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| Volunteer to help scientists count humpback whales this Saturday. See event details below. Photo from NOAA |
KA‘Ū LEARNING ACADEMY IS ASKING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS who support the Charter School to attend a public meeting this Monday, Jan. 29, called by the Hawai‘i State Public Charter School Commission. After the Commission gave notice in December that it was considering withdrawing KLA's charter, KLA asked for a public hearing, according to its Managing Director Joe Iacuso. The gathering on Monday, announced by the Commission, is less formal. The community
meeting is open to the public from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Association Assembly Hall at 94-1604 Makaliʻi Street, in Discovery Harbour.
Read more on Dec. 8 Kaʻū News Briefs, Jan. 27 Ka‘ū News Briefs, and on Page 18 of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper, January edition, at kaucalendar.com.
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.
ELEVEN ‘ALALĀ THRIVE IN THE NATIVE FOREST near Volcano Village, and those working on reintroducing the native Hawaiian crow into the wild are monitoring and preparing to release more. Usually heard before seen, there is no mistaking the loud and often times synchronized cacophony of caws from the 11 ‘Alalā, which were released into a Hawai‘i Island Natural Area Reserve last fall.
These birds, seven young males and four young females, represent what conservationists hope is the beginning of a recovered population of the endangered Hawaiian crow on the island. ‘Alalā have been extinct in the wild since 2002. Since the birds took flight from a remote forest aviary in September and October 2017, they've been under the daily, watchful eyes of a monitoring team from the Hawai‘i Endangered Conservation Program, a field program of the San Diego Zoo Global. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department Land & Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and others, San Diego Zoo Global reared the ‘Alalā at its centers on the Big Island and on Maui.
Read more on Dec. 8 Kaʻū News Briefs, Jan. 27 Ka‘ū News Briefs, and on Page 18 of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper, January edition, at kaucalendar.com.
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.
ELEVEN ‘ALALĀ THRIVE IN THE NATIVE FOREST near Volcano Village, and those working on reintroducing the native Hawaiian crow into the wild are monitoring and preparing to release more. Usually heard before seen, there is no mistaking the loud and often times synchronized cacophony of caws from the 11 ‘Alalā, which were released into a Hawai‘i Island Natural Area Reserve last fall.
These birds, seven young males and four young females, represent what conservationists hope is the beginning of a recovered population of the endangered Hawaiian crow on the island. ‘Alalā have been extinct in the wild since 2002. Since the birds took flight from a remote forest aviary in September and October 2017, they've been under the daily, watchful eyes of a monitoring team from the Hawai‘i Endangered Conservation Program, a field program of the San Diego Zoo Global. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department Land & Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and others, San Diego Zoo Global reared the ‘Alalā at its centers on the Big Island and on Maui.
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‘Alalā are thriving in the forest near Volcano Village for the first time since they became
extinct in the wild in Hawai‘i in 2002. Watch video released by Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources |
The ‘Alalā are tracked daily by using signals from the lightweight radio transmitters each one wears, or simply by seeing them with the naked eye or through binoculars. Their movements, their flights, what they eat, where they roost, their behaviors; virtually everything about these birds is closely monitored and carefully recorded. Of high interest to all the folks involved in The ‘Alalā Project is how the birds individually and collectively react to threats from predators. An initial release of ‘Alalā in 2016 was temporarily halted and surviving birds were brought back into the aviary after two were attacked by another native bird: their natural predator, the ‘Io or Hawaiian hawk. Prior to their release, the birds now living in the Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve received extensive anti-predator training.
"Similar to any predator-prey interaction, there's a lot that goes on that we don't necessarily see, but the observations we've made indicate that the birds do identify ‘io as a predator and can take evasive action when needed," explained Alison Greggor, a post-doctoral research associate with San Diego Zoo Global. Last week, the project team saw this in action. Two members heard an eruption of ‘Alalā alarm calls and heard quick wing flapping. "A dark morph ‘io darted across an opening. Immediately after, a light morph ‘io crossed the opening with four ‘Alalā following it or chasing it above the canopy. All four ‘Alalā disappeared for about 15 seconds before the ‘Alalā came back to the release-feeder area." Greggor added, "At this stage we can't be certain that the training is the crucial piece of the puzzle, but we like to hope that it helped. Actually, being in the wild around predators, observing other forest birds and interactions with predators, is the best training they can possibly get."
