Monday, March 12, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, March 12, 2018

1945 photo of Ka Lae, showing the layout of Morse Airfield. Photo from totakeresponsibility.blogspot.com
SOUTH POINT'S OCCUPATION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT began with Ka Lae Lighthouse and expanded to 517 acres designated in 1926 by territorial Gov. Wallace R. Farrington, for a U.S Air Service landing field. In 1940 the governor set aside an additional 182.38 acres for Kalae Millitary Reservation. Today, remnants of military life remain on the land, located within the 11,000 acre planning area in the recently released Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' South Point Resources Management Plan.
A Curtiss A-12 Shrike at South Point's
Morse Field, Ka Lae Military Reservation, in 1940.
     In 1933, the U.S. War Department named a military airport location at South Point as Morse Field, honoring World War I airman and war hero Guy E. Morse. Runways, support buildings, waterlines, fuel storage, and access roads were under construction in 1940.
Workers moving lava at South Point
to build the airfield at Ka Lae.
Photo from state Dept. Transportation
     One reason for establishing an airfield at Ka Lae was to provide a fueling station at South Point and to take 200 miles off air travel time between the U.S., and Australia and the Philippines. Planes could stop at Ka Lae instead of Oʻahu. Some $2 million was appropriated for the project.
     By the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, at least two fighter planes were stationed at the South Point airfield. When war broke out, "military infrastructure was destroyed as a precautionary measure against enemy usage," states the Hawaiian Home Lands report. During World War II, however, the military completed the 6,000 foot-long temporary steel-grid runway, installed nine 50,000 gallon fuel tanks, built numerous support
P-36 fighters from Wheeler Field on Oʻahu fly in to
South Point and taxi over to the refueling station, buried
 in the ground and covered by a roof to the left of car.
Territorial Gov. Wallace R. 
Farrington designated 517 
acres of South Point to a US 
Air Service landing field in 
1926. Photo from Wikipedia
buildings, and stocked numerous weapons. The place was called not only Morse Field, but also Ka Lae Military Reservation and South Point Air Force Station. See a story and more photos.
     After World War II, the military declared the airfield surplus property, its management given over to the Hawaiʻi Aeronautical Commission. Ideas for its use came from such entrepreneurs as Kahuku Ranch owner James Glover, who proposed keeping it open to airlift slaughtered cattle to market and to use the runway for emergency landings. Calling it the South Cape Airport, the Commission worked with Glover
Morse Field at South Point during World War II, with Peashooter fighter planes.
and retained it as an emergency landing field. By 1952, however, new roads skirted the island, and trucks hauled cattle and other exports to the main port in Hilo for shipment out of Hawaiʻi. Demand declined for an airstrip and the place deteriorated.
     Landing at South Point came to a halt, the airport officially abandoned in 1955 by the Territorial Director of Aeronautics.
     Learn about the next phase of military and federal government use of South Point in Tuesday's Ka‘ū News Briefs. See March 3March 5March 6March 7March 8March 9, March 10, March 11, and future Ka‘ū News Briefs for more in the continuing South Point Resource Management Plan. See the 799-page plan online.
A 1929 Model A Ford was light keeper Gibson's car at Ka Lae in 1941, when
 he lent it to Pvt. Stanley Koenig who worked at the airfield at South Point.
Photo from state Department of Transportation

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THE SPINLAUNCH BILL TO ISSUE $25M FOR A SPACE PORT, in Special Purpose Revenue Bonds. goes to hearing before the state Senate's Committee on Economic Development and Business on Wednesday, March 14, with testimonies due by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. See SB2703 SD1. Its companion bill in the state House of Representatives, HB2559,  was set for a hearing today, Monday. Both aim to approve $20 million in Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to draw funding for SpinLaunch, an aeronautics company based in California. The company plans to establish a space launch facility on the Big Island, using a new technology that, SpinLaunch claims, would catapult small satellites and other packages into space at a much lower cost than using large rockets.
     Testimonies from the tech, scientific, and university community favor the proposal to allow less expensive access to space. Supportive testimony also promotes the idea that the facility would bring employment and economic development for the area where the launch facility would be built.
An aerial shot of Pohuʻe Bay and part of the surrounding 16,455
acres of land presently for sale, a possible site for the proposed
SpinLaunch facility. Photo from Big Island Luxury
     Testimonies from the general public weigh against the proposal, focusing on the possibility that SpinLaunch could build its launch site on the land that includes Pohuʻe Bay. Opponents testified that they want the land preserved for conservation and cultural purposes. 
     See other articles on SpinLaunch in Ka‘ū News Briefs, Feb. 19, 21, 26, 28, and in the March edition of the Ka‘ū Calendar newspaper.
     Read the bill and submit testimony here.

