Saturday, August 17, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, August 17, 2019

A grandfather and his grandchild enjoy stamping a traditional head scarf at tonight's Bon Dance celebration at Pāhala Hongwanji. A mother and her infant, in traditional garb, also enjoy the festivities. Photo by Julia Neal
BON DANCING, THUNDERING TAIKO DRUMS, and Japanese songs at Pāhala Hongwanji Saturday evening honored the agricultural harvest and celebrated a remembrance of ancestors. Participants of all ages, from as far away as Japan, donned kimono and other traditional Japanese attire, dancing in the round, beneath the yagura tower.
A Buddhist priest took up an ʻukulele at the service to kick off Pāhala
Hongwanji Bon Dance tonight. Photo by Julia Neal
     To kick off the evening's celebration, a service in the Pāhala Hongwanji sanctuary, open to people of all faiths, offered opportunity to learn about Buddhist teachings and to join in singing. The priest took up an ʻukulele to add to the local flavor of the service. He sang and talked about appreciation of the gift of life and pushing back from discrimination against all others.
     During the Bon Dance evening, everyone was invited to learn about the history of Japanese in Kaʻū and all of Hawaiʻi. Stamping of head scarves, traditionally worn during the dance, was open to young and old.
     Paul Sakamoto's Taiko Drummers played. The community organization ʻO Kaʻū Kākou and its President, Wayne Kawachi, organized the event, selling food and shave ice.
     The facilities at Pāhala Hongwanji include a Japanese school house, now used for aikido and other activities, including a future child care center for coffee workers; an assembly hall with a stage; a kitchen and dining room; and the Buddhist sanctuary and parsonage.
Five-month-old Milo, sporting a traditional head scarf
and baby kimono, participated in tonight's Bon Dance
celebrations. Photo by Julia Neal
     Saturday marked the fourth Bon Dance since the revival of the tradition in 2016. The annual event drew together the many cultures of the town for generations during sugar plantation days. It ended in 1999, just three years after Kaʻū Sugar Co. closed its sugar fields and mill in Pāhala. The revival of the Bon Dance in Pāhala includes the broad community.
   See more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

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MAUNAKEA ACCESS ROAD BELONGS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, contends state Sen. Kai Kahele. He said he and Sen. Kurt Favella, of Ewa Beach, will ask the state Attorney General and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to determine who holds title and jurisdiction of Maunakea Access Road.
     Kahele, who represents Hilo and is running for Congress to represent the District that includes Kaʻū, posted a memo to Facebook early this morning. 
     He said that for the state to own Maunakea Access Road, it must: Initiate a land exchange with Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to trade for other land of  equal value; complete a land appraisal; conduct beneficiary consultation; and receive approval of the land exchange from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
The pink circle, bottom, shows the intersection of Maunakea
Access Road and Daniel K. Inouye Hwy. The green circle, top,
shows the end of the winding road, about 6.25 miles up the
mauna and about half way to the summit.
Photo from Google Maps
     Kahele described the history of the Maunakea Access Road as follows:
     On July 9, 1921, Congress passed the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act to set aside about 200,000 acres of land in the Territory of Hawaiʻi as a "land trust for homesteading by Native Hawaiians." Native Hawaiians are identified in the act as "having a minimum of 50 percent or more of native Hawaiian blood quantum."
     Between 1921 and the late 1970s, thousands of acres of the original land trust were "illegally taken, withdrawn, and transferred via executive authority by the Territory of Hawaiʻi, United States Military (during WWII), and the state of Hawaiʻi, in breach and clear violation of the HHCA," said Kahele.
     On Aug. 15, 1983, a federal and state task force on HHCA, chaired by Ann Nathaniel, submitted a report to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and Governor of Hawaiʻi on "recommendations to correct many of the past grievances and direct the Federal Government to settle land claims and the State of Hawaiʻi to improve its performance as a trustee." This report was the basis for the 1996 Hawaiian Home Lands and Recovery Act, championed by U.S Senator Daniel K. Akaka, when federal lands of Barbers Point Naval Air Station, Kalaeloa, were returned to the land trust.
     In 1991, Gov. John Waiheʻe convened a "Task Force on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Land Title and Related Claims" to investigate and resolve DHHL's "illegal land use claims against the state." The results of the task force became the basis for ACT 14 in 1995.
     On Nov. 4, 1994, the Hawaiian Homes Commission discussed "Proposals to Resolve DHHL Land Title and Related Claims (Roads and Highways Proposal)," which identified the Mauna Kea Observatory Road (65.142 acres) as one of the many unsettled land claims throughout the state.
     In 1995, the state legislature convened a special session to introduce HB 10-S, which would become Act 14. It established a $600 million cash settlement, including a settlement for all roads and highways that were in breach of the trust. Act 14 specifically called for "the initiation of a land exchange to ready uncompensated use of Hawaiian Home Lands for State roads, claims, and highways."
Sen. Kai Kahele
     In 1997, a dispute erupted between DHHL and the state Department of Transportation on whether or not $5 million from the state auctioning off an estate would be used to pay Hawaiian Home Lands to buy land used for state roads and highways. State Attorney General Margery Bronster stated that "no formal agreement took place" and that DOT was not obligated to transfer $5 million to DHHL.
     On March 15, 2018, DOT designated the Mauna Kea Observatory Road as a State Highway Route. It is identified as being 6.27 miles in length, starting from the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway, to 125 feet past the Hale Pōhaku Visitor Information Center Entrance.
     On Jan. 28 and 29, DHHL received an update on the Act 14 Land Claim Settlement. In that report, under the "Roads and Highways Settlement," DHHL reports that, "To date, no lands have been conveyed to DHHL to satisfy the State's commitment to compensate the trust for its uses of Hawaiian Home Lands as state highways on various islands," totaling a claimed amount of 346.203 acres. The total outstanding land claim is 1,328.745 acres. This includes the Maunakea access road.
     On Aug. 14, in a state Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee hearing, Interim DHHL Chair William Aila acknowledged, "There is no evidence of any land exchange" in regards to the Maunakea Access Road as required by ACT 14.

