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| 1945 photo of Ka Lae, showing the layout of Morse Airfield. Photo from totakeresponsibility.blogspot.com |
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| A Curtiss A-12 Shrike at South Point's Morse Field, Ka Lae Military Reservation, in 1940. |
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| Workers moving lava at South Point to build the airfield at Ka Lae. Photo from state Dept. Transportation |
By the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, at least two fighter planes were stationed at the South Point airfield. When war broke out, "military infrastructure was destroyed as a precautionary measure against enemy usage," states the Hawaiian Home Lands report. During World War II, however, the military completed the 6,000 foot-long temporary steel-grid runway, installed nine 50,000 gallon fuel tanks, built numerous support
buildings, and stocked numerous weapons. The place was called not only Morse Field, but also Ka Lae Military Reservation and South Point Air Force Station. See a story and more photos.
After World War II, the military declared the airfield surplus property, its management given over to the Hawaiʻi Aeronautical Commission. Ideas for its use came from such entrepreneurs as Kahuku Ranch owner James Glover, who proposed keeping it open to airlift slaughtered cattle to market and to use the runway for emergency landings. Calling it the South Cape Airport, the Commission worked with Glover
and retained it as an emergency landing field. By 1952, however, new roads skirted the island, and trucks hauled cattle and other exports to the main port in Hilo for shipment out of Hawaiʻi. Demand declined for an airstrip and the place deteriorated.
Landing at South Point came to a halt, the airport officially abandoned in 1955 by the Territorial Director of Aeronautics.
Learn about the next phase of military and federal government use of South Point in Tuesday's Ka‘ū News Briefs. See March 3, March 5, March 6, March 7, March 8, March 9, March 10, March 11, and future Ka‘ū News Briefs for more in the continuing South Point Resource Management Plan. See the 799-page plan online.
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.
BIOSECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION are the focus of several state legislature bills with hearings this week. Testimonies are due 24 hours prior to meeting times, and can be submitted online. Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United supports the following, with links to provide testimony directly to the legislature:
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 PAINTING DEMO WITH JOHN DAWSON AND REYN OJIRI, featuring Birds Of Hawai‘i - Volcanoes National Park, takes place Friday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
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| P-36 fighters from Wheeler Field on Oʻahu fly in to South Point and taxi over to the refueling station, buried in the ground and covered by a roof to the left of car. |
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Territorial Gov. Wallace R.
Farrington designated 517 acres of South Point to a Air Service landing field in 1926. Photo from Wikipedia |
After World War II, the military declared the airfield surplus property, its management given over to the Hawaiʻi Aeronautical Commission. Ideas for its use came from such entrepreneurs as Kahuku Ranch owner James Glover, who proposed keeping it open to airlift slaughtered cattle to market and to use the runway for emergency landings. Calling it the South Cape Airport, the Commission worked with Glover
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| Morse Field at South Point during World War II, with Peashooter fighter planes. |
Landing at South Point came to a halt, the airport officially abandoned in 1955 by the Territorial Director of Aeronautics.
Learn about the next phase of military and federal government use of South Point in Tuesday's Ka‘ū News Briefs. See March 3, March 5, March 6, March 7, March 8, March 9, March 10, March 11, and future Ka‘ū News Briefs for more in the continuing South Point Resource Management Plan. See the 799-page plan online.
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| A 1929 Model A Ford was light keeper Gibson's car at Ka Lae in 1941, when he lent it to Pvt. Stanley Koenig who worked at the airfield at South Point. Photo from state Department of Transportation |
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.
THE SPINLAUNCH BILL TO ISSUE $25M FOR A SPACE PORT, in Special Purpose Revenue Bonds. goes to hearing before the state Senate's Committee on Economic Development and Business on Wednesday,
March 14, with testimonies due by 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday. See SB2703 SD1. Its companion bill in the state House of Representatives, HB2559, was set for a hearing today, Monday. Both aim to approve $20 million in Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to draw funding for SpinLaunch, an aeronautics company based in California. The company plans to establish a space launch facility on the Big
Island, using a new technology that, SpinLaunch claims, would catapult small satellites and other packages into space at a much lower cost than using large rockets.
