Sunday, April 29, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Sunday, April 29, 2018

Miss Ka‘ū Coffee and members of her Court attended the Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest today at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. From left: Miss Kaʻū Coffee Reishalyn Kekoa Jara, First Flower Kysha Kaʻupu-Manini, First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Princess Helena Nihipali-Sesson, Second Flower Lilianna Marques, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Cristina Kawewehi, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Peaberry Jacelyn Kekoa Jara.  See story below. 
Photo by Denise Laitinen/ Kaʻū Coffee Fest
MAYOR HARRY KIM RETURNED TO HILO TODAY, after undergoing procedures at The Queen's Medical Center, states a release from the Mayor's office. Kim was discharged Friday evening, and stayed in Honolulu with his wife over the weekend, states the release. He returned to Hilo Sunday. The Mayor's office stated his family requests he "be allowed to come home without fanfare."
     "Harry informed me that he was getting some personal time in Honolulu with his wife," said Wil Okabe, Hawai‘i County Managing Director, who is serving as Acting Mayor while Kim is on sick leave. "The family wants to give him a chance to come home quietly so he can rest."
Mayor Harry Kim returned home today,
after being medevacked to O‘ahu
Thursday for chest pains.
     The Mayor experienced heart attack symptoms early Thursday, drove himself to Hilo Medical Center, then was medevacked to O‘ahu. At Queen's, Kim underwent tests and procedures to alleviate his symptoms, states the Mayor's office.
     "We thank Hilo Medical and Queen's for taking such good care of Harry," Okabe said. "We're also very grateful to Senator Hirono, Governor Ige, Mayor Caldwell, and Mayor Carvalho for their expressions of aloha and well wishes to Harry."
     "We want to thank the hundreds of people from all over the State who reached out with messages of love and concern by phone, email, social media and get-well cards," Okabe said.
     The release states Okabe said, "The Mayor and his family have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of aloha from all over the State, and the County of Hawai’i thanks everyone for their continued support and prayers for the Mayor's speedy recovery."
     "We appreciate everyone giving Harry a chance to rest comfortably while he was in the hospital, and we're hoping that the community will let Harry take time to rest and recover fully," said Okabe.

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KA‘Ū COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST drew hungry coffee foodie folks to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill today, April 29, to taste the many creations of pupu, entrées, and desserts made with Ka‘ū Coffee. In one of the annual events of the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival, which runs through next Sunday, Ka‘ū Coffee Wanton, Ka‘ū Coffee Chicken, and Ka‘ū Coffee Cream Cookies won the day.
Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest judge 
Gloria Camba with the newly crowned 
Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Reishalyn Jara. 
Photo by Julia Neal
     Judges were Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba, Ka‘ū Coffee farmer Ann Fontes, and WikiWiki Store owner Carl Okuyama. Also in attendance with song and dance were members of the Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Court who were crowned last weekend.
     In the recipe contest, first place in the Pupu category went to Sally Louis for her Ka‘ū Coffee Flavored Wanton. Second went to Austin Kilkeny for his Festive Kalua Enchilada Dip. Third went to Elgon Villanueva for his Ka‘ū Coffee Soybeans.
     First place in the Entrée category went to Peggy Kilkeny for her Huli BBQ Chicken in Paradise. Second went to Suzette Louis for her Marinated Steak, and third went to Austin Kilkeny for his Ka‘ū Chili Mac.
     First place in the dessert category went to Tiana Villanueva for her Irish Cream Cookies. Second went to Suzette Louis for her Ka‘ū Coffee Cream Puffs, and third went to Peggy Kilkeny for her Tropical Temptations.
Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest judge Carl Okuyama, 
owner of WikiWiki Store. Photo by Julia Neal
     All foods in the competition were made with Ka‘ū Coffee and attendees enjoyed sampling of all the entries. Emcee was Makana Kamahele, assisted by First Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Helena Nihipali-Sesson, who also entertained with Hawaiian music with her father Guy Sesson.
     Two other events organized by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, the Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike and Ka‘ū Stargazing, are sold out.
     Ka‘ū Coffee and macadamia tasting are available Monday through Saturdays at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and the mill will be a stop on the farm tours this coming Saturday. See kaucoffeemill.com and its facebook, and Kaucoffeefest.com.

