Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, November 29, 2018

Polypropelene is banned from county recycling bins but acceptable at all transfer stations in the general garbage disposal.

Also banned from recycling but not general trash are plastic grocery bags, and clam shell type plastics. Above is

a plastics display created by Green Peace in the Philippines showing what plastics making it to the ocean can do.

Photo from Greenpeace

WARMING OCEAN WATERS leading to a change in location of food for humpback whales is likely a reason for the steep drop off in sightings of the whales in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters. This was the theory put forth by scientists from across the globe, wildlife managers, and federal officials, who met Tuesday and Wednesday in Honolulu. Sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the sessions included discussions about the marked decline, since 2014, in humpback sightings and songs.

     NOAA officials told Associated Press reporter Caleb Jones this week's meetings "will help them to form a plan and get funding to help ensure the species' continued success."

     Marc Lammers, research coordinator for NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, told Jones, "At least in Alaska, there's something happening with the prey. What we didn't really resolve is whether that applies more broadly to a larger area like across the North Pacific."

Humpback whales, who come to Hawaiʻi to give birth and raise calves in
the winter, are drastically lower in numbers since 2014. Photo from NOAA

     It is possible, say officials, that whales are moving to other waters to hunt, and then finding other places to calve and mate.

     "There is no question that the world is changing, the oceans are changing," Lammers continued. "The humpback whales are reflecting those changes and we now need to try to understand whether this is something that will eventually correct itself, and time will tell, or whether this is something that points to a more sustained change."

     Susan Pultz, NOAA's chief of conservation planning and rulemaking in the Pacific island region, told AP, "I don't think there's necessarily panic, but I think just the fact that we came together today tells you that there is some sense of urgency about the whales. One of the reasons we're all together, and obviously this has not yet gelled into a plan, is to identify where there are data gaps - if there are data gaps - what we need to look at next, and then that will inform our next actions that we take."

A variety of zooplankton, which sustain the humpbacks
during feeding season, are sensitive to warmer ocean
temperatures. Photo from NOAA

     Christine Gabriele, a federal wildlife biologist who monitors humpbacks at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, said to Jones, "It was more favorable for the whales when we were in a cold period, and then less favorable when the (Pacific Decadal Oscillation) switches to warm. In Glacier Bay we have definitely seen a much lower calving rate and much lower calf survival as well as juvenile survival. I think there are metabolic issues that are probably related to the production of a calf. We're not clear if it's a lack of pregnancy or lack of ability to carry it to term."

     About half of Northern Pacific humpbacks, a number estimated at 11,000, are expected to make the trip to Hawaiian waters each winter. Since 2014, those numbers have declined 50 to 80 percent. Humpbacks are no longer considered endangered, but are still federally protected.

     Learn more from Nov. 27, Sept. 6, and Aug. 26 Kaʻū News Briefs.

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SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT DATES for 2019 are the last Saturday of January, the 26th, February, the 23rd, and March, the 30th. Sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, volunteers count sightings of humpback whales - from spouting to breaching - in NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's Kaʻena Point, located at the end of Chain
of Craters Road, is one of the closest of 21 places Kaʻū residents can sign
up for to participate in the annual Sanctuary Ocean Count
of humpback whales. Photo from wayfaring.info

     Locations in Kaʻū include Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Volunteer shifts normally last from 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included.

     Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities. The sanctuary holds Ocean Count three times each year during peak whale season. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.
     Ocean Count, the yearly volunteer-dependent sighting for humpback whales in Hawaiian waters, takes place on Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu. A new website with important information and resources, and where volunteers can register, is oceancount.org. The site will be up and ready for the December 15 registration launch date. A similar effort, the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation, takes place on Maui on February 23.

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Kalo-taro-became an official menu item for the first 

time in memory at a Hawaiʻi public school today. 

Photo from ʻEleʻele School

KALO - TARO - WAS OFFICIALLY SERVED FOR THE FIRST TIME in recent memory at a public school in Hawaiʻi today. The ‘Āina Pono Hawai‘i State Farm to School Program celebrated the milestone today on Kaua‘i with ‘Ele‘ele Elementary School becoming the first Hawai‘i Department of Education school to put kalo on its food service menu. Kalo was used in a Poi Breakfast Parfait, made with poi, plain yogurt, pineapple chunks and granola.

     "It's very gratifying to see how much the ‘Āina Pono Hawai‘i State Farm to School Program has revolutionized school meals," said Lt. Governor Doug Chin. "So many students, farmers and state legislators have already praised the program for providing healthy meals made with locally produced ingredients."
     Everyone wants the program to succeed and grow, which has been the goal for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor since it launched the program in 2015 and began working with public and private sectors.

