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Saturday, March 26, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, March 26, 2016

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has received funding to preserve Ka`u lands that are being sold by Mana Land Co. to a Florida-based company. Photos from Mana Land Co.
LANDS SOUGHT FOR INCLUSION in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park are being sold to a Florida company, according to Ken Fujiyama, whose group purchased the thousands of makai acres between Pahala and Volcano years ago from the now-defunct C. Brewer sugar company. Fujiyama this morning declined to state the name of the Florida company and said that “some things have to be worked out” before the sale is final.
      The land is the subject of a case in Judge Greg Nakamura’s Third Circuit Court involving a creditor and vetting of the Florida company purchasing the property.
      The National Park Service wants to purchase 1,951 acres of the property with funding approved in its 2016 budget. Fujiyama, former operator of Volcano House hotel leased from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, purchased the Great Crack lands from C. Brewer after the park showed interest.
A volcanic feature on Ka`u acreage being sold.
      The properties remain listed for sale by Fujiyama’s Mana Land Co. One 70.03-acre parcel is offered at $3.85 million, described as a “favorite fishing area for many `ulua” fishermen. Another 27.05-acre parcel is listed at $1.755 million, described as “a totally stress-free environment that people dream about but rarely ever find.” Another 272.28 acres is listed for $2.983 million. It “butts against the National Park wilderness area,” the listing says. 
      Another 1,537 acres are listed for $8.45 million. “Beautiful, barren and totally isolated, this oceanfront property is so unique that the National Park Service has this listed on their ‘to acquire’ property. Owner does not have to sell to the National Park,” the listing states. It says, “The fishing is fantastic along this coastline. There are three small ancient Hawaiian pads, a few petroglyphs and a few small historical sites on this property. There is a 300-foot conservation area setback and a 500-foot Special Management Area district setback from the coastline. The remaining area is zoned agriculture-20 acres. The top of the property sits at the 1,000-feet elevation and is three miles to the coastline. The oceanfront boundary is over a mile long.”
      The 2016 National Park Service budget for acquisition of the 1,951 acres around theGreat Crack area requires an appraisal and title search, as well as the property still being for sale. The Park Service is prohibited by law from purchasing any land at a higher price than its appraisal.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz
AS THE OUTBREAK OF MOSQUITO-BORNE viruses such as Zika and dengue continue to threaten Hawai`i and communities in the United States and around the world, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz led eight senators in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Schatz is a member, to increase funding for mosquito-control programs.
      “Increased support for vector-control programs at the CDC can help to control the populations of Aedes mosquitoes that transmit viruses such as Zika, dengue, West Nile and other arboviral diseases to humans and animals,” the senators wrote. “In addition to the supplemental Zika request, we respectfully request at least a doubling of the vector-borne diseases line to at least $55 million, within the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
      Next month, Schatz will visit the CDC headquarters in Georgia to meet with Director Tom Frieden and discuss the Center’s efforts to fight the growing outbreaks of Zika and dengue.
      Yesterday, Hawai`i Department of Health reported that one of 263 dengue fever cases confirmed during the current outbreak on Hawai`i Island remains potentially infectious to mosquitoes.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Marion Kittleson-Villanueva shared Ka`u's Puerto Rican heritage
at Ka`u Plantation Days. Photo by Julia Neal
MARION KITTLESON-VILLANUEVA, a former Pahala resident, has completed her first book, writing under the pen name Marion Louise.
      Mr. Kiko Searches for Aloha is a children’s picture book, for ages four to eight, which the author described as having “cultural implications and highlighting the values of individual differences. In the story, the coqui, a singing tree frog of Puerto Rican fame, finds himself as a misfit in Hawai`i. Not by choice, Kiko faces the other species in the rainforest and comes to know true rejection. Will there ever be any aloha for this new arrival?”
      Kittleson-Villanueva, a retired teacher and librarian, was born in Hawai`i of Puerto Rican and Portuguese decent. She has traveled to Puerto Rico several times and has worked on many projects to perpetuate the Puerto Rican experience in Hawai`i. The author shared Ka`u’s Puerto Rican heritage at past Ka`u Plantation Days at Pahala Plantation House. As president of the Puerto Rican Heritage Society of Hawai`i, she unveiled a historical plaque in Quanica Bay commemorating the exodus of Puerto Ricans to Hawai`i in the 1900s. As chair of Boricua Hawaiiana, she coordinated and organized an educational exhibit capturing the emigration of 5,000 Puerto Rican sugar laborers in Hawai`i from 1900 to 1910. The exhibit has traveled throughout Hawai`i and was featured at the Plaza de Americas in San Juan, PR. The author was also a member of a committee that spearheaded rededication of the Cartwright Monument at Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo.
      Kittleson-Villanueva suggested that the intercultural story would be an excellent selection for schools’ Book of the Month. It is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and authorhouse.com.
      Contact her at 938-8774 or kumumarion@gmail.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Wai`ohinu will be having a fundraising Mini-Bazaar on Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the church grounds. The church is located at Mamalahoa Hwy, Kama`oa Road and Pinao Street just above the Wong Yuen Store and Gas Station.
      Individuals, schools, clubs and athletic groups are invited to be vendors. The charge for a 10’x10’ space is $10. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tents, tables and chairs, and if power is needed, generators. Vendors can sell anything except hot foods and plate lunches.
      The church will be selling plate lunches and containers of kalua pig, as well as baked goods.
      For more information and to reserve a vendor space, call Walter Wong Yuen in the evenings after 7 p.m. at 928-8039.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Eunice Hashimoto and Lucy Makuakane with U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Photo from Julie Pasquale
NA`ALEHU SENIOR CITIZENS Eunice Hashimoto and Lucy Makuakane, along with their Hilo teammates, will represent the state of Hawai`i at the 65 and Over National Tennis Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona in April. They also were honored to recently meet U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Recognition Luncheon held in Hilo.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR COMMUNITY Association’s fundraising rummage sale continues today until 4 p.m. Proceeds go to the community’s volunteer fire department.
      For more information, call 929-9576.