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Thirty Meter Telescope supporters lined the roadway near the Hilo Walgreens on Thursday. 
Photo from BigIslandVideoNews
THIRTY METER TELESCOPE SUPPORTERS staffed the roadside in Hilo outside Walgreens on Thursday, with about 100 people waving signs and throwing shakas. Signs sported various TMT slogans of support: Imua [move forward] TMT; Kū Kiaʻi [Stand Guard] TMT; TMT A Brighter Future for Hawaiʻi; This Introvert Supports TMT; TMT = Education; TMT = Future; Explore the Stars; and Open the Road.
Jason Chu, Gemini Observatory.
Photo from BigIslandVideoNews
     Supporters included members of PUEO, Perpetuating Unique Educational Opportunities, which seeks to "create an environment conducive to learning and foster opportunities in Hawaiʻi in technology and culture." Its website connects modern astronomy with the ancients who discovered Hawai`i traveling to the islands using the sky to navigate. It says the goals of the TMT explorers are similar– seeking knowledge and scientific discovery, with  the belief that the new telescope will not negatively impact the environment.
     Jason Chu, a post-doctoral fellow with Gemini Observatory, said "As the polls recently showed, there are a lot of people who – in Hawaiʻi – are behind this project." He said there are many "who believe in all the benefits that this project will give, and so we are here to show the governor that there are people here who firmly believe that the project should go forward. And also for him to enforce law and open the roads up for TMT to go up.
     "On Big Island, here with Maunakea, we have a very, very valuable scientific resource. We would love to share – with Native Hawaiians and everybody. Share the beauty of the mountain and also share the scientific discoveries that can come from the mountain. And so we share that with the entire world and that will put Hawaiʻi on the map of the entire world."

Kaʻū High graduate, union leader, volunteer firefighter, 
Portuguese bread baker Magaret Ann Cabudol and her 
friend and community volunteer DeeDee Davis at last 
year's Alumni & Friends celebration. Photo by Julia Neal
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KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ALUMNI & FRIENDS REUNION, the 18th annual potluck and community celebration, happens Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
     Bring a favorite dish to share. Live music, and food and fellowship for everyone. The celebration is open to the entire community, and is sponsored by the alumni of Pāhala Elementary and Kaʻū High School. The event also celebrates Hawaiʻi's 60th year of statehood.

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HAWAIʻI ISLAND SOUTHWEST AIRLINE FLIGHTS between Hilo and Honolulu start January 19. Flights between Kona and Kahului, the Bay Area, Oakland, and San Jose also start mid-January.
     By January, Southwest will operate 34 departures a day on interisland routes alone.
Southwest Airlines started operating in Hawaiʻi in March. Photo from SWAir
     Southwest Airlines President Tom Nealon said, "We're energized by the warm aloha Southwest has enjoyed in response to our initial Hawaiʻi  offering. This second wave of service is an investment that broadens our everyday value through low fares, no fees to change tickets (though fare difference may apply), and two checked bags free for everyone. We're focused on bringing Hawaiʻi
an authentically Southwest experience, with comfort across all seating – for every customer – along with in-cabin snack enhancements for our flights between Hawaiʻi and the mainland."
    The airline offers an "industry-leading" 32-inch seat pitch, "Hawaiʻi and Islands-inspired" drinks and snacks, gate-to-gate connectivity on WiFi-enabled aircraft, and free inflight movies, live TV, and messaging.
     Southwest Airlines first operated Hawaiʻi service on March 17.