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NEXT EVENT FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL is Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thursday, May 3, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā‘ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409.
Kaʻū coffee farmer Ann Fontes, one of the judges at the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival
 Recipe Contest, where every recipe used Ka‘ū Coffee. Photo by Julia Neal
Innovations in Coffee Pulping and Roasting from Brazil and Japan will be on display 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, at Pāhala Plantation House. See article, below, for more details.
     Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required, 927-2252. aikaneplantation.com
     Tenth Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m - 5 p.m.Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee with free music, hula entertainment, and coffee tastings all day long. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30 p.m., discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20/person.
     Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated.
     See kaucoffeefestival.com

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LATIN AMERICA AND JAPAN SEND COFFEE INNOVATIONS this week to Ka‘ū Coffee Festival. LDO Market, a Ka‘ū business specializing in the trade of Colombian-made coffee processing equipment, will display a newly available pulping mill that separates the ripe from the green at  5 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, at Pāhala Plantation House. Penagos UDC Technology Engineer Diego Botello flew in from Colombia to teach the farming community about the innovation.
     LDO representative Laura Diaz said that the integrated machine, with a conical vertical pulper, is equipped with helical breast plates that separate beans within a variety of qualities. The pulped red beans can immediately continue with the fermenting process or the mucilage removal, without mixing unwanted beans, which results in a clean, high-quality cup. The process utilizes a minimum amount of water and is therefore said to be environmentally friendly.
     The UDC Plus Stainless-Steel Unit is also available for preview at LDO Market's booth, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, May 5, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, contact Diaz at laura@ldomarket.com, 928-8188, or 408-306-5596.
     The Fuji Royal, Ltd. mini roaster from Japan - designed for coffee shops, small farmers with their own brand, and for home - will be presented by Yoshiyuki  Asano at a demonstration on Saturday, May 5, at the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a at Pāhala Community Center and at a workshop at Pāhala Plantation House on Sunday, May 6, after the Coffee College. Also attending will be Tatsuo Fukushima, President of Fuji Royal, and Tokyo manager Yuuki Sugii.
     The roasting quality is the same as with large professional coffee roaster machines, said Max Maemori, who represents Fuji Royal in Hawai‘i. The Fuji Royal mini roaster can process as little as a half pound, 250 grams of green beans and 200 grams of roasted beans. "The top quality micro roaster brings the same efficiency of high performance models to your coffee life," said Maemori. The machine weighs about 70 lbs and can fit on a 14 by 28 inch space with a height of two feet.
Hōkūleʻa was greeted at Miloliʻi by swimming keiki.
Photo from Kawika Crivello of Polynesian Voyaging Society
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HŌKŪLEʻA MET WITH Hawaiian protocol, a welcome ceremony hosted by the Miloliʻi community, and swimming keiki on Saturday, April 28, after an overnight sail from Hilo.     As part of her Mahalo, Hawaiʻi Sail, Hōkūleʻa opened to the public around noon, welcoming members of the fishing village and visitors to view the vessel. The Miloliʻi community hosted a potluck luʻau for the crew, said organizer Kaimi Kaupiko.
     Hōkūleʻa hosted school children and residents for weeks in Hilo and Kona. After Miloliʻi, the Pollyesian sailing canoe left for Kawaihae to offer workshops and and school tours through May 10 when she will set sail for Oʻahu and Polynesian Voyaging Society headquarters.

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Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.


