Monday, May 06, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 6, 2019

Nā Wai Chamber Choir comes to Waiʻōhinu and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in May. See story, below. 
Photo from Jace Saplan
BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM is the state department to be managed by Mike Macartney, who is strongly supported by East Kaʻū and Volcano Sen. Russell Ruderman. McCartney was confirmed last Thursday as chief of DBEDT, following his tenure as Gov. David Ige's chief of staff from December 2014 through January 2019, when Ige appointed him director of DBEDT. The state Senate voted to confirm McCartney with 15 ayes and 10 nays. Ruderman and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele voted in support; west Hawaiʻi Sen. Dru Kanuha voted in opposition.
Mike McCartney is the new chief of
the DBECDT.
     Ige said McCartney "has a diverse resume with experience in the private and public sectors that will serve DBEDT well, including past president and chief executive officer of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, executive director of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, director of the Department of Human Resources Development Management and president and CEO of PBS Hawaiʻi. Mike also served in the Hawaiʻi State Senate for 10 years."
     Ruderman spoke in favor of the confirmation: "I can't help but note that there was no opposing testimony to the nomination and a hundred percent supportive testimony. Mr. McCartney came to Puna to spend the day with me during our crisis last year, not once but twice. I observed in him a good, caring person with a good heart and a lot of aloha."
     Ruderman said he was disappointed in legislators' negative comments on McCartney during his confirmation hearing. " I watched a good man and a friend treated with shocking disrespect. Only once before have I seen such mistreatment of a nominee in our house. No one's perfect. He's been criticized for a lack of communication. Communication is a two-way street. If you treat someone with antagonism instead of aloha, it's hard to expect open communication," said Ruderman.
     Ruderman referred to the chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development & Tourism, Glenn Wakai, who said, "Those running the state cannot be just nice and kind. They have to be competent. They have to be responsible. Mr. McCartney's mantra is 'to go fast you have to go slow.' That is not how businesses function. I urge you to vote no with me on Mr. McCartney's confirmation. The public deserves much better."

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 MEMBERS OF HAWAIIAN ROYAL SOCIETIES plan to walk in the early morning on Wednesday, May 8 in Kona to commemorate King Kamehameha's passing. A procession of chanters and Hawaiian royal societies will walk in the early morning hours along Aliʻi Drive to Kamehameha's Ahuʻena Heiau located at Kamakahonu. The community is invited.
     Kahu Kealoha Kaʻopua and Kauhane Heloca will lead a procession of chanters and Royal Societies starting at 5 a.m. from Hale Hālāwai, proceeding along Aliʻi Drive to Kaʻahumanu, fronting Kailua Pier, and leading to a 5:55 a.m. sunrise ceremony with protocols at Ahuʻena Heiau.
     At Ahuʻena Heiau, the procession will be met by Kai ʻOpua Canoe Club's convoy of canoes in Kamakahonu Bay. The procession of chanters and Royal Societies will face Hualālai. Then, the Kahu will lead the Royal Order Kamehameha I Moku o Kona in the chant E Ala Ē at sunrise. Presentation of hoʻokupu – offerings – by the Royal Societies and others will follow.
     ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu's Kona, Waimea, and Kohala chapters and the Daughters of Hawaiʻi will participate. Other Hawaiian societies, cultural entities, civic clubs, and others are invited to attend and present hoʻokupu.

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.

NĀ WAI CHAMBER CHOIR comes to Kauahaʻao Church Sunday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m. Artistic director Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan will lead the ensemble on their annual kauwela tour, which includes a concert at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's for the After Dark in the Park series, at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. "Join us on a musical journey that honors the music of both historic and modern-day mana wāhine centered around the moʻolelo of Hiʻiaka." Admission is free for all concerts, donations welcome.
     Based in Honolulu, Nā Wai Chamber Choir is a professional vocal ensemble based in Honolulu, whose mission is to "preserve, propagate, and innovate the legacy of Hawaiian choral music."

     Hilo native Saplan is a professor of music at UH Mānoa. Son of Marilyn and John Saplan, who reside in Hilo, his father's ʻohana is from Kaʻū and his mother's ʻohana is from Kohala. He calls Hilo his home.
     Find out more about Nā Wai at nawaichamberchoir.com. Find out more about Saplan at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/music/about-us/faculty/jace-saplan/.

