Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, September 20, 2019

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park trail crew members Greg Carlin and Patrick Murphy remove an Area Closed sign 

on Kīlauea Iki Trail. The trail reopens on Sunday. Photo by Kaweni Māsaniai-Ibarra

KĪLAUEA IKI TRAIL'S FOUR-MILE LOOP IS OPEN to the public, as Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of allowing the public back into Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's after the 2018 volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. As the floor of Puʻu ʻŌʻo vent collapsed in Kīlauea caldera in late April, 2018, eruptions opened fissures and lava flowed across the east side of Hawaiʻi. Trails like Kīlauea Iki became subject to damages.

     Cracked trails and roads, water and sewer line breaks, as well as massive rock falls mark aftereffects of more than 60,000 earthquakes and constant eruptions within the Park.

Elizabeth Fien, CEO of Friends of Volcanoes National Park,
 which donated $57,290 toward the trail's restoration and
received matching funds from the National Park Service.
Photo by Kaweni Māsaniai-Ibarra

     Reporters attended a press briefing and took a Kīlauea Iki hike today. Representatives of the National Park Service and partner organization Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park presented updates on recovery efforts, and status of trails like Kīlauea Iki. HVNP public affairs representatives Jamie Richards and Jessica Ferracane attended the celebration, along with chief of facilities management, John Christensen, and trail crew members Greg Carlin and Patrick Murphy, who worked on restoring the trail.

     Murphy and Carlin described the extensive, year-long labor that went into restoring Kīlauea Iki, with help from the Youth Conservation Corps and other partners. Trail crews from more than five national parks – including Rocky Mountain, Olympic, and Great Smokey Mountains – flew in to aid with recovery. With limited clearance and integrity for vehicles or helicopters to bring in resources, workers used hand wheelbarrows to transport fill material, repairing sinkholes. They carried boulders by hand. Roughly seven tons of fine grained material and two tons of larger rocks re-established the trail tread and filled in sinkholes.

Hiking Kīlauea Iki.
Photo by Kaweni Māsaniai-Ibarra

     Said Murphy, "We tried to use as much of the rocks that had fallen for restoring the trail." Wearing respirators to protect themselves from debris, workers were able to pound wedges and drill holes into large boulders to make them easier to carry.

     Other work – like clearing invasive faya trees, repairing railings, and relocating benches from probable danger spots – continued, opening the scenic vistas of Kīlauea Iki. Landmarks such as Puʻu Puaʻi, the site of a 1959 eruption, are available for public access.

     The first 2.4 miles of Kīlauea Iki trail opened to the public in April, but heavily damaged areas remained closed until now. Many other trails still remain compromised and closed to the public. The Park plans to continue repairing and restoring areas for progressive openings in early 2020. Full access to places like Hilina Pali and Crater Rim are expected by the summer of 2020.
     Other work – like clearing invasive faya trees, repairing railings, and relocating benches from probable danger spots – continued, opening the scenic vistas of Kīlauea Iki. 

A lookout from Kīlauea Iki Trail. Photo by Kaweni Māsaniai-Ibarra

Landmarks such as Puʻu Puaʻi, the site of a 1959 eruption, are available for public access.

     The first 2.4 miles of Kīlauea Iki trail opened to the public in April, but heavily damaged areas remained closed until now. Many other trails still remain compromised and closed to the public. The Park plans to continue repairing and restoring areas for progressive openings in early 2020. Full access to places like Hilina Pali and Crater Rim are expected by the summer of 2020.

     Elizabeth Fien, President and CEO of Friends of HVNP, said, "We at the Friends of the Park are really excited to be here... I think the biggest thing about this trail is that it's such an amazing classroom, with geology and all the flora and fauna." After creating a program in 2018, called Guardians of the Trails, the Friends plans more projects through the partnership with the Park.

A shaken Kīlauea Iki Trail before repairs and the
reopening on Sunday. NPS photo

     Friends operates as the official philanthropic partner to the Park. The group pledged $57,290 for restoration of Kīlauea Iki trail. The National Park Service matched the pledge, for a budget of nearly $100,000 for trail restoration.

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ACCESS TO MAUNAKEA came up at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs meeting on Wednesday, Sept 18 in Pāhala. TʻJaye Forsythe, cultural practitioner, cited the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, Article XII § 6 and 7. He said it guarantees Maunakea access to practice Native Hawaiian traditional and customary activities.
     He said that access to Maunakea helped him with his PTSD, and that he and his wife found solace in that when she was diagnosed with cancer. He requested that he be granted access to Maunakea once a week.
     Following the Pāhala meeting, OHA trustees Collette Machado, Dan Ahuna, and Carmen Lindsey, visited other communities for input, including the encampment of protesters at the Maunakea access road.
     Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald reported this morning that the three trustees visited with kūpuna at the camp on Thursday. "After an emotional welcome by the kūpuna, Machado addressed the protesters, saying that OHA is seeking to support the Hawaiian community in ways the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has not been able to, such as restoring access to Maunakea summit for all cultural practitioners, instead of the single vehicle currently permitted by law enforcement," wrote Tribune-Herald reporter Michael Brestovansky.

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RAISING THE MINIMUM AGE TO 25 FOR SMOKING AND VAPING NICOTINE is a goal in the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature for Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan. A physician, Creagan told The Kaʻū Calendar today that nicotine as "an addicting poison and toxin."

     Said Creagan, "The recent concern about vaping gives us the opportunity to reevaluate the role of nicotine in our society. It should be a controlled substance. To have it available freely doesn't make sense for our society. The form that's most dangerous is the inhaled one because it goes straight to your blood stream, to all your organs, especially your brain and your heart."
     Creagan's proposal comes at a time when cities, states, and large corporations are backing out of selling e-cigarettes. Today, the nation's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, announced that all its U.S. locations would stop selling all "electronic nicotine delivery products," once its current inventory is gone.