Kalo growing on the public school campus at 

ʻEleʻele. Photo from Doug Chin

     Kaina Makua, of the Aloha ‘Āina Poi Company, emphasized the importance of sustaining local farmers and producers so they can continue to supply public schools with fresh, local ingredients. One example was in the taro field right there on the ‘Ele‘ele school campus, where a Kumu Sabra Kauka and Kumu Chad Shimmelfennig's fifth grade class presented a cultural program to celebrate the land and the coming together to be able to feed keiki healthy food while they’re in school.
     The Lt. Governor, state Department of Education and state Department of Agriculture have been working together with private stakeholders to transform HIDOE's School Food Services Branch. "The work in progress is making a difference that public school students will be able to taste and enjoy for years to come," said a statement from Chin's office.
     For more on public schools participating in the program see ltgov.hawaii.gov/farm-to-school-initiative.

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SOME PLASTICS ARE BANNED FROM COUNTY RECYCLING BINS at Volcano, Pāhala, Waiʻōhinu, Ocean View, and other transfer stations, beginning Dec. 1.
     The new rules are due "to changes in global recycling markets," according to a statement from County of Hawai‘i. No longer acceptable in the mixed recyclable bins at the Recycling & Transfer Stations countywide are: #5 plastics, plastic grocery bags, nor any clam shell-type plastic (salad, bentos, fruit, and similar containers). All of these should go in the general garbage chute at the transfer stations for landfill disposal. There is no need to keep them at home or dump them elsewhere where they could make their way into gulches and the ocean.
     Examples of the #5 (polypropylene) plastics which will no longer be accepted: yogurt and hummus containers, syrup bottles, margarine tubs, prescription bottles and bottle caps along with #5 food containers that can be purchased for home use.

Without a recycling market, these kinds of containers

and plastic grocery bags must go into general trash,

not recycling at county transfer and recycling stations,

starting Saturday, Dec. 1. Image from Ziploc

     The plastics the county will continue to accept in mixed recyclable bins are clean #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE) plastic bottles, plastic jars, and jugs such as milk, jam, mayonnaise, juice, detergent containers, and household cleaner containers, etc.
     The following clean materials are also accepted in the mixed recycling bins: aluminum and steel cans (non-HI-5); newspapers and magazines; corrugated cardboard boxboard/paperboard (like cracker, cereal and cake mix boxes); and mail and office type paper (no shredded paper)
     Visit hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/2-bin/ for a full list of recyclables which are accepted at the County of Hawai‘i Recycling & Transfer Stations.
     The county statement says: "The intent of the County of Hawai‘i Recycling program is to collect materials that can be diverted from the landfill by reusing the products or transporting the materials to market to be remanufactured into new products. Currently, markets for certain types of plastics are being saturated and the markets are demanding higher quality recyclables.
     "When incorrect or contaminated materials are thrown into the recycling bins, it can cause the entire bin to become contaminated and turns what could have been recycled into trash. Please only recycle what is now being accepted to avoid contamination.
     "The County of Hawai‘i community can be proud of how much is diverted from the landfill, however we can do better by placing the correct materials in the recycling bins.
     For further information, visit www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/2-bin/ or call 961-8942.

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THE PROPOSED SEWER FEE HIKE gained traction at the County Council yesterday. Sewer fee charges in Kaʻū are limited to the old plantation housing camps in Nāʻālehu and Pāhala where those hooked up are paying $30 every two months for the county to maintain the sewage lines and gang cesspools until they are replaced, as required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. They would go up to match the county wide fees when the new treatment plants are completed.

      Others hooked up around the island pay $54 every two months. The proposal islandwide is to hike the fee to $42 per month next March, followed by incremental increases until the fee reaches $55 per month in March of 2021. The increased feed would bring some $17 million over three years to the county, making it less dependent on outside funding.

     The proposal faces two additional readings and votes by the County Council before it would become law.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

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

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High December Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:
Dec. 3, Mon, @Konawaena, 6pm
Dec. 5, Wed., @Waiakea, 6pm
Dec. 15, Sat., JV host
     Laupāhoehoe, 2pm
Dec. 17, Mon., host HPA, 6pm
Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm
Dec. 22, Sat., host JV
     Christian Liberty, 2pm

Boys Basketball:
Dec. 15, Sat., host Pāhoa
Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau
Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker
Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Wrestling:
Dec. 1, Sat., @Hilo
Dec. 8, Sat., @Waiakea
Dec. 15, Sat., @Oʻahu
Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Soccer:
Dec. 1, Sat., @Honokaʻa
Dec. 5, Wed., host Pāhoa
Dec. 8, Sat., Boys host Kohala
Dec., 11, Tue., @Kamehameha
Dec., 13, Thu., Girls host Makualani
Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea
Dec. 29, Sat., @Konawaena

Swimming:
Dec. 8, Sat., @HPA, 10am
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

TEE BALL AND COACH PITCH BASEBALL SIGN-UPS TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK for Nā‘ālehu and Ocean View teams with practices starting immediately afterwards. 