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.

R&G Farms with farmer Bong Aquino, Melveen Camba,  Genard Camba, and Lois Yokata.  Family member Gloria Camba is President of the Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative, which sponsors Kaʻū Coffee Fest. Photo by Julia Neal

Berta Miranda with her award winning coffee. Her 
daughter Maris is a former Miss Kaʻū Coffee and 
works on sponsorships for the festival. 
Photo by Julia Neal
THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL KAʻŪ COFFEE FEST blew more than visitors and local coffee enthusiasts into Pāhala for its Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday. The wind whipped the shade cloth covering farmer coffee tastings and the grand stage, but the sun remained shining for the all day event.
     Many businesses, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority other government agencies, and the Edmund C. Olson Trust supported the event. The Kaʻū Coffee Farmers Cooperative and community group ʻO Kaʻū Kākou provided volunteers to stage the Hoʻolauleʻa. Hawaiʻi Coffee Association President Chris Manfredi was a major organizer of the event along with Brenda Iokepa Moses, of Kaʻū Valley Farms and Kaʻū Mahi. See more photos in this week's 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 

NO TSUNAMI THREAT to Hawaiʻi from a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that happened  near Papua New Guinea this morning, reports Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense.

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 
Kaʻū's Aliʻi Hawaiian Hula Hands Coffee is a family affair with farmer Francis Marques, right, and his daughter Connie
Koi, middle, who is also manager of Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Trini Marques is director of the Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant.
Photo by Julia Neal
AMERICAN JOB CENTER HAWAIʻI JOB FAIR happens Friday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Pavilion. This event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending are encouraged to come prepared with resumes and dressed professionally, as interviews may be done on-site. Businesses interested in participating may contact the Office of Housing and Community Development at 961-8379 for more information, or to request a registration packet; space for booths is limited.

Coffee drinks and mac nuts enjoyed by local residents at the Kaʻū Coffee Fest 
Hoʻolauleʻa last Saturday. Shane Augustine, right, is a mac nut machinery 
mechanic. Ed Olson, far left, owns thousands of acres of macadamia 
and coffee in Kaʻū, and has been a major sponsor of the festival 
for a decade. Photo by Julia Neal
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 USED VEHICLES AND PARTS AUCTION will take place through Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the County Building, located at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite #1401, Hilo. County of Hawai‘i accepts sealed bids of used equipment and vehicles "as is" and "where is." The County issues a "no warranty" sale to the highest bidder. Items listed as "Junked Vehicles" are for parts only; no new title will be given.
     Items are located at and may be viewed 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at County of Hawai‘i, Automotive Division – 630 E. Lanikaula Street, Hilo; Waiakea Fire Station Annex – 95 Kea‘a Street, Hilo; or East Hawai‘i Regional Sort Station adjacent to Hilo Landfill – 1651 Ho‘olaulima Road, Hilo.
Kaʻū Farm Bureau discusses feeding Hawaiʻi with attendees at Kaʻū Coffee
Fest Hoʻolauleʻa last Saturday. Its president Phil Becker, along with Merle
 Becker, held  Kaʻū Coffee & Cattle Day at their Aikane Plantation. 
Photo by Julia Neal
     Bidders must deposit 25 percent of the bid price in cash or draft drawn on a financial institution – cashier's check, traveler's check, or money order – payable to the Director of Finance, County of Hawai‘i, with their sealed bid. Personal checks, debit and credit cards will not be accepted for the deposit payment. Bids must be at or above the upset price and will be accepted in whole dollars only. Successful bidders will need to pay the outstanding balance within seven days of the close of bids, by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 30, or forfeit their deposit. Any bidder defaulting on the payment will be rejected, and the next highest bidder will be awarded the bid.
     See the publication list of vehicles in the Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald and West Hawaiʻi Today on Saturday, May 11 and 18.

