Ka‘ū News Briefs Saturday, February 24, 2018

Bull Riding Winner Trisyn Kalawaia at the 26th Annual Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo, the rodeo clown on alert.
See story, below. Photo by Brad H. Ballesteros

KA‘Ū-BORN JUSTIN KRIPPS brings home one gold medal from his 2018 Olympic bobsled competition in PyeongChang, South Korea, which wrapped this weekend. Kripps, piloting for Canada, won gold in a tie with Germany in two-man bobsleigh.
     This weekend, his four man team came up short in the four-man bobsleigh, placing sixth in a field of 20, only 0.84 seconds behind the gold medal team from Germany.
     Kripps was born in Nāʻālehu and raised local until middle school. His family has long time roots here, and he visits from his current home in Summerland, Canada.    
     After the 2014 Olympics he came to Ka‘ū to recover from injuries when his bobsleigh turned over in the four-man competition.

Justin Kripps with his mom, after winning
 gold in the two-man bobsleigh at 
PyeongChang. Photo from Justin Kripps

     In Ka‘ū, Kripps spends time with family and friends, relaxing, and hunting pig.

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PANIOLO WAHINE AND KANE BROUGHT HOME PANA'EWA STAMPEDE WINNINGS this week. "Heavy rain, thunder, and lightning didn't stop paniolo from riding and roping over the President's Day Weekend," stated Lori-Lee Lorenzo, who, along with Kehaulani Ke, Denicia Deracin, Kircia Derasin, and Lucan Wong, hauled horses to the 26th annual Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo, which wrapped up on Monday.
     Lorenzo and Ke took fourth in Wahine Calf Mugging, Denicia Deracin and Wong took fourth in Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging, and Kircia Deracin won second in Keiki Barrel Racing. Lorenzo, a frequent leader in parades and a veteran Stampede Rodeo Queen, though still in high school, said she was proud to ride in the grand entry to the Stampede, carrying the flag of rodeo sponsor Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
     During the Stampede Rodeo, Kalai Nobriga earned the most points among kane paniolo to become All Around Cowboy. Trisyn Kalawaia became Reserve All Around Cowboy. Nahe Nobriga earned her title of All Around Cowgirl. Reserve All Around Cowgirl is Ana Martin.

The Grand Entry to the opening of the Panaʻewa Stamped Rodeo with Lori-Lee Lorenzo the flag bearer for
sponsor Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Photo by Chuck McKeand

Here are the complete results.

     Po‘o Wai U, one of the pure paniolo events that comes from tying cattle to forked tree trunks when rounding them up in Hawaiian wildlands, saw Kalai Nobriga first in 18.03 seconds. Peter Andrade and Levi Rita tied for second in 20.16, Shawn Aguiar took fourth in 27.10, and Stoney Boy Joseph scored fifth in 29.59 seconds.

      Dummy Roping saw Blayne DeMattos take first in .69 min., Kahiau Kalaniopio second in .81, and Kamakani Keliihoomalu-Bangloy third with at time of 1 minute. Mahi‘ai Lopez took fourth in 1.03 minutes and Isaiah Publico fifth in 2.35 minutes.

     Wahine Barrel Racing saw Jerikah Valencia take first in 36.79 seconds, Kala‘a Andrade second with 36.87, Caitlin Lassiter third with 37.02, Jensten Andrade fourth at 37.32, and Julie Williams fifth in 37.71 seconds.

Lori-Lee Lorenzo and Kehaulani Ke mugging for Kaʻū at Pana'ewa Stampede
Rodeo earlier this week. Photo by Makaa.photography

     Youth Barrel Racing saw Eli Higa first in 38.16 seconds, Kiricia Derasin second with 38.69, Kesha Joseph third with 39.97, Urijah Flores fourth with 40.36, and Hilina‘i Gouveiain fifth in 43.13 seconds.

     Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging - where one teammate ropes and the other grabs a ribbon from the tail of the steer – posted Kalai Nobriga and Ana Martin first in 16.13 seconds, Troy Gomes and Ana Martin second with 17.19, Kalai Nobriga and Nahe Nobrigain third with 17.47, Denicia Derasin and Lucan Wong fourth with 28.72, and Shannon Benevides and Trisyn Kalawaia fifth at 30.94 seconds.

     Youth Team Roping drew one competitor team, with Eli Higa and Stoney Boy Joseph finishing in 14.50 seconds.

     Wahine Breakaway Roping showed Nahe Nobriga first in 2.2 minutes, Camela Haalilio second at 2.75, Jerikah Valencia third with 2.90, Jadee Odain fourth with 4.37, and Aryka Diego fifth at 5.16 minutes.