     Keiki ages 5 and 6 years old interested in joining the Nā‘ālehu Tee Ball team are encouraged to meet at Nā‘ālehu Ball Park (across the parking lot from the Nā‘ālehu Community Center) on Monday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. Practice takes place after registration that Monday, and continues the following Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Coach Josh Crook with previous Nā‘ālehu 

Tee Ball team. Photo by Kacey Loman

     The Ocean View Tee Ball team is also open to keiki ages 5 and 6 years old, with sign-ups taking place on Tuesday, Dec. 4, starting at 3 p.m., at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates (92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka). Practice takes place after registration that Tuesday, and continues the following Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

     Ocean View Coach Pitch Baseball is open to keiki ages 7 and 8 years old, with sign-ups taking place on Tuesday, Dec. 4, starting at 4 p.m. - also at Kahuku Park. Practice t takes place after registration that Tuesday, and continues the following Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

     Participation costs are to be announced; games snacks provided by team parents. Keiki encouraged to wear closed toe shoe and clothes they can easily move in. Gloves and bats available for loan, however, keiki encouraged to bring their own if possible. 

     Those interested are welcome to contact Josh and Elizabeth Crook at 345-0511.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Coffee Talk: Little Fire Ants in Ka‘ū, Fri., Nov. 30, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join the talk story with rangers and other park visitors. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1
Multi Family Yard Sale, Sat., Dec. 1, 9-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Palm Trail, Sat., Dec. 1, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop. nps.gov/havo

Art Express, Sat., Dec. 1, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Monthly. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

Keiki Science Class, Sat., Dec. 1, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030, and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

Disney Sing-Along, Sat., Dec. 1, 2:30-3:30pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room. For ages 5-8. Open registration. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Keiki Jump Rope for Fitness, Sat., Dec. 1, 4-4:30pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room. For ages 5-14. Open registration. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sun., Dec. 2, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Dec. 2, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Monthly. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Net Patrol along Wai‘ōhinu Coastline, Mon., Dec. 3, 17, and 27, contact for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Limited seats available for all three days. BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629 for more.

Spay and Neutering Clinic, Monday, Dec. 3, 7:30-4pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View.

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Dec. 3, 17, and 31, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Story Time with Lindsey Miller from PARENTS, Inc., Mon., Dec. 3, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Dec. 3, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Free Diabetes Management Program, Mon., Dec. 3, 5pm. Registration required and for location of class in Ka‘ū. For those with Type 1 or 2 diabetes. Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi, hmono.org, 969-9220

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4
Health Insurance Sign-up, Tue., Dec. 4, 9-4pm, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Family Yoga Class, Tue., Dec. 4, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 3-12 years old and caregivers. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring mat, if can, as supplies are limited. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

A Walk into the Past w/ Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, Tue, Dec. 4, 11, and 18, 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m., meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Tour Jaggar's tiny lab located below the Volcano House to see original seismograph equipment and other early instruments with Dick Hershberger as "Dr. Jaggar." Supported by the KDEN. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue., Dec. 4, 4-6pm, Dec. 18, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue., Dec. 4, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park, All About Anchialine Pools, Tue., Dec. 4, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hawai‘i State Parks Dena Sedar presents. Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Wed., Dec. 5 and 12, 9:30-10:30am, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Arts & Craft Activity: Paper Tree Table Top, Wed., Dec. 5, 3:30-5pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room. Register through Dec. 5; open to keiki Grades K-8. 928-3102

Open Mic Night, Wed., Dec. 5, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Dec. 6 and 13, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Women's Support Group, Thu., Dec. 6 and 20, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

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

Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle School Theater Night, Thu., Dec. 6, 6pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade each perform a one-act play: The Invisible Man by Tim Kelly, Last Stop Till Christmas by Pat Cook, and The Quest: A Fairy Take with Attitude by Eddie McPherson. Free; donations gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees apply.

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Dec. 6, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

Hula Voices w/Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoali‘i, Thu., Dec. 6, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. Final program for 2018. 967-7565

ONGOING

Christmas in the Country and 19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition are open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 
     Christmas in the Country runs through Wednesday, Dec. 26. Enjoy an abundance of art and aloha as VAC creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to artwork, find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawai‘i Island artists, including VAC exclusives.
     The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge is open for viewing through Monday, Dec. 31. The event features a row of cottages along the front of the camp decorated in with various characters and Christmas decor - with Kīlauea Military Camp employees responsible and competing for a popularity vote. The public is invited to admire the decorations and vote for their favorite decorated cottage. Kīlauea Military Camp is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for additional information. See kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

Basic Stretch and Strengthening Exercise Class, sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nū ʻŌiwi, happens Wednesdays at Nāʻālehu Community Center and Thursdays at Pāhala Senior Center; no classes between Dec. 14 and Jan. 8. The free classes – donations accepted – run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The class offers "basic stretches and muscular endurance exercises that will help improve your flexibility and strength. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch." Learn more at hmono.org, facebook.com/HMONO.org/, @hui_malama_ on Instagram, or call 808-969-9220.

Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.

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 tuition-free traveling preschool, for keiki birth to five years old and their caregivers, has twice a week meeting in Pāhala, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center. In Nāʻālehu, meetings are at Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.

     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to aid caregivers with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate, listening ear. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either free program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 929-8571, or Betty Clark at 464-9634 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

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