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 SHEEP AND GOAT PARASITE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP happens Saturday, May 18, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register for the Hawaiʻi Sheep and Goat Association's Workshop by Sunday, May 12. $40 for HSGA members, $55 for non members (includes 2019 membership); includes one raffle ticket per person for donated prizes and lunch.
Kaʻū Lily celebrates agriculture by making many local jams and syrups and
presenting them at Kaʻū Coffee Fest. Photo by Julia Neal
     The first half of the day will be at North Hawaiʻi Education and Research Center in Honokaʻa. Hands-on training takes place after lunch at Ahualoa Farm. Dr. Christie Balcomb instructs on controlling parasites in sheep and goats by: Doing fecal checks under microscope; Learning how to calculate Eggs Per Gram; Knowing parasite control medications; Learning when and how to use dewormers.
     Sign up at hsga.net/events. Send questions to hisheepandgoat@gmail.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.

FREE LEGAL CLINICS will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kona KTA on Palani Road and at Hilo KTA on East Puainako Street. The clinics are free and open to the public, no fees or appointments. Topics include: bankruptcy, child custody, family law, elder care, employment law, landlord tenant, traffic court, motor vehicle citations, and trust, estate, and probate. Law Week community service event from the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division. HSBA.org/LawWeek, yldlawweek@gmail.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.

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
Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, 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.

MORE UPCOMING
MONDAY, MAY 6
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, May 6, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, MAY 7
Family Engagement Night, Tuesday, May 7, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, May 7 (Committees), Wednesday, May 8 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit VisitDental, Wednesday, May 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Medical, Thursday, May 30, 1 – 5 p.m. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Kākou, Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Author and ethnographer, P.F. "Ski" Kwiatkowski, speaks about Hawaiian kākau – tattoos – their origins and counterparts in other aspects of Hawaiian crafts. Displaying collection of tattoo needles and the materials that are used in creating the needles, the ink and the tattoos themselves. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Arts and Crafts Activity: Mother's Day Keepsake, Wednesday, May 8, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 2-7. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, MAY 9
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, May 9, 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

After Dark in the Park – The Road to Recovery: A Year Later, Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Park managers will present a community update about the challenges and successes of 2018, and how staff is working hard to open more areas. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

FRIDAY, MAY 10
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, May 10, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. ovcahi.org, 939-7033

Arts and Crafts Activity: Mother's Day Card, Friday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 1-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ReadySetGo! Wildfire Preparedness Workshop, Friday, May 10, 5:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Educational, free and family-friendly. Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Pablo Akira Meimler at pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org. hawaiiwildfire.org, or 808-885-0900

Light, Sound & Spirit by Ken Goodrich of Hawai‘i Photo Retreat, Friday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Talk and presentation of seven videos synthesizing music and projected imagery. Free, $5 donation suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Community Dance, Friday, May 10, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, MAY 11
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, Saturday, May 11-June 16, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Opening reception Saturday, May 11, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day – Wildfire Preparedness, Saturday, May 11, meet 9:30 a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Bring a water bottle, lunch, closed toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirt, and pants. Tools, gloves, water, and light refreshments provided.
nmok.orgfacebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Zentangle Inspired Labyrinth Art with Lois and Earl Stokes, Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. All welcome, no prior experience necessary. Supplies provided. Students invited to bring snack to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, MAY 12
Kauwela Tour, The Mo‘olelo of Mana Wāhine – Nā Wai Chamber Choir Concert, Sunday, May 12, 11:30 a.m., Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church. Free admission. Donations welcome. nawaichamberchoir.com

3rd Annual Mother's Day Chamber Music Concert, Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Music by Volcano Chamber Players Susan McGovern, viola, Glenda Johnson, violin, Meg Saunders, cello, Rumi Reeves, violin, guest Gerdine Markus on recorder and operatic vocals of D'Andrea Pelletier. Complimentary pupu. Beverages and flowers for purchase. $20/VAC ember, $25/non-member, free to children 12 and under. Funds raised support Niaulani Sculpture Garden and ongoing programs. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, May 12 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527

Mother's Day Buffet, Sunday, May 12, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish w/Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/Adults, $14.95/Child (ages 6-11). Reservations required, 967-8356. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Free STD Testing, Monday, May 13 – 2nd Monday, monthly – 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

ONGOING
Summer Fun Registration runs through Thursday, May 9, 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., at Nā‘ālehu Community Center and at Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. The Summer Fun Program, for keiki completing grade K-6, runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., June 12-July 19. $40 fee; $50 portion of registration fee funded by Councilwoman Maile David. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

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.

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.

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.