Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, August 19, 2019

Pāhala Preschool's classroom, shiny with newly painted, bright colors. The building and grounds, which have served
Pāhala's pre-Kindergarten keiki for over half a century, got a much needed makeover this summer. 

See how Lowe's Heroes Project came through for the school and community, below. Photo from Kathy Andrade

PĀHALA COMMUNITY CENTER WAS FILLED WITH KAʻŪ HIGH AND PĀHALA ELEMENTARY GRADUATES on Sunday. The annual reunion, luncheon, and celebration welcomes everyone to honor their alma mater.

Getting down at the Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary 

Alumni & Friends celebration on Sunday is
Brenda Domondon, who teaches ʻukulele and
singing at Pāhala Senior Center. 

Photo by Julia Neal

     The potluck drew many ethnic foods from throughout Kaʻū. Makanau filled the air with music. The girl band comprised of three sisters and a daughter features lead singer Denise Peralta; her mother Barbara Muranaka; and Muranaka's sisters, Claudette Sevarias and Bernadette Freitas. Backing up the women on bass is Kimo Tyson.

     Many of those gathered at Pāhala Community Center attended Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School as children of sugar cane field and factory workers. They come from many nationalities, including Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Filipino. The plantation closed in 1996. For a review of their history, see the Kaʻū News Briefs Labor Day edition from Sept. 4, 2017.

     Attendees like Clement Hirae came from as far as Boston. One of the organizers, Sally Naboa Louis, said she was thrilled with the goodwill and looks forward to next year.
     Four members of the hālau of the late Edna Agil performed hula. They were Sally Louis, Maggie Garbacz, Pauline Enriques, and Fran Volpe.

     James Yamaki also helped to organize the event on behalf of the class of 1958.
     The reunion group also plans a trip once a year to Las Vegas.

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TALK ACTION, TAKE ACTION SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED through Aug. 31. The surveys ask for information regarding 2018's Kīlauea eruption recovery. They are available for all Hawaiʻi County residents at recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite. Focus areas are households, businesses, and community. They are part of the second phase of recovery under the county's Talk Action, Take Action initiative. The initiative will use these three surveys to collect community input, which will shape both near- and long-term recovery efforts on Hawaiʻi Island, with a particular focus on the Puna District.

Makanau, with lead singer Denise Peralta; her mother Barbara Muranaka; Muranaka's sisters, Claudette Sevarias 

and Bernadette Freitas; and bassist Kimo Tyson. Photo by Julia Neal

     Hard copies of the surveys can also be picked up at Council member offices, the Department of Research & Development, and the Planning Department.

     Diane Ley, Director of Research & Development for the county, said, "We hope anyone affected by the Kīlauea eruption will fill out these surveys. By better understanding the specific needs of the community, individuals and businesses at this time, the recovery framework and resulting initiatives will better address the improved well-being of all still recovering. We invite everyone invested in Hawaiʻi Island to respond. The greater the participation, the more clarity the County and its community partners will have moving forward on recovery."

Chowing down on ono grinds at the 18th annual Kaʻū High & Pāhala 

Elementary Alumni & Friends celebration on Sunday at Pāhala Community 

 Center. Playing in the background, Makanau Band provided 

music to munch by. Photo by Julia Neal

     The Household Impact and Opportunity Assessment will help clarify what unmet needs families are experiencing. It will guide family outreach and long-term community planning.

     The Community Impact and Opportunity Assessment will provide direction for decisions about long-term recovery, including hazard mitigation, land use, natural and cultural resource management, infrastructure investments, housing, and economic development. The Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee will use the survey to make informed recommendations on priority objectives at its Tuesday, August 6 meeting.

     The Business Impact and Opportunity Assessment follows up on last year's business survey. The results will identify ongoing economic impacts as well as challenges and opportunities for business recovery. 

     Unless one chooses to be contacted individually, the information from the surveys will be anonymous.

     The surveys cover a range of topics, from questions about development in areas with adequate access, to asking individuals and families if they are still in need of replacement housing.

Surveys are at recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite.

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LOWE'S HEROES PROJECT VOLUNTEERS SPRUCED UP PĀHALA PRESCHOOL this summer. The preschool has served Kaʻū for over 25 years, under the direction of the Andrade family, beginning with Judy Andrade and currently operated by her daughter, Kathy Andrade. The school, where staff teaches their students "the core values of being a Christian along with development and preparedness for entrance into kindergarten," has welcomed more than 750 keiki for early training in the classrooms and grounds.

Lowe's Project Heroes volunteers, some paint-spattered after some hard work sprucing up Pāhala Preschool. 

