Kaʻū News Briefs Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016

‘Ōpūkaha‘ia likely fished, swam and played at this black sand Nīnole beach at Koloa Bay.
The view is from the Kaʻieʻie fishing heiau. See story below.
Photo by Chris Cook

FILIPINO WWII VETERANS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS with the unanimous passage of a bill today by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was co-introduced by Kaʻū’s Senator Mazie Hirono and Kaʻū’s House member Tulsi Gabbard. It passed the Senate unanimously in July.

Filipino WWII heroes to receive Congressional Medal
of Honor after unanimous passage of legislation today.
Photo from Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project
www.filvetrep.org

     The legislation acknowledges the more than 200,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag against the Imperial Forces of Japan during World War II.
     Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, said: “Today is truly a great day, a significant seminal period in American history – second only to the liberation of the Philippines and surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces on August 15, 1945. Now we can tell our veterans with pride in our hearts that this grateful nation has, at last, granted them recognition for the selfless sacrifice they endured in war, and restored their dignity and honor in service to their nation.”
       Hirono said, “These veterans were instrumental to our victory in the Pacific, but had to fight for decades to receive the benefits they earned. The unanimous support this bill earned in the Senate and the overwhelming backing it has in the House honors the sacrifice so many of these veterans made for our country.”
       Gabbard called it an “historic vote to honor our Filipino World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal – our highest civilian honor. These loyal and courageous soldiers suffered, fought, and gave up their lives alongside their American counterparts throughout the war, and have waited decades for their service to be recognized. They cannot afford to wait any longer. It has been an honor to personally get to know some of these veterans and their families, and to hear them humbly tell their courageous stories of service. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to pass this timely legislation, and to honor our veterans with this long-overdue recognition.” 

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MICRO UNITS OF HOUSING for the homeless is a new outreach by the County of Hawaiʻi. Twenty-three were dedicated yesterday, after completion by Kona-Kaʻū Construction and several subcontractors in nine months at a cost of $2.5 million. The County handled the design and engineering. The housing addresses a critical need within the chronically homeless community.

     According to a statement from Mayor Billy Kenoi, the number of homeless on this island increased ten percent in one year, totaling about 1,400 in January. About 500 were unsheltered and living on the west side of the island. “Our families who are homeless need a sense that they have a chance. They can believe that because they can sleep in a clean, safe place,” said Kenoi. “We’re creating a puʻuhonua, a safe haven, a place of refuge where people can walk around with dignity and respect.” 

Hale Kikaha, 23 micro units to house the homeless, was constructed by
Kona Kaʻū Construction in nine months. Photo from County of Hawaiʻi

     This first micro-housing cluster is now open in Kailua-Kona on Pawai Place in the industrial area. The name is Kikaha, which means to soar. According to the mayor’s statement, “Hale Kikaha represents the County's hope and  commitment to the residents that will call the project home.” 

     Nearby is the county’s 31-bed emergency shelter built in 2010, along with “wraparound” services. The statement says the County has adopted the best practice Housing First model for dealing with the homeless problem.

     The County has also partnered in constructing affordable homes to be rented and others to be owned by low-to-moderate income families. In addition, it administers programs to assist tenants renting existing housing. More than 2,000 families receive over $14 million in assistance every year through Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and the Housing Choice Voucher programs on this island. 

    “We are measured not by what we do for those who have the most, we are measured by what we do for those who have the least,” said the mayor.

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IN THE LIFE OF KAʻŪ BORN HENRY ʻŌPŪKAHAʻIA, new key historical detail has come to light, with oral history identifying his probable place of birth at Punaluʻu-Nīnole. Author Chris Cook recently updated his 2015 edition of The Providential Life and Heritage of Henry Obookiah, a biography of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia. The more specific location of the childhood home comes from history handed down to the Rev. Henry Boshard Ph.D., who served as pastor at Mokuaikaua Church on the Kailua-Kona waterfront from 1964-2006. Boshard told Cook that his family believes the ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia homesite is located below the Hokuloa - Henry ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia Chapel near Punalu‘u Beach Park. 

      ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia grew up along the black sand beach and lava rock coastline along the strand at Nīnole and Punalu‘u. Referring to the scant published documentation on the early years of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, it was earlier assumed that the beach at Koloa Bay in the ahupuaʻa of Nīnole was the location of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s home, said the author.
        Kahu Boshard also grew up in Punalu‘u and his wife Iris Boshard has ties to Ka‘ū through her paniolo father from the Kanaka‘ole family with heritage at Kapapala Ranch. Boshard said his grandmother, Adeline Nihokula Akiu, related to her family that the location of a beachfront parcel makai of the Hokuloa Chapel at Punalu‘u as the birthplace and childhood home of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia.
     The Hokuloa Chapel was dedicated by the Women’s Board of Missions of the United Church of Christ in Hawai‘i in 1957 in honor of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia. The walk up the unpaved drive takes visitors to the chapel mauka of Punalu‘u black sand beach park. From the rock wall gate at the chapel, one can look down upon ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s beachfront parcel homesite, writes Cook.
     ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia and his family departed Ka‘ū in 1796. His father Keʻau was recruited as a minuteman-type soldier in a Ka‘ū army marching under orders of the district ali‘i nui, Namakeha. The Kaʻū chief hoped to reconquer lands taken earlier by Kamehameha, taking advantage of the king being distracted while completing his conquest of O‘ahu following the Battle of Nuʻuanu.
    The fate of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s family resulted in their never returning to their kuleana at Punalu‘u. ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s father, mother Kamohoʻula (a cousin of Kamehameha) and infant brother were slaughtered following the Battle of Kaipalaoa fought near the Wailuku River in Hilo in the summer of 1796. ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, about age 10, was spared – as too young to cause trouble, but old enough to take care of himself, and to able to provide useful labor for his captors. ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia was taken to North Kohala by a warrior who killed his family. His maternal uncle Pahua, a kahuna at the Hikiau Heiau at Napoʻopoʻo along the shore of Kealakekua Bay, adopted ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia into his priestly family and began training him as a kahuna. In 1808 ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia chose to sail away aboard the New Haven sealing ship Triumph.

Cynthia Lehua Nani Hoʻomanawanui-Akiu, left, and cousin Deborah
Liʻikapeka Lee at ʻŌpūkahaʻia Memorial Chapel during a history tour.
Photo by Chris Cook

   “The decision of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, then about 21 years old, to venture outside Hawai‘i as a sailor, would result in great changes to Hawaiʻi in later years,” writes Cook. “‘Ōpūkaha‘ia became well known in New England churches in the mid-1810s, a ‘heathen’ converted to Christianity who translated the Book of Genesis directly from Hebrew to the Hawaiian language, preached in English, and was being groomed to lead a Protestant mission to Hawaiʻi.

   ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia died of typhus fever at Cornwall, Ct. in February 1818. Following his death, the 100-page, hand-sized book Memoirs of Henry Obookiah spread his story. The widespread reading of the little book drew strong public support for sending the pioneer company of the Sandwich Islands Mission to Hawaiʻi, out of Boston in October 1819.
     In 1993 Deborah Lee of Hilo, supported by her ʻohana, successfully undertook the return of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s remains from Cornwall to a raised stone gravesite at the Kahikolu (Trinity) Church at Napoʻopoʻo. 

     She has also been involved in putting together a Hana Hou History Tour, which  is returning to Hokuloa Chapel in mid-February to focus on the life of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia at Punaluʻu-Nīnole. The tour draws visitors from the mainland and Hawaiʻi interested in the Christian history of Hawaiʻi Island. The tour will also visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park where a native Hawaiian guide will relate the story of Chiefess Kapiʻolani challenging the goddess Pele at Kīlauea Volcano in the mid-1820s. For more information: hanahou.info. 

