the end of the day, we need to put our focus on the need for developing homes for the homeless.”
      This third supplemental proclamation is set to expire in April.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

DOFAW Administrator David Smith Photo from DLNR
DAVID SMITH, A VETERAN STATE wildlife biologist and forestry and wildlife manager with 28 years of experience, has been promoted to Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife Administrator.
      “We are delighted that one of DLNR’s largest divisions has someone so experienced and respected to lead it,” DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said. “Dave has played lead roles in stewardship of state forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, game management area, public hunting areas and offshore-island seabirds sanctuaries.”
      Smith’s experience also includes field work, personnel, budget legislative, partner and community relations management. He has supervised DOFAW activities at Kure Atoll State Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and has also supervised forestry, wildlife, ecosystems, trails and access teams.
      “Dave’s passion and enthusiasm for DLNR’s mission, combined with his collaborative, problem-solving style, will benefit all of Hawai`i on a broader level,” Case said.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TONIGHT’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK program focuses on the natural resources of Kahuku. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park botanist Sierra McDaniel and wildlife biologist Jon Faford discuss the natural treasures of the Kahuku Unit and the challenges of conserving native species that cling to life here.
      The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

A voluntee removes ginger choking out native plants.
Photo from NPS
COME HELP OUT THE PARK and the `aina by cutting invasive Himalayan ginger on trails in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Stewardship at the Summit takes place tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and closed-toe shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sweet sounds of native honeycreepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above to serenade volunteers. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended.
      This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is around a one-mile, moderate roundtrip into Kilauea caldera down Halem`auma`u Trail. The hike involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
      Park entrance fees apply.

Participants make kahili tomorrow.
Photo from NPS
NPS RANGERS AND HAWAI`I Pacific Parks Association staff demonstrate the art of making feather kahili tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Kahili is a symbol of royalty that is displayed in the presence of ali`i.
      Participants can watch or join in and make their own kahili to take home.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

POTTERY THROWING IS ON DISPLAY Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Erik Wold and Emily Herb center and throw ceramic vessels on a ceramics wheel.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U'S STATE SEN. Russell Ruderman meets with his Ka`u constituents a week from today. Ruderman discusses the current legislative session and Ka`u concerns at Pahala Plantation House on Tuesday, March 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
      For more information, call 808-586-6890, or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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













See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_February2016.pdf.
See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html.