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Monday, July 01, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, July 1, 2019

Nāʻālehu Theatre remains with Weinberg as Kurisu family business buys Nāʻālehu Shopping Center. 
Photo by Peter Anderson
NĀʻĀLEHU SHOPPING CENTER has been purchased from the late Harry and Jeanette Weinberg's 300 Corp. by Duane Kurisu and his son Robert Kurisu, partners in the venture Nalu Aio, LLC. Kurisu's brother Derek Kurisu said Duane is excited to help make the place economically viable, providing jobs, services, and products.
Duane Kurisu and family
buys Nāʻālehu Shopping
Center. Photo from Gov. Ige
     Derek Kurisu, well known for promoting locally produced foods under KTA's Mountain Apple brand, for his own cooking show, books, and demonstrations, and for serving as a commencement speaker at Kaʻū High School, told The Kaʻū Calendar that his brother bought Nāʻālehu Shopping Center to help the community. Duane Kurisu already owns Punaluʻu Bake Shop, with its bakery, food service, gift shop, entertainment, gardens and electric vehicle charging station. He has also owned land in Wood Valley. Kurisu's companies own other shopping centers in the state as well as publishing books and magazines, including Hawaiʻi Business Magazine and Honolulu Magazine. He is well known for his effort to serve homeless people with housing.
     Derek said his brother Duane wants Nāʻālehu Shopping Center "to be an economic driver, hiring local people." Concerning the possibility of KTA opening a store there, Kurisu said his brother is looking for a tenant for the former Island Market location. Other tenants in the shopping center are a laundromat, the Will & Grace store, PARENTS, Inc., Bee Boys, and The Land Office real estate.
     Weinberg remains owner of the old Nāʻālehu Theatre. Derek Kurisu said his brother Duane is also interested in the future of the theater.
Nāʻālehu Shopping Center, purchased by Duane Kurisu and his son and partner
Robert Kurisu, who aim to help it become an economic driver for the area. Photo by Peter Anderson
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THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS HOSTED REP. TULSI GABBARD on Sunday. She addressed the mayors' meeting in Honolulu, stating the importance of local government and federal funding to America's communities, the impact of foreign policy on the ability to provide needed resources to local governments, and the growing nuclear threat.
     In the plenary session led by the Women Mayors Leadership Alliance, Gabbard recalled Hawaiʻi's strong heritage of female leadership. Noting that each of Hawaiʻi's counties have been led by female mayors, she also named Queen Liliʻuokalani and Representative Patsy Mink as amazing leaders who continue to inspire.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spoke at the U.S. Mayors Conference on
Sunday in Honolulul. She talked about local and international
issues facing cities around the country. Photo from Gabbard
See the video.
   Gabbard spoke about the importance of supporting local leaders with federal funds. "There is amazing work that is done at the local level to serve the everyday needs of our people.  I know how important the resources are that you need to get that work done – to deal with things like infrastructure, making sure our residents have clean water to drink, sewage treatment plants that work, safe and clean parks, first responders, fire fighters, law enforcement, and more."
     The congresswoman noted the impact of American foreign policy on the federal government's capacity to deliver federal resources to communities, the increasing threat of nuclear war, and lack of preparedness and shelter for the American people in the event of a nuclear attack.
     "You cannot separate foreign policy from domestic policy. Since 9/11 alone, our country has sacrificed countless lives and over $6 trillion on wasteful regime change wars in countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Afghanistan, and on the nation-building caused by the destruction left in our wake," said Gabbard. "To give this a little context, we spend $4 billion every month in Afghanistan. Think for a moment – what could you do in your city with $4 billion?
     "It's imperative that every mayor, every leader at the local, state, and national level stand up and speak out," said the congresswoman. "Speak out against regime change wars, and the new Cold War and arms race that are sucking money out of our communities and threatening our future. Speak up and speak out for peace."  See the video.

