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Monday, January 08, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, January 8, 2018

U.H. C.T.A.H.R. Extension Agent Andrea Kawabata suggests using Ken Love's Big Island Avocados poster to help identify the fruits of unknown avocado varieties. Kawabata offers more resources below.
Image from hawaiifruit.net/Avocado.pdf
FORMING A COALITION TO CHANGE CONGRESS is what Sen. Brian Schatz called for in a statement issued over the weekend. Though Hawai‘i is a predominantly Democratic Party state, Schatz talked about Republicans, nationwide:
     He wrote that 2017 "was an eventful year for all of us. This Republican Congress continued its efforts to take away health care from millions of Americans, passed a 'tax reform' package that gives billions of dollars to the richest among us, and nominated climate deniers to lead our environmental agencies.
     "Donald Trump pulled us out of the Paris climate accord, Scott Pruitt scrapped the Clean Power Plan, and Ajit Pai repealed net neutrality.   
Blue tarps in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Friday.
Hawai‘i Sen. Brian Schatz calls for more assistance.
 Hurricane Maria hit on Sept. 20. Almost four months
 later, these homes still need roofing.
Photo from Brian Schatz Twitter
     "But along with all of this, we also saw an unprecedented wave of grassroots activism and resolve. Hawai‘i is on track to meet our 100 percent clean energy law; our economy is growing, and clean energy is making strides in red and blue states."
     The U.S. Senator said that, "Our job now to is to look forward. This election year has to be about the middle and working class, net neutrality, the rule of law, climate action, and peace, among other things. And our coalition should be as broad, passionate, ferocious, and welcoming as possible.
     "So here's a New Year's resolution I am going to focus on, and I invite you to join me: In 2018, let's increase our efforts to elect Democrats in every corner of the country and reaffirm our resolve to do what we can - whether that's running for office, making calls, or donating whatever you can afford - to support the progressive movement."
     On Sunday, Schatz tweeted, "We need to invest in infrastructure. This will require real new money for public transportation, aviation, maritime, roads, bridges, bike and sidewalks, and rail."
     He also called on more help for Puerto Rico, where blue tarps still remain on houses across the islands nearly four months after the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

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HOW TO IDENTIFY THE MANY KINDS OF AVOCADO TREES growing in Hawai‘i is a feature of the latest newsletter from a University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources extension agent. Agent Andrea Kawabata writes: "If the plant is a seedling, it will have no variety name, unless you or someone else provided it one. Deciphering the parentage of seedlings can also be extremely difficult, though some look very similar to the mother plant."
Photo from U.H. C.T.A.H.R.
     If the plant has been grafted, the scion is more than likely a varietal, Kawabata reports. Some common varieties grown in Hawai‘i are Sharwil, Green Gold, Kahalu‘u, Mālama, Murashige, and Linda. She says that when trying to identify a grafted tree, note the avocado's following physical characteristics:
- Main fruit harvest season;
- Mature, ripe fruit (shape and size), rind (texture, thickness, grittiness and color), seed (shape, size - seed to flesh ratio - and looseness in the cavity), and positioning of the peduncle (stem on fruit) – pick at least several fruits for an average;
- Flesh quality and oil content of mature, mid-season fruit;
- Young leaf color and smell when hand crushed – leaves of Mexican avocados have an anise-type fragrance;
- Young stem color or patterns;
- Mature, healthy tree height and canopy shape;
- Mature, healthy leaf shape, size, and color;
- and A or B type flower.
     This month, the U.H. C.T.A.H.R. Kona Cooperative Extension Service and Research Station shared a new publication, Sharwil Avocado Identification. This publication "will help you identify Sharwil trees on your farm," says Kawabata. For other avocado varieties grown in Hawai‘i, U.H. C.T.A.H.R. publications can be found and referenced by searching "avocado" on the U.H. C.T.A.H.R. publications website, ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/Info.aspx. Fact sheets for Malama and Green Gold can also be found there. Kawabata says the top three U.H. C.T.A.H.R. publications with general avocado characteristics are: What Makes a Good Avocado Cultivar Good?Producing Avocado in Hawai‘i, and Hawai‘i Avocado Industry Analysis Part 2: Buyer Preferences Focus (for colored fruit photos).
     Kawabata suggests using Ken Love's avocado poster as another helpful visual aid in identifying the many varieties and seedlings found in Hawai‘i.

