Sunday, September 16, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, September 16, 2018

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund's International Coastal Cleanup event at Kamilo Point this weekend saw 31 volunteers 
remove 2,338 pounds of debris. See story below. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund
PROFOUND CHANGES, NEW DANGERS will be the reality as sections of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reopen at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 22. A Special Reopening Advisory from park staff reminds the public that the park closed May 11 with increased volcanic and seismic activity of Kīlauea volcano, which has since calmed down. "The summit area of the park was dramatically changed by tens of thousands of earthquakes, towering ash plumes, and 62 massive collapse explosions. The events caused profound damage to park infrastructure unprecedented in the park's 102 year history including building damage, rock falls, deep cracks in roads and trails, and numerous breaks to water and sewer lines. Now, with the eruption paused, there is no molten lava to see in the park.
     "As the park reopens and recovers, visitors should take extra precautions to remain safe during their visit. Visitors should expect limited services and parking, long lines, and no potable water."
     A map detailing areas to be opened is available on the National Park Service recovery page. The reopening coincides with a fee-free day in honor of National Lands Day.
NPS map
     The advisory states that "Park areas remain unstable and unsafe from thousands of recent earthquakes and caldera collapses. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a wild place. The dramatic landscape of Kīlauea is constantly being shaped by powerful and uncontrollable natural forces. Respect the dangers of this dynamic natural process and stay out of closed areas." Warnings include:
Stay on open trails and away from closed ones; stay away from cracks and sinkholes, as falls have lead to injury and death, and crack edges are unstable; be aware of rockfall areas; stay away from cliffs; do not hike after dark. The advisory adds that even those who are familiar with areas in the park should be cautious due to new hazards. Hikers are reminded that long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended, and that "falling on lava rock is like falling on broken glass."
Debris at Kamilo Point, before this weekend's
cleanup. Photo from HWF Facebook
     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes reports sewage lines at Kīlauea Visitor Center were inspected and found to have suffered no damage. 8 of 43 building septic systems have also been determined safe for use.
     There is no potable water in the park.
     Orientation briefings were held with commercial tour guides to review new park conditions, limited parking challenges, and those areas and facilities that would be open.
     See more on the reopening at nps.gov/havo/recovery.htm.

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KAMILO POINT IS CLEANER, with 2,338 pounds of debris removed by 31 volunteers at the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund's International Coastal Cleanup event this weekend. The haul included 126 bags of miscellaneous debris, 100 pounds of large plastic debris, and 600 lbs. of derelict fishing nets. This brings the total of debris removed from Hawaiʻi Island by HWF since 2003 to 248.8 tons. HWF is now less than 2 tons away from reaching a goal of 500,000 lbs.
     HWF sent out a mahalo to volunteers "again for your support of native wildlife and your commitment to helping reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our world's oceans."
HWF team members are sorting out recognizable items found 
in debris washing up along Kaʻū shores, "to get more info 
about the products and places that marine debris 
comes from." Photo from HWF Facebook
     Find out more about HWF at wildhawaii.org or Facebook, join the-list, and see the e-newsletter.

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GENERAL ELECTION DATES & DEADLINES for 2018 are coming up. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.
   Voter registration deadline is Oct. 9. Voters are eligible for late registration for the General Election at either an early walk-in voting location or an election day polling place. Early walk-in voting is open Tuesday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Nov. 3.
    On Nov. 6, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Area polling locations are Cooper Center, Community Center in Volcano, 19-4030 Wright Rd,; Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School Cafeteria, 96-3150 Pikake St.; Nāʻālehu Elementary School Cafeteria, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Cir.; and Miloliʻi Halau Pavilion, Miloliʻi.  Find a different polling place at elections.hawaii.gov/voters/polling-places.
     Deadline to submit names of poll watchers for the General Election to the Office of Elections or Clerk's Office is Saturday, Oct. 27. The deadline to request a mail ballot for the General Election from the Clerk's Office is Tuesday, Oct. 30. The last day that ballots for overseas voters will be mailed is Monday, Sept. 17.
     Deadline for candidates to withdraw due to ill health is Friday, Sept. 21.
     Learn more at elections.hawaii.gov.

