Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, April 27, 2019

Helena Sesson, who says she wants to become a police officer to help keep her community safe, won the Miss
Kaʻū Coffee title tonight at Kaʻū District Gym. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

A WOMAN WAS MURDERED yesterday afternoon at Whittington Beach Park. The Hawaiʻi Police Department reported that on Friday, April 26 at about 3:40 p.m., Kaʻū patrol officers responded to a reported stabbing. Officers discovered two victims, a 36-year-old male and a 35-year-old female, both with multiple stab wounds. The female victim died at the scene; official cause of death is pending. The male victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center in serious condition. The park was closed while officers investigated.

     Two suspects in the stabbings are identified by police as Kaleianuenue Borero-Kaluna, a 19-year-old female, and Robert Hayes, a 69-year-old male, both of Nāʻāehu. Both suspects were arrested at 5:05 p.m. yesterday on suspicion of First Degree Murder. They are currently being held pending investigation.

     Anyone with information about this incident, call Detective Dominic Uyetake Jr. at (808) 326-4646 ext. 228, email dominic.uyetake@hawaiicounty.gov, or call the HPD non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

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Major scholarship sponsor Ed Olson with the 2019 Miss Kaʻū Coffee Court, with Kaʻū Coffee Growers

Cooperative Pres. Gloria Camba, far right, and former Miss Kaʻū Coffee queens Jami Beck and

Maria Miranda, to her left. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

RENTAL HOSTING WEB SITES WILL NOT SUPPLANT HOME OWNERS TO COLLECT VACATION RENTAL TAXES. Senate Bill 1292 would have required transient accommodation and general excise taxes be paid to the state through hosting platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, Expedia, and others. The last draft allows the online marketing firms hosting rentals to keep information collected about home-rental operations confidential. This was one sticking point of the bill, as opponents said publishing the information would be illegal.

     State senators voted 12 to 12 to kill SB1292; Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele voted "no," west Kaʻū Sen. Dru Kanuha voted "yes." Thirteen votes were needed to pass the bill on to Ige for consideration.

    

Lilianna Marques during the talent contest, with her song
about picking coffee. She won Miss Peaberry.
See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

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A BILL TO LEVY 6.2 PERCENT CORPORATE INCOME TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS, Senate Bill 301, goes to both state legislative houses for consideration. If it passes both houses, and Gov. David Ige approves it, Hawaiʻi would be the first state in 50 years to impose such a tax.

     REITs distribute at least 90 percent of taxable income to shareholders, who pay taxes on that income wherever they reside – not necessarily Hawaiʻi, giving that tax on revenue to other states or countries. Those dividends can be deducted from the REIT's taxable income, legally avoiding federal taxes. Hawaiʻi has over $18 billion in REITs.

The bill includes a four-year sunset, so review and repeal options are not far in future, if opponents fears that the tax will squelch investment prove correct.

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DECRIMINALIZING UP TO THREE GRAMS OF MARIJUANA goes before both state houses, with a proposed possession fine of $130. House Bill 1383 is one of few marijuana-related measures that Gov. David Ige may see cross his desk. A bill for complete legalization was killed earlier in this session. If HB1383 passes, Hawaiʻi will become one of 23 U.S. states and the District of Columbia to remove criminal penalties for small amounts of the drug.

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.

Miss Flower Kysha Manini Kaupu and First Princess Adilyn
Aetonu, along with sponsor Kaʻū Valley Farms
representative Lloyd Nakano. Photo by Julia Neal

REMOVAL OF THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON CHILD SEX ABUSE FAILED in the state legislature this week, even though no one voted against it in any previous review of hearing. House Bill 18 would have removed the statute of limitations on prosecuting sexual abuse of children, giving victims more time to report abuse.

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.

HELENA SESSON TOOK THE MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE TITLE TONIGHT AT KAʻŪ DISTRICT GYM. The senior at Kaʻū High School says she plans to become a police officer "to keep my community safe." She sang in Spanish, accompanied by her own ʻukulele stylings. Lilianna Marques took the Kaʻū Peaberry title, winning the talent with an original song about coffee picking. Kysha Manini Kaupu took the Miss Coffee Flower title.
     Pageant Director Trini Marques thanked the many sponsors giving the scholarships. They are Edmund C. Olson, Rep. Richard Ohnishi, Kaʻū Mahi, CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, Kaʻū Valley Farms, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Pacific Quest, and Big Island Toyota. See more in the Monday Kaʻū News Briefs.

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.

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 Trojans Spring Sports Schedule

Baseball:

Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, HHSAA

Softball:

Wed., May 1-4, HHSAA

Boys Volleyball:

Thu.-Sat., May 2-4, HHSAA

Track:

Fri.-Sat., May 3-4, HHSAA

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.

UPCOMING

SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest,, originally scheduled for Sunday, April 28 is being rescheduled to a later date – to be announced – when more community chefs and student chefs are available for the annual event.