     Open Team Roping showed Kalai Nobriga and Kevin Hillin first in 11 seconds, Jordan Gomes and Troy Gomes second in 11.04, Charles Stevens and Shane DeLuz third with 11.31, Nolan Nobriga and Nicky Boy Rapoza fourth at 12.72, and Gregg Menino and Brian DeMattos fifth at 14.28 seconds.

     Junior Bull Riding sole competitor Eli Higa rode the animal for 66 seconds.

A challenging bull at Pana'ewa Stampede Rodeo

 Photo by Brad H. Ballesteros

     Sheep Riding showed Shirenasea Aki-Oili first, lasting 53 seconds; Isaiah Publico, second, lasting 50; Tayzlie Brown third, lasting 50; Katumlee Malicki fourth, riding 47 seconds; and Colty Boy Mandaloniz fifth, staying on the sheep for 46 seconds.

     Double Mugging showed off Billy Boy Benevides and Trisyn Kalawaia who came in first with a time of 28.53 seconds. Shawn Aguiar and Peter Andrade took second with 35.53, Kalai Nobriga and Kevin Hill third in 36.28, Shawn Aguiar and Justin Jose fourth in 39.13, and Kalai Nobriga and Levi Rita fifth in 41.50 seconds.

     Century Team Roping - where the total age of team members is a minimum of 100 years – showed off four pairs of competitors. Steve Cox and Luis Rincon finished first in12.28 seconds. Butch Gomes and Luis Rincon were second with 13.16, Bill DeLima and Kaui Meyer third with 14.79, and Clayton Low and Eric Valencia fourth at 16.15 seconds.

     Tie Down Roping showed Kalai Nobriga in first in 16.38 seconds, Levi Rita second in 22.28, Stoney Boy Joseph third with 23.44, Kepa Boteilho-Benevides fourth with 38.62, and Trisyn Kalawaia fifth with 53.32.

     High Roller Team Roping saw Charles Stevens and Kevin Hill in first with 10.65 seconds, Shawn Aguiar and Brian Bugado second with 11.41, Bulla Waltjen and Brian DeMattos third with 12.47, Chad Serion and Keith Gomes fourth with 18.62, and Troy Gomes and Jordan Gomes fifth with 19.94 seconds.

     Bareback Bronc Riding drew one competitor. Trisyn Kalawaia's rode the bucking bronco for 13.3 seconds.

     Wahine Calf Mugging ended with Ana Martin and Nahe Nobriga first with a time of 45.53 seconds, Daphnee Joseph and Shannon Benevides second with 49.56, Camela Haalilio and Nahe Nobriga third with 89.19, and Lori-Lee Lorenzo and Kehaulani Ke fourth in 93.69 seconds.

     Bull Riding drew one competitor, with Trisyn Kalawaia riding the bull for 71 seconds.
     For more, see www.HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

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SCAM CALLS, CLAIMING TO REPRESENT HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANIES, have spiked again, and HECO has issued a statement to urge customers to "Just hang up!" then call customer service.

     "If you receive a call from someone saying they're from Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, or Hawaii Electric Light and demanding immediate payment over the phone or via prepaid debits cards, it's a scam. If the caller says your account is delinquent and threatens to shut off your power immediately unless payment is made, it's a scam. If the called asks to meet you to pick up a payment, it's a scam."

     HECO also urges the public to not call any number found on caller ID, regardless of what it says, and to contact the power company only by dialing the number printed on the monthly electric bill or online. The utilities are members of Utilities United Against Scams, which represents over 80 companies working to prevent scammers targeting utility customers.

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Crowns of affected trees turn yellowish (chlorotic), then brown,
within days to weeks. Photo by JB Friday/cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu

THE SECOND ANNUAL RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH SYMPOSIUM will be in West Hawaiʻi, Saturday, March 3, and East Hawaiʻi Saturday, March 17. It includes information on how the disease spreads, how to screen for resistance, wood treatment research, disease tracking tools for aerial use, how it affects the forests, management actions, and recommendations for those who own land where ʻōhiʻa grows.

     The free public symposia do have limited space and and early registration is available. Refreshments and an opportunity to talk story with presenters are offered starting at 8:30 a.m. before the main event, 9 a.m. to noon. Each attendee 18 years and older will receive a free ROD decontamination kit.

