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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016


Ka`u High School students Justin Subica-Kawakami, Brennen Nishimura and Aaron Delos Santos share their Science Fair wins with Principal Sharon Beck and Physical Science teacher Chayanee Brooks. Missing is Randall Patton. See more below. Photo from Chayanee Brooks
HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH reported one new case of dengue fever yesterday, but none that are infectious. The cumulative total of confirmed cases now stands at 260.
Teri Tico 
      Former Pahala homeowner Teri Tico compared Hawai`i County’s current outbreak to Maui’s outbreak in 2001-2002. “Having lived on Maui during the dengue outbreak, and having observed the immediate response, I am extremely disappointed in the Big Island response,” Tico said. “On Maui, there were constant public radio announcements, community meetings, door-to-door information sharing (brochures) and relentless educational outreach. But here on the Big Island, there has been little if any public information about how to mitigate the outbreak. No one during the Maui outbreak said we had to spray poisons. What we were told was to eliminate all water-collecting sources on our properties, like old tires, ponds, leaves on the ground, etc. I think the outbreak lasted about nine months, then it was over.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TWO SMALL EARTHQUAKES occurred near Pahala again this morning. A 2.6-magnitude quake occurred at 6:39 a.m., waking residents. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported it as a surface quake one mile east-southeast of Pahala on the makai side of Hwy 11. Almost three hours later at 9:28 a.m., a 2.3 magnitude struck 3.3 miles northwest of Pahala at a depth of 24.4 miles.
While small earthquakes occur in the Pahala area, Hawaiian
Volcano Observatory reports that seismicity is an normal levels.
Map from USGS/HVO
      HVO also reported that a magnitude-3.6 earthquake struck yesterday at 6 p.m. 2.4 miles west of Kilauea’s summit, while rates of seismicity continue at normal levels.
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE STUDENTS received awards for their projects at the 2016 Hawai`i District Science and Engineering Fair held at `Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo on Feb. 13.
      Aaron Delos Santos and Randall Patton won first prize for the most outstanding renewable energy award from Hawai`i Electric Light Company. Their project was Watt’s It All About? They showed the hidden power of microbes and the effect of sodium chloride on mud as a future alternative source of energy.
      Justin Subica-Kawakami won second prize in the same category. His project was Batteries that Makes Cents. He made a battery from pennies, nickels, sodium chloride and acetic acid.
      Brennen Nishimura was recognized as the best project in the robotic and intelligent machine category. His project was What Light is Right? He explained the effect of the reflector on grasshopper robot’s photovoltaic cells.”
      All the students were from Mrs. Chayanee Brooks’ Physical Science classes at Ka`u High.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Water balloon battles are part of BISAC's
Splash Bash next month.
Photo from BISAC
BELIEVE IN OUR COMMUNITY is the theme of Splash Bash, a free family fun day happening Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Sponsored by Big Island Substance Abuse Council, the event features water slides, a water balloon battle, a photo booth, games, music and more. An activity touted as the Bubblicious Family Fun Walk will have participants wading through walls of bubbles and soapy suds. Food such as cotton candy, shave ice, hot dogs and water will be available for just $1 each. A prize giveaway will allow lucky winners to walk away with a new bike, Razors and more. 
      The County of Hawai`i will also provide two buses for transportation throughout the day. The first pick-up will be at 9:30 a.m. from Pahala Community Center and the Park-&-Ride gravel lot across from Ocean View Shopping Center. The last drop-off to both locations leaves Na`alehu at 2:15 p.m. Those leaving their cars in Pahala should note that Pahala Community Center gates will open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. Buses will run continuously throughout the day.
      For more information, contact Pamella Deniz at 969-9994 (ext. 827) or Pamella.Deniz@bisac.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COMMUNITY HEALTH workshops are set for April, June and August. A four-part free training opportunity for community members, health providers and professionals will continue on Friday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The workshop will be given by Big Island Substance Abuse Council CEO Dr. Hannah Preston Pita, PysD, CSAC and will focus on kupuna, or elder, care.