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Participants in The Wonderful World of Wine &
 Watercolor
workshop in Volcano will be welcomed
to taste several wines as they learn to transfer
a still life photo onto watercolor paper.
Photo from Volcano Art Center
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WINE & WATERCOLOR, a painting workshop, will be hosted at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village on Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to volcanoartcenter.org.
     Artist Nancy DeLucrezia will show class attendees how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces all the basic techniques needed to "create a lovely painting of your picture." Techniques covered will include basic palette setup, color theory and mixing, masking, wet in wet, texturizing and how to create depth, highlights, and shadows.
     During the course of the workshop, participants will be offered a sampling of several wines from Grapes, a wine store in Hilo.
     DeLucrezia majored in Art at the State University of New York as a photographer and printmaker, and has painted with watercolors for over 25 years. She has run a Japanese art gallery in New York City, designed public relations campaigns for several arts organizations, and developed a series of drawing and painting classes for children, as well as an art therapy curriculum for adults. Before moving to the Big Island, she was a member of the Santa Barbara Watercolor Society and Working Artists Ventura, where she produced and participated in numerous art and theatrical events. She also served as Director of Art Programs for Turning Point Foundation and taught watercolor painting to adults with special needs.
     The class fee is $35 for Volcano Art Center members and $30 for non-members, plus a $17 supply fee. A still life photo will be provided for students to paint. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

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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.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Boys Soccer: Tuesday, Jan. 9, Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū.
     Saturday, Jan. 20, @ Honoka‘a.
     Thursday, Jan. 25, @ Pāhoa.

Boys Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 10, @ St. Joseph.
     Monday, Jan. 15, Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū.
     Wednesday, Jan. 17, @ Kohala.
     Saturday, Jan. 20, Kohala @ Ka‘ū.
     Tuesday, Jan. 23, @ Wai‘ākea.
     Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.

Girls Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 10, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū.
     Friday, Jan. 12, @ Laupahoehoe.
     Monday, Jan. 15, @ HPA.
     Friday, Jan. 19, @ Kealakehe.

Swimming: Saturday, Jan. 13, @ HPA.
     Saturday, Jan. 20, @ HPA.
     Friday, Jan. 26, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, prelims).
     Saturday, Jan. 27, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, finals).

Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 13, @ Konawaena.
     Saturday, Jan. 20, @ Hilo.
     Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.

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DISCOVERY HARBOUR/NĀ‘ĀLEHU COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. The public is invited to come see what C.E.R.T. is all about, and participate in training scenarios. For more, contact Dina Shisler at dinashisler24@yahoo.com or 410-935-8087.

High lava fountains erupting from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent in the past is discussed at
the next After Dark in the Park event on Tuesday, Jan. 9. See event details at
left. Photo from U.S.G.S. Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory
HIGH LAVA FOUNTAINS ERUPTED EPISODICALLY FROM THE PU‘U ‘Ō‘Ō VENT during the first three years of Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone eruption which began 35 years ago. Join Carolyn Parcheta, U.S.G.S. Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory Geologist, as she briefly describes the early history of the East Rift Zone eruption, and provides an in-depth look at lava flow activity during the past year, at an After Dark in the Park talk on Tuesday, Jan. 9, starting at 7 p.m., in Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event, entitled Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone: 35 Years and Still Erupting, is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

‘OHE KĀPALA, BAMBOO STAMPING, was originally used to decorate clothing with deep symbolic meaning - it is now used to tell stories on a variety of modern materials. Learn to create beautiful designs with bamboo stamps in a demonstration that takes place Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