      Author Cook said he seeks comments on his account of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, especially information from Kaʻū about the notable native Hawaiian’s childhood in Punaluʻu and Nīnole.  This account is based on a post at his blog www.obookiah.com. Interested persons can contact Cook at obookiah@gmail.com

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WINTER CRAFTS FOR KEIKI will be offered today, Nov. 30 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m at Pāhala Community Center, for grades K-8. 928-3102.

Keiki gets a lift at the new Kaʻū
District Gym. Photo by Ron Johnson

REGISTER FOR UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I VULCAN VOLLEYBALL CLINIC to be held tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 1, at the new Kaʻū District Gym. The clinic, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. is for youth five to 14 years of age. The clinic is expected to feature Vulcan and Trojan volleyball star Marley Strand-Nicholaisen and other Vulcan players who just finished their season. All participants must have a parent sign the Dept. of Parks & Recreation release of claims form and the HI-PAL permission Release Form. Court shoes or rubber sole shoes are required. To register, call Pāhala Community Center at 928-3102 or 854-7316. Community police Officer Blaine Morishita is also helping through the Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League and can be reached at 936-7192.

DEADLINE FOR THE ALYSHA & PETE 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL WINTER JAM is this Friday, Dec. 2. The tournament will be held at the new Kaʻū District Gym, Dec. 9-11 with opportunities for adults and youth of all ages. Age groups are ten and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, boys, girls and co-ed. Men and women are also invited to compete. Cost is $10 per person with five players maximum per team. The tournament raises money to help fund Trojan Senior basketball players Pete Dacalio and Alysha Gustafson to travel to the mainland with coach Jen Makuakane to look at colleges who may provide them with sports scholarships. To sign up or donate, call Summer Dacalio at 498-7336, Pete Dacalio at 498-3518 or Alysha Gustafson at 339-0858.

Pāhala Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 11
with floats, marchers, and Christmas music.
Photo by Julia Neal

PĀHALA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE welcomes community groups, churches, sports teams coffee farmers, classic vehicle drivers and more to travel through the village on Sunday, Dec. 11. The parade, in its 38th year, travels through the streets of Pāhala, with Santa and his helpers handing out candy to kids. A traditional stop is Kaʻū Hospital where long term patients come outdoors to see the decorated trucks cars and floats, marching groups and costumed characters. Participants begin gathering at the old Pāhala Armory at noon and the parade starts at 1 p.m. The parade ends at the Catholic Church on Pikake Street for refreshments. Organizer for almost four decades is Eddie Andrade. For more information, call Andrade at 928-0808.

Beauty of Kaʻū art show artists and supporters of The Directory,
with a Dec. 15 deadline to sign up. Photo by Ron Johnson

                     
DEADLINE FOR THE DIRECTORY, to sign up for listings and advertising for businesses, The Kaʻū Calendar. It includes photography and art by Kaʻū residents, a calendar of events, listings and feature stories including winners of the recent Beauty of Kaʻū art show, sponsored by the Chamber. Deadline to sign up by businesses, community groups, churches and agencies is Dec. 15. The annual business and community resource guide is sponsored by Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce and produced by The Kaʻū Calendar.

A mamaki wreath by Lanaya Delly at
Christmas in the Country at
Volcano Art Center

     The Directory raises scholarship money for students from Kaʻū throughout their higher education in trades, college and university studies. Printed each January, 7,500 copies of The Directory are distributed throughout Kaʻū and Volcano. To sign up, contact geneveve.fyvie@gmail.com.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY holiday exhibit daily through Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org . Free; park entrance fees apply.

DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE FRIEND-RAISER, NĀʻĀLEHU Elementary School's Winter Fest. It takes place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Make New Friends,” declares the poster, which also reports on opportunities to enjoy shave ice, drinks, hot dogs – all for $1. Games are 50 cents. Also featured is a bounce house, raffle, bake sale, splash booth, jail, face painting and information vendors. Winter Fest is sponsored by the Nāʻālehu School Council. Anyone wishing to donate prize items or make a monetary donation should contact Nāʻālehu Elementary vice-principal Christina Juan or student council adviser Amberly Keohuloa at 323-4000.
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