Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, March 8, 2018

The popular hoist at South Point, where fishermen haul in their catch and daredevils dive into the ocean, creating 
concern for increased emergency services for the popular visitor destination. The Department of Hawaiian Home 
Lands' new plan calls for increased management for safety and conservation of cultural and natural resources, 
and possibly an entrance fee to pay for it. Photo by Peter Anderson

HOW TO DELIVER EMERGENCY SERVICES TO LOCALS AND TOURISTS at South Point, given the area's increasing visitation, is a major concern expressed in the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' South Point Management Plan. The report covers a proposal for an emergency road to Māhana Bay and Green Sands Beach. It would travel inland, starting near the intersection of South Point Road and Ka Lae Road, and would improve emergency access to "more remote areas of the Project area," the proposal says.

     The report points out that the nearest emergency facility is the Hawai‘i County Fire Department and ambulance station in the center of Nā‘ālehu, about 15 miles - a 26 minute drive - from the South Point cliffs at the fisherman's hoist. It is a popular place for visitors and locals where the catch of the day is lifted from fishing boats to the top of the cliffs, to be taken away in trucks and cars. It is also a place where people take the risk of diving off the cliffs, sometimes becoming seriously injured. Emergency vehicles that service South Point include fire trucks, ambulances, search and rescue vehicles, boats, and sometimes helicopters and search planes.

     The nearest Emergency Room is Ka‘ū Hospital in Pāhala, about 27 miles - 42 minutes - away. The inland paved emergency road would service even more remote parts of South Point to "make the surrounding areas safer," says the report.

The cliffs at South Point - Ka Lae. Photo from DHHL report

     South Point Road, a paved road, is maintained by the County of Hawai‘i and DHHL. The road is accessible to medical, fire, and police emergency vehicles and services. However, the road ends before it reaches the hoist and cliffs that mark the end of the island and the southernmost point of the United States. Ka Lae Road - which leads to Green Sands and Māhana Bay - splits off from South Point Road; it is a heavily rutted dirt road, inaccessible to standard emergency road vehicles.

     Community consultations, states the report, indicate that medical emergencies at South Point are often related to injuries resulting from recreational activities at South Point. Fatalities and accidents have been reported to include incidents of people jumping off the hoist at Ka Lae, as well as people drowning while swimming and diving, or being swept away by strong currents. Unprepared tourists hiking along the coastline towards Māhana Bay have also been reported to need medical attention due to dehydration and injuries, states the report.

     There are no lifeguards, security personnel, nor natural resource officials regularly stationed at South Point, and the rescue of visitors and local residents is often accomplished by local fishermen, divers, surfers, swimmers, and boaters.

Jackie Kailiawa with his boogie board, the Montana
man sitting on the rocks, after the rescue at Ka Lae
 in 2013. Photo by Uʻi Makuakane

     In 2013, local resident Jackie Kailiawa helped a Montana newcomer, who was in distress after falling off a cliff near the lighthouse; he had hit his head and wasn't able to climb on shore. Kailiawa, a noted waterman who grew up in Pāhala, jumped off the point with this boogie board, fins, and other gear, paddled to the man, and brought him back to shore. It was his third save in recent years.

     The proposal suggests that a security booth be established on South Point Road .75 miles north of the intersection with Ka Lae Road. The report also includes a suggestion from a community member who said that a gate with security guards should be, "implemented at the back side or the Ka‘alualu side," of the South Point project area. Ka‘alualu Road is a second way of reaching Green Sands Beach, on an unpaved route, without going down South Point Road.
     A final environmental assessment could be completed mid-year, followed by budgeting for the various components of the plan.
     See March 3, March 5, March 6, March 7, and future Ka‘ū News Briefs for more in the continuing series, covering the South Point Plan. See the 799-page plan online.

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SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION with grants is the goal of House Bill 2105 HD1, which successfully moved through the state House of Representatives. A hearing is scheduled before the Senate committee on Agriculture and Environment on Friday, March 9, at 1:30 p.m. Testimonies are being encouraged by Hawai'i Farmers Union United, and can be submitted online through March 8, though late testimony is accepted.

     The bill, introduced by west Kaʻū state Rep.  Richard Creagan and Rep. Cindy Evans with 16 other legislators, "appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the establishment and administration of the Agriculture Grant Program to support local food production in the State." Companion Senate Bill 2562 has passed its second reading, referred to the Ways and Means Committee. No hearing is scheduled at this time.

     Testimonies from House hearings in February are overwhelmingly in support of the bill. "It's extremely import(ant) to state and small farm sustainability that growers and producers statewide have the increased ability to increase quantity and quality of their production," wrote Ken Love, Executive Director of Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers.
     Dozens of supporters sent this message, "Hawai'i’s farmers and ranchers are finding it difficult to secure the financial support necessary to build capacity. Access to agriculture grants can result in increased capacity, new business opportunities, increase employment opportunities and address Hawaii’s goals of increased self-sufficiency and sustainability."

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REGISTER FOR KAʻŪ RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING by tomorrow, 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.

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KA‘Ū TROJANS GIRLS SOFTBALL HOSTED WAIAKEA today, Wednesday, March 7. Ka‘ū scored two runs during the last two innings, ending the game with a score of 2 to Waiakea's 14.

     The next game is March 9, Friday, at HPA; see below for full schedule, and Boys Volleyball schedule.

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.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Girls Softball: 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

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.