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO RELEASED A STATEMENT TODAY ON CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD who accused the current U.S. Supreme Court nominee with sexually assaulting her in high school. Hirono who services on the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. Senate, said, "It took a lot of courage for Christine Blasey Ford to come forward to share her story of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh. Her story is very credible and I believe her.
     "As I said during the hearing, this is why the #MeToo movement is so important, because often in these situations, there is an environment where people see nothing, hear nothing, and say nothing. That is what we have to change. This development is yet another reason not to rush Brett Kavanaugh's nomination. The Committee should postpone this week's vote."
Thirty-seven keiki teams, five to 14, at 
the Kaʻū District Gym this weekend. 
Photo by Julia Neal
     Kavanaugh denied the accusations. Blasley Ford is a professor, associated with Stanford University.

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A PACKED KAʻŪ DISTRICT GYM over the weekend drew families from around the island to the Second Annual Hokulele Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament. The event, entirely organized by Kaʻū families, welcomed children from five to 14 years of age to compete and hone their basketball skills. The tournament drew 37 youth teams, and six men's teams, from as far away as Kohala. Crowd vehicles overflowed the school parking lot onto nearby streets.
     In addition to the youth basketball, the weekend tournament featured Sunday competition between six men's teams.
A young wahine slides around two young kane at the 
Second Annual Hokulele Three-on-Three Basketball 
Tournament this weekend. Photo by Julia Neal
     Hokulele Club members number 71 kids ages five through high school.
     Hokulele organizers include Club President, Ravel Kaupu Jr, Vice President Janessa Jara, Secretary Sasha Kaupu, and Treasurers Jen Navarro and Angie Jara.
    The Hokulele Basketball Club will host its First Annual Super Saturday Five-on-Five Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 13. 
     See more on this past weekend's tournament in the Monday Kaʻū News Briefs.

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Kaʻū Trojans soundly beat Kohala, 30 to 6, at an away game yesterday. 
Photo from Trojan's Twitter
KAʻŪ TROJANS FOOTBALL SLAMMED KOHALA on their own field yesterday, Sept. 15. The Trojans won, with a final score of 30 to 6. In the first quarter, Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley made a 15 yard run for a touchdown, point after touchdown no good, then an 80 yard run for TD, PAT run good by K. Mederios.
     In the second quarter, Pilanca-Emmsley made a 23 yard run for TD, and made the PAT run good himself, then W. Davis made an 8 yard run for TD, PAT run good by A. Carvalho. This would be the last point Kaʻū scored during the game. The third quarter saw no TD.
     With 7:03 left, the fourth quarter saw Kohala score one TD, PAT no good; it wasn't enough to win the game.
     See the season schedule, below.

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Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE
Football:
   Sat., Sept. 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Keaʻau
   Sat., Sept. 29, 11am, host Pāhoa
   Sat, Oct 6, 12pm, host Kohala
   Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha
Girls Volleyball:
   Mon., Sept. 17, 6pm, host Lapahoehoe
   Wed., Sept. 19, 6pm, host Kohala
   Thu., Sept. 20, 6pm, @ Honokaʻa
   Tue., Sept. 25, 6pm, @ HPA
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS
   Tues, Oct 2, 6pm, @ Kealakehe
   Fri, Oct 5, 6pm, host Keaʻau
   Wed, Oct 10, 6pm, @ Parker
   Fri, Oct 12, 6pm, host St. Joseph
   Mon, Oct 15, BIIF DII Qtr - Higher
   Wed, Oct 17, BIIF DII Semi-Finals @ Kona
   Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona
Cross Country:
   Sat., Sept. 22, 9am, @ HPA
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS
   Sat, Oct 6, 2pm, @ Kealakehe
   Sat, Oct 13, BYE


NEW and UPCOMING
AN EXCEL BASICS CLASS, presented by Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center, is available on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at West Hawaiʻi Center Hale Iako, 73-970 Makako Bay Dr, in Kailua-Kona.
     The objective of this class is to make Excel a useful tool for businesses. Learn how to use Excel to create inventory lists, track incomes and expenses, and customize invoices. This is a hands-on workshop; participants need to bring a computer with Excel already installed on it. The cost to attend is $20, and registration is required in advance. Contact Dayna Omori at 808-333-5000 or dayna.omori@hisbdc.org with questions or register online.

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Banana Bunchy Top Virus
Photo from CTAHR
PART ONE OF A BANANA MACROPROPAGATION WORKSHOP happens Monday, Sept. 24, from 3 p.m.to 5 p.m., at Komohana Research and Extension Center, 875 Komohana St, in Hilo. The workshop is presented by University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension Service and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture
     Learn how to propagate healthy, disease-free banana plants using macropropagation techniques. The field day will also teach participants how to identify and manage Banana Bunchy Top Virus, including a demonstration of rapid BBTV detection tools. There is no cost to attend. Registration is required in advance. For questions, contact Sharon Motomura Wages at 808-969-8251 or smotomur@hawaii.edu, or register online.

