Monday, May 20, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 20, 2019

More than $7,000 will go to the Roxana and Orlando Argueta family, following Sunday's fundraiser at Miranda Farm.
The family and donors prayed for the fire victims. Photo by Julia Neal
OVER $7,000 WAS RAISED YESTERDAY at a fundraiser for the Argueta family, who lost their newly-built home in a fire in April in Ocean View. Miranda Farm, on Highway 11 near the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, hosted the event, with fresh homemade tacos, Salvadoran and Mexican Tamales, and Miranda Farm's coffee. An auction of donated baked goods helped raise more dough.
Maria Miranda helps Pastor Bob Stevenson auction off a dessert during a
fundraiser for her family members whose new home burned down in
 Ocean View in April. Photo by Lee McIntosh
     Maria Miranda, former Miss Kaʻū Coffee, of Miranda Farm, organized the event. She told The Kaʻū Calendar what happened to her family's home: "On April 23, 2019, my family received a devastating call that our family's house in Ocean View, Hawaiʻi had been engulfed in flames. My Aunt Roxana and my Uncle Orlando had been close to completing the construction of their first home, when in an instant they were left with nothing but the debris of fallen ashes.
     "Unfortunately, since the house was under construction, there was no insurance coverage for the house. Over ten years of savings was completely lost. The loss from the fire is estimated at over $125,000 of material and labor.
The entrance to Miranda Farm from Hwy 11.
Photo by Michael Worthington
     "This tragedy has shaken them, but they are standing strong and are grateful that no one was harmed. They have faith in God that they will rebuild their dream home in the future. I humbly ask that if you find it in your heart to give to this wonderful family, your support would be greatly appreciated."
     Miranda said her family reported that neighbors saw someone leave the house just before it went up in flames. Anyone with clues or information regarding the possibility of arson is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
     Miranda Farms representatives said they hope to hold more fundraisers for the Argueta family to help to rebuild the house lost to fire.
     To donate, see gofundme.com/f/my-aunts-house-burnt-down-today.

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Coffee and cattle at Miranda Farm. Photo by Julia Neal
THE COUNTY GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION TOLD THE STATE last week that it wants to provide more input to a Game Management Plan for the island. Commissioners, DLNR representatives, and members of the game hunting community gathered at a public meeting in Hilo last Tuesday.
     Pele Defense Fund leader Palikapu Dedman, originally from Kaʻū, told the commission to develop the plan with input from local hunters before passing it on to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. Commissioner Teresa Nakama said the Game Management Plan is "for our people that we represent; DLNR does not represent us. They are a political entity telling us what to do."
Palikapu Dedman.
Photo from Big Island Video News
     Richard Hoeflinger, who has long worked on developing a plan on behalf of hunters, said they spent a dozen years on a plan for Hawaiʻi Island. In 2007, a group of Hawaiʻi Island hunters met with DNLR officials to ask for a plan that would "sustainably manage Hawaiʻi's resources," to include game that many local people hunt to feed their families. The game includes wild pigs, sheep, turkeys, and other game birds. After the hunters approached the state, DNLR hired a game management planner.
     For three years, DLNR staff and hunters started drafting a plan. It identified game animals and their habitats, the human resources that could manage habitats and hunting, and economics of hunting. The process stalled before a final plan was implemented. Hoeflinter said, "From April 2010 to April 2017, nothing happened."
     In April of 2017, DLNR sent the working group of hunters an "extensively revised version" of the game management plan. Hoeflinger said that DLNR reported during meeting of the working group in May 2018 that it would also issue a contract to create a game bird management plan.
     DLNR wildlife biologist Kanalu Sprout and Steve Bergfield, Hawaiʻi Island forestry manager, both working for DNLR, said they plan to draft a new version of the game management plan from earlier versions, to be presented to the Hawaiʻi County Game Management Commission.   
Steve Bergfield and Kanalu Sproat of DLNR.
Photo from Big Island Video News
     Sproat and Bergfield said the commission should take concerns to state Game Management Advisory Commission representative, Ryan Clauson, first deputy director of DLNR, Bob Matsuda, or DNLR's Division of Forestry & Wildlife administrator, Dave Smith.
     Palikapu Dedman said that DLNR has a "bad habit" of telling local communities what to do with game, fishing, and other natural resources, and that Hawaiʻi Island should be responsible for its own natural resources management.
Donald Garo, with niece Cileyna holding his daughter 
Dlyla, weigh their pig at the Olson Trust weigh in 
site in Pāhala during the second annual Kaʻū 
Multicultural Society Pig Hunt. Photo by Aloha Vierra
     Dedman said the commission needs to listen to hunters so they can "tell how much pigs they catch. How much boars they see. How many billies they see. How many nēnē they see. What part of the district they stay in." He said the "heart of every hunter" is about taking care of "this island, its future, its resources."
     Dedman remarked that game animals could become backup for imported food to survive, in case of disaster. "Get a count, get a map, get everybody kōkua."
     He questioned the classifying of wild boar as an invasive species, saying pork had been "used in our ceremonies for how long?"
     Teri Napeahi, also of Pele Defense Fund, said she is concerned that the present rules are only about control and eradication of invasive species.
     Danny Itos, a hunter who spoke on behalf of himself and other hunters, asked what is being done about invasive weeds.
     Mark Carvilio said he raises goats and sheep to help control invasive plant species without disturbing endemic plants. He will be the guest speaker at the next commission meeting, in June.
Richard Hoeflinger.
Photo from Big Island Video News
     The Hawaiʻi county Game Management Advisory Commission is comprised of Stanley Mendes, Kean Umeda, James O'Keefe, Naniloa Pogline, Abraham Antonio, Grayson Hashida, Bronsten-Glenn "Kalei" Kossow, Teresa Nakama, and George Donev.