An eggcellent example of what the
stained glass project will look like,
when finished. Photo from VAC

KEIKI STAINED GLASS CLASSES RETURN THIS MONTH, announces Volcano Art Center. The workshop for beginners - held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Mar. 24, and Sunday, Mar. 25 - offers to teach keiki, aged 11 years and older, basic stained glass construction tasks. Each student - assisted by a parent - will be able to complete a simple egg design that can be hung in a window.
     Glass artist Lois Pollock will share her expertise and knowledge, teaching students the skills involved in working safely with stained glass, and "creating a beautiful, sturdy piece of art," says the event description.
     The glass will be pre-cut and will be completed using the copper foil solder method of stained glass construction, which includes foiling, soldering, finishing, and decorating. Glass cutting and grinding will be demonstrated. The stained glass egg window hanging will be a hands-on cooperative project by both parent and child.
     The class fee is $50 per VAC member and $55 per non-member, plus a $10 supply fee. Attendees are asked to wear long pants, snug fitting gloves, covered shoes, and safety glasses. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required; class limited to six keiki accompanied by their parent. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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Speaker Col. Deb Lewis, on"What it
Takes to Stay Positive in the Real World,"
Thursday, March 15. Photo from Kuʻikahi

FINDING SOLUTIONS, GROWING PEACE is a free Brown Bag Lunch Series, noon to 1 p.m., every third Thursday. It is hosted by Kuʻikahi Mediation Center at 101 Aupuni St # 1009 in Hilo. March 15 will be the next talk, featuring Col. Deb Lewis on the topic, "What it Takes to Stay Positive in the Real World."

     "Get ready to rock your understanding of positivity in this fun-filled session," says Lewis. "People often mistake one's choice to 'stay positive' as something 'nice to do.' What if the very essence of who we are and ever want to be depends on it?"

     The announcement of the event says: "In this talk, learn what it takes to successfully navigate a steady stream of negative forces that exist in our world."

     "With positivity, life doesn't get easier - life gets better!" Lewis says.

     Lewis (USA, ret.) is a Harvard MBA, combat veteran, Infinite-Win Institute co-founder, author, speaker, Hawai'i Island Veterans Day Parade Chair, VFW Post 3830 Commander, and much more. Lewis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in the first class with women. Throughout her trail-blazing 34-year career, she turned difficult situations into leadership moments to make a positive difference.

     Attendees to Kuʻikahi's Brown Bag Lunch Series are encouraged to bring their own lunch, enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session, and meet others interested in Finding Solutions, Growing Peace. This lunch-and-learn series is made possible in part to funding from Atherton Family Foundation, County of Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island United Way.
     For more, contact Kuʻikahi Program Coordinator Al-Qawi Majidah at 935-7844 x 3 or majidah@hawaiimediation.org, or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.

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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., tomorrow, March 9. Email questions to myhawaiistory@gmail.com.

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.

ARTS & CRAFTS: ST. PATRICK'S DAY TOP HAT, Wed, Mar 14, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register until Mar 13. For grades K-8. Free. Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro, 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

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

HULA KAHIKO UNUKUPUKUPU PERFORMANCE, kahua hula (platform) in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Sat, Mar. 10, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

"ALL THINGS HULA" DEMONSTRATION, Nā Mea Hula, by cultural specialist Loke Kamanu and her 'ohana, lānai of Volcano Art Center Gallery, Sat, Mar. 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hands-on and family-friendly. Free; park entrance fees apply. 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. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

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.

MONDAY, MARCH 12

PAINTING WITH PEGGY, Mondays, Mar 12 & 26, noon - 3 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Acrylic painting class with Margaret "Peggy" Stanton. Ongoing series of workshops for artists of all levels. $15 VAC members/$20 non-members, per session. Email questions to peggystanton007@yahoo.com. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org

TUESDAY, MARCH 13
C.E.R.T. DISCOVERY HARBOUR/NĀĀLEHU, Tue, Mar 13, 4 - 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, as well as participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS, Tue/Wed, Mar 13 (committees)/14 (Council), Hilo, & Tue/Wed, Mar 27 (committees)/28 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS, Wed, Mar 14 (Council), Hilo, & Tue/Wed, Mar 27 (committees)/28 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

KAULA DEMONSTRATION, Wed, Mar. 14, 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Uncle Larry Kuamo‘o demonstrates how to make traditional cordage from native Hawaiian plants. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

FILM SCREENING OF KĪLAUEA SUMMIT ERUPTION: LAVA RETURNS TO HALEMA‘UMA‘U, followed by a question and answer session, Thu, Mar 15, at Volcano Art Center, from 7 to 9 p.m. Free; $5 donation to VAC is suggested. volcanoartcenter.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 15

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

STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU takes place every Thursday in March: 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.

STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA FROM TŪTŪ & ME, Thu, Mar 15, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571.

FISHERY COUNCIL MEETING, Thu, Mar, 15, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., West HI Civic Center, Liquor Control Room. New membership encouraged - especially recreational, commercial & regional fishers who can provide feedback for the council on a regular basis - then passed on to DLNR. westhawaiifisherycou.
ipower.com, mkipapa@gmail.com

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ANNUAL HŌʻIKE rock opera Kū I Ka Mana has two performances: Thu, Mar 15, and Fri, Mar 16, both at 6 p.m., in Koaiʻa Gymnasium. Tickets are $5, available online, at the door, or from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on school days at the high school office or Student Activities Center.

FAMILY READING, Thu, Mar 15, 6 - 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū, Thu, Mar 15, 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197.

THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE CENTER - Film Screening of Kīlauea Summit Eruption: Lava Returns to Halema‘uma‘u and Q&A w/USGS HVO Representatives, Thu, Mar 15, 7 - 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; suggested $5 donation. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

ONGOING

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.

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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