Photo from Kathy Andrade

     Over the last quarter century, on grounds owned by the Methodist Church, the building has withstood numerous hurricanes, earthquakes, and high winds, and was in need of several repairs. This year, through Lowe's Heroes Project, Pāhala Preschool "has been blessed with a makeover," said Andrade.

Ebby, the Lowe's employee who spearheaded the project. 

Photo from Kathy Andrade

     Lowe's Heroes Project encourages Lowe's employees to volunteer and positively impact their communities. The program is designed to motivate employees to adopt a volunteer project with a local nonprofit organization or school, and make a difference.

     Said Andrade, "This momentum of blessings has made a positive improvement to Pāhala Preschool. Lowe's employees have come to Pāhala Preschool as volunteers and have left as family."

     Donations from Lowe's helped volunteers transform the school. Colorful new paint covers the interior and exterior, including the children's tables and cubbies. New fixtures, lights, and rugs replace worn versions. New swings for playtime are outside, along with two new table and bench sets, which can be used for snack time, lunch, activities, and fellowship.

     Andrade said the Lowe's Heroes Project volunteers donated "hours of hard work, sweat, love, and friendship, as they rejuvenate Pāhala Preschool, to serve children of the Kaʻū district in the future."

Rolling and edging, it took many hands to transform 

Pāhala Preschool into its newly painted, colorful self. 

Photo from Kathy Andrade

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HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ARTIST IN RESIDENCE for August, Andy Jarema, performs tomorrow night at an After Dark in the Park concert. the program, on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium is free; park entrance fees apply.

     This "young and innovative" Detroit-based musician and composer has created music inspired by the park's fauna and geology, by using a mix of sound-collage techniques, his trumpet, and traditional scoring.

     Jarema's said his creative aim for the residency is "to sonically capture the natural landscape of the park with my recording device: the quiet hiss of a steam vent, the screech of an ‘io flying overhead, the rush of the waves striking Hōlei Sea Arch. From there, I would integrate these recordings into various forms of music to stitch together a sonic portrait of the natural beauty of the park." Jarema is known for integrating hip-hop nature beats, music videos and classical music into his work.

     The artist in residence program is sponsored by the National Parks Arts Foundation, the National Park Service, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and other generous benefactors. NPAF is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the promotion of the national parks by creating dynamic opportunities for artworks that are based in natural and historic heritage. All NPAF programs are made possible through philanthropic support.

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‘ŌHI‘A LOVE FEST at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo happens Sunday, Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free public event offers arts, crafts, and learning centered around the ʻōhiʻa, Hawai‘i's most abundant native tree. The 3rd annual event will also focus on conservation efforts, as ‘ōhi‘a is threatened – especially on Hawaiʻi Isalnd – with two deadly funguses.

     ‘Ōhi‘a "play an integral role in Hawaiʻi's ecosystems and culture," states the releae from 'Imiloa. "We are all connected to ‘ōhi‘a in some way, from the water we drink, the landscapes we protect, the lei we wear, the mele (songs) we sing, the beauty we take in while hiking, hunting, or even driving over Saddle Road, to that beloved tree in your back yard or favorite forest."

     The public is invited to come and listen to history, legends, and workshops about ‘ōhi‘a shared at Mo‘olelo (Story) Corner; take a tour through a 3-D ‘ōhi‘a forest experience; sow some ‘ōhi‘a seeds to take home and start a mini forest; and watch the 3-time Emmy award-winning film Saving ‘Ōhi‘a - Hawai‘i's Sacred Tree, a documentary about the fight against Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death disease. Attendees are invited to get answers to questions about ROD, the fungal disease threatening ‘ōhi‘a, directly from ROD researchers.

     ‘Ōhi‘a Love Fest also features crafts, games, prizes, educational booths, a photo booth, live music, hula, and food vendors. Attendees will also have free access to ʻImiloa Astronomy Center and the planetarium.

     The festival is a zero-waste event; bring personal, reusable water bottles. The event is hosted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources-Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension Service, with support from the Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death Working Group and ʻImiloa Astronomy Center.
     See imiloahawaii.org and cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

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

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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

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
Free Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs Saturday, Aug. 24, Ocean View. KARES, Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service brings the clinic to Kaʻū in an effort "to reduce the high euthanasia rate within our community." For more and to register, call 328-8455.

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, Saturday, 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

Give Input on the Draft General Plan for Hawaiʻi County on Sunday, Aug. 25, at Nāʻālehu Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2p.m. Drop in anytime to talk with planners. Download the Draft General Plan.

Palm Trail, Sunday, 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, Sunday, 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

MONDAY, AUG. 26

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, Aug. 26, 1p.m., contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

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%20
Grant%20Request.pdf. Information and applications are also available at the P&R office, Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6, Hilo. 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. 8, 4-7p.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.org, kaucoffeemill.com

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