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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, December 14, 2017

The Honoka‘a wastewater treatment facility while it was under construction. A similar aerated
lagoon system is being considered for Pāhala. In addition, Pāhala would have acres of trees for screening
and also trees planted to absorb water and nutrients. The county is offering to organize a field trip for Pāhala
residents to see the finished and operating Honoka‘a system. Photo from Goodfellowbros.com
NARROWING DOWN AN AVAILABLE AND APPROPRIATE SITE AND SYSTEM for the Pāhala Wastewater Treatment Plant drew more people to talk story at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Thursday morning. They discussed not only waste disposal, but their appreciation for life in the village.
     As with all of the talk story meetings about the future sewage system, county consultant Berna Cabacungan, of Earthplan, began with questions regarding the community's concept about the village itself. When asked what people like about Pāhala, they responded. Ka‘ū Coffee farmer Milton DaCalio said, "Everything is slower here." A woman named Trinidad said, "It's my home." Dexter Lee said, "The lifestyle, no hustle and bustle, slow and easy."
Ed Olson's house across the street from the proposed Pāhala
Wastewater Treatment Plant site. Photo by Julia Neal
     Ed Olson said, "Real nice community" and mentioned recent economic development, including his construction of Ka‘ū Coffee Mill with employment and leasing land to more than 30 farmers with irrigation. He also brought up his current work on a hydroelectric plant up Wood Valley Road. He said there is nothing better than employment to give people hope.
   Sammie Stanbro, with Olson Trust, called Pāhala, "a hidden jewel."
    When asked about challenges for the community, Trinidad said, "More jobs for children so they don't go away." Lee said during old days people used to be able to go up to the mountains and down to the ocean at any time, without restrictions. New landowners have restricted some access. DaCalio said, "Same thing."
    Regarding the planned location for the treatment facility, Olson noted that he is the only one whose house is across the street. He owns his house and the Old Pahala Clubhouse mauka of the proposed site at the corner of Lower Moa‘ula and Maile Streets.
     Stanbro recommended researching the possible siting of the wastewater treatment plant on the Nā‘ālehu side of the Norfolk pine lane along Maile Street to put it a bit farther from the town. Like the current preferred site, some 42.5 acres, the land across Maile Street is owned by Kamehameha Schools. It is about the same size and also has a macadamia orchard that could serve as an immediate buffer, she noted.
Old Pāhala Clubhouse across the street from the proposed Pāhala Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Photo by Julia Neal
     A preferred location would be downhill - downgradient - from the village for gravity flow to and through the site. Enough space for the proposed treatment plant and an area to expand in the future would be ideal. Easy access, electricity, a source of water, and land without archaeological sites and environmentally sensitive places such as gulches and stream beds would also be top qualities for the most appropriate site. The soil composition and other qualities will be considered. 
      Michelle Sorenson, a wastewater engineer working on the project for Brown and Caldwell, a firm contracted by the county, said it is difficult to find an available site with all the boxes checked off. She said that the county is talking with Kamehameha Schools about the preliminary site but that other possibilities could be considered.
    When asked for a main point to take back to the county about the wastewater treatment plan, most attending the meeting named the cost to the people living in Pāhala.
     Read about the Thursday night meeting in the Friday Ka‘ū Calendar News Briefs.

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A FIELD TRIP TO THE HONOKA‘A WASTEWATER TREATMENT SITE is being offered by Hawai‘i County. The Honoka‘a plant has aerated lagoons, like those in the concept for Pāhala. Those interested may call Department of Environmental Management at 961-8339, or Iris Cober at the Brown and Caldwell Maui office at 808-442-3300.

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KEIKI CHRISTMAS AT KAHUKU PARK, a new event organized by Ocean View community members Ian and Kathie. The free event is scheduled to take place Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kahuku Park, which is located on Paradise Circle, four blocks mauka of hwy. 11 and Ocean View Town Center in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Food, activities, games and exhibits will be open to all and santa gifts and photos will be available to keiki, from newborn to age 14. An all day long gift raffle will be available to kūpuna. It is a drug and alcohol free event. For more information or to participate or make a donation, call Ian at 758-6351 or Kathie at 937-5865.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings entertainment at 
 kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decemberevents.html
See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decembercommunity.html.
December print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Girls Basketball: Saturday, Dec. 16, Kohala @ Ka‘ū.

Boys Soccer: Saturday, Dec. 16, Kamehameha @ Ka‘ū.

Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Dec. 19, Hilo @ Ka‘ū.