A GARAGE SALE IN VOLCANO raises funds for Halau Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu today until 2 p.m. From Hwy 11, turn at Pi`imauna Drive and follow the signs. 

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA`U invites residents to enjoy Prince Kuhio Day at Na`alehu Park today until 3 p.m. The Royal Court arrived after this morning’s opening pule. The celebration includes food, arts and crafts, exhibits, photos, cultural demonstrations, Hawaiian games and much more. 
      For more information, contact Darlyne at 640-8407 or dvierra22@gmail.com or Liz at 339-0289 or konawaileo@yahoo.com.

HAWAI`I’S DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL Preference Poll begins at 1 p.m. today. Ka`u Democrats in precincts 03-07 and 05-01 cast ballots at Pahala Community Center, and those in precincts 05-02, 05-03 and 05-04 vote at Ocean View Community Center. Volcano Democrats vote at Kea`au Community Center. Doors at each open at 12 p.m.
      Voting wraps up when the meeting ends. To be included, Democrats and those wishing to register and join the party are advised to arrive before the meetings begin.
      See hawaiidemocrats.org for more information.

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT Network presents The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park today at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
      Make reservations at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

Volcano Art Center presents Jazz in the Forest today.
JAZZ IN THE FOREST CONTINUES today, featuring vocalist Ron Murphy with Volcano Art Center’s Jazz Ensemble. Two shows are offered, with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
      See volcanoartcenter.org.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP CELEBRATES Easter tomorrow. An Easter Egg Hunt begins at 9 a.m. in the `Ohi`a Room for children 10 and under. Preregister at 967-5382.
      Crater Rim Cafe serves Easter Brunch from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Menu includes honey-glazed ham, beef pot roast and more. Adults $16.75; children 6-11 $8.50. Call 967-8356. 
      KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests; for more information, call 967-8371.           Park entrance fees apply.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT the formation and various uses of the grassy cinder cone Pu`u o Lokuana and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The one-hour, free program is a moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.

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_March_2016.pdf.