A FREE FIVE-SESSION PRENATAL EDUCATION PROGRAM COULD BE OFFERED IN KA‘Ū. Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi would "like to reach the Ka‘ū community and bring a class to the area if there are interested women." The Healthy Hāpai classes currently scheduled are held in Hilo and Puna, with a new class being held in Waimea on Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, and Feb. 14, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kona classes are yet to be announced.
     The program offers an engaging and educational curriculum designed to help mothers throughout pregnancy and after birth. The course is facilitated by Leila Ryusaki, who started her career in the healthcare field 20 years ago. She says, "Pregnancy is not only about the birth of the baby. It's also about the birth of the parents. We're here to help with that transition."
     The Healthy Hāpai program is ideal for mothers in their first and second trimesters, and open to mothers in their third trimester as well. Both first-time and experienced mothers are encouraged to join and meet other pregnant moms. Participants are welcome to bring a partner, friend, or family member to class.
     To sign up or learn more, expectant mothers can call Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi at (808) 969-9220. For more information, visit hmono.org.

VOLCANO ART CENTER OFFERS BEGINNING HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES - two 8-week courses - starting Thursday, Jan. 11, at their Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Both courses focus on simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. No experience necessary. Part One is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and requires no prior experience in Hawaiian Language. Part Four follows from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays - some experience with Hawaiian Language is preferred. The course fee for either class is $80 for Volcano Art Center members and $90 for non-members. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

See event details above. 
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.

VOLUNTEER WITH HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, with the Stewardship of Kīpukapuaulu program, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, with volunteers meeting in the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot on Mauna Loa Road off Hwy 11, near Volcano Village. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants, like morning glory, from an area said to be home to an "astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants." The event will take place again on Jan. 18 and 25. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com or visit nps.gov/HAVO.

TRAVERSE THE VAST 1868 LAVA FLOW with different volcano features and formations in a free, easy-to-moderate, guided hike entitled Birth of Kahuku on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku, and learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Navigational Cylinder by Heather Mettler.
Photo from Volcano Art Center
A NEW VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY EXHIBIT, PASSAGE AND PLACE, SHOWCASES Heather Mettler's handblown, chiseled, and etched glassworkThe display will be open to the public from Saturday, Jan. 13, to 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.

BINTI BAILEY, LARRY SEYER, AND JEAN PEIRRE THOMA AND THE JAZZTONES will perform twice on Saturday, Jan. 13, with a matinee from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and an evening performance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. "Almost Like Being in Love" is the theme, with love songs from around the world. Tickets are $18 for Volcano Art Center members and $20 for non-members. Purchase tickets online at volcanoartcenter.org. Wine, beer, and pupu (appetizers) will be available for purchase at the event.

A PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

PATTI PEASE JOHNSON teaches a Silk Painting with Wax Resist workshop on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The class combines batik methods with the art of Serti silk painting to create a representational piece of art, i.e. wall hanging. The workshop fee is $45 per Volcano Art Center member and $50 per non-member, plus a $10 supply fee per person. Beginner and intermediate artists are welcome. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

A ZENTANGLE CLASS FEATURING THE ZENDALA - TWIRLING LEAVES takes place Saturday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The class blends inspiration from nature with traditional Zentangle patterns and is suitable for beginning or returning tanglers. The class fee is $30 for Volcano Art Center members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Saturday, Jan. 13, with volunteers removing invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Interested volunteers should meet Paul and Jane Filed at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. The event will take place again on Jan. 19 and 26. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more see nps.gov/HAVO.

HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP LOAD NETS, previously collected from the coast, into a container at Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station on Sunday, Jan. 14, starting at 9 a.m. Bring personal drinking water. To sign-up, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA is the title of an easy, one-mile, ranger-led walk scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower. The walk is free to attend. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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