TUESDAY, APRIL 30
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, April 30, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Mountain Hike & Lunch, Wednesday, May 1, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., meet at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, Wood Valley. $45; includes lunch. Reservations required. Limited to 30 people. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.com, kaucoffeefestival.com

Early Head Start, Wednesday, May 1 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 10 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Social get together for keiki and parents; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

May Day is Lei Day, May 1, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hands-on lei making demonstrations, live music and hula. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hula Voices with Musician Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter, Wednesday, May 1 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Open Mic Night, Wednesday, May 1, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests, 21+. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, MAY 2
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Thursday, May 2. Free; donations appreciated. Limited seating available. RSVP in advance. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Valley Farms Tour, Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m. – noon, Ka‘alaiki Rd., Nā‘ālehu. $40; includes lunch and transportation from meeting site. Reservations required. 987-4229/731-5409, kauvalley.com, kaucoffeefestival.com

Keiki Jiggle Bums, Thursday, May 2 and 16 – 1st and 3rd Thursday, monthly – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 17 – 3rd Friday monthly – 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Discover the joy of early learning through song and musical instruments. For keiki 0-4 years. Nicola, 238-8544

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, May 2, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Women's Expression Group, Thursday, May 2 – 1st Thursday monthly – 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, May 2, 6:30 p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, MAY 3
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee & Cattle Day, Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Aikane Plantation Coffee Company. $25; includes BBQ buffet and hayrides. Reservations required. 927-2252, aikaneplantation.com, kaucoffeefestival.com

Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser, Friday, May 3, doors open 5:30 p.m., dinner served 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Enchiladas, Tamales, Charro Borracho Beans (Mexican Cowboy Drunken Beans), Drinks and Dessert. $8/person, $15 for two, $20/family. stjudeshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Star Gazing, Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m., Makanau summit. $45, includes refreshments and shuttle ride. Reservation required. 928-0550, kaucoffeemill.com, kaucoffeefestival.com

KDENte Fundraising Dinner for Kilauea Drama Entertainment Network, Friday, May 3, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant, Hilo. Italian food buffet, $20 cash or check at door. 984-7344

The Great Kīlauea Eruption of 2018 and What May Soon Follow, Friday, May 3, 6:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Presented by Geologist Dr. Richard "Rick" Hazlett, Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, MAY 4
Parenting Class & Saturday School, May 4 and 18, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center, Downstairs. Sponsored by Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Stewardship at the Summit, May 4, 9, 17, 25, and 31, 8:45 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers remove invasive, non-native plants. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves/tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required for those under 18. Free; park entrance fees apply. Paul and Jane Field, field@hawaii.edu, nps.gov/havo

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Music and hula, coffee tastings (Ka‘ū Coffee Experience, 9:30 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., free). Talk story with coffee growers and industry professionals. Food, craft and information booths. Free entry. Coffee farm and mill tours, $20, offered 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. kaucoffeefestival.com

Abstract Painting Workshop with Darcy Gray, Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Basic painting backgroup suggested. Tools provided, can bring own supplies. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 8 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, May 4 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11 a.m. – noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

Fiesta in the Forest, May 4, bar opens 4 p.m., dinner 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Food, margaritas, beer, wine and live music. Bring Cooper Center mug for $1 off beer – purchase one for $10 – can be used at all Cooper Center events. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

ONGOING

Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.

     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and protrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.

KAʻŪ COFFEE FEST

Kaʻū Coffee Festival Events start runs through Sunday, May 5. All events are open to the public; some require reservations. Celebrate Kaʻū Coffee at:

     Kaʻū Mountain Hike and Lunch, Wednesday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Ride through the coffee plantation, up the mountains, and into the rainforest to walk along waterways from sugar days of old. Reservations required; $45 per person. Call 928-0550.

     Kaʻū Valley Farms Tour and Lunch, Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon. Above Nāʻālehu, visit a plant nursery, food farm, coffee and tea plantings, native forest, and hidden valley. $40 per person, reservations required. Call 987-4229 or 731-5409.

     Kaʻū Coffee and Cattle Day, Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm. Includes farm tours, BBQ buffet, and hayride. Visit this historic Ka‘ū Coffee farm and ranch. $25, reservations required. Call 927-2252.

     Kaʻū Stargazing on Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., takes guests to the top of sacred Makanau during a new-moon. Learn about the ancient Hawaiian temple and see the Hawaiian night sky and stars. Reservations required; $45 per person, includes refreshments. Call 938-0550.
     Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa, Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Full day of music, dance, coffee tasting, demonstrations, food, snacks, educational booths, and games. Free entry. KauCoffeeFest.com.

     Closing out the Kaʻū Coffee Festival, Kaʻū Coffee College is held at Pāhala Community Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, May 5. Get served education and see demonstrations for coffee farmers and Kaʻū Coffee enthusiasts.

     See KauCoffeeFestival.com.

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.