TUESDAY, MAY 1
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, May 1, 4-6pm, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, May 1, 6-8pmhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Water Systems Hike, Wed, May 2, 9-2 pm, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. - SOLD OUT

Open Mic Night, Wed, May 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21+. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, MAY 3
VA Medical Services, Thu, May 3 & 17, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Veteran's Center, Thu, May 3, 8:30-12:30pm, May 17, 8:30-11:30am, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thu, May 3, 9-2pm, Ka‘ū Valley Farms Nursery, Ka‘alaiki Rd, Nā’ālehu. Explore hydroponic nursery, and tea and coffee plantings. Expansive hilltop views, mountain to coast. Includes water systems and tunnels from sugar days, and native Hawaiian forest tour. $35 per person; includes lunch. Reservations required. John Cross, 987-4229; Brenda Iokepa-Moses, 731-5409. kaucoffeefestival.com

Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool Vision Screening, Thu, May 3, 9-noon, Project Vision Hawai‘i van at Pāhala Community Center. Free; for all ages. Keiki offered free sunglasses; adults, reading glasses. projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-282-2265

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Special Pulping Presentation, Thu, May 3, 5pmPāhala Plantation House. Diego Botello of Penagos UDC Technology shows off new pulping equipment that separates ripe from green. See booth at Ka‘ū Coffee Festival Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, May 3, 6-7pm, Ocean  View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, MAY 4
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Fri, May 4, 10-3pm, Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. Tour the farm and learn how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required, 927-2252. kaucoffeefestival.comaikaneplantation.com

Hula Hoop Challenge, Fri, May 4, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 6 to 12. Register May 1-4. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Cinco De Mayo Dinner, Fri, May 4, 5:30pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. $8/single, $15/couple, $20/family. 939-7000

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Fri, May 4, 5:30-10pm - SOLD OUT. Meet at Olson Trust Building in Pāhala.

KDENte! Italian Food Fundraiser, Fri, May 4, 6pm, Almafatano's Italian Restaurant, Hilo. Buffet; includes pasta dish, lasagna, salad. Karl Halemano provides music. $20 at door. Reservations: 982-7344

SATURDAY, MAY 5
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: 10th Annual Ho‘olaule‘a, Sat, May 5, 9-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. Celebrate Ka‘ū Coffee and with free music, hula entertainment and coffee tastings. Local vendor booths. Food and beverage sales. Free to attend. Ka‘ū Coffee Experience: 9:30-noon, 1-3:30pm, discover the methods behind brewing the perfect cup while enjoying free coffee tastings. Farm & Mill Tours (shuttle to Ka‘ū Coffee Mill): 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, $20/person. kaucoffeefestival.com

Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, May 5, 9:30-11:30am, 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.

Cinco de Mayo Dinner, Sat, May 5, 3-5pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. discoveryharbour.net

Cinco De Mayo, Sat, May 5, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Build Your Own Fajita Bar; menu includes Cheese Quesadillas, Black Beans, Spanish Rice, Soup, Salad/Potato Bar, Beverage, and Ice Cream Sundae Bar. $15.50/Adult, $8.25/Child (6-11 yrs). Regular menu available. Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, MAY 6
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee College, Sun, May 6, 9-noon, Pāhala Community Center. Informative talks given by visiting coffee experts. Free; donations appreciated. kaucoffeefestival.com

Palm Trail, Sun, May 6, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, May 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

NEW & UPCOMING
Mixed media artist Carol Araki Wyban shares her knowledge and experience
with Hawaiian fishponds in Volcano on Thursday, May 17. 

Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
FISHPONDS OF HAWAI‘I, A FREE LECTURE AND SLIDESHOW, by Carol Araki Wyban, is offered on Thursday, May 17, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., announces Volcano Art Center.
     In conjunction with her fine art exhibition on display at the Volcano Art Center Gallery, from May 12 through June 24, Wyban shares her knowledge and experience on Hawaiian fishponds. The lecture includes images from the exhibition as well as photos of modern activity at Hawaiian Fishponds. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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Summer Fun - Registration, May 7-10, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. For grades K-6. $40 per child. $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. Program runs Mon-Fri, Jun 12-Jul 20, 8-2pm. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING
Volcano Art Center Gallery Presents Hoʻokuʻi I Nā Kiko, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

One Community and One Parent Representative are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

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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