Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, February 5, 2018

The waters near South Point proved deadly on Monday for a man who tried to help his struggling lady friend at
South Point Landing. Also dangerous is diving off the South Point cliffs (above) in rough waters.

AN ADVENTURE TOURISM DEATH TRAGEDY befell Ka‘ū on Monday, when a man tried to help rescue his struggling lady friend at South Point Landing. She was unable to come to shore in rough waters. The woman survived after a fisherman threw her a cooler, but her friend perished, his body recovered, according to witnesses at the scene.

     Bruised bodies, broken backs, and other injuries to visitors and locals are reported by people frequenting the area, especially those diving off the cliffs, as visitation to South Point and Green Sand Beach soars. Locals have also perished when setting net, or by falling off the cliff when fishing.

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SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN's bills regarding health, environment, energy, housing, and other issues can be followed on the Hawai‘i Legislature website. Click on each bill to read testimony and reports, and to give testimony. Bills introduced by Ruderman, who represents east Ka‘ū into Puna, include the following:

     SB829 would establish a community food forest program in the Department of Land & Natural Resources and require DLNR to work collaboratively with local government and community organizations to provide sources of healthy food statewide. The bill would also appropriate funding.

State Sen. Russell Ruderman has introduced 
numerous bills into the Hawaiʻi Legislature.
They can be followed online.

     SB830 would create an income tax credit based on real property taxes paid for landowners to incentivize leasing land for community food forests.

     SB809 would allow a county to enact and adopt local laws, rules, and policies that regulate pesticides use within its own jurisdiction under certain conditions.

     SB810 would prohibit application of neonicotinoid insecticides without a permit after 6/30/18 to protect honeybees and other pollinating animals.

     SB3095 would establish disclosure and public notification requirements for outdoor application of pesticides in various sensitive areas or by large-scale, outdoor commercial agricultural operations. It would also set up a pilot program that creates a vegetative buffer zone around five selected schools near a commercial agricultural production area. 

     SB823 SD2 would require insurers, mutual benefit societies, fraternal benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for health care services provided by a naturopathic physician. Requires the insurance commissioner to receive and investigate complaints regarding discrimination with respect to participation under a health insurance plan against any health care provider. 

     SB821 would provide an income tax credit to taxpayers who install or operate an electric vehicle charging system that is available for use by the public, unless otherwise required by law. 

     SB822 would require the state Department of Transportation to install and operate public electric vehicle charging systems on Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, and the Island of Hawai‘i. Appropriates moneys to fund installation and operation of the electric vehicle charging systems. 

     SB3098 would authorize construction of tiny homes for residential use within agricultural districts, on farms that are engaged in agricultural production. Provides that a tiny home shall be subject to county ordinances or permitting requirements that are directly applicable to residential uses of tiny homes in agricultural districts. A similar bill passed the legislature last year but was vetoed by Gov. David Ige and opposed by County of Hawai‘i Planning Department.

A prepared family wearing headlamps prepares to enter the Nāhuku,
Thurston lava tube during its dark, natural state. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

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NEW LIGHT IS SHINING FROM WITHIN Nāhuku, the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can choose to the explore the cave in the dark with their own light source, or time their trip to coincide with a new lighting schedule.

     Park staff installed a new electrical system with 12 energy-efficient amber LED lights to illuminate the 400-foot-long lava tube - plus an additional amber spotlight to shine light on a low part of the cave ceiling. The lights automatically turn on every day at 10 a.m., and go out at 8 p.m. The cave will remain open overnight. It remains  pitch black inside from 8 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next day.

     Visitors must carry their own light source if planning to explore the lava tube in its dark, natural state: before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Park rangers recommend head lamps and flashlights; cell phones are not recommended as the only light source.

     "When we turned the lights off to install the new electrical system, visitors told us they were in favor of leaving an option for a 'lights out' natural cave experience in Nāhuku," said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. "We're excited that the new lighting schedule satisfies visitors, is better for the environment, and supports our goal for a sustainable future," she said.

     The new lighting system also increases visitor safety by illuminating the interior, and protects the cultural integrity of the ‘ana (cave) by inhibiting the growth of non-native plant and algae species.

A family explores interior of Nāhuku during illuminated hours. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

     Located near the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, off Crater Rim Drive, Nāhuku and its lush rainforest trail are popular features in the park. An eruption from Kīlauea 550 years ago produced vigorous streams of lava, and the long, hollow tunnel was left behind when the molten rock drained away.