     A statement on the events says: "A new fungal disease is currently attacking and killing ʻōhiʻa Metrosideros polymorpha, the most abundant native tree in the state of Hawaiʻi. On Hawaiʻi Island, hundreds of thousands of ʻōhiʻa have already died across thousands of acres from this fungus, called Ceratocystis fimbriata. Healthy trees appear to die within a few days to a few weeks, which is how the disease came to be called 'Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.' This disease has killed trees in all districts of Hawaiʻi Island and has the potential to kill ʻōhiʻa trees statewide."

     About 75,000 acres of ʻōhiʻa forest currently show symptoms of ROD on Hawaiʻi Island. There are confirmed cases of ROD: east from Kalapana to Hilo, between Hilo and Volcano, south from Volcano to Naʻalehu and Naʻalehu to Kona, as far north as Kaloko Mauka. Humans are thought to be a main vector, while feral ungulates and beetles could also be contributors. The primary path for Ceratocystis to enter ʻōhiʻa is through damage to the tree.

     The organizers offer a few guidelines, to help avoid the spread of the disease:

1. Do not move ʻōhiʻa wood or ʻōhiʻa parts, if you don’t know where the ʻōhiʻa material is from.

2. Do not transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island - the Hawai'i State Department of Agriculture has quarantine rules to help keep ROD from reaching the other islands.

3. Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa, as wounds serve as entry points for the fungus and increase the odds that the tree will become infected and die from ROD. Avoid pruning and contact with heavy equipment wherever possible.

4. Clean gear and tools - including shoes and clothes - before and after entering forests. Brush all soil off of tools and gear, then spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. Wash clothes with hot water and soap.

5. Wash the tires and undercarriage of your vehicle with soap and remove all soil or mud, especially after traveling from an area with ROD and/or if you have traveled off-road.

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EXPLORE! FAIR INVITES THE PUBLIC to Nāʻālehu School Gym, Thursday, March 8, from 4 p.m. to 6p.m. STEAM is the theme, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Hands-on experiments, make-and-take activities, student-work showcases, and brain-challenging games will be highlighted at several stations, each led by grade-level teachers or community partners. Learning to make recycled paper, entering the hurricane engineering design challenge, or picking up seedlings to start home gardens are just a taste of the many activities planned.

Kaʻū's unique native ecosystems and conservation efforts, including those for the
 endangered nesting hawksbill turtle at Kamehame will be on display at a community
 fair called Explore! on Thursday, March 8. Photo from The Nature Conservancy.

     Principal Darlene Javar said she encourages any Nāʻālehu Elementary ʻohana members who have not yet received their window box, potting soil, and starter plants this school year to stop by EXPLORE! fair to receive them. Enjoy free food and refreshments, and a chance to win door prizes.

     Fair participants can also view artist Don Elwing's gallery of pieces created from marine debris gathered from Kamilo Beach. Visit the Nāʻālehu ACE Hardware table to make slime or a lava lamp to take home, and get a special gadget for visiting. Talk to field experts whose passions intersect with STEAM and have helped them to find their current careers right here on the Big Island.

     Check out Bee Boys live honeybee observation hive, and explore Kaʻū's unique native ecosystems and conservation efforts with community organizations, such as Three Mountain Alliance, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, and The Nature Conservancy, and much more.

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KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL INVITES NON-PROFITS, CLUBS, COOPERATIVES, AND BUSINESSES to sign up for booths to serve the public at the tenth annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolaulea on Saturday, May 5, at Pahala Community Center. Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. Campaign and other political displays are not invited. Fifty percent discounts are provided to bona fide non-profit organizations and cooperatives and their members. In addition to Kaʻū Coffee Festival fees, each vendor is responsible for a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918.

Kaʻū Coffee growers like Will & Grace will present their award winning
 brew at the Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolaulea on May 5. Vendors and
 educational displays are welcome to participate. Photo by Julia Neal

     In addition vendors must obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each, to be displayed at each booth during the Hoʻolaulea.
     Vendor and display booths are responsibility of sponsors who provide their own tents, up to 10X10 foot feet square, as well as tables, chairs, signs, and all other equipment. Hot food must be served under metal roofs that Kaʻū Coffee Festival provides. There is no electricity available. Generators are allowed.
     Set up before 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, day of Hoʻolaulea, and be ready to serve the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No smoking, drugs, alcohol, propaganda, political speech, or activism allowed.
     Kaʻū Coffee Festival is a Green Event. All vendors are encouraged to use biodegradable products whenever possible.
     Deadline to apply is Friday, April 27, 2018. First come, first served. Find application at www.kaucoffeefestival.com. Mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208, Pahala, HI 96777, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

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.

