Monday, March 05, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, March 5, 2018

Green Sand Beach and Māhana Bay. The olivine sand beach, one of only four known in the world, exists in a delicate balance of erosion from natural and human influences. See the plan online with its history, cultural, wildlife, and archaeological studies. Photo from DHHL report
MANAGING ACCESS TO THE POPULAR GREEN SAND BEACH at Māhana Bay is one of the aims of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands recently-released South Point management plan. The plan divides the South Point properties of Hawaiian Home Lands into four management areas: the entrance to the South Point area; Ka Lae and a walking loop; the Barracks; and the area leading to Green Sands, including Māhana Bay. It also includes a proposal to charge entry fees.
     Concerning Māhana Bay, it says, "the main near-term priority for DHHL is to gain site control by managing vehicular access." With Green Sand beach promoted in tour guide books and online travel sites as one of only four green sands beaches in the world, and with an increase in adventure travel among international visitors, Māhana Bay has become a popular destination. Many visitors walk the four miles. Others pay for rides in four wheel drive vehicles along the unpaved road from the South Point boat ramp to Māhana Bay. The number of people going there daily steadily increases.
Yellow-and-black marks the proposed pedestrian path to Green Sand Beach.
 Pink marks the proposed emergency-access road. Bright teal marks
 the proposed parking area. View full report, with other maps and figures, 
online. Map via the DHHL report
     The Hawaiian Home Lands plan for Green Sands and Māhana Bay is to allow access through walking along a designated pedestrian path near the shore. An inland road would be for emergencies and maintenance. Hawaiian Home Lands would install portable toilets and waste receptacles at the beginning of the trail and near the beach.
     An Archeological Inventory Survey was conducted from June into August last year  by Cultural Surveys Hawai‘i along the proposed walking trail to Green Sands Beach. Many previously discovered and five new sites were documented.
     A cultural survey includes interviews with local residents concerning history and ideas for managing the area.
     The late Tommy Kaniho, a rancher on Hawaiian Home Lands at South Point, described Māhana Bay as a fisherman's landing lined with canoes. Fishermen would leave their canoes but carry home the ama (the outrigger), he said.
The late Tommy Kaniho proposed security guards and charging fees to
help fund managing Green Sands Beach. Read his other opinions and 

recollections of the area in the full reportPhoto by Julia Neal
     Kaniho said he supports managed ecotourism on the South Point lands. He recommended charging visitors a fee and noted that, "visitors are paying $20 to $30 just to be taken in to see Māhana Bay."
     He also recommended posting a security guard. "You can't stop anybody from walking in, but can stop a car driving in," said Kaniho.
     Anna Cariaga, of Pāhala, recommended closing off the area to all but local fishermen, until a management plan is put in place. She said she would like vehicular damage, including rutted roads and new driving paths constantly created, to be repaired. "That place is sinking... I would like to see that place filled and let it stand for a while then put a solid pavement... a road," said Cariaga.
     See March 3 Ka‘ū NewsBriefs and future briefs for more on the South Point Plan.
     See the 799-page plan online.

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Assistant Chief of Police for Ka`u and West Hawaii
James O'Connor. Photo from hawaiipolice.com
NEW KAʻŪ AND WEST HAWAIʻI ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF IS JAMES O'CONNOR. The Major has served HPD for 25 years. As Assistant Police Chief, he now oversees the western portion of the island, from Ka‘ū to North Kohala.
     O'Connor graduated from University of Hawai‘i-Hilo in 1992, with a Bachelor's in Economics. He started in the Hawai‘i Police Department in 1993, serving: as an officer in South Kohala, South Hilo and Hamakua; as a sergeant/detective in Kona and South Kohala, and the Internal Affairs Unit; as a lieutenant in the Records and Identification Section and Special Response Team; as a captain in Ka‘ū and the Criminal Intelligence/Internal Affairs Unit; and as a major in the Area II Operations Bureau and Administrative Services Bureau/Technical Services Section.
     Assistant Chief O’Connor had this to say about his new position: "I am excited about returning to Area II Operations and to have the opportunity to again work with a wonderful group of hardworking and dedicated professionals. I also look forward to connecting with the various community members from North Kohala to Ka‘ū to build a positive relationship that will allow us to work together to solve the problems that impact our communities."

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TRACKING LAVA LAKES WITH THE SOUNDS FROM BURSTING GAS BUBBLES has been announced for After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, Mar. 27, by Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The program takes place at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
     Other volcanic systems around the word are similar to Kīlauea Volcano's Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and Halema‘uma‘u craters. These churning lava lakes continuously emit gas bubbles that burst when they reach the surface. Volcano seismologist Greg Waite from Michigan Technological University uses the sounds of these bursting bubbles to investigate the rise and fall of lava lakes in volcanic conduits. Learn about his fascinating work with Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala, Villarrica Volcano in Chile, and Kīlauea.
     The program is free; however, a $2 donation is suggested to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP ANNOUNCES A ST. PATRICK’S DAY BUFFET for Saturday, Mar. 17, at Crater Rim Café, located at KMC in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     The dinner, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., features a menu of Corned Beef & Cabbage, Lamb Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, and Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie plus "all the fixings." Tickets are $20 per adult and $11 per child between the ages of 6 and 11. Irish ale will be available for purchase from KMC's Lava Lounge.
     Call 967-8356 for more details. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Learn more about KMC at kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

