Thursday, September 07, 2017

Ka'ū News Briefs Thursday, September 7, 2017

The Ka'ū Community Development Plan can be read and downloaded from hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.
 It includes many maps, graphs and images of Ka'ū with history and a community based plan for the future.
KA'Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN unanimously passed the Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee on Wednesday. Before being adopted, it goes to the full County Council and must be signed by the Mayor. See the plan, which provides economic, sociological, geographical, cultural and historical information and illustrations about Ka'ū District and a plan for the future, at hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.

Counterfeit $100 bill photo provided
by Hawai'i Police Department
AN INCREASE IN COUNTERFEIT BILLS has been publicly noted by Hawai'i Island Police, with Ka'ū police officers "responding to numerous calls about fake $100 bills," according to a media release issued Tuesday, Sept. 5, by Hawai'i Police Department.
     The media release describes the counterfeit bills as looking, feeling and appearing to be real, "with the exception of pink Chinese writing characters on the front and back. These are training bills that Chinese banks use to train their tellers in counting foreign currency. The Chinese characters translate to read “For Training Purposes Only.”
   The release adds that, "A counterfeit detection pen will leave a mark on these bills."
    Police are advising merchants to be cautious, and to use the following methods in detecting counterfeit money:
     "Locate and read the plastic embedded security thread. It should say “USA” and the bill’s denomination.
Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli`i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com

     "Use an ultraviolet light to detect the thread glow color. The $5 bill should glow blue, the $10 bill should glow orange, the $20 bill should glow green, and the $50 bill should glow yellow. In older versions, the $100 bill should glow pink, while the current $100 bill has a 3-D ribbon.
     "Hold the bill up to the light to check for a watermark.
     "Tilt the bill to examine the color-shifting ink.
     "With a magnifying glass, locate and examine the micro-printing.
     Anyone who comes in contact with these bills should treat them as evidence by placing it into a clean envelope and calling the police immediately.
     Call the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311 with any information on individuals involved in the making or circulating of counterfeit bills.
     The release says, "Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime

Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential."
     For full details, view the original message online.

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Photo from okaukakou.org
ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE KA'Ū COFFEE TRAIL RUN coming up on Saturday, Sept. 23, has been announced by the sponsoring organization 'O Ka'ū Kākou. Taiko Drummers will start the race.  Eddie O. from The Beat Radio Station will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Hannah’s Mahana Ohana Hālau and a hula group from H.O.V.E Evangelical Church will dance. A  Southern Gospel group will sing. Other entertainers will soon be announced.
     According to organizers, approximately 75 runners have signed up to date from the Big Island, with additional runners representing the other islands. So far, there are two from Canada and approximately 20 from the U.S. Mainland. Many more runners are expected to sign up as the date approaches.
    Staggered starts begin at 7 a.m., with all races beginning and ending at the Ka‘ū Coffee Mill located at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road above the town of Pāhala. In addition to receiving goodie bags, each registered participant will also be entered into a door prize drawing valued at $700.
Photo from okaukakou.org
     Trail terrains vary between races: the 5K is a family-friendly, run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields; the 10K is a moderate run through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields; and the Half Marathon follows the 5K & 10K course, then continues up to an elevation of 3,100 feet, traverses onto a 4-wheel drive access road, marked trails undulating through grazing pastures.
     Registration fees until Sept. 11 are: 5K/$35, 10K/$45, and HM/$55. From Sept. 11 to Sept. 21, late registration fees apply: 5K/$55, 10K/$65, and HM/$75. 
     Register for the race online at webscorer.com. Online registration closes on Thursday, September 21, at midnight. For more details about the event visit okaukakou.org. All proceeds remain in Ka‘ū to support service projects for keiki & kupuna, schools, community groups, and organizations who look to ‘OKK for assistance.

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Ocean View Community Center
GENTLY USED DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED at the Ocean View Community Center from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, in preparation for the Ocean View Community Association Yard Sale Fundraiser set for Saturday, Oct. 7. The OVCA Newsletter, Ocean Views And News!, says volunteers are also needed to "clean, sort and price items for sale," and that all proceeds will go to the Roof Fund. For more details, call 939-7033.

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Waikapuna, with 2,200 acres. 
Photo by Andrew Hara, courtesy of Ka'ū Mahi
and Department of Land & Natural Resources
Legacy Land Conservation Program
WILL PONC FUND WAIKAPUNA PURCHASE? Waikapuna, a coastal property located below Nā'ālehu, is on the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission list. It may receive a resolution from County Council member Maile David, asking for the county to help fund the purchase of the property, during PONC's upcoming meeting. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, at West Hawai‘i Civic Center, at the conference room in Building G. See the full story in the September print issue of The Ka’ū Calendar or read the Ka'ū News Briefs from August 23, 2017.

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                                    UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball: tomorrow, Sept. 8, Ka'ū vs. St. Joseph, away game.
Eight-Man Football: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Lana'i, away game.
Cross Country: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha, away game.
Bowling: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Hilo & Konawaena at Kona Bowl.

Register by Sept. 11, 2017, to avoid higher entry fees.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.
OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS tonight, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more details call 939-2442 or 928-2015.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Information about Fountain Grass will also be presented by representatives from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. For more details, call 939-7033.

ATLAS RECYCLING WILL COLLECTING AT SOUTH POINT U-CART on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU a free hike within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more details.

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila, on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more call Desmond at 937-6305.

'Ōhi'a Lehua. Photo from wildlifeofhawaii.com
LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA, in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on a free, easy, one-mile walk within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Sept 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details visit nps.gov/havo.

SENIOR I.D.'s for people aged 60 and older will be issued on Monday, Sept. 11, at Pāhala Senior Housing Center, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and at Nā‘ālehu Community Center from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  For more information, call 928-3100.

IMUA KA'Ū WORKSHOP will be held at Ocean View Community Center on Monday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Imua Ka'ū is a group dedicated to improving the well being of the Ka'ū community and residents. For more details, call 939-7033.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR ART CLASSES IN PĀHALA.
     Tree of Life Thumbprint Art: register until Sept. 12. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 3p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 928-3102.
     Tissue Art: register Sept. 11 until Sept. 19. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.


SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES will be available at Ocean View Community Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

REGISTER KEIKI FOR SUNFLOWER CRAFT until Sept. 15. The craft class, for keiki ages 6 to 14, will take place on Monday, Sept. 18, at Kahuku Park from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 929-9113 for more.

REGISTER 5TH GRADE GIRLS FOR GEMS BY SEPT. 15. Ka‘ū fifth grade girls are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9.
     Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
     All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai‘i School complex in public, private, or home-schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration form must be postmarked by 9-15-17. See more details on Ka'ū News Briefs from August 15, 2017.