     The native rainforest surrounding Nāhuku is home to endemic plant, bird and insect species, like the Happyface Spider. Visitation is heaviest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and parking is limited to 30 minutes.

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SECOND ANNUAL MAULI OLA FESTIVAL, put on by Malian Lahey, Ka‘ū Coffee broker and owner of the Wood Valley Farm venue, will be dedicated to Healing, Art and Music, says its poster. It begins this Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. with activities scheduled 5 p.m. Friday until early morning Sunday. Campers will be allowed to stay until 2 p.m.

     "Mauli Ola Festival brings together a global tribe to celebrate, learn and generate new conversations about coffee, human rights, and earth-friendly practices like permaculture and Leave No Trace. Conversations like these are powerful force multipliers that can create real shifts in how the world works,” says the festival description on http://mauliolafestival.com/.

     Tickets for one day are $30, $60 for two days, and camping passes are $10, which includes hot showers. Organizers suggest bringing warm clothing for nighttime, layers for daytime. Vendor spaces are still open. Sponsors are welcome. Kids under 12 are free. Purchase tickets, see the schedule, and get more info at http://mauliolafestival.com/.

Malian Lahey, Ka‘ū Coffee broker, owner of the Wood Valley Farm,
and founder of Mauli Ola Festival. Photo from mauliaolafestival.com

      Lahey said, "Every day, I find my inspiration in people who dare to create from the best of who they are, to express their inner beauty and see the beauty in others. The greatest experience of our own happiness comes about when we live in a happy world. So, here's to music that makes us think of something greater than ourselves. Here's to music that brings us out of our personal pain and inspires us rise to co-create something higher and more connected than ever before. Here's to music that talks back to our demons and wins. This music is a love offering to the sublime spark within you."

      The website invites attendees to: "Dance your prayers into the earth, where the roots of malama ‘āina get mycelial on a beautiful, remote permaculture farm & soul sanctuary in the sacred Wood Valley area of the Big Island. Healers of the land, culture, economy, body, mind, & spirit come together to give and receive in sacred reciprocity with Gaia. The purpose of the Mauli Ola Festival is to create a living culture based upon New Paradigm spiritual principles. Dance, Camp and Immerse into the healing vibes."

     Music headlinners are Jamaican singer Clinton Fearon, Mike Love, Mishka, Youssoupha Sidibe, Jamie Janover, Dragonfly, Tubby Love and Amber Lily, Love Eternal, Carl John, Green Machine with David Laurence, Love Lena, Yaima, Dread Ashanti, Faye Adinda, Heartifact, Diane Patterson, Nerissa, One Love, Rootz Within, Malian, Prema Rasa, Trill, Drew Daniels, Kaila Weaver, Selassie Ites, AhluxAh, Gaia Experiment, and Keyframe.

     Also promoted is a Wisdom Keeper Gathering with Honourable Guest Elders: Grandmother Flordemayo, Chase Iron Eyes, Delbert Black Fox Pomani, Youssoupha Sidibe, Laulani Teale, Liko Martin, Maria Owl Gutierrez, Jose Federico Munoz, Mazatzin Acosta, and Ketzali Acosta.

     Workshops include: Pagan George: Expanding the Wings of your Prana; Aeo Wildflower: Kundalini Yoga; Devin Fredericksen: Successional Food Forests, Resilient Relations; Kaila Weaver: Vocal Empowerment: Becoming our own Tuning Forks; Nico Van Engelen: Resilience Through Empowering Local Communities; Leila Wright: Herbal Magic Remedies; Shane Bee Charmer Lee: Bee Charming 101; Drake Weinert: Seed Starting With Korean Natural Farming; Clinton Fearon: Reggae Songwriting Workshop ($35 fee); Jamie Janover: Unified Field Theory; Maria Owl Gutierrez: Transforming Grief to Gratitude; Julian Reyes: Reinhabiting the Village; Chase Iron Eyes: Legal Update on Standing Rock; Mazatzin Acosta: Aztec Calendar Keeping; Jose Federico Munoz: Mayan Calendar Keeping; Tuvasana Maya: Yoga and Cosmic Consciousness; Lydia Kindheart: Feeding The Festivals: How I Started Lydia's Kind Foods; Alaina Hernandez: Festival Ecology; and Lee Walczuk: Kiddie's Corner.

