Thursday, September 20, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Thursday, September 20, 2018

Cauliflower Coral, called Koʻa in Hawaiian, may be headed for the endangered species list. Public input is
welcomed at NOAA's National Marine Fisheries website. Photo from U.H. Hilo Botany
HAWAIIAN KOʻA, THE CAULIFLOWER CORAL, IS UP FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES status. National Marine Fisheries announced Wednesday that it completed an initial review of a petition from Center for Biological Diversity and is open for comment from the public. During the next three months, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will take in public and expert input through its website and could classify cauliflower coral as endangered within a year.
Cauliflower coral comes in creme, green, and pink colors.
  Photo from University of Hawaiʻi - Hilo's PRISM
 Partnership for Reform Through Investigative Science and Math
     Ocean warming and coral bleaching that kills the cauliflower coral are major threats to its survival. In 2015 and 2016 severe bleaching killed off 49.6 percent of all live coral along the western coast of Hawaiʻi Island. Cauliflower coral, Pocillopora meandrina, is one species severely impacted, according to the study by Center for Biological Diversity.
     Caulifower coral is identified by its many branches, which are colonies of single celled organisms that live together to form coral. Coloring ranges from creme to green to pink. It lives on rocky reefs in shallow water. The way that bleaching kills the coral is through the single cells - the zooxanthellae - living in the coral branches and base leaving their homes. They either find a place to resettle or die.
     The Center for Biological Diversity issued a press release, saying, cauliflower coral suffered a 36 percent drop in coverage across Hawaiʻi from 1999 to 2012. "Cauliflower corals are in crisis, so this is great news. We need to take care of our coral reefs to maintain a healthy biodiversity in our oceans," said Maxx Phillips, Hawaiʻi director at the Center. "Federal action is urgently need to protect cauliflower coral, called Koʻa in Hawaiian, and our coral ecosystems that are dying out from ocean warming and climate change."
Cauliflower coral bleaching victim in nearshore waters of the
west coast of Hawaiʻi Island. Photo from Kawaihae Reef
     The CBD statement also said, "Protecting corals ultimately requires reducing global temperature increases by drastically cutting fossil fuel emissions. The cauliflower coral is also threatened locally by land-based pollution, sedimentation and physical disturbance caused by human activities."
     Courthouse News Service quoted Miyoko Sakashita, Oceans Department programs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, saying that listing cauliflower coral under the Endangered Species Act will ensure "that any federal activity that's funded or permitted by federal agencies that may affect that coral would need to go through a consultation and mitigate the impacts to the coral.
     "There sometimes are misunderstandings that it will stop people from being able to fish or go and stop people from being able to use the beaches or canoe over the waters, but that's not what the act does. Its main mechanism is to look at federal activities and make sure those are not harming the corals," Sakashita told Courthouse News reporter Amanda Pampuro.
     See the NOAA website for public input, Center for Biological Diversity, and Courthouse News.

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THE PORTUGUESE CELEBRATION IN PĀHALA THIS SATURDAY will draw together many people from Kaʻū to share the stories of their families who sailed to Hawaiʻi on a journey that took them across the Atlantic, around the southern point of South America, and across the vast Pacific to their new island home.
     The first ship was the Priscilla, which arrived Sept. 30, 1878, with 120 Madeira Islanders. The second ship left Funchal on April 23, 1879, took exactly four months to cross the Atlantic Ocean, round Cape Horn, and sail across the Pacific to Honolulu. Among the passengers were Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, Jose do Espirito Santo, and Joao Fernandes, who are credited with introducing the ʻukulele to Hawaiʻi.
     Many of the Portuguese settlers worked at the sugar companies in Kaʻū. They became ranchers, paniolo and leaders in the Catholic Church.
     Portuguese names, like Amaral, Andrade, Baruz, Da Silva, De Silva, Enos, Fontes, Freitas, Francis, Frances, Gomes, Gouveia, Joseph, Lorenzo, Louis, Manoa, Marques, Medeiros, Manuel, Oliveira, Pedra, Pestano, Silva and Vierra are well known in Kaʻū, with many families of Hawaiian and Portuguese ancestry.
    Celebrate the 140th anniversary at Pāhala Community Center on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 11 a..m to 2 p.m. Saudades, The Longing: 2018 Commemoration of the 140th Anniversary of the Arrivals of Hawaiʻi's First Portuguese Immigrant Families is an islandwide traveling presentation, free and open to the public.
Image from Wikipedia
     In addition to the Pāhala gathering, the presentation will be made on Sunday, Sept. 30, in Hilo, at Aunty Sally Kaleohano's Luau House, at 3 p.m. That presentation will be preceded by a blessing of the Hawaiʻi Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center at 2 p.m., with a blessing and reception - requiring RSVP to Raul Castro, 808-238-6604 - to follow.
     Also, on Friday, Sept. 28, Hilo's ʻImola Astronomy Center Planetarium will hold the first showing of Portuguese in Hawaiʻi, a documentary by Nelson Ponta Garca, at 3:45 p.m. Featuring entertainment by Carlos Avalon. Tickets are $10 donation. Also starting at 3:45 p.m., going until 9 p.m., the Founder's Ball – which includes the documentary showing. Tickets and tables for the Founder's Ball, or for the documentary only, contact Jean Alves, alvesj002@hawaii.rr.com or 808-938-9283.
     Special guest: Portugal's Ambassador to the United States, Domingos Fezas Vital.

