Saturday, June 29, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, June 29, 2019

The farming community of Kaʻū is represented by the Nāʻālehu Methodist Church entry to the annual 
Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade today. See more below and in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.
Photo by Leilani Esperanza
ACTING VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT Rhonda Loh is set to remain in her position for a year, while Superintendent Cindy Orlando completes a detail as Acting Deputy Regional Director in the National Park Service Pacific West Regional office in San Francisco.
     Loh, selected this Spring by the National Park Service to serve as Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Acting Superintendent, has extensive experience at Hawai‘i Volcanoes, and continues to serve as the Park's Chief
of Natural Resources Management. She also detailed as acting superintendent for other parks in the region, including Haleakalā National Park, Kalaupapa National Historical ParkKaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park Hawai‘i, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, World War II Valor In The Pacific National Monument, and Honouliuli National Monument, "which have prepared her for this important role," said a Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park social media statement.
Rhonda Loh is Acting Superintendent of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National
Park while Superintendent Cindy Orlando is on detail as Deputy
Regional Director for the parks in the western states.
NPS photo
     Orlando returns to Volcanoes and her home in Kaʻū each month and served as a judge at the Nāʻālehu Independence Day parade today.
     While on detail on the mainland, based at the NPS regional office in San Francisco, Orlando recently spoke at the 50th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, a gathering of 2,000 people to commemorate the 10,000 Japanese Americans who were placed in the internment camp during World War II. She said that Manzanar National Historic Site, located in Owens Valley near Lone Pine, Ca., is a good model for presenting the history of the tragedy of the internment.
     She spoke about Kīlauea Military Camp in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and its use as an internment camp for the Japanese.
     Also attending the Manzanar Pilgrimage was Carole Hayashino, formerly of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi in Honolulu, who assists with the Honouliuli site on Oʻahu and other Japanese confinement sites in the west, such as Tule Lake and Minidotka. See more on Manzanar.
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.

MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS AND ELECTRIC BUSES will be funded, in part through an $8.1 million settlement from Volkswagen, according to the July edition of Capitol Connection. Gov. David Ige's newsletter says that "Hawai‘i earns A+ for planned use of VW settlement." It says the funds will "accelerate the Ige administration's goals for more sustainable energy generation and use."
     Hawai‘i and Washington were the only two states to earn a perfect A+ score on their electric vehicle infrastructure and mass transit plans, according to the Volkswagen Settlement Scorecard. "Electric vehicles are far less polluting than gas-powered cars, with half the carbon footprint, as well as fewer emissions of pollutants that contribute to poor air quality and respiratory diseases," said the VW Settlement State Scorecard report. Hawai‘i was praised for its plan to take full advantage of the opportunity to invest in transportation electrification. Thirty-seven states received a "D" or "F."
     In 2016, Volkswagen admitted to installing illegal emissions control software on more than half a million vehicles in the U.S. and entered into a massive multibillion dollar settlement with federal authorities. The majority of the funds went to compensating owners of offending vehicles, but nearly $3 billion was allocated to provide each state with funds to promote electric vehicles.

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.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou members lead off today's Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, as sponsors of the event.
Photo by Peter Anderson
THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE BROUGHT RAIN AND SHINE to Nāʻālehu today, with tractors, trucks, cars, four-wheelers, riders, and walkers moving along a shiny Highway 11.
     The annual event drew the Hawaiʻi County Band, County Council member Maile David, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court. Women on horseback represented the islands, with lei for themselves, their escorts, and their steeds. Churches, community groups, and local businesses participated. After, the parade the crowd convened at Nāʻālehu Community Center for entertainment and food. The event is sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kakou. See more photos and details in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.

Four-wheelers are popular among farmers, hunters, ranchers, and
parade participants. Photo by Peter Anderson
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.

THE VISITOR COUNT WAS HIGHER THIS MAY on Hawaiʻi Island than last May, when Kīlauea Volcano began erupting and earthquakes were more than a daily event. This May's total reached 138,520, some 7,000 more than this April. The state reports that visitor expenditures were $153 million on this island in May, dropping from expenditures in May of 2018, which reached $173 million.
     For the fist five months of 2019, the number of visitors totaled 719,000. They spent $950 million, while last year, trough May, 780,000 visitors spent $1.1 billion on Hawaiʻi Island.

Nāʻālehu Volunteer Fire Department. Photo by Leilani Esperanza
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.

A NEW ART GALLERY AND GIFT SHOP is on schedule to open in Nāʻālehu in late summer at the location of Kamaʻaina Kuts.
     Well-known hair care specialist, Corrine Kaupu, will close her longtime business and reopen as Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop. She invites local artists to show their specialty works "for a possible placement at the gallery" on Saturday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The official opening of the gallery is planned for Sunday, Sept. 1.
     Kaupu said she's "looking forward to helping local artists and our community. I'm open to see what our community wants."
Pāhala Volunteer Fire Department. Photo by Leilani Esperanza
     A hairdresser for 31 years, in Nāʻālehu as Kamaʻaina Kuts for the last 18, Kaupu told The Kaʻū Calendar that, though her clients begged her not to retire, she was suffering burnout, and has taken only exclusive clients since January. With support and suggestions from her clients, she said, "Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop was born."
     With the help of her husband, of Wai Moku Deliveries, she is renovating the Kamaʻaina Kuts location to become a gallery where unique hand made and locally made items will be for sale, targeted to both locals and visitors. She has already lined up Happy Wahine and SewDaKine items.
     Call 937-1840 or email kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz for more. See KauArtGallery.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.
Kaʻū Auto Repair is a regular participant in rescuing vehicles and in joining the parade. See photos of horses and
riders, Miss Kaʻū Coffee, businesses, churches, and community groups in this week's Kaʻū News Briefs.
Photo by Peter Anderson
HIGH SURF is expected along all Kaʻū shorelines until Monday. The National Weather Service warns coastal residents to secure property and for beach-goers to limit or postpone shoreline activity.