Swimming: Saturday, Dec. 23, @ Hilo.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CHRISTMAS CAROL, a Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network musical production, premiers Thursday, Dec. 14, with performances continuing through Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 per senior/student, and $12 per child. For more information call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com. Park entrance fees apply.

HULA & OLI WITH KAHO‘OKELE CRABBE is the feature of Aloha Friday on Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. Learn the basics of hula, Hawaiian language and chant. For more visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.

A FREE HAWAIIAN CULTURAL DEMONSTRATION, ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), is offered Friday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

HELP NATIVE PLANTS GROW IN THE HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK by volunteering to remove invasive non-native plant species at three remaining Stewardship at the Park events that take place this December. The upcoming event is Friday, Dec. 15, with the event also taking place Dec. 23 and 30. Volunteers should meet leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. Fore more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

JOIN DISCOVERY HARBOUR RESIDENTS FOR BUNCO & POTLUCK on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m., in the Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Bunco, also known as Bonko or Bunko, is a popular game played with nine dice. Bring a dish to share. For more, call Margie Hack at 541-954-8297.

A HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE & NĀ MEA HULA DEMONSTRATION are offered on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at on Saturday, Dec. 16. Under the direction of Kumu Hula Sammye Ku‘ualoha Young, Hālau Hula Na Lei Hiwahiwa o Ku’ualoha performs Hula Kahiko at 10:30 a.m.
     Following the performance until about 1 p.m., Kumu Hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Halauolaokalani provides a hands on cultural demonstration, Nā Mea Hula. For more and to confirm date, contact Desiree by calling 987-7288 or emailing volcanohula@gmail.com.

Help clean-up old nets and trash that has washed up onto the shore at
Kamilo, below Nā‘ālehu. See event at right.
Photo from Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund
HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SEA TURTLES AND OTHER MARINE ANIMALS BY volunteering to remove plastic debris, trash and old nets from Kamilo during a community beach clean-up organized by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Space is limited in HWF 4WD vehicles. To volunteer, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com in advance to reserve your spot. Meet at Wai‘ōhinu Park.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets at the Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more, call 939-7033.

A FREE PUBLIC HEALTH SHOWER WITH HOT WATER, soap, shampoo and clean towels is offered at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with a free hot meal.

ATTEND A FREE ZENTANGLE INSPIRED ART EXHIBIT & RECEPTION at the Volcano Art Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. Volcano Art Center says, “Bring your friends, your art and a light holiday pupu to share." The event is open to the public and offers door prizes, a slideshow and videos. Guests are encouraged to create and take home a Zentangle inspired ornament. Donations are welcome. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.

A MONGOLIAN BBQ takes place Saturday, Dec. 16, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8356 or visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

ENJOY A FILIPINO LUNCH, MUSIC AND DANCE AND VIEW DISPLAYS OF FILIPINO ITEMS from the plantation days at Sakada Day on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. The Sakadas are the workers who came to Hawai‘i from the Philippines between 1906 and 1946, recruited by the Hawai‘i Sugar Planters Association.
      Sakada Day celebrates the Sakada legacy in the agricultural development of Ka‘ū and honors the Sakada's work, economic and cultural contributions to society in Hawai‘i. The event, including a Filipino lunch, is free and offers Filipino dance and music, displays of Filipino artifacts, tools, housewares, apparel and items from plantation days. A Filipino fashion show is also on the agenda, along with Filipino entertainment from around the island.
     Formal recognition will be given to Sakadas and their families from Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala at Sakada Day.

JOIN RANGERS ON A FREE MODERATELY DIFFICULT GUIDED HIKE, entitled People & Land of Kahuku, on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 2.5 mile hike takes visitors over rugged terrain and focuses on the human history of Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

KA‘Ū AND VOLCANO MUSICIANS will perform at the Chamber Orchestra of Kona's Holiday Favorites concert on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Resort & Spa. Among those performing are Susan McGovern from Volcano on viola and Ocean View residents Arlene Arai on trumpet, Steve Moon on trumpet, Michael Cripps on cello and Peter Bosted on oboe.
     Tickets are $10 and $20. Children under 18 are free. Beer, wine and champagne are served before the concert and during the break. Validated parking on the Sheraton's grounds.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8, FOR A MINI GINGERBREAD HOUSE craft class that has been announced for Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Register until Tuesday, Dec. 19. For more, call Nona Makuakāne or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. See agendas and more at hawaiicounty.gov.

AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL ARTIST KEN MAKUAKĀNE PERFORMS Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Makuakāne has won 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award, and six Big Island Music Awards. Free, park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20, from noon to 1 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OFFERS EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
     Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.

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