Complimentary pupus were on offer at
Saturday's ʻOhana Wellness Day: Keiki to
Kupuna. Photo from Laurie Boyle
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ʻOHANA WELLNESS DAY: KEIKI TO KUPUNA at Hawaiian Flowers and Ka Lae Coffee was a health-oriented free, fun Saturday event for the whole family this past weekend. Between 80 and 100 people attended. They could patronize 13 healthcare and wellness providers from Kaʻū, at booths that shared wellness information, offered treatments, massages, or essential oils, and more. Three hours of health presentations were offered along with lots of health information. On hand were a chiropractor, an osteopath, a Reiki master, a midwife, three massage therapists, and teachers of Tai Chi and Qigong.
     Donated prizes valued at $1,000 were available for attendees to win.
     Interested in next year's event? Contact LaurieBoyle@AlohaTherapies.com or 408-717-3072.
    Ka Lae Coffee and Hawaiian Flowers is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It located 94-2166 South Point Road from Hwy 11.
One segment of health talks had attendees up and stretching at
Saturday's ʻOhana Wellness Day. Photo from Laurie Boyle

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FLOOD INSURANCE FROM FEMA is the topic of Kona and Hilo public meetings cosponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, County of Hawaiʻi, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and state Department of Consumer Affairs.
     The Hilo meeting will be at the Aupuni Center Conference Room from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The Kona meeting will be at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Community Meeting Hale Bldg. G, from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 27. For both locations, the formal presentation starts at 6 p.m.
     Properties conforming to floodplain management regulations are insurable by the National Flood Insurance Program.

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"WHY ISN'T JUDGE KAVANAUGH ASKING FOR AN FBI INVESTIGATION IF HE HAS NOTHING TO HIDE?" asked Sen. Mazie Hirono today. During a press conference on Capitol Hill, Hirono addressed allegations against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh from Dr. Chistine Blasey Ford.
     Hirono stood next to Alexis Goldstein – one of more than 1,000 Holton-Arms School alum who signed a letter in support of Ford. Goldstein noted that Ford was 15 years old at the time of the alleged assault. "Don't mess with survivors," said Goldstein.
Hirono, left, Goldstein, center, at a Capitol Hill press conference this morning,
speaking out in support of Blasey Ford. Image from Hirono's Twitter
     Hirono Tweeted, "I will enter [the letter] into the Committee record to show that we are standing together because we #BelieveWomen."
     Ford's attorney sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee today, stating that Ford would be prepared to testify next week – but not Monday – as long as senators provide "terms that are fair and which ensure her safety." The letter concluded: "Her strong preference continues to be for the Senate Judiciary Committee to allow for a full investigation prior to her testimony."
     Several news sources have reported that Ford, Kavanaugh, and Kavanaugh's wife have all received death threats.
     On a separate note, Hirono reiterated her original reason for objecting to Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, Tweeting today, "Mr. Kavanaugh's appointment could also jeopardize the Indian Child Welfare Act, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and other laws that enable tribal self-determination due to his overly narrow view of the relationship between federal and tribal governments." #StopKavanaugh

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KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL JV took home the win last night, soundly beating Kohala with 25 and 25, Kohala with 19 and 22. Varsity suffered a hard set of games last night, scoring 13, 20, and 19, against a triplet of 25 end-game scores from their opponents.
     Support the Girls Volleyball team at their next home game on Friday, Sept. 28, when they host Kona. See full 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
   Sat, Oct 20, BIIF Finals - Higher
Girls Volleyball:
   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
   Sat, Oct 20, 9am, BIIF @ HPA
   Sat, Oct 27, 8:30am, HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING
A HAWAIIAN PERSPECTIVE OF PELE, AN AFTER DARK NEAR THE PARK PROGRAM, is offered on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Auditorium at their Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.
     During the event, Cultural Practitioner, Professor, and Researcher Leialoha Kaleimamahu, of Kaimu and Mokuhulu in Puna, shares a Hawaiian perspective of Kīlauea's current eruptive activity. Attendees will hear about Pele through chant, mele, and mo‘olelo (stories) passed down from generation to generation. Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park sponsors the event. For more, call 985-6011.
     Free; donations help support park programs. See nps.gov/HAVO and volcanoartcenter.org.

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.

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

MONDAY, SEPT. 24
Kaʻū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Sept. 24, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Kaʻū. Contact prior to attending to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

TUESDAY, SEPT. 24
HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. Meeting, Tue., Sept. 25, 10am, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Kaʻū Food Pantry, Tue., Sept. 25, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

After Dark Near the Park: A Hawaiian Perspective of Pele, Tue., Sept. 25, 7pm, Volcano Art Center Auditorium. Cultural Practitioner, Professor, and Researcher Leialoha Kaleimamahu of Kaimu and Mokuhulu in Puna shares a Hawaiian perspective of Kīlauea's current eruptive activity. Hear about Pele through chant, mele, and moʻolelo (stories) passed down from generation to generation. Program co-sponsored by Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Call 985-6011. Free; donations help support park programs. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Sept. 26, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi - referral required from Hawaiʻi County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Craft Class, Wed., Sept. 26, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nāʻālehu. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Arts and Crafts Activity: Beaded Wind Chime, Wed., Sept. 26, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register Sept. 19-25. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

THURSDAY, SEPT. 27
Kaʻū Community Children's Council, Thu., Sept. 27, 12-1:30pm, Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Sept. 27, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

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.. Races begin and end at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.


Park Beautification Day at Kahuku Park in HOVE for all ages on Friday, Sept. 28, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Registration is open through Sept. 26. 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 Beaded Wind Chime Arts and Crafts Activity at Pāhala Comunity Center Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., for keiki in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Register through Sept. 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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