Testimonies from the tech, scientific, and university community favor the proposal to allow less expensive access to space. Supportive testimony also promotes the idea that the facility would bring employment and economic development for the area where the launch facility would be built.
Testimonies from the general public weigh against the proposal, focusing on the possibility that SpinLaunch could build its launch site on the land that includes Pohuʻe Bay. Opponents testified that they want the land
preserved for conservation and cultural purposes.
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| An aerial shot of Pohuʻe Bay and part of the surrounding 16,455 acres of land presently for sale, a possible site for the proposed SpinLaunch facility. Photo from Big Island Luxury |
See other
articles on SpinLaunch in Ka‘ū
News Briefs, Feb. 19, 21, 26, 28, and in the March edition of the Ka‘ū Calendar newspaper.
Read the bill and submit testimony here.
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.
BIOSECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION are the focus of several state legislature bills with hearings this week. Testimonies are due 24 hours prior to meeting times, and can be submitted online. Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United supports the following, with links to provide testimony directly to the legislature:
● SB 2387, SD2: House
Education and House Agriculture Committees joint hearing Monday, March 12, 2:00 p.m . The bill: "Requires the
Department of Education to establish a farm to school program. Requires
the farm to school coordinator in the Department of Agriculture to work in
collaboration with the Department of Education on any farm to school
program. Establishes two full-time equivalent farm to school staff
positions within the Department of Education. Appropriates funds. Click to read/support SB 2387
● SB 2399, SD2:
House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee hearing Tuesday, March 13,
8:30 a.m. The bill: "Restructures
the Hawaii invasive species council as the Hawaii invasive species authority,
to be administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture, to coordinate
implementation of the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan and to
improve coordination of the State's invasive species prevention, early
detection, rapid response, control, enforcement, and outreach programs. Appropriates
funds for the authority and relevant interagency invasive species projects. Click to read/support SB 2399
● SB 2563, SD1: House
Labor committee hearing Tuesday, March 13, 10:30
a.m. The bill: "Appropriates funds to the department of labor
and industrial relations for the K-12 agriculture workforce development
pipeline initiative. Click to read/support SB 2563
● SB 2928, SD2:
House Agriculture Committee hearing Wednesday, March 14, 8:30 a.m. The measure: "Establishes and
appropriates funds for a farm to school grant pilot program within the Hawaii
Department of Agriculture to provide grants to schools, early care and
education centers, nonprofits, soil and water conservation districts, and food
producers participating in the Hawaii farm to school program. Requires the Hawaii
farm to school coordinator to submit a report to the legislature. Makes
appropriations to continue the Hawaii
farm to school program and coordinator position and to assist farmers and
ranchers achieve Good Agricultural Practices Certification from the United
States Department of Agriculture. Click to read/support SB 2928
● HB 2101, HD1:
Senate Water and Land Committee hearing Wednesday, March 14, 3:01 p.m. The measure: "Makes an
appropriation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for
the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association
of Conservation Districts. Click to read/support HB 2101
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| ‘I‘iwi III by Reyn Ojiri. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org |
A PAINTING DEMO WITH JOHN DAWSON AND REYN OJIRI, featuring Birds Of Hawai‘i - Volcanoes National Park, takes place Friday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
The session begins with Dawson covering birds in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. He demonstrates his planning to launch painting, including gathering photos and laying out his grid. Dawson, well known for his illustrative art, has worked for and with United States Postal Service, National Park Service, United Nations, National Wildlife Federation, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center, National Geographic Society, Audubon Society, and many others.
Scientific illustrator Ojiri will also provide a demonstration. She has drawn extinct Hawaiian birds for the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, illustrated exhibits at the Bishop Museum, and created graphics at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.
For more, visit volcanoartcenter.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.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
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.
ARTS & CRAFTS: ST. PATRICK'S DAY TOP HAT, Wed, Mar 14, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register until tomorrow, Mar 13. For grades K-8. Free. Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro, 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
TUESDAY, MARCH 13
C.E.R.T. DISCOVERY HARBOUR/NĀĀLEHU, Tue, Mar 13, 4 - 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, as well as participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087.