MY HAWAI‘I 2018 CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST, open to all 6th through 8th grade students in the state. Submit story or poem that addresses the theme, "Ulu ka lālā i ke kumu: From a strong foundation grows an abundant future," to align with the 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference. Submit online at hawaiiconservation.org/my-hawaii/my-hawaii-story-project-2018 by 5:00 p.m., March 9.. Email questions to myhawaiistory@gmail.com.

REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY PAPER FLOWER CLASS through Feb. 27, for keiki grades K-8 Wed., Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at PāhalaCommunity Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs - hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

 SUNDAY, FEB. 25

‘IMOLA ASTRONOMY CENTER 12TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Sun., Feb. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 600 ‘Imiloa, at the UH Hilo Science and Technology Park. For more information, visit ImiloaHawaii.org, follow ‘Imiloa's Facebook, or call 932-8901.

TRAVERSE SCENIC PASTURES ALONG AN ANCIENT CINDER CONE, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer, Sunday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Moderately difficult, guided, 2.6-mile hike along the Palm Trail in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Free - nps.gov/HAVO.

BUDDY CAGE CANCER BENEFIT WITH EDGE OF THE WEST, held Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., at Ocean View's The Terraces. Info 917-561-4800, www.edgeofthwest.band.

TUESDAY, FEB. 27

HOVE Road Maintenance Monthly Meeting, Tue., Feb 27, 10 a.m., RMC Office in Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910.

KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY, Tue., Feb 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

TALES OF EARLY RANCHING IN HUMU‘ULA, Tue., Feb 27, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Free, suggested donation of $2; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28

KUPU, HAWAIʻI YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS SUMMER PROGRAM open to young adults 17 and up; deadline to apply Wed., Feb. 28. Kupu program lasts seven weeks, during June and July, is 40 hours per week. For info and to apply: http://www.kupuhawaii.org/hycc-summer/.

HFS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM open to Big  Island seniors planning for a two or four-year degree at a College, University, or Vocational-Technical school in the 2018-19 academic. Applications due Wed., Feb. 28, available at hfsfcu.org/news/2018Scholarship or at any branch location: Kea‘au, Hilo, and Kona.

FREE LEGAL SERVICES available for those 60+ through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i's Kōkua Kupuna Project, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Wed., Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Contact Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to obtain a referral. All others seeking free legal services, call 1-800-499-4302 (O‘ahu), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. More info, email tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org or 329-3910 ext. 925.

LEI HAKU, a method of lei making that involves braiding materials into a base of leaves, has been announced by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as part of the ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. The free demonstration takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY through the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission, due Wednesday, Feb. 28, no later than 4:30 p.m. Download application here, then email to the Commission Secretary, Maxine Cutler, at maxine.cutler@hawaiicounty.gov.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1

‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS for school year 2018-2019. Scholarships available to high school or home-schooled graduating seniors and to undergraduate college students. March 1 deadline, application form at www.okaukakou.org. Questions? Call Babette Morrow at 929-8076.

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.

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.

STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU takes place every Thursday in March: 1, 8, 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.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2

REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY HEADBANDS CLASS from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1, for keiki ages 6 to 12 years, for Fri., Mar. 2, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

KAʻŪ'S BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS NEED SUPPORT; purchase tickets and sponsor persons to attend the annual Youth of the Year celebration, Fri., Mar. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, in the Moku Ola Ballroom. The evening includes a banquet-style meal, youth led entertainment, silent and live auctions, guest speakers, and honors will be presented. Learn more about helping to create great futures at bgca.org.

     To purchase tickets, contact Ka‘ū Boardmember Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net. To purchase an ad in the Gala program, become a Gala sponsor, make a financial donation, or to donate an auction item, contact Gail Hamasu at 961-5536 or gail@bgcbi.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3

HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND VOLUNTEER BEACH CLEAN UP, Sat., Mar. 3, 8:45 a.m., meet at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Help clean up trash and debris washed up on the shore at Kamilo on the Ka‘ū Coast below Nā‘ālehu. Reserve a spot in a 4WD vehicle with HWF in advance. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT, Mar. 3, 9, 16, 23 & 31, 8:45 a.m. Meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.

INTRODUCTION TO OIL PAITNING WITH STEVE IRVINE, Sat., Mar. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Class fee $55 for VAC members, $60 for non-members. Class supplies not provided; receive a full list upon registration. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

HI‘IAKA & PELE, Sat., Mar. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO.

ZENTANGLE: BASICS, Sat., Mar. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Learn the foundations of Zentangle art form and the philosophy behind it from Certified Zentangle Teacher Dina Wood Kageler. All art supplies provided. $30/VAC members, $35/non-members, plus $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org.

UPCOMING

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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