Moses Whitcomb, helping an injured player, puts
ideas into action for National Athletic Trainers
Month. Photo from Ka‘ū Athletics
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GIRLS SOFTBALL HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS MONTH with an action shot of Moses Whitcomb taking care of an injured player during the game Ka‘ū hosted, playing Kohala, on Saturday, March 3.
     Ka‘ū players Tiare Wong-Yuen, Analei Emmsley, and CeAndrea Silva-Kamei all hit singles, and Kamei, Rebekah Polido-Kalili, and Reishalyn Kekoa-Jara all hit doubles. The game ended with a victory for Kohala, at 17 to 2.
     See the full Spring schedule, below.
See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.htmlSee Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, 
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.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Softball: Wednesday, Mar 7, Waiakea @ Ka‘ū
   Friday, Mar 9, @ Hawai‘i Prep
   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: Friday, Mar 9, @ Kohala
   Monday, Mar 12, @ Makua Lani
   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

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ARTS & CRAFTS: SPRING BUTTERFLY CRAFT, register until Mar 6. Event is Wed, Mar 7, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.Pāhala Community Center. For grades K-8 years. Free. Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro, 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation 

MY HAWAI‘I 2018 CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST is 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 KAʻŪ RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING by March 9 by calling Kaʻū Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101. The gathering will be Fri., March 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center.

MISS KA‘Ū COFFEE PAGEANT - REGISTRATION DEADLINE, Sat, Mar 10, 6 p.m. Event held Sat, Apr 21, Ka‘ū District Gym. Those who sign up early will be offered more opportunity for training and sponsorships. Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant Director Trinidad Marques, 928-0606, TrinidadMarques@yahoo.com, or Facebook Trinidad Marques.

MONDAY, MARCH 5
OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. Meeting, Mon, Mar 5, 4 - 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, MARCH 6
WALK INTO THE PAST WITH DR. THOMAS A. JAGGAR, Tuesdays, Mar. 6, 20, and 27, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m., at Kīlauea VisitorCenter. Each performance lasts about an hour. To find out more about this living history program, visit the park website. 

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. Meeting, Tue, Mar 6, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEETING, Tue, Mar 6, 6 - 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK: THE FIRST TEN YEARS OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO'S SUMMIT ERUPTION, Tues., Mar. 6, 7 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7
DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT MEETING, Wed, Mar 7, 6 - 8 p.m., New Thought Center in Kealakekua. Democratic Party Precincts of Ho‘okena, Miloli‘i & Ocean View. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

OPEN MIC NIGHT, Wed, Mar 7, 6 - 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in 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. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

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

DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES, Thu, Mar 8, 9:30 - 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

MOKUHANGA: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTMAKING, Thursdays, Mar 8 - Apr 5, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Volcano ArtCenter. Five hands-on sessions w/ Sensei Glenn Yamanoha. Water-based printing by hand using non-toxic natural materials. No experience necessary. $72/VAC members, $80/non-members, plus a $40 supply fee. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org

EXPLORE! FAIR, Nāʻālehu School Gym, Thurs, Mar 8, 4 - 6 p.m., free. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) is the theme, with hands-on experiments, make-and-take activities, student-work showcases, and brain-challenging games. Enjoy free food and refreshments, and a chance to win door prizes.

FOUR DAYS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP COMING TO KA‘Ū, with Big Island Faith Crusade, at Ka‘ū District Gym, Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 10, at 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m.; doors open one hour beforehand; free. Contact Thy Word Ministries Pastor Bob Tominaga at 936-9114 or Herb Schneider at 327-9739 for more information.

FRIDAY, MARCH 9
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT Fri, Mar 9. 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, rain gear, 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

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.

SATURDAY, MARCH 10
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND RAFFLE, Sat, Mar 10, 8 - 11 a.m., OceanView Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, Sat, Mar 10, 9:30 a.m., Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com or 430-3058.

REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, Sat, Mar 10, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit's newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring a snack.

ZENTANGLE: HALF-PAST PAIZLEY, Sat, Mar 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Lydia Menses incorporates a paisley motif as Zentangle string, using a mixture of Zentangle's official and non-official tangles to fill. No experience necessary. $30/VAC members, $35/non-members, plus $10 supply fee. Light refreshment provided. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org

RED CROSS MEETING, Sat, Mar 10, 3 - 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

AN EVENING WITH REBECCA FOLSOM, Sat, Mar 10, 7 - 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Awarding-winning artist. $20 per VAC member and $25 per non-member. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11
THE ART OF VOCAL FREEDOM WORKSHOP WITH REBECCA FOLSOM, Sun, Mar 11, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Learn to sing and express authentically with ease and flow. Incorporates a blend of traditional and non-traditional volcano technique, martial arts, yogic posture, Toltec, and Taoist exercises. Open to all levels of singers. $50 per person, plus $10 supply fee.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU, Sun, Mar 11, 9:30 -11:30 a.m., 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. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. nps.gov/HAVO

TEEN CHALLENGE CHOIR, Sun, Mar 11, 10 a.m., River of Life Assembly of God, Pāhala. The group will minister through song and testimony, as well as spreading awareness of the Teen Challenge Program. rolhawaii.com, 443-9394.

ONGOING
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.

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.

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