Another sign of how well they've accepted their new home in the forest is that they are being observed foraging more often from native fruits, instead of relying on feeders placed strategically outside the release aviary. Joshua Pang-Ching, Research Coordinator for the Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program noted, "In the beginning they would spend much more time at or around the feeders. Now we see birds coming to feeders much less. We have seen an anecdotal shift in their use of the feeders and see birds daily foraging on the fruits and foliage of native trees." The supplemental feeders will remain in place for at least a year to ensure the newly "wild" birds have that extra helping hand they might need.
Greggor, Pang-Ching, and Jackie Gaudioso-Levita, project coordinator of The ‘Alalā Project, said they are all hopeful, given how this released group of ‘Alalā is doing. Gaudioso-Levita said, "These birds have adjusted very well to their forest home and it's just been really inspiring for all of us on the project to see and hear ‘Alalā in the wild again."
They said that it is a sweet sound for the many people who've worked for decades to get to this point. They said they hope the distinctive caw of the ‘Alalā will again be heard loud and clear across broad landscapes of Hawai‘i island. Plans are underway to release additional birds in the Hawai‘i Island Natural Area Reserve later this year.
Watch video released by Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
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| Young ‘Alalā raised in captivity. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources, San Diego Zoo Global, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation program and others. Photo from San Diego Zoo Global |
Greggor, Pang-Ching, and Jackie Gaudioso-Levita, project coordinator of The ‘Alalā Project, said they are all hopeful, given how this released group of ‘Alalā is doing. Gaudioso-Levita said, "These birds have adjusted very well to their forest home and it's just been really inspiring for all of us on the project to see and hear ‘Alalā in the wild again."
They said that it is a sweet sound for the many people who've worked for decades to get to this point. They said they hope the distinctive caw of the ‘Alalā will again be heard loud and clear across broad landscapes of Hawai‘i island. Plans are underway to release additional birds in the Hawai‘i Island Natural Area Reserve later this year.
Watch video released by Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
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.
‘O KA‘Ū KAKOU'S 10TH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament offers marine education and competition tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., along the rocky shore and tidepools at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. The event is open to keiki from one to 14 years old.
Pre-registration has ended, but registration will be extended from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Those fishing receive a welcome at 9 a.m., with poles and bait distributed at 9:30 a.m. The fishing time is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
A free lunch will be served to participants and families from noon to 12:30 p.m. Awards and prizes will be given out at 1 p.m.
Fishing guidelines allow: Hand Pole Fishing with barbless hooks only; bringing own personal hand poles; providing hand poles, fishing gear and bait to those without fishing equipment, on first to register-first to receive basis. There will be no chumming or using palu (bread mackerel or other fish attractant). All fishing is Catch and Release. Prizes are for size and the kinds of fish caught.
The Keiki Fishing Tournament is sponsored by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, Pacific Quest, Hawai‘i State Department of Land & Natural Resources Marine Wildlife Program, County of Hawai‘i, S. Tokunaga, Suisan Co., Ka‘ū Royal Hawaiian Coffee & Tea, and Ka‘ū Mahi.
Every participant gets a prize. There will be grand and mini-grand prize drawing - including personal computer tablets. For more, call Guy Enriques at 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773, or visit okaukakou.org.
‘O KA‘Ū KAKOU'S 10TH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament offers marine education and competition tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., along the rocky shore and tidepools at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. The event is open to keiki from one to 14 years old.
Pre-registration has ended, but registration will be extended from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Those fishing receive a welcome at 9 a.m., with poles and bait distributed at 9:30 a.m. The fishing time is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A free lunch will be served to participants and families from noon to 12:30 p.m. Awards and prizes will be given out at 1 p.m.