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MONDAY, SEPT. 17
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Mon., Sept. 17, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, SEPT. 18
Hawaiʻi County Council Meetings, Tue./Wed., Sept. 18 (Committees)/19 (Council), Kona. Kaʻū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nāʻālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

Wonderful World of Wine and Watercolor, Tue., Sept. 18, 4-7pmVolcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Artist Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic techniques in watercolor painting. Sampling of several wines from wine store "Grapes" in Hilo. $30/VAC member, $35/non-members, plus $17 supply fee. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19
Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed., Sept. 19, 12:30pmOcean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Arts and Crafts Activity: Friendship Bracelets, Wed., Sept. 19, 3-4pm, Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. For all ages. Register Sept. 10-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Arts and Crafts Activity: Handprint Tree Art, Wed., Sept. 19, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register Sept. 13-18. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20
Hawaiʻi Disability Legal Services, Thu., Sept. 20, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

SATURDAY, SEPT. 22
5th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run, Sat., Sept. 22, 7am, Kaʻū Coffee Mill, Wood Valley. Register online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145 until midnight, Sept. 20. Fees: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Fees increase Sept. 10: $55/person; 10K, $65/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $75/person. Race day registration ends at 6:30am; all fees increase to $75/person. kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Fountain Grass Removal - Volunteer Day, Sat., Sept. 22, 9-3pm, meet at Ocean View Community Center. Hosted and sponsored by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. No sign-up necessary. ovcahi.org, 939-7033

Stained Glass Basics II: Exterior Lamp Project w/Claudia McCall, Sat./Sun., Sept. 22, 23, 29, and 30, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Students complete the 4-session workshop with a finished exterior lamp and basic skills to continue working with stained glass. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $30 supply fee for light fixture. Anyone with prior copper foil stained glass experience welcome. Advanced registration required. Class size limited. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Sept. 22, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Explore 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. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Reopening of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, main park, limited sections, 10am, Sat., Sept. 22. See nps.gov/havo/recovery.htm for more.

Exhibit - One Lucid Dream: A Retrospective of Art Works by Ken Charon, Mon.-Sat., Sept. 22-Oct 6, 10-4pm, Volcano Art Centers Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Original paintings, drawings, and other objects. Public invited to free opening reception Sat., Sept. 22, 5-7pm. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Saudades, The Longing: 2018 Commemoration of the 140th Anniversary of the Arrivals of Hawaiʻi's First Portuguese Immigrant Families is being celebrated by islandwide traveling presentations that are free and open to the public. Kaʻū location: Pāhala Community Center, Sept. 22, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Flameworking - An Introductory Class w/Nash Adams-Pruitt, Sat., Sept. 22, 2-4:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Students complete workshop with a finished design of their own and basic skills to continue flameworking. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Class sized limited. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Beach Clean-up w/Anderson ʻOhana's CF Campaign, Sat., Sept. 22, contact in advance for meet up time at Waiʻōhinu Park. 4WD required; no space available in HWF vehicles. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org

SUNDAY, SEPT. 23
People and Land of Kahuku, Sun., Sept. 239:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area's human history. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

ONGOING
Disaster Recovery Center Closes Sept. 29. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pāhoa Neighborhood Center at 15-3022 Kauhale St. Survivors who have left the area, call 800-621-3362.

5th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145. Fees through Thursday, Sept. 20: 5K, $55/person; 10K, $65/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $75/person. On Race Day, $75 per person, any race. Race Day is Saturday, Sept. 22, 7 a.m.; all races begin and end at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Activities at Kahuku Park - within Hawaiian Ocean View Estates - over the next two months, include two physical activities, three arts and crafts activities, and a Park Beautification Day.
     For all ages:
     - Park Beautification Day: Fri., Sept. 28, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Registration open Sept. 19 through 26.
     Activities are free to attend. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit the park during business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 12:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

Free Arts and Crafts Activities at Pāhala Comunity Center happen on Wednesdays in September, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., through the end of Sept., for keiki in Kindergarten through 8th grade.
     - Sept. 19: Handprint Tree Art. Register through Sept. 18.
     - Sept. 26: Beaded Wind Chime. Register Sept. 19 through 25.
     For more, call 928-3102 or visit the community center during business hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., or Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschools Temporary Nāʻālehu Location is Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.

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