Thursday, July 11, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, July 11, 2019

Park trail crew worker Thomas Hughes looks back towards Nāpau Overlook from the base of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. 
NPS photo/Greg Santos
A LONGER NĀPAU CRATER HIKING TRAIL IS OPEN. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park made the announcement today and reviewed the recent history.
     Before the eruption last year, Nāpau Trail meandered seven miles through geologically rich wilderness and ended at Nāpau Crater Overlook. From the overlook, hikers could watch the then-active Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption, and camp nearby. After the eruption Hawai‘i Volcanoes extended the trail two miles, taking it past the campground, across Nāpau Crater to the base of the vent. The trial is now nine miles, one way.
‘Āma‘u ferns and cinder landscape of Nāpau Crater. NPS photo/Greg Santos
     Acting Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh said, "We are excited to reopen more of the park to backpackers now that Kīlauea is quiet and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent is no longer an eruption hazard. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent will remain closed due to its steep and unstable flanks, but hikers will be able to walk right up to its base."
     Features on the moderately difficult hike include volcanic craters, historic eruption sites, a primitive tree fern factory, native rainforest, and fragile lava tree molds. There is no water available at the campground, and all overnight camping requires a backcountry permit. Because of its remote location, day hikers on Nāpau Trail must sign in at the trailhead near the Mauna Ulu parking lot.
     For more information on Nāpau Trail and how to obtain a backcountry permit for overnight camping, visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_napau.htm. Additional disaster recovery continues in the Park, which sustained serious damage from the 60,000 earthquakes that shook Kīlauea between April 30 and Aug. 4, 2018. The public is encouraged to stay informed of the recovery progress by checking nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

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Volcano Winery owners Marie and Del Bothof at last year's record-breaking,
sold-out event. Photo by Aubrey Hawk
VOLCANO WINERY'S ANNUAL FUNDRAISING HARVEST FESTIVAL tickets go on sale Aug. 1 at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
     This sixth festive evening of live music, food, wines and craft beers under the stars happens Sunday, Sept. 8, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The $50 per person tickets include live music entertainment by Young Brothers; delicious food and drink from local restaurants; award-winning wines and teas from the Volcano Winery; tours of the vineyards and a huge raffle.
     Last year's sell-out event raised a record $10,000, which funded student transportation to real-world study sites. According to school Principal Kalima Kinney, this year's Harvest Festival has a special fundraising mission: to sustain and expand the school's Healthy Food Program and Food Sustainability initiatives.
     Said Kinney, "Nutritious food is a foundation for successful learning and Volcano School has been proud to offer students free, healthy breakfast and lunch for every student every day. We're also dedicated to using local products in student meals to support local farmers and food sustainability efforts to reduce our school and community's reliance on imported food."
The crew from Eagle's Lighthouse, one of the many local
restaurateurs featured at the 2018 Harvest Festival.
Photo by Aubrey Hawk
     Del and Marie Bothof, owners of Volcano Winery, said, "It's been our pleasure for six years now to host this magical event for Volcano School. We're especially excited that proceeds from this year's ‘ono food and wine festival will support local students with nutrition needed for optimal learning, as well as help our community become more resilient and self-reliant."
     Volcano School of Arts & Sciences is a Hawaiian-focused public charter school dedicated to the mission of learning through Volcano's unique natural and cultural resources to become creative global citizens. VSAS is accepting enrollment applications for the 2019-2020 school year, which starts Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education (CBE) Program; the school may also have space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800, or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll.

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WHILE OFFERING SOME OF THE LOWEST HOMEOWNER TAX RATES IN THE COUNTRY, HAWAIʻI is far from the most affordable place to establish a first home, according to a WalletHub study. Based on statistics from Honolulu, WalletHub reports homeowner property taxes are 12.9 times lower than in the city with the highest property taxes: Waterbury, Connecticut.
     However, property tax savings in Honolulu are offset by many other expenses. In a WalletHub survey of 300 cities nationwide, Honolulu ranks 270th in the affordability of purchasing a home, 300th in energy affordability, and 276th in cost of living.
     With the country's highest monthly average household energy bills, at $388.65, the cost of energy is 4.2 times higher than in Shreveport, Louisiana, which boasts the lowest monthly energy cost, at $93.58.
     Historically, July is one of the top months for home sales. To determine the best places to buy a first home, the data set ranges from housing affordability to real-estate tax rate to property-crime rate.
Growing limu in the ocean using only sustainable, natural resources
is the plan of Kampachi farm. Photo from kampachifarm.com
     See the report at wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-cities-for-first-time-home-buyers/5564.

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GROWING LIMU AS A SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND FUEL SOURCE, USING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, is being researched by Kampachi Farms. Its  Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources team. MARINER is applying for a three-year federal permit and $1 million grant from the Department of Energy to deploy the Blue Fields Offshore Macroalgae (limu) Demonstration Project. This seaweed demonstration project planned for offshore waters adjacent to Pawai Bay and the Old Airport County Recreation Park, in Kona.
     The submersible growing platform will be approximately 1.5 nautical miles offshore and will normally be below the water surface. The proposed demonstration array will be moored to the ocean bottom at about 120m (400 ft) of water, which should mean that there are no significant impacts on water quality, coral reefs, or dolphin resting activity.
Kampachi farm at NEHLA. Photo from kampachifarm.com
     The demonstration aims to prove this type of cultivation is sustainable, using only the energy that exists in the natural environment: wind, wave, current, and solar. The project will culture only native or endemic Hawaiian macroalgae species, such as limu. The suitability of a few other native species is being testing in on-shore trials at the Kampachi Farms' research yard at the Natural Energy Laboratory.
     See kampachifarm.com/projects. Read the full Draft Environmental Assessment. 

