Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, July 3, 2018

A vegetable farm tractor from Pāhala pulled a float for state House of Representative candidate Raina Whiting
 last Saturday in the Nāʻālehu Independence Day parade. See more on the candidates for the primary election
Aug. 11 in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs and The Kaʻū Calendar for August. 
Deadline to register to vote is July 12. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

AFTER DARK NEAR THE PARK is the newly coined name for the famed After Dark in the Park program that has long drawn visitors and locals to learn more about culture, nature, history, and science at Kīlauea Visitor Center at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The new venue, while the Visitor Center is closed during the current volcanic activity, is Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus. Many other programs are also available outside the volcano unit of the park.

Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, portrayed by actor Dick Hershberger
of Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network, was the
 of After Dark Near the Park Tuesday night at the Volcano
 Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus. NPS Photo/Janice Wei 

     After Dark Near the Park tonight featured An Evening with Dr. Thomas Augustus Jaggar, a one-man show presented by historic reenactor Dick Hershberger and the Kīlauea Drama ​& ​Entertainment Network. More than 100 years ago, Jaggar founded what is today called the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and Jaggar Museum is named for him. The original program, written and performed by Hershberger, illustrates Jaggar's reasons for coming to Hawai‘i, and the history of his life's endeavor.
     Other programs from the park are also available at Niʻaulani Campus and other locales from Kahuku to Hilo. A statement from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park notes that many of the park rangers are embedded in the community while two-thirds of the park remains closed: "While Kīlauea continues to shake the ground and blast ash from its ever-changing summit crater – causing the partial closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on May 11 – park rangers continue to enlighten and engage visitors from other locations. Rangers are now offering new and familiar programs for visitors at the park's Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, and the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo – free of charge.
     At the Kahuku Unit near Ocean View, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., new 20-minute Kahuku Orientation Talks introduce natural, cultural and historic attributes of Kahuku to the first-time or been-awhile visitor, and rangers also share the latest Kīlauea eruption updates. Orientation talks are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
      Two hikes at Kahuku are offered this weekend: Palm Trail, Palm Trail, Saturday, July 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku offers. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua is an easy one mile loop this Sunday, July 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree, and the threat of a new fungal disease, Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. Identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku.

The ‘ōhi‘a lehua tree is featured during a guided hike in
Kahuku on Saturday. NPS Photo/Janice Wei 

     Every Friday and Sunday, Kahuku offers ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, programs at 12:30 p.m. in Kahuku. The programs last an hour and are free. Park rangers and staff from the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association share their knowledge and passion for native Hawaiian crafts. On Saturday, July 7 is Lau Hala Weaving. On Sunday, July 8 is ‘Ohe Kapala, creating bamboo stamps.
     Kahuku events are posted to the park website, https://www.nps.gov/havo/
planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
     Mokupāpapa Discovery Center welcomes park rangers in downtown Hilo, Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., give a talk about all five of Hawai‘i Island's volcanoes –including Kīlauea. It is located at 76 Kamehameha Ave. Mokupāpapa Discovery Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
     The Annual Fourth of July Parade in Volcano Village will see park rangers marching in the annual Fourth of July Parade outside the park in wonderful Volcano Village. The parade starts at the Volcano Post Office at 9 a.m. and features food vendors, family fun, crafts, keiki games and more on Wednesday, July 4 at 9 a.m.

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KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK’S PRODUCTION OLIVER!, by Lionel Bart, has found a temporary venue outside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where its home base is Kīlauea Theatre. With the volcano unit of the park temporarily closed during volcanic activity, KDEN will head to University of Hawai‘i-Hilo's Performing Arts Center for shows on Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., July 13-29.
     “Due to the constant rumbling in Volcano,” says director Suzi Bond of KDEN, the KMC "beloved performing space is not available. For the last month, KDEN has been an orphaned theater company doing a show about an orphan. At last, Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network has found a home for our summer musical.

    “This has been a particularly trying year for us,” says Bond, “The closing of the National Park less than a week before auditions had people thinking we weren't doing the show. But, the show must go on and this will help bring some normalcy to a very trying situation. The cast has been rehearsing in people's living rooms, Christ Lutheran Church, and at a studio in Volcano owned by the very generous Bonnie Goodell. It is hard to be nomadic and not have consistency, but this cast defines the term troupers. It will be nice to finally be able to rehearse and perform in one place. Lee Dombroski & Dory Yamada at UHH's Performing Arts Center have opened their doors, and their theater and made the facility affordable for us. We couldn't do this without the help of so many wonderful people.”
     Oliver! is the musical version of Charles Dickens' classic tale Oliver Twist. Book, music and lyrics are all by Lionel Bart. This classic musical first premiered in London's West End in 1960. The show features such memorable songs a Where is Love?, As Long As He Needs Me, Food, Glorious Food and Who Will Buy? The talented cast of 19 is led by Bond, with musical direction by Walter Greenwood, and choreography by Carmen Richardson. Set design is by Jonathan Sudler, with Kala Daily as Stage Manager.
     Starring as the waif Oliver is newcomer Quin Scheetz. Veteran actors Hayden Konanui-Tucker as the Artful Dodger and Joel Kelley as Fagin. Joy Sever takes on the role of Nancy, and Ray Ryan is Bill Sikes. The versatile ensemble members are Stephen Bond, Kaulmia Boyer, Debbie Campbell, Kalleigh Chapman, Lichen Forster, Karl & Susie Halemano, Joyce Hanley, Ariana Kelley, Michael Meyer, Dawn Pelletier, Steve Peyton, Stanislaw Stack, Travis Woods, and Elizabeth Young.
     Tickets are now available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo. Tickets are also available at the door. Each ticket is $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors 60+ and students, and $12 for children 12 years and under. For more information and reservations, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com. See kden.org.