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
BUNCO & POTLUCK, Sat, Mar 17, 6 p.m. , Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice, also known as Bonko or Bunko. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297.
KDEN HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES - March 9 through 24. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m, Kīlauea Military Camp’s Kīlauea Theater, Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park. Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network performance. KMC open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call KDEN for ticket info, 982-7344.
TŪTŪ AND ME OFFERS HOME VISITS to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.
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| ‘Io flying over the Park by John Dawson. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org |
For more, visit volcanoartcenter.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.
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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily,
weekly events at kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html.
February 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.
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KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Softball: Tuesday, Mar 13, @ Hilo
Saturday, Mar 17 @ Konawaena
Monday, Mar 19, KSH @ Ka‘ū
Saturday, Mar 24 @ Kealakehe
Saturday, Mar 31 @ Honoka‘a
Monday, Apr 2, @ Kohala
Saturday, Apr 7, Hawai‘i Prep @ Ka‘ū
Monday, Apr 9, @ Pāhoa
Wednesday, Apr 11 @ KSH
Saturday, Apr 14, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Boys Volleyball: Wednesday, Mar 14 Ehunui @ Ka‘ū
Friday, Mar 16 @ Konawaena
Monday, Mar 19 @ KSH
Friday, Mar 23 Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū
Tuesday, Apr 3, @ Waiakea
Wednesday, Apr 11, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Friday, Apr 13, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū
Monday, Apr 16, @ Hilo
Friday, Apr 20, Parker @ Ka‘ū
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.
ARTS & CRAFTS: ST. PATRICK'S DAY TOP HAT, Wed, Mar 14, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register until tomorrow, Mar 13. For grades K-8. Free. Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro, 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
C.E.R.T. DISCOVERY HARBOUR/NĀĀLEHU, Tue, Mar 13, 4 - 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, as well as participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS, Tue/Wed, Mar 13 (committees)/14 (Council), Hilo, & Tue/Wed, Mar 27 (committees)/28 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS, Wed, Mar 14 (Council), Hilo , & Tue/Wed, Mar 27 (committees)/28 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building
KAULA DEMONSTRA
FILM SCREENING OF KĪLAUEA SUMMIT ERUPTION: LAVA RETURNS TO HALEMA‘UMA‘U, followed by a question and answer session, Thu, Mar 15, at Volcano Art Center, from 7 to 9 p.m. Free; $5 donation to VAC is suggested. volcanoartcenter.org
THURSDAY, MARCH 15
VETERAN'S CENTER AND VA MEDICAL SERVICES, Thurs., March 1 & 15, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit with VA counselor and benefit specialist. Contact Matthew at 329-0574. ovcahi.org
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ANNUAL HŌʻIKE rock opera Kū I Ka Mana has two performances: Thu, Mar 15, and Fri, Mar 16, both at 6 p.m., in Koaiʻa Gymnasium. Tickets are $5, available online, at the door, or from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on school days at the high school office or Student Activities Center.
HAWAI‘I ISLAND SAFE NET SPONSORS AN ISLAND-WIDE CANDLELIGHT PRAYER VIGIL, Thu, Mar. 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for those wishing to gather and pray for issues relating to human trafficking. Host locations atOcean View Baptist Church or
FRIDAY, MARCH 16
VETERAN'S CENTER AND VA MEDICAL SERVICES, Thurs., March 1 & 15, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit with VA counselor and benefit specialist. Contact Matthew at 329-0574. ovcahi.org
STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU takes place every Thursday in March: 15, 22, and 29. Participants meet at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road , off Highway 11, at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers should bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat and water; wear closed-toe shoes. Clothing may be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com.
STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA FROM TŪTŪ & ME, Thu, Mar 15, 10:30 a.m. - noon , Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571.