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HUI MĀLAMA OLA NĀ ʻOIWI'S third Kaʻū festival, Mālama Nā Keiki, encouraged families and individuals to take steps toward better health. The Keiki Fest was held at Pāhala Community Center on Saturday. See coverage in yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
     Dr. Kaʻohimanu Dank Akora, who works for Hui Mālama, spends much time as a street doctor seeing homeless people and those who are homebound, unable or unwilling to go to a physician.
     She said she works with the Marshallese community and is willing to come to Kaʻū to see whomever needs medical care in their home or homeless camp.
    Hawaiʻi Child Passenger Safety Program  promoted car seat safety and gave out car seats. "Children under the age of four are required to ride in a child safety seat and children ages of four through seven to ride in a child safety seat or a booster," said the info distributed on car safety.
Laurel Ledward at Cancer Kine Tings.
Photo by Leilani Esperanza
     Family Support Hawaiʻi promoted an Early Head Start, answering questions about pregnancy, labor, and delivery; sharing the latest ideas in baby care and development; teaching about playing with infants and toddlers; and encouraging planning a healthy future "for you, your baby, and your family." Early Head Start is for those who are pregnant or have a child under 3 years old, are a teen parent or foster parent, are living below the poverty level, are receiving TANF benefits or S.S.I. benefits, or are homeless – or hidden homeless (couch-surfing) – and living in the districts of North and South Kona, Waikaloa, North and South Kohala, Kaʻū, Kamuela or Honokaʻa. For more, contact the closest office near you: Kaʻū, (808) 939-7028; Kona, (808) 334-4123. See familysupporthawaii.com or facebook.com/familysupporthawaii.
     PARENTS, Inc. provided information on prevention, education, and treatment services for men, women, and children. The organization hopes to strengthen families and create cycles of positive parenting in the community by providing resources, skills, support, and advocacy. Contact the closest office: Kaʻū, (808) 333-3460; Hilo, (808) 934-9552.
Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Oiwi brought education for keiki and families Saturday to Pāhala community Center. Among the displays was this illustration of The Balancing Act of Food and Fitness, which includes Activity. 
Leenal Castro explained its importance to health. Photo by Leilani Esperanza
     At the American Red Cross table, Uilani Soares gave natural disaster scenarios and ideas for what families could do to prepare. The group works to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
     Bay Clinic, which provides health care to the local people of Hawaiʻi, educated about the dangers of vaping, e-cigarettes, hookahs, and secondhand vaping. Bay Clinic states vape pipes, hookah pens, and e-cigarettes are, "A new way to addict people to nicotine," and that even vape products that don't contain nicotine may still be harmful.
     Project Vision Hawaiʻi provided free eye health screenings to participants at the festival and educated them about the importance of healthy eyes.
     Hawaiʻi Island Food Bank provided and received food for families that came to Pāhala's Community Center. Their mission is to end hunger in Hawaiʻi County.
Gaku Yamaguchi-Tiare Ortega of Otitis Media.
Photo by Leilani Esperanza
     Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻOiwi hosted tables with more activities, health information/awareness, and crafts, including Kahea; Whoa, Slow, Go; Jump Your Height; Otitis Media Screening; Sugary Drinks; Rainbow Frames; Cancer Kine Tings; Healthy Hapai; Grow Your Own Plant; and Makahiki Games.
     See more from the festival on yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
     See more on Hui Mālama.

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HECO SENT OUT A PHONE SCAM ALERT. According to the utility, scammers call customers and direct them to make payments on "overdue" bills at a convenience store. Hawaiian Electric Co.  warns customers to "Just Hang Up!" on scammers.
     Last week, statewide, Hawaiian Electric received more than 40 scam reports in a single day from a mix of customers – commercial, residential, and a church. The robocalls display "Hawaiian Electric" in the caller ID and the company's customer service number, "but don't be fooled," said an announcement from the utility.
     The recording tells customers "overdue" bills must be paid within 30 minutes or have their power disconnected. An 877 number is provided. When called, the scammer who picks up directs the customer to purchase a GObank voucher at a convenience store. GObank features online checking accounts where consumers can make deposits to accounts at participating retailers.
     The utility does not ask for or accept GObank payments.
     Customers need to be alert and recognize scams, especially when criminals threaten to disconnect service unless a payment is made, said the announcement.
     The utility offers the following tips: "If a caller says your utility account is delinquent and threatens to shut off service immediately unless payment is made, it's a scam. If someone calls from a utility demanding immediate payment over the phone, via money transfer, prepaid debit cards, or by Bitcoin, it's a scam. If a caller asks to meet the customer in person to pick up a payment, it's a scam."
     Go to hawaiianelectric.com/stopscams for more information.

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HURRICANE BARBARA, a tropical storm yesterday,  reached 100 mph today and continues to make her way toward Hawaiʻi. The second named storm of the Pacific hurricane season, at 8 p.m., Barbara was about  east southeast of Hawaiʻi, traveling west at 15 miles per hour, with 100 mph winds. She is forecast to pass from Eastern to Central Pacific waters by Saturday, by which time she is expected to have been downgraded to a tropical storm.

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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
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

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UPCOMING
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

SUNDAY, JULY 7
Postcards from the Edge - Painting Workshop w/Artist-in-Residence Alice Leese, Sunday, July 7, 10a.m.-noon, edge of Kīlauea, behind Volcano House. Meet and paint with Leese. Limited to 12 people, attendees will receive a postcard-sized blank canvas but must bring their own paints and a small travel easel. $75/person includes lunch at Volcano House. Register, fhvnp.org/events/postcards-from-the-edge-painting-workshop-with-artist-in-residence-alice-leese. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Sunday Clay - High Fire! w/Erik Wold, July 7 to Sept. 1, morning session 11:30a.m.-2:30p.m., or afternoon session 2:45-5:45p.m., Volcano Art Center. No class Aug. 25. Eight wheel-throwers and three hand builders slots per session. Per 8-week session, $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 materials fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, July 7 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park. 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, JULY 8
Applications for Ka‘ū High School, 2019-2020, Head Coaches for Coed Judo, Coed Swimming, and Boys Basketball. Applications due Monday, July 8. Pick up at school office weekdays, 8a.m.-4p.m. Must pass criminal background check. Athletic Director Kalei Namohala, 313-4161

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, July 8, 1p.m., contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351


Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Monday, July 8 (Committees), Tuesday, July 9 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Couples Dinner, Monday-Friday, July 8-12, 4:30-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Followed Couples Engagement, 6-8p.m. Hosted by Ocean View Baptist Church. Open to the public.

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.

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 Sunday, 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., Saturday, 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

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