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| Santa Lance Ako heads up the second annual Christmas Lighting Parade in Nāʻālehu this evening. See more below. Photos by Julia Neal |
PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION GRANTS TO STEWARD KAʻŪ PROPERTIES were unanimously approved recently by Hawaiʻi County Council members. A $97,315 grant was awarded to Nā Mamo o Kāwā, to "protect, preserve, and restore" the Kāwā properties in Kaʻū. Hoʻomalu Kaʻū was granted $24,250, to "protect, preserve, and restore" the Kahuā Olohu, Kaunamano, property in Kaʻū. Both organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
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| Mrs. Santa, Pam Ako, is on the stroll. |
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Tim Johns, a member of the board of Hawaiian Electric, said, "Scott has been a leader of Hawaiian Electric's transformation into a more customer-focused enterprise that not only delivers on being a reliable, responsive energy provider but is also a trusted partner in achieving our state's sustainability goals."
Johns said the selection of a new CEO was part of the board's ongoing multiyear executive succession strategy. As part of that plan, Oshima will work with Seu for the next several months on the leadership transition and will serve as senior executive advisor to the company for the rest of 2020.
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| A baby Santa joins the parade with family and characters. |
Seu, 54, is a senior vice president at HECO. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Stanford University
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| Santa at sundown in the Nāʻālehu parade. |
With the rising threat of storm events related to climate change, Seu has also helped lead the company's resilience initiatives, focusing on community awareness and building stronger relationships with key public and private stakeholders.
Said Seu, "Growing up in Hawaiʻi and in the company, I feel a profound sense of duty to help chart the course for our future generations. This is a critical time in our state's clean energy transformation and as I talk to people it's clear that there are many different visions of the best way forward. That means our work isn't just about technology, but about pulling together as a community to collaborate and understand the choices we can make. I am humbled and honored to serve our community, our customers, and our employees as the next leader of Hawaiian Electric."
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| Big time vehicles join the Christmas parade. |
Seu is board chair of Hale Kipa and Hawaiʻi Green Growth. He also serves as a board member for Teach for America Hawaiʻi, and supports the University of Hawaiʻi College of Engineering
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| Kaʻū Multicultural Society with founder Darlyne Vierra and keiki join the parade. |
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| Paniolo legends in the parade sponsored by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association. |
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HAWAIʻI BIRD CONSERVATION MARATHON will be held tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 15, from Volcano Golf and Country Club to Boy Scouts' Kīlauea Camp. Funds raised by this third annual event support endemic birds of Hawai‘i through the Hawai‘i Forest Institute for the Keauhou Bird Conservation
Center Discovery Forest in Volcano.
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| The team from CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union marches to the tune of community service. |
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| A bucket truck picks up the Naugthy & Nice. |
RECEIVE SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PROTECT FROM AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY THEFT from Hawaiʻi Police Department Agricultural Investigator Shane Muramaru.
Agtheft, discussed at a meeting in Pāhala in September – see the article here – is a growing problem for ag producers on Hawaiʻi Island. Contact Muramaru at shane.muramaru@hawaiicounty.gov (preferred) or 808-961-0466. Refer to this factsheet for information about ownership and movement certificates for agriculture products.
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| Kaʻū Auto Repair shows off a Christmas tree of tires. |
NOMINATIONS FOR FARM, RANCH, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE are open through Tuesday, Dec. 31. The purpose of the FRRCC is to provide information and recommendations to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. Members may be farmers, ranchers, and rural community members, among others. Refer to the Federal Register for more information and instructions for submitting a nomination.
COMBATING THE SPITTLEBUG THAT DESTROYS PASTURES is the focus of new federal legislation introduced by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Ed Case to the House of Representatives this week. The spittlebug has devastated pastures in Kona and is likely headed this way.
The Spittlebug Act would authorize research and University of Hawaii Agriculture Extension grants to develop ways to combat the pest. It would establish an areawide integrated pest management program to control the damage and spread of a spittlebug infestation.
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| A blow-up tractor with a blow-up Santa join the parade. |
The two-lined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta, was first detected in Kona, where it damaged nearly 2,000 acres of pasture land.
Said Gabbard, "Spittlebugs threaten our precious ecosystems by damaging our farms, agricultural production, and the environment. While a spittlebug infestation has already negatively affected our grasslands in West Hawai ‘i, other states across the country also face the challenge posed by this invasive species. My bill will support efforts to control this invasive species, find new ways in which we can protect our environment, and help protect our economy."