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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:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
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:
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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UPCOMING
SUNDAY, AUG. 18
Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sun., Aug. 18, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike. nps.gov/havo

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School Alumni & Friends Reunion, the 18th annual potluck and community celebration, happens Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
     Bring a favorite dish to share. Live music, and food and fellowship for everyone. The celebration is open to the entire community, and is sponsored by the alumni of Pāhala Elementary and Kaʻū High School. The event also celebrates Hawaiʻi's 60th year of statehood.

Private Excursion: Trail Less Traveled, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2p.m.-4p.m., Devastation Trail Parking Lot, HVNP. Moderate 2 mile hike. $40/person. Park entrance fees may apply. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, fhvnp.org

MONDAY, AUG. 19
Forest Restoration Project: Faya Tree Removal (12+), register by Monday, Aug. 19 for Friday, Aug. 23 event from 8:30a.m.-1p.m., HVNP. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees may apply. Space limited. R.S.V.P. to Patty Kupchak, 352-1402, forest@fhvnp.orgfhvnp.org

Empower Girls Mtg., Monday, Aug. 19, from 3-4:30p.m., PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Registration required. Diana, 935-4805

TUESDAY, AUG. 20
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Aug. 20 (Committees), Wednesday, Aug. 21, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Concert with Artist-in-Residence Andy Jarema, After Dark in the Park, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 7p.m.Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The Detroit-based musician and composer uses a mixture of sound-collage techniques, his trumpet, and traditional scoring to make site-specific work. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 12:30-1:30p.m.Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Registration Open: Kickball Instruction, Wednesday, Aug. 21-28, Kahuku Park. Program on Fridays, 2-3:30p.m, from Aug. 30-Sept. 27, for ages 6-12. Athletic shoes required. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, AUG. 22
Registration Open: Handprint Trees, Thursday, Aug. 22-Sept. 3, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place Wednesday, Sept. 4, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Aug. 22, 3-4p.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

SATURDAY, AUG. 24
Pickleball at KMC, Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25, Kīlauea Military Camp Tennis Courts, HVNP. $10 in advance. Registration forms at KMC recreation Lodge. 967-8352 or Jim Buck, kilaueajimmy@gmail.com. KMC open to all patrons, and has certain Terms of Service. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com 

Kapapala Ranch Tour by Volcano Community Foundation, Saturday, Aug. 24, time TBA, Volcano Art Center. Travel along the Peter Lee Road that runs between Pāhala and Volcano, built in 1988. See Volcano Art Center's partner event listed for Aug. 8. $50/person includes lunch. Reserve a space, 895-1011, volcanocommunity@gmail.com

Realms and Divisions, Sat., Aug. 24, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, two-mile, hike. Bring snack. nps.gov/havo

Dances of Universal Peace, Saturday, Aug. 24, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Church hall, across from Nā‘ālehu post office. Fun, easy to learn dances from many traditions evoking peace. Donations welcome. No registration necessary. 939-9461

SUNDAY, AUG. 25
Free Entry to all National Parks - NP Service 103rd Anniversary, Sunday, Aug. 25. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

Palm Trail, Sun., Aug. 25, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult hike - 2.6-mile loop. nps.gov/havo

A Taste of Tea & Pottery 2019, Saturday, Aug. 25, noon-4p.m., Volcano Art Center. Annual fundraiser for VAC's Fire Arts Programs. $30/VAC members, $35/non-member, includes choice of one handmade tea cup or bowl, tasting of several freshly brewed Hawai‘i grown teas, and option to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Door prizes, silent auction, and cookies, packaged tea, and tea cups available for purchase. Vote for favorite Hawai‘i grown tea through Taster's Choice Award. Hands-on experiences with clay and demonstrations. Eva Lee speaks. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING
Applications for Grants to Steward PONC Protected Lands on Hawaiʻi Island are open through Friday, Aug. 31. In Kaʻū, areas of the Kahuku Coast, Kahua Olohu, and Kāwā Bay are eligible. Only 501(c)3 non-profits or organizations that operate under the umbrella of a 501(c)3 non-profit should apply.
     Applications are available at records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/edoc/95324/2018-19%20PONC%20Stewardship%20Grant%20Request.pdf. Information and applications are also available at the P&R office, Aupuni Center101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6Hilo. Completed applications must be submitted or postmarked by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018. Questions? Contact Reid Sewake at 961-8311.

Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival Tickets are on sale at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit Volcano School of Arts & Sciences; last year's event sold out. This sixth festive evening of live music, food, wines and craft beers under the stars happens Sunday, Sept. 84-7p.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.

Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Volcano local photographer Jesse Tunison, daily through Sept. 15, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Nani Ka ʻIkena, that which is seen is beautiful, features vibrant colors and crisp, wide vistas which highlight the character and drama of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. The collection of ten photographs were captured over the past decade by Tunison and also document the dynamic changes which have occurred in such a short period of time. "While the landscape has changed the beauty has endured." Free; park entrance fees 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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