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TEACHERS NEEDING SCHOOLROOM SUPPLY HELP can sign up at ClassroomGiving.org. The site helps link donors with specific classrooms. Teachers can sign their classroom up by creating a supplies wish list on Amazon; verifying school employment, contact, and delivery information; and emailing the information to give@classroomgiving.org. Teachers can see the instructions at https://sites.google.com/site/classroomgiving/get-listed.

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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
JUST ANNOUNCED
RED PIN BOWLING happens every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at Kīlauea Military Camp Lanes, located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Bowl a strike with the RED PIN in the head pin position and get that game free. $3 per game, $1.75 shoe rental – don't forget to bring socks. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

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UPCOMING
TUESDAY, MAY 21
Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Lei, Tuesday, May 21, 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 13-17. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
Story Time with Auntie Linda of Tūtū & Me, Wednesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Pāhala Public and School Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571

Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Star Hanging, Wednesday, May 22, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 16-21. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, MAY 23
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, May 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, MAY 24
Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association's 21st annual Rural Health Conference and General Membership Meeting happens Friday, May 24, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. The meeting features youth achievements recognition and community resource networks, and offers free health screenings, informational booths, food exhibits, and door prizes.
     Special guests are Dr. Neal Palafox, MD, MPH Professor; University of Hawaiʻi; John A. Burns School of Medicine; and Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. A focus of the event will be embracing and understanding the cultural transition of Marshallese.
     To be a vendor at the event, call the Resource and Distance Learning Center at 928-0101. See krhcai.com.

 SATURDAY, MAY 25
15th Annual Celebration of Life Lantern Floating, Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Reed's Bay, Hilo, same day Pre-Event, 1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m., Ka‘ū Hospital, Pāhala. Pre-event features motorcycle and classic car community riding in procession to the hospital to meet and greet patients, staff and Ka‘ū Community before riding to main event. Celebration of life bracelet available online, $10 donation, limited supply. Public welcome to both events. Benefits Hawai‘i Care Choices. 969-1733, hawaiicarechoices.org

Support Ka‘ū Coast Stewardship by attending the Of Water classical piano and New York Metropolitan Opera soprano concert at Pāhala Plantation House on Saturday, May 25, at 6 p.m.  The soprano is a member of the Lorie Obra family of Ka`u Coffee fame. See more, below.

SUNDAY, MAY 26
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Public Update on Senior Housing happens Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m. okaukakou.org

MONDAY, MAY 27
Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 27, 3 p.m., Front Lawn, Kīlauea Military Camp. Keynote speaker: Lt. Col. Loreto Borce, Jr., Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area. Open to public. In case of rain ceremony will be moved indoors. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Memorial Day Buffet, Monday, May 27, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. BBQ Pork Ribs, Local Styles Fried Chicken, Smoked Vegetable Kabobs, salads and more. $20.95/Adults, $11.95/Child (ages 6-11). No reservations required. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

ONGOING
Summer Programs for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary registrations are open. Uplink All-Stars on Friday, June 7 through Friday, June 28 for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 21, Algebra camp is also open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
     For high school students, Early College runs from Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11.
     All three programs require registration by calling 313-4100.
     Open to all people under age 18, no registration required, the Seamless Summer Program offers free breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., and free lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on weekdays in the school cafeteria.

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

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.

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A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAʻŪ COAST will be held on Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. The concert is one in a series of performances during the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, in its third season in the islands. The series is called Of Water.
Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy
Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo
2018 International Bach Competition
Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum.
HIMF photo
     The recital features internationally acclaimed artists Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra and 2018 International Bach Competition Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum. They will perform works by Turina, Mahler, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, Duke, and more.
     Donations accepted at the event go to Kaʻū Coast non-profit stewardship organizations, including Nā Mamo O Kāwā, nmok.org; Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo, honuapopark.org; Ala Kahakai Trail Association, alakahakaitrail.org; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, wildhawaii.org; and Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, hoomalukau@gmail.com.
     In addition to the opportunity to donate to coastal stewardships, an opportunity to support Hawaiʻi International Music Festival is available by reserving best seats for $25 each. They are available at recitalpahala.bpt.me and at the door – cash or check only. See the concert schedule for other islands at himusicfestival.com. For overnight accommodations, contact Pāhala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811.
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