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PUNA EVACUATION AND HELP CENTERS welcomed Sen. Mazie Hirono on Tuesday. She met with affected residents, volunteers, and business owners in visits to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center, World Central Kitchen, Pāhoa Community Center, and Sacred Heart Church/Hope Services, and attended meetings with floriculture growers.
     “Hawai‘i Island residents and business owners continue to demonstrate incredible resilience in the face of a major ongoing disaster,” said Hirono. “The approval of Individual Assistance has unlocked new federal resources, but the response to and recovery from this disaster requires a long-term, sustained commitment from every level of government. I will continue to advocate for these

Sen. Mazie Hirono met with FEMA and other officials yesterday who are
assisting with the recovery and ongoing emergency in Puna.
Photo from office of Sen. Mazie Hirono

communities in Washington, D.C., to ensure they get the assistance they need at this difficult time.”
     During her visit to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, Hirono met with representatives from several federal, state, and local
agencies who are in Puna to assist affected residents. She also met with members of AmeriCorps’ FEMA Corps who are helping connect residents with resources available to them.
     Hirono visited volunteers at World Central Kitchen’s facility in Pāhoa, where volunteers are cooking and serving thousands of meals to residents affected by the ongoing Kīlauea eruption.
     Hirono also visited the newly-constructed 20-home community at Sacred Heart Church that will provide shelter to seniors and families with young children. During her visit, she met with Brandee Menino, the CEO of Hope Services, and Gilbert Aguinaldo, a local business owner, who were instrumental in the success of the project. Hirono also visited with evacuees at the temporary shelter at the Pāhoa Community Center.
     In a meeting with local floriculture growers, Hirono discussed the ongoing challenges the eruption poses to regional agriculture, and discussed the potential impact of her recent amendment to the Farm Bill – which would provide additional assistance to agricultural producers affected by the eruption.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com 
and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

4th of July Parade, Festival, Craft Fair, Wed, July 4, 9-1:30pm, Volcano Village. Free. Parade starts at Post Office, down Old Volcano Rd, ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd. Activities, food, and entertainment. Summer musical Oliver! cast, Da Boni and Doug Duo, Da Digital Menehunes, and Christy Lassiter will perform. Silent auction in main room. Leashed dogs allowed. Provided by Cooper Center Council, Volcano Community Association, and Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. To be in parade, download entry form at volcanocommunity.org and email to vcainfo@yahoo.com. Vendors call Tara Holmes, 464-3625 (8-5pm) or email idoaloha@gmail.com. thecoopercenter.org

THURSDAY, JULY 5

Hula Voices w/Kumu Manaiakalani Kalua, Thu, July 5, 5-6pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Talk story session moderated by Desiree Moana Cruz. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, July 5, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu, July 5, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, JULY 6

Spaghetti Dinner, Fri, July 6, 5:30pm, St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Single plate, $8, 2 for $15, family for $20. Tickets available at door. 939-7555, stjudeshawaii.org

Free Community Dance, Fri, July 6 and 13, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snacks provided. Free admission; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, JULY 7

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Pā‘ula Cleanup Event w/Ala Kahakai Trails Association and friends, Sat, July 7. Contact in advance for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Pending volcanic activity/air quality. Space limited. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org

Ka‘ū Roping & Riding Association’s 41st Annual 4th of July Buckle Rodeo, Sat & Sun, July 7 & 8, slack starts 8am, show starts noon, rodeo grounds behind Nā‘ālehu Park. Tickets available at gate, $8/person. Pre-sale tickets available $7/person around town from Rodeo Queen contestants. Ralph or Tammy, 929-8079

Palm Trail, Sat and Sun, July 7 and 29, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

Art in the Everyday Community Quilt Project - Assembly Workshop, Sat, July 7, 10-4pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Visiting Artist Laura Phelps Rogers leads project, with more to come throughout year. A social engagement public work, in which Rogers hopes to construct monumental sculptural quilt built of round wood 5” pieces - each blank and designed by community participants. Pick up blank piece and packet at Volcano Art Center’s Administration Office or at Wailoa Art Center. $10 donation. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Two Day Oil Painting Workshop w/Vicki Penney-Rohner, Sat-Sun, July 7-8, 10-4pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Beginners and Intermediate students welcome. Learn to create form using values and light. Class also explores painting water. $90/VAC Member, $100/non-Member. See volcanoartcenter.org for list of supplies needed.