Fishing guidelines allow: Hand Pole Fishing with barbless hooks only; bringing own personal hand poles; providing hand poles, fishing gear and bait to those without fishing equipment, on first to register-first to receive basis. There will be no chumming or using palu (bread mackerel or other fish attractant). All fishing is Catch and Release. Prizes are for size and the kinds of fish caught.
The Keiki Fishing Tournament is sponsored by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, Pacific Quest, Hawai‘i State Department of Land & Natural Resources Marine Wildlife Program, County of Hawai‘i, S. Tokunaga, Suisan Co., Ka‘ū Royal Hawaiian Coffee & Tea, and Ka‘ū Mahi.
Every participant gets a prize. There will be grand and mini-grand prize drawing - including personal computer tablets. For more, call Guy Enriques at 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773, or visit okaukakou.org.
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 SUPER BOWL EVENT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED BY KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP, to take place at KMC's Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Feb. 4. Doors open at 11 a.m., with kick-off at 1:30 p.m., and quarterly prize give-a-ways. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more details, call 967-8365 after 4:00 p.m. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.
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.
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.
PRESERVATION OF STONE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE: PU‘UHONUA O HŌNAUAU NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK is the subject of an After Dark in the Park presentation set for Tuesday, Feb. 6, starting at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
MaryAnne Maigret, Archaeologist at the Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park, will present an historical overview of early and mid-20th century restorations of the historic scene at Hōnaunau, as well as 50-plus years of preservation at the park under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. "Take a peek into the work that goes on behind-the-scenes to preserve these wahi pana for future generations," says the event description.
A donation of $2 per person is suggested to support park programs; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
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.
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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at
See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januarycommunity.html. January 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. |
Swimming: Saturday, Jan. 27, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, finals).
Boys Basketball: Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.
Monday, Jan. 29, @ Parker.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.
Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.
Boys Basketball: Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.
Monday, Jan. 29, @ Parker.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.
Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.
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.
VOLUNTEERS TO COUNT HUMPBACK WHALES FOR THE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT are still being accepted for tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 27. The count is from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Volunteers can arrive at four locations along the southern coast of Hawai‘i Island: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Ka‘ena Point - end of Chain of Craters Road; Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park; Ka Lae Park - at the end of South Point Road; and Miloli‘i Lookout - from Hwy 11, continue makai towards Miloliʻi Beach Park, 1.9 miles down, turn left on Awapuhi and continue to dead end.
Participants record sightings of humpback whales and document surface behavior during the survey to provide data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for orientation. Register at sanctuaryoceancount.org. Free; park entrance fees apply. Count will be held again on the last Saturdays of the next two months, Feb. 24 and Mar. 31. Read more about locations at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.
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 BUILD YOUR OWN MINI ORCHID DISPLAY workshop is offered by Volcano Art Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Hilo Orchid Society's Shelby Smith and Donna Barr will be on hand to answer questions and show tips, tricks, and their orchid "know-how." Different categories of mini orchid displays will be covered, including Garden, Flower Arrangement/Cut Flowers/Ikebana, and Keiki.
Pre-registration is required. Volcano Art Center members pay $20 and non-members pay $25.
The event description on volcanoartcenter.org says, "Not only will you learn a thing or two, but also, thanks to the Hilo Orchid Society, you'll be able to take home an orchid."
JOIN ASTRONOMER AND CO-HOST OF PBS STAR GAZERS, DEAN REGAS, as he hosts Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's first-ever Star Party at Kīlauea Overlook (on Crater Rim Drive, before Jaggar Museum) on Monday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. Explore nearby planets and deep-space celestial wonders above the glow of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Dark Skies Rangers will answer questions. Powerful telescopes will be available at the Kīlauea Star Party event. Free, but subject to weather conditions; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY, INC., distributes Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle-Mauka, Ocean View, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All participants are asked to respect the grounds where this will be held. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month.