      The first session was held in February on the subject of mental health. After the April 22 session, subsequent workshops will be on Friday, June 10 on substance abuse and Aug. 12 on compassion fatigue. All sessions are provided by BISAC. Donations are accepted, and coffee and refreshments will be provided.
      “These topics were identified by Imua Ka`u’s coalition as training area priorities for the community,” Pita said. Imua Ka`u is a group dedicated to improving the well being of the Ka`u community and residents. The training will provide information on these issues to include education, application, intervention and resources.
      Kathy Carr, a Mark Twain health professional who attended the first session on mental health, said Pita was “very knowledgeable” and the presentation was very timely and informative. Carr recommended the training to anyone interested in learning more about these topics. Register by emailing Pamella.Deniz@bisac.com with IMUA KA`U in the subject line. For questions, call Elizabeth Murph at 961-7051.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN, who holds a talk story in Ka`u next week, encourages his constituents to get involved in the legislative process. Register at capitol.hawaii.gov to track bills, subscribe to hearing notices of interest, and submit testimony online. Testimony can be sent directly to committees hearing bills by using the list of email addresses at capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx.
      In order to submit testimony through the online system, the measure must currently be scheduled for a hearing and formally referred to a committee.
      Ruderman's talk story takes place at Pahala Plantation House on Tuesday, March 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
      To sign up for his newsletter and receive updates on issues, email m.greenough@capitol.hawaii.gov with OPT-IN in the subject line. For specific concerns, call 808-586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE OFFICER WHO HAS BEEN ACTING as Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources' Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, Hawai`i Branch Chief for the past year and a half has been appointed permanently to the position. DOCARE Chief Thomas Friel said, “It is my honor and privilege to announce the selection of Lino Kamakau as DOCARE’s Hawai`i Island Branch Chief, effective immediately.”
      Kamakau has 17 years of law enforcement experience on Hawai`i Island, with a sharp focus on enforcement of natural resources laws. He began his enforcement career as a Hawai`i County police officer, where he served for a decade. At DOCARE, Kamakau served nine years as a Conservation Resource Officer III and then six years as a DOCARE Field Supervisor. He has served as acting Branch Chief on Hawai`i Island since September 2014.
      DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Lino has been deeply engaged in protecting Hawai`i literally from mauka to makai. We are fortunate to have him as a core leader of our DOCARE team.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HO`OMALU KA`U’S SECOND Native Dryland Plants Workshop takes place Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. The workshop focuses on propagation techniques and tips on landscaping with native plants.
      Register for the free workshop at 929-8526 or hoomalukau@gmail.com.

SPAGHETTI DINNER, SILENT AUCTION and bake and craft sales raise funds for Ka`u Hospital Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Purchase $10 dinner tickets from Nadine Ebert at 938-5124.

ZACH MERMEL TEACHES FUNDAMENTAL techniques to create edible landscaping for backyards and beyond Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Fees are $40, or $35, for VAC members plus $15 supply fee. Register at 967-8222.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST 2016 continues with two performances, 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 pm. on Saturday, featuring the Jazz Guitar artistry of Curt Warren, Jr. Volcano Choy with the Volcano Art Center Jazz Ensemble and a special Hana Hou appearance by Jeannine Guillory.
Jazz in the Forest continues Saturday. Photo from VAC
      Warren for years was the featured guitarist with the U.S. Navy’s official Jazz Ensemble, the Commodores, based in Washington. DC. He recently completed 31 years as professor of guitar at University of Texas in El Paso. Through the years, he has toured the world and recorded with various jazz greats such as Billy Eckstein, Monty Budwig and Della Reese along with being a featured artist at the Newport Jazz Festival.
      Tickets are available through tomorrow at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village, VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and volcanoartcenterorg. After tomorrow, tickets will be sold at the door if they not sold out.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html.
See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_February2016.pdf.