FISHERY COUNCIL MEETING, Thu, Mar, 15, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. , West HI Civic Center, Liquor Control Room. New membership encouraged - especially recreational, commercial & regional fishers who can provide feedback for the council on a regular basis - then passed on to DLNR. westhawaiifisherycou.ipower.com, mkipapa@gmail.com
HAWAI‘I ISLAND SAFE NET SPONSORS AN ISLAND-WIDE CANDLELIGHT PRAYER VIGIL, Thu, Mar. 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for those wishing to gather and pray for issues relating to human trafficking. Host locations at
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū, Thu, Mar 15, 6:30 p.m. , United Methodist Church
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE CENTER - Film Screening of Kīlauea Summit Eruption: Lava Returns to Halema‘uma‘u and Q&A w/USGS HVO Representatives, Thu, Mar 15, 7 - 9 p.m. , Volcano Art Center
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT Fri., March 16. Participants meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants, and bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment, or written consent, required for volunteers under 18. Visit park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit
_stewardship.htm.
_stewardship.htm.
PŪ‘OHE (Hawaiian Bamboo Trumpet) DEMONSTRATION, Fri, Mar 16, 10 a.m. - noon , Kahuku Unit, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ANNUAL HŌʻIKE rock opera Kū I Ka Mana, Fri, Mar 16, at 6 p.m. , in Koaiʻa Gymnasium. Tickets are $5, available online, at the door, or from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on school days at the high school office or Student Activities Center
ST. PATRICK'S DAY LUNCHES - ‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU, Sat, Mar 17 Nāʻālehu Methodist Church. Corned Beef & Cabbage lunches for sale - all proceeds go to senior housing project. okaukakou.org
RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH SYMPOSIUM-EAST, Sat, Mar 17, 8:30 - noon, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, UCB 100. Register at www.RapidOhiaDeath.org
OPTIMAL NUTRITIONAL GARDENING, Sat, Mar 17, 9 - 3 p.m., VolcanoArt Center. Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group instructs on how to improve nutrient density of fruits & vegetables. Also which plants contain naturally high amounts of certain nutrients & strategies for well-rounded diet from home gardens. Hands on workshop. Students depart with plant materials - seeds and/or cuttings. $30 per VAC member and $35 per non-member. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.
OPTIMAL NUTRITIONAL GARDENING, Sat, Mar 17, 9 - 3 p.m., VolcanoArt Center. Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group instructs on how to improve nutrient density of fruits & vegetables. Also which plants contain naturally high amounts of certain nutrients & strategies for well-rounded diet from home gardens. Hands on workshop. Students depart with plant materials - seeds and/or cuttings. $30 per VAC member and $35 per non-member. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.
NATURE & CULTURE: AN UNSEVERA
ST. PATRICK'S DAY LUNCHES - ‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU, Sat, Mar 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nāʻālehu Methodist Church. $10 per plate Corned Beef & Cabbage lunches for sale - all proceeds go to senior housing project.
okaukakou.org
okaukakou.org
THE ART EXPRESS, Sat, Mar 17, 1
OCEAN VIEW C.E.R.T., Sat, Mar 17, 10 - 1 p.m, Ocean View Community Center
EXPERIMENTAL WATERCOLORS wi
ST. PATRICK'S DAY BUFFET, Sat, Mar 17, 6 - 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Corned Beef & Cabbage, Lamb Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, and Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie plus all the fixings. $20/Adult, $11/Child (6-11 years). Irish ale available. Call 967-8356 for more. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
ST. PATRICK'S DAY BUFFET, Sat, Mar 17, 6 - 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Corned Beef & Cabbage, Lamb Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, and Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie plus all the fixings. $20/Adult, $11/Child (6-11 years). Irish ale available. Call 967-8356 for more. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 18
PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU, Sun, Mar 18, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area's human history. nps.gov/HAVO
MONDAY, MARCH 19
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, Mon, Mar 19, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
ONGOING
TĪ AND SEAS ART EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center Gallery featuring oil paintings by Pāhoa resident Steve Irvine, is open to the public through Sun., Mar. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.
TŪTŪ AND ME OFFERS HOME VISITS to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 646-9634.
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.