SUNDAY, JULY 8

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, July 8, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower, on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, JULY 9

Air and Space Camp, Science Camps of America, July 9-18, based at Pāhala Plantation Cottages with field trips all around island. For local teens ages 13-17, entering grades 9-12. Topics: Solar system, moon, planets, space exploration, structure of atmosphere, weather, carbon cycle, climate, Hawaiian history and culture, Polynesian voyaging, hiking and camping skills. $2,395 per student, includes ground transportation, meals, etc. Financial Aid available. scicamp.org

Richard Creagan Talk Story, Mon, July 9, 6-9pm, Ocean View Community Center. Current State Representative for District 5 and candidate. He is a Ka‘ū resident, farmer, and a physician. 939-7033

TUESDAY, JULY 10

Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, July 10(Committees)/11 (Council), Hilo, Tue/Wed, July 24 (Committees)/25 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, July 10, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

The Wonderful World of Wine and Watercolor, Tue, July 10, 4-7pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Learn how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper through basic techniques. $30/VAC Member, $35/non-Member, plus $17 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING

Paid Intern sought by The Nature Conservancy, to work from October 2018 through August 2019 with their Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which has native forest preserves located in Ka‘ū and South Kona.

     Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receive an entry-level conservation career experience.

     Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the program start date, October 2018, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applications must also have their own housing and transportation, a drivers license, and be able to pass a criminal history check.

     The internship is offered through Kupu Hawai‘i. Those interested are asked to fill out an online application at kupuhawaii.org under Conservation Leaders Program as soon as possible, as spaces are limited; http://www.kupuhawaii.org/conservation/. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

Disaster Recovery Center, jointly operated by Hawaiʻi County, the State of Hawaiʻi, and FEMA, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Keaʻau High School Gym. Buses run from 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. to and from Keaʻau Armory every 20 minutes and Pāhoa Community Center Shelter every hour. See the full bus schedule on the Civil Defense Website at HawaiiCounty.gov/Active-Alerts. For a list of the information applicants need to bring to the DRC, or to register online, go to DisasterAssistance.gov. 

Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through Saturday, July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

Find Your Park, invites Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Kamaʻaina and tourist alike are encouraged to experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka‘ū to Volcano to Hilo. “While Kīlauea continues to shake the ground and blast ash from its ever-changing summit crater – causing the partial closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on May 11 – park rangers continue to enlighten and engage visitors from other locations,” says a release from HVNP staff.

     Rangers offer new and familiar programs – free of charge, with no entry fees – for visitors at the park’s Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo, and at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo.

Kahuku Unit

In addition to regularly scheduled Guided Hikes and the monthly Coffee Talk, Kahuku Unit has added daily Ranger Talks, and cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.

Visitor Contact Station hosts Ike Hana Noe ʻAu, Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, made possible by Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Sat, July 7: Lau Hala Weaving. One of the most beautiful Hawaiian fiber crafts, the leaves of the hau tree (pandanus) are woven into useful and decorative purposes. Sun, July 8: ‘Ohe Kāpala. Make your mark, and learn to create bamboo stamps with traditional and modern Hawaiian designs.

Visitor Contact Station hosts Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Guided Hikes begin at 9:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday in June and July. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent. Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku offers. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. A guided hike of Palm Trail is offered Saturday, July 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ōhi‘a Lehua. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree, and the threat of a new fungal disease, Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less) walk. The ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua program is offered Sunday, July 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Coffee Talk, in the Visitor Contact Station - a monthly, casual get together - is held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m.

Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.

Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus

You can also find your park rangers in Volcano at the Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., in Volcano Village. Rangers are there most days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.

The return of After Dark …near the park enters its second week at the Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus. An Evening with Dr. Thomas Augustus Jaggar, a one-man show presented by historic reenactor Dick Hershberger and the Kīlauea Drama & ​Entertainment Network. More than 100 years ago, Dr. Jaggar founded what is today called the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and Jaggar Museum is named for him. Learn about Dr. Jaggar’s reasons for coming to Hawai‘i and the history of his life’s endeavor in this original program written by Hershberger on Tuesday, July 3, at 7 p.m.

Annual Fourth of July Parade in Volcano Village. Park rangers will march in the annual Fourth of July Parade outside the park in wonderful Volcano Village. The parade starts at the Volcano Post Office at 9 a.m. and features food vendors, family fun, crafts, keiki games and more on Wednesday, July 4, at 9 a.m.

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

Find you park rangers at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo, Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., give a talk about all five of Hawai‘i Island’s volcanoes –including Kīlauea. Get your NPS Passport Book stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo. Please note, the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Grand Naniloa Hotel

Two Park Rangers are stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every Sunday and Monday, in the Willie K Crown Room - as long as nothing else is scheduled in the space. The rangers will be doing daily talks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the eruption. They will show the park film that is normally available to visitors to see at the Kilauea Visitor’s Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Kona Vet Center visits to Ocean View Community Center are Suspended until further notice. Veterans may call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org

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 464-9634.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.

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