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BIOSECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION are the focus of several state legislature bills with hearings this week. Testimonies are due 24 hours prior to meeting times, and can be submitted online. Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United supports the following, with links to provide testimony directly to the legislature:
   ● SB 2387, SD2: House Education and House Agriculture Committees joint hearing Monday, March 12, 2:00 p.m. The bill: "Requires the Department of Education to establish a farm to school program.  Requires the farm to school coordinator in the Department of Agriculture to work in collaboration with the Department of Education on any farm to school program. Establishes two full-time equivalent farm to school staff positions within the Department of Education. Appropriates funds. Click to read/support SB 2387
   ● SB 2399, SD2: House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee hearing Tuesday, March 13, 8:30 a.m. The bill: "Restructures the Hawaii invasive species council as the Hawaii invasive species authority, to be administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture, to coordinate implementation of the Hawaii interagency biosecurity plan and to improve coordination of the State's invasive species prevention, early detection, rapid response, control, enforcement, and outreach programs. Appropriates funds for the authority and relevant interagency invasive species projects. Click to read/support SB 2399
   ● SB 2563, SD1: House Labor committee hearing Tuesday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. The bill: "Appropriates funds to the department of labor and industrial relations for the K-12 agriculture workforce development pipeline initiative. Click to read/support SB 2563
   ● SB 2928, SD2: House Agriculture Committee hearing Wednesday, March 14, 8:30 a.m. The measure: "Establishes and appropriates funds for a farm to school grant pilot program within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to provide grants to schools, early care and education centers, nonprofits, soil and water conservation districts, and food producers participating in the Hawaii farm to school program. Requires the Hawaii farm to school coordinator to submit a report to the legislature. Makes appropriations to continue the Hawaii farm to school program and coordinator position and to assist farmers and ranchers achieve Good Agricultural Practices Certification from the United States Department of Agriculture. Click to read/support SB 2928
   ● HB 2101, HD1: Senate Water and Land Committee hearing Wednesday, March 14, 3:01 p.m. The measure: "Makes an appropriation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts. Click to read/support HB 2101

‘I‘iwi III by Reyn Ojiri. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
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A PAINTING DEMO WITH JOHN DAWSON AND REYN OJIRI, featuring Birds Of Hawai‘i - Volcanoes National Park, takes place Friday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
     The session begins with Dawson covering birds in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. He demonstrates his planning to launch painting, including gathering photos and laying out his grid. Dawson, well known for his illustrative art, has worked for and with United States Postal Service, National Park Service, United Nations, National Wildlife Federation, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center, National Geographic Society, Audubon Society, and many others.
Io flying over the Park by John Dawson. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org 
     Scientific illustrator Ojiri will also provide a demonstration. She has drawn extinct Hawaiian birds for the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, illustrated exhibits at the Bishop Museum, and created graphics at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.
     For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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

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.commkipapa@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

HAWAI‘I ISLAND SAFE NET SPONSORS AN ISLAND-WIDE CANDLELIGHT PRAYER VIGIL, Thu, Mar. 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for those wishing to gather and pray for issues relating to human trafficking. Host locations at Ocean View Baptist Church or Volcano Assembly of God Contact Melody Stone at 430-5710 for info.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū, Thu, Mar 15, 6:30 p.m.UnitedMethodist 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.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT Fri., March 16. 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, raingear, 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.

PŪ‘OHE (Hawaiian Bamboo Trumpet) DEMONSTRATION, Fri, Mar 16, 10 a.m. - noon, Kahuku Unit, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Make a pū‘ohe, Hawaiian bamboo trumpet. Has a deep sound somewhat like a conch shell. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ANNUAL HŌʻIKE rock opera Kū I Ka Mana, Fri, Mar 16, 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.

SATURDAY, MARCH 17
ST. PATRICK'S DAY LUNCHES - ‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU, Sat, Mar 17 Nāʻālehu Methodist Church. Corned Beef & Cabbage lunches for sale - all proceeds go to senior housing project. okaukakou.org

RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH SYMPOSIUM-EAST, Sat, Mar 17, 8:30 - noon, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, UCB 100. Register at www.RapidOhiaDeath.org

OPTIMAL NUTRITIONAL GARDENING, Sat, Mar 17, 9 - 3 p.m., VolcanoArt Center. Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group instructs on how to improve nutrient density of fruits & vegetables. Also which plants contain naturally high amounts of certain nutrients & strategies for well-rounded diet from home gardens. Hands on workshop. Students depart with plant materials - seeds and/or cuttings. $30 per VAC member and $35 per non-member. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

NATURE & CULTURE: AN UNSEVERABLE RELATIONSHIP, Sat, Mar 17, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

ST. PATRICK'S DAY LUNCHES - ‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU, Sat, Mar 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nāʻālehu Methodist Church. $10 per plate Corned Beef & Cabbage lunches for sale - all proceeds go to senior housing project.
okaukakou.org

THE ART EXPRESS, Sat, Mar 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

OCEAN VIEW C.E.R.T., Sat, Mar 17, 10 - 1 p.m, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

EXPERIMENTAL WATERCOLORS with Patti Pease Johnson, Sat, Mar 17, noon - 3:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Students create 3-5, 8"x8", watercolor paintings on hot press paper using pre-broken glass as a catalyst to spark creativity. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. $45 per VAC member, $50 per non-member, plus a $10 supply fee. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY BUFFET, Sat, Mar 17, 6 - 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Corned Beef & Cabbage, Lamb Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, and Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie plus all the fixings. $20/Adult, $11/Child (6-11 years). Irish ale available. Call 967-8356 for more. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

BUNCO & POTLUCK, Sat, Mar 17, 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice, also known as Bonko or Bunko. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297.

SUNDAY, MARCH 18
PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU, Sun, Mar 18, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area's human history. nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, MARCH 19
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, Mon, Mar 19, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

ONGOING
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.

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.

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