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.

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
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.

Football, Division II:
Mon., July 15, first day Conditioning, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Mon., July 22, first day Full Pads, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Mon., July 29, 3 to 5 p.m., first day practice
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala

Cross Country:
Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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
MONDAY, JULY 1
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, July 1, 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JULY 2
Flameworking - An Introductory Class w/Nash Adams-Pruitt, Tuesday, July 2, 5-8p.m., Volcano Art Center. $75/VAC member, $80/non-member, plus $40 supply fee. Class size limited. Register early. Advanced registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, July 2, 6-8p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park -Kīlauea 2018 Volcanic Pollution: from Source to Exposed Communities, Tuesday, July 2, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Volcanologist Dr. Evgenia Ilyinskaya presents new information about what volcanic pollution really contains and its potential implications for environmental impacts. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3
Early Head Start, Wednesday, July 3 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 10-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Social get together for keiki and parents; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Voices w/Kumu Hula Stacey Kapuaikapolipele Ka‘au‘a, Wednesday, July 3 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

THURSDAY, JULY 4
July 4th Breakfast Buffet, Thursday, July 4, 6:30-11a.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Includes: Waffles with Toppings, Omelet Station, Meats, Breakfast Potatoes, Steamed Rice, Fresh Fruit, Assorted Baked Breads, and a beverage. $12.50/Adult, $6.50/Child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Volcano Village 4th of July Parade and Craft Fair, Thursday, July 4. Parade starts 9a.m., craft fair at Cooper Center open until 1:30p.m.. Parade starts at Volcano Post Office, down Old Volcano Road, turns up Wright Road, and ends at Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Activities, food, entertainment.
     Sponsored by Volcano Community Association and Cooper Center Council. Leashed dogs allowed. Parade entry form at volcanocommunity.org. Vendor application at thecoopercenter.org, email to idoaloha@gmail.com. Tara Holmes, 464-3625, 8a.m.-5p.m.

Keiki Jiggle Bums, Thursday, July 4 and 18 – 1st and 3rd Thursday, monthly – 9-10:30a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Discover the joy of early learning through song and musical instruments. For keiki 0-4 years. Nicola, 238-8544

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

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, July 4, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, July 4, 6:30-8:30p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

SATURDAY, JULY 6
Ka‘ū Roping & Riding Association's 42nd Annual 4th of July Buckle Rodeo, Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7, slack starts at 8a.m., show starts at noon, at the rodeo grounds behind Nā‘ālehu Park. Tickets available at gate, $8/person. Pre-sale tickets available $7/person around town from Rodeo Queen contestants. Ralph or Tammy, 929-8079

Stewardship at the Summit, July 6, 12, 20, and 26, 8:45a.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

Edible Landscaping for Backyards and Beyond w/Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group, Saturday, July 6, 9a.m.-noon, Volcano Art Center. Learn how to transform lanai and lawn, field and fence into an abundant oasis of edible and multifunctional plants. $30/VAC member, $40/non-member, plus $15 materials fee. Class size limited. Register early. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Alternative Handbuilding - East African Pottery w/Erik Wold, Saturday, July 6 through August 31, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. No class August 24. $180/VAC members, $200/non-member, plus $15 materials fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Zentangle Inspired Labyrinth Cartouches w/Lois and Earl Stokes, Saturday, July 6, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. All welcome, no experience necessary. Potluck - bring dish to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, July 6 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m.-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

ONGOING
Seamless Summer Program, open to all people under age 18, no registration required, offers free breakfast at Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School cafeterias. Meals are available weekdays through July 11; no meal Thursday, July 4. Kaʻū High serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call (808) 939-2413 for Nāʻālehu Elementary mealtimes.

Volcano Village 4th of July Parade, Festival, and Craft Fair happens Thursday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The parade starts at the Volcano Post Office, travels down Old Volcano Road, and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Road. Free entry to activities, food, and entertainment. Leashed dogs allowed. Provided by Cooper Center Council, Volcano Community Association, and more. To be in the parade, download the entry form at volcanocommunity.org and email to vcainfo@yahoo.com. Vendors, download applications at thecoopercenter.org and email to idoaloha@gmail.com, or call Tara Holmes, 464-3625, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Head Coaches for Coed Judo, Coed Swimming, and Boys Basketball are wanted by Kaʻū High School for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications, due Monday, July 8, can be picked up at the school office weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coaches hired by Hawaiʻi Department of Education are required to pass a criminal background check. Contact Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 313-4161 with questions.

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 bags 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.

Experience Volcano Festival is still looking for vendors. Booths for the event are $25 per day for Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, July 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is coordinated with the new ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash on the 27th. Apply at experiencevolcano.com/vendor-application.
     Experience Volcano is a group of businesses and residents helping to rebuild the economy of Volcano, following last year's volcanic disaster that shut down Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and drastically reduced the visitor county which is now recovering.

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register at ohialehuahalf.com.

Exhibit -The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily through Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.orgkaucoffeemill.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.