Said Case, "Our grasslands are critical parts of our ecosystem and support critical industries like ranching. The spittlebug already threatens grasslands in some thirty mainland states and now, since its discovery as an invasive species in 2016, our Hawai‘i. We must take integrated action now to
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Progression of a two-lined spittlebug infestation from
initial attack (left, June 2018) on healthy range grasses involving
a small
patch to all visible range infested (right, Jan. 2019) with dieback of grasses
and increasing weed infestation.
Applications of pesticides and intensive
grazing in the early stage of an infestation may reduce the degree of
damage observed on the right.
Images from the Detection and Control of Prosapia bicincta
Two-line Spittlebug in Hawaiʻi project report
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prevent its spread and worsening impacts to our cattle industry and natural environment."
The Hawaiʻi reps provided this background information: "Studies conducted by the University of Hawai‘i beginning in 2016 have shown that a spittlebug infestation initiates a chain reaction that begins with the ravaging of key pasture grasses, creating an opportunity for invasive grasses to grow rampant. These invasive grasses lower the quality of the pasturelands, rendering it unproductive for livestock grazing. The latest report from November 2019 found about 142,468 acres of pasturelands infested with spittlebug, compared to 2,000 acres in September 2016.
"Across the country, the spittlebug is ravishing forage and turf grasses on public and private lands. States most impacted include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin."
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| Christmas mouse ornaments were one craft available at Hale Hana ʻO Kanakaloka on Thursday. Photo from Tūtū & Me |
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TŪTŪ & ME FAMILIES joined in the festivities at Hale
Hana ʻO Kanakaloka, Santa's Workshop, on Thursday evening
at Kaʻū District Gym. The families, along with others from the community, made
Christmas mouse ornaments. Other activities included other kinds of Christmas
crafts, including mini gingerbread houses, and storybook reading. Refreshments
were provided. The event was sponsored by Department of Parks & Recreation
Pāhala, in partnership with Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool, Boys & Girls
Club, Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, and Uplinks Afterschool Allstars.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
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
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2019-2020 Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball
Mon., Dec. 16 host Pāhoa JV/Christian Liberty
Tue., Jan. 7 @Kohala
Boys Basketball
Wed., Dec. 18 host Keaʻau
Sat., Dec. 21 @St. Joseph
Sat., Dec. 28 host Kohala
Fri., Jan. 3 host HPA
Sat., Jan. 4 host Pāhoa
Wrestling
Sat., Jan. 4 @Waiakea
Soccer
Mon., Dec. 16 Girls host HPA, 3pm
Wed., Dec. 18, @Keaʻau
Sat., Dec. 21 Boys host Christian Liberty, 3pm
Mon., Dec. 23 Boys host Kohala, 3pm
Sat., Jan. 4 Girls host Honokaʻa, 3pm
Mon., Jan. 6 @HPA
Sat., Jan. 4 @Kamehameha
UPCOMING
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
3rd Annual Hawai‘i Bird Conservation Marathon, Sunday, Dec. 15, Volcano Golf and Country Club to Boy Scouts' Kīlauea Camp. Funds raised support endemic birds of Hawai‘i through the Hawai‘i Forest Institute for the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest in Volcano. Race registration closed. Donations welcome; donors of over $100 invited to behind the scene tour of Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest, 10a.m.-noon, Saturday, Dec. 14. hawaiiforestinstitute.kindful.com
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sunday, Dec. 15,9:30-11a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Fr
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sunday, Dec. 15,
TUESDAY, DEC. 17
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Dec. 17 (Committees), Wednesday, Dec. 18, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Ti Leaf Lei Making with Jelena Clay, Tuesday, Dec. 17,
After Dark in the Park: Holiday Concert, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7-8p.m. , Kīlauea Visitor Center
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 12:30-1:30p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Family Reading Night, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6-7p.m.,Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria. Family reading time plus make and take activities; snacks provided.
THURSDAY, DEC. 19
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Dec. 19, 4-6p.m. , Cooper Center Volcano Village
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
Dances of Universal Peace, Friday, Dec. 20, 6-7:30p.m. , Methodist Church
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
Free Haircut Day, Saturday, Dec. 21, 9a.m.-1p.m. , St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Kady and Drew Foster. 12 slots available. Also, Free Shower Day and The Big Island Giving Tree hand out clothes and items like razors and toothbrushes. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org
Nature & Culture, Saturday, Dec. 21, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate hike, approx. 2 mil
ONGOING
Holiday Ornament Registration, through Dec. 16, Kahuku Park. Program takes place Wednesday, Dec. 18, 3-4p.m. Ages 6-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
Christmas in the Country featuring 20th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, daily, through Dec. 31, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees app
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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