VOLCANIC GEOLOGY ALONG SADDLE ROAD is the topic of an After Dark in the Park presentation given by Rick Hazlett, affiliate geologist with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hazlett describes the "outdoor classroom" along Saddle Road, in which visitors can learn more about how the Islands aloha ‘āina (precious land) came to be. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā‘ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.
WITNESS THE LUNAR ECLIPSE WITH ASTRONOMER DEAN REGAS, co-host of PBS Star Gazers, as he guides event participants through the total lunar eclipse expected Tuesday, Jan. 30, atop Kīlauea Volcano. Meet Regas at 8:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Overlook (on Crater Rim Drive, before Jaggar Museum). Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's event description says "the park will provide an excellent vantage point to view the spectacle – weather permitting." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HULA VOICES WITH KUMU HULA STEPHANIE APOLO and Desiree Moana Cruz moderating takes place Thursday, Feb. 1, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The free, educational event occurs the first Thursday of each month - excluding April and December for 2018. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.
OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Feb. 1, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.
‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU'S SENIOR CITIZEN SURVEY's are due Thursday, Feb. 1. Senior citizens over the age of 62, who are interested in the Nā‘ālehu Senior Housing Project, are asked to fill out a quick five-question survey to help OKK gather general data essential to the planning of the project. To get a survey or for more information, contact Raylene Moses, 365-3788, or Nadine Ebert at 938-5124 or ebertn004@hawaii.rr.com.
‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU MEETS Thursday, Feb. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the former Aspen Institute Building, located near the SeaMountain Golf Course at Punalu‘u. For more, contact Secretary Nadine Ebert at okk-secretary@okaukaou.org.
HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.
Pre-registration is required. Volcano Art Center members pay $20 and non-members pay $25.
The event description on volcanoartcenter.org says, "Not only will you learn a thing or two, but also, thanks to the Hilo Orchid Society, you'll be able to take home an orchid."
JOIN ASTRONOMER AND CO-HOST OF PBS STAR GAZERS, DEAN REGAS, as he hosts Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's first-ever Star Party at Kīlauea Overlook (on Crater Rim Drive, before Jaggar Museum) on Monday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. Explore nearby planets and deep-space celestial wonders above the glow of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Dark Skies Rangers will answer questions. Powerful telescopes will be available at the Kīlauea Star Party event. Free, but subject to weather conditions; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY, INC., distributes Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle-Mauka, Ocean View, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All participants are asked to respect the grounds where this will be held. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month.
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| Geologist Rick Hazlett. Photo from U.H. Hilo |
A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā‘ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.
WITNESS THE LUNAR ECLIPSE WITH ASTRONOMER DEAN REGAS, co-host of PBS Star Gazers, as he guides event participants through the total lunar eclipse expected Tuesday, Jan. 30, atop Kīlauea Volcano. Meet Regas at 8:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Overlook (on Crater Rim Drive, before Jaggar Museum). Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's event description says "the park will provide an excellent vantage point to view the spectacle – weather permitting." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HULA VOICES WITH KUMU HULA STEPHANIE APOLO and Desiree Moana Cruz moderating takes place Thursday, Feb. 1, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The free, educational event occurs the first Thursday of each month - excluding April and December for 2018. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.
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| Desiree Moana Cruz moderates Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Stephanie Apolo Thursday. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU'S SENIOR CITIZEN SURVEY's are due Thursday, Feb. 1. Senior citizens over the age of 62, who are interested in the Nā‘ālehu Senior Housing Project, are asked to fill out a quick five-question survey to help OKK gather general data essential to the planning of the project. To get a survey or for more information, contact Raylene Moses, 365-3788, or Nadine Ebert at 938-5124 or ebertn004@hawaii.rr.com.
‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU MEETS Thursday, Feb. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the former Aspen Institute Building, located near the SeaMountain Golf Course at Punalu‘u. For more, contact Secretary Nadine Ebert at okk-secretary@okaukaou.org.
HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.
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.