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A NEW COURT CASE ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT sparked responses from Hawaiʻi's U.S. Senators.
     Sen. Brian Schatz said the Trump administration is going to federal court "to try to gut the entire Affordable Care Act. Not just pre-existing conditions, not just Medicaid expansion. The whole thing. Today I'm standing for… all Americans who rely on the ACA, to say we cannot let this happen."
     Sen. Mazie Hirono said she is "fighting against Trump and Republican efforts to undermine and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Health care is personal to every single American. I, along with millions of other Americans, have a pre-existing condition. The Republican crusade to eliminate health care for millions of Americans is inexplicable, cruel, and downright dumb."
     She said the Texas court case, Texas v. Azar, "led by 18 Republican Attorneys General and Bill Barr," challenges the ACA as unconstitutional.
     Said Hirono, "I will keep fighting to protect health care for the nearly 20 million Americans who stand to lose their health insurance if the law is repealed, and the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions."

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FLOWER DRUM SONG, Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's Summer Musical, runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., July 12 through 28, at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Tickets for the Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, The Most Irresistible Shop, and at door. $20/general admission, $15/student or over 60, $12/age 12 and under. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com, kden.org.

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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
FRIDAY, JULY 12
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, July 12, 9a.m.-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Community Dance, Friday, July 12, 7-10p.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

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's Summer Musical: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., July 12 through 28 at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Tickets are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, The Most Irresistible Shop, and at door. $20/general admission, $15/student or over 60, $12/age 12 and under. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com, kden.org

SATURDAY, JULY  13
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, July 13, 8-11a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Saturday, July 13, meet 9:30a.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.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Writing from the Heart with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, Saturday, July 13, 9:30a.m.-4p.m., Volcano Art Center. $65/VAC member, $75/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org, franceskaihwawang.com

38th Annual Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival at Kahuku Unit, Saturday, July 13, 10a.m.-3p.m. Free. Live music, hula, and hands-on Hawaiian cultural activities and demonstrations. Food available for purchase. Visitors welcome to bring picnic lunch. nps.gov/havo

Meeting on Childcare for Kaʻū Coffee Farm Workers, the Keiki OʻPalehua ʻOhana Program, happens Saturday July 13, 3 p.m., at Kaʻū District Gym's Activity Center. All Kaʻū farmers encouraged to attend. Childcare with educational activities will focus in part on the Marshallese community, which provides much labor for the coffee industry and is in need of childcare.
     The meeting will discuss "how the community can help and why community cooperation is important," said childcare organizer Laura Diaz. "Are we ready and willing to commit to this project? This program benefits all of us coffee growers in the Kaʻū area. We need your support, and to do that you have to make an effort and attend this meeting. Attendance counts for requesting additional federal funding and monetary donations."
     Discussion will also include progress on the building; securing additional in-kind donations; assistance from the County Department of Research and Development; recruiting farm worker families to participate in the program; and insurance coverage. Also on the agenda are the time-table for launching and starting the program; and planning the Grand Opening Celebration.
For more information, contact Diaz at 928-8188.

Soul Town Band performance, Saturday, July 13, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Theater. $5 cover charge. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, JULY 14
Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, July 14 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3-5p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527

MONDAY, JULY 15
Monday Movie Night: Fire & Sand (Local Documentary), Monday, July 15, 7p.m., $5 donation suggested. Popcorn and snacks available for purchase. Bring cushion. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

TUESDAY, JULY 16
The Wonderful World of Wine & Watercolor, Tuesday, July 16, 4-7p.m, Volcano Art Center. 
$30/VAC member, $35/non-member, $17 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

After Dark in the Park -Texas Rancher and Painter Alice Leese, HVNP July Artist in Residence, Tuesday, July 16, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. While in the park, Leese – who works her family’s 100-year-old ranch – will feel the volcanic panoramas, plants, and animals, then share her artistic interpretations with the public. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, July 17, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Learn About Water Law and how to advocate for water at a Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries meeting at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, July 17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ka Huli Alo will provide a brief overview of Hawaiʻi legal framework governing water resource management. It will be followed by a discussion on "how homestead communities can advocate for pono, righteous, use and protection of wai, water," says the announcement.
     The session is free and open to all DHHL beneficiaries. RSVP by Sunday, July 14 to Tereariʻi at 808-956-4025 or nhlawctr@hawaii.edu. Include community name in RSVP. Dinner and refreshments are provided for those who RSVP.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, July 17, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

ONGOING
Enroll in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 & 6, with programs continuing following week in Nā‘ālehu on Monday & Wednesday, 8:45-10:45am, and Pāhala, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30-10:30am. Space is limited. pidfoundation.org

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 Friday, July 12. 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.

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.org, kaucoffeemill.com

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