     Other activities include: Alchemeyez will be curating the Visionary Art Temple; Keyframe presents a VR experience, including opportunity to paint ideas in 3D; Film screening of Amplify Her; Keiki-friendly activities, includeing Lizard Tag, Puppet Making with Lee Michael Walczuk, Coloring, Bubbles, Alphabet with Youssoupha Sidibe, Kite flying, and T-shirt block printing.

     The website states there is "a lot of space" for camping; composting toilets and port-a-johns; hot shower passes; "abundant", non-chlorinated, fluoride-free spring water; and hand washing and dishwashing stations, in which they ask that only all natural, eco-friendly soap is used. Vendors will offer "locally crafted organic, locally grown food and of course, award-winning ethical coffee." There will be limited cooking space available, one catered meal offered for purchase each day, and a ticket type that includes meals (not listed on website). Camping alternatives include nearby bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals.

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HAWAIIAN STORYTELLING, a performing arts event for keiki ages 6 to 12 years, has been announced for Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Register from Feb. 21 to 26. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

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.

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.

AN ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY ROAD CLEAN-UP, between mile markers 78 and 79 on Highway 11 in Ocean View, is hosted by Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Bags, water, and vests (volunteers shirt sizes should be emailed to address below) are provided. Volunteers are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m., and are advised to wear work gloves and sun protection. Confirm meet-up location by emailing Pat at mcmathorama@gmail.com. Ocean View Community Association can be reached at 939-7033 or by visiting ovcahi.org.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY FEB. 6, FOR A YEAR OF THE DOG WALL HANGING arts and crafts class that takes place Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102, or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, for more.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.

A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā’ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at  Pāhala Community Center.

PRESERVATION OF STONE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE: Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park, is presented Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Archeologist MaryAnne Maigret gives an historical overview of early and mid-20th century restorations of Hōnaunau, and a behind-the-scenes look at 50-plus years of preservation at the park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Suggested donation of $2 to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEETS TUESDAY, FEB. 6, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Both meetings occur in Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 (committees), and Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Council), in Kona. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

ADVOCATS, INC., comes to Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to perform free cat spay and neuter services. For more, call 895-9283.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. KMC is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

ABSTRACTS AND PROPOSALS ARE DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 9, for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations for 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in July. For more, visit hawaiconservation.org.

MAKE A VALENTINE FOR YOUR VALENTINE! at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Friday, Feb. 9, starting at 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For more details, call 939-2442.

JOIN PAUL AND JANE FIELD IN VOLUNTEERING FOR STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT on Friday, Feb. 9, and remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO. This event will also be held Feb. 17 and 19.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, Feb. 9, at their Ka‘ū Preserve (located between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu), from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Space is limited. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact Linda Schubert at 443-5401 or lschubert@tnc.org. The following Volunteer Day will take place on Friday, Mar. 23, at TNC’s Kona Hema Preserve.

A PERFORMANCE OF NORA EPHRON'S LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Kīlauea Theater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to raise funds for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. The play is based on a best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman. Tickets are $20 per person. For reservations or more info, call 982-7344.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, a workshop taught by well-known Bonsai Sensei Bill Newton, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, 17, and 24, at Volcano Garden Arts. Sign up for all three classes and receive a complimentary meal at award winning Cafe Ono. Space is limited. For more, call 985-8979 or visit volcanogardenarts.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HAWAIIAN HOSPOT AND CREATION OF KAHUKU on a hike, Birth of Kahuku, on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, arranged by Mā Mamo o Kāwā, is hosted Saturday, Feb. 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. Sign up with James Akau by emailing namamookawa@gmail.com or calling 430-3058.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND A RAFFLE are offered at by Ocean View Community Association at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. To volunteer, call 939-7033. Visit ovcahi.org for more.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW OR WORK ON A FORGOTTEN PROJECT at The Art Express on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Instructions will be on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. For more, contact Meliha Corcoran at 319-8989 or himeliha@yahoo.com. See discoveryharbour.net/art-express for future dates.

ZENTANGLE: THE ELEGANCE OF LIMITS, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. Learn how to use tangles for boarders and how to create elegant frames to hold Zentangle art with Lois & Earl Stokes. Zentagle Basics is recommended but not required. All art supplies provided. Class fees are $30 for VAC members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA in native Hawaiian forests, and the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower, are presented on a free, easy, one-mile, guided walk on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K THROUGH 8, BY FEB. 13, FOR A VALENTINE'S DAY FLOWER & BEAR CRAFT class held on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit  hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.

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.