Infographic from Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström, 2014, Wikipedia

     On Thursday, the eighth person died in the U.S. from a suspected vaping-related illness, reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Investigations are underway by the CDC, Food and Drug Administration, and multiple state health departments. The Trump administration is seeking to ban the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes.

     Creagan, who received international attention in recent years for proposing that Hawaiʻi become the first tobacco free state, said that Hawaiʻi receives $100 million a year from GE taxes from tobacco products– "that's why we have cigarettes legal in Hawaiʻi."
     He said that the overwhelming amount of disease linked to nicotine creates an enormous strain on the health care system. The shortage of health care providers in Hawaiʻi would be greatly reduced "if we stopped smoking here. It would be like building a new hospital, since we wouldn't need as many facilities and health care workers."
     He noted that vaping can help people to stop smoking, but only under a physician's supervision. He said that vaping product advertisements say that nicotine is addicting, but don't describe the other health problems, like heart disease, stroke, clots, and other damage.

     Creagan said nicotine does similar damage to humans as the insecticide chlorpyrifos, acting on the nervous system and brain. Hawaiʻi was the first state to ban cholrpyrifos.

     "We also were the first state to raise the age to 21 for the purchase of nicotine products, including e-cigarettes," said Creagan.

Rep. Richard Creagan

     He said that nicotine use in pregnant women sends the chemical "directly to the baby. When a pregnant woman smokes, it's like spraying her fetus with insecticide 20 times a day. It causes the artery in the umbilical cord to restrict blood flow to the fetus." Creagan said that many young persons smoke and vape before they know they are pregnant and damage is already done to the fetus. He said raising the age at which people in Hawaiʻi can purchase nicotine products to 25 will help protect youth: "The brain clearly develops up to the age of 25. This will also protect babies of women who are pregnant at a young age."

     Creagan also shared the story of the Vatican where, decades ago, they sold cigarettes in their shops with no taxes. This became big business, with Italian customers avoiding Italy's cigarette tax through buying them at the Vatican. However, the Pope put an end to it. "The Vatican didn't want to be a Merchant of Death," said Creagan, referring to the book that documented tobacco industry lobbying efforts.

     National Public Radio reported today that TV broadcasters – including CBS, Viacom, and WarnerMedia – are pulling ads by the makers of electronic cigarettes, "as concerns over growing teen use of the products and cases of illnesses linked to vaping continue to mount."

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August White, five years old, protested today for
climate change, for the turtles and "even
mosquitoes." Photo by Sofia White

SIGN WAIVING FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE WEEK is scheduled by Kaʻū Voices from 11am-noon, tomorrow, Saturday, Sept.21, at the intersection of Highway 11 and South Point Road. Organizer Melissa Wheeler said Kaʻū Voices urges everyone to "be a part of the solution, not the problem, and be aware!"

     Kaʻū Voices organized locally after the first Womens' March nearly four years ago. "While our interests began around women's issues, the Climate Crisis is real and affects us all," said Wheeler. "We have seen record breaking temperatures throughout the islands this year. Already, the affects of ocean warming and heavier than normal tropical storms have damaged coastal areas. (It was) announced just this week the fact that we have lost millions of birds nationwide. As an island ecosystem, this affects us even more severely. The slopes of Mauna Loa will experience more mosquitoes and avian malaria as both higher temperatures and humidity rise up the slopes into the native forest," like in Central America. There, climate change has led to disease and even food shortages on the coffee farms, she said. The Climate Crisis can hurt the Kaʻū Coffee industry, she said.

     Today, August White, a five year old student at Nāʻālehu Elementary, protested around outside Nāʻālehu Theater with Sofia White. She told The Kaʻū Calendar that he is doing so "to save the turtles and the whole planet, even mosquitoes."

Barrel racing is a popular rodeo event. Photo by Manu Yahna

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FALL FAMILY FUNDAY 2019 RODEO, a new rodeo event, showcasing youth and keiki, premiers Saturday, Sept. 21 at Nāʻālehu Arena, 9 a.m. Those interested in competing can submit entry forms and cash-only payments at the rodeo.

     The events available are: Dummy Roping, for 4 & under and ages 5-8; Goat Undecorating, for 4 & under and ages 5-8; Barrels for keiki, youth, and adults; Poles for keiki, youth, and adults; Youth Breakaway; Youth Team Roping; and Calf Riding. Sheep riding may also be available.

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TINY TREASURES INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 3. The multi-media group exhibition will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with an opening reception on Sept. 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit is free; Park entrance fees apply.

     This year's exhibition will also celebrate VAC's 45th anniversary, officially incorporated on Oct. 21, 1974.

     Invited jewelry artists including Daniel Rokovitz, Stone O'Daugherty, Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Pat Pearlman, and Amy Flanders will present their unique, handcrafted designs, some embellished with sapphires to help celebrate the anniversary. Their works will be highlighted against wood designs of Karen and Mark Stebbins of Big Island Engraving.

     Also on display, small works from the annual Volcano Art Collaboration, which took place in June at VAC's Niʻaulani Campus. That event was attended by nine participating artists including Rose Adare, Nash Adams-Pruitt, Lisa Louise Adams, Ed Clapp, Amy Flanders, Bill Hamilton, Liz Miller, Joe Laceby, and Erik Wold. In the spirit of the collaborations events, this year the artists created multiple unique mixed media pieces incorporating wood, glass, metals, and ceramics.

     The public is invited to visit this unique collection of art and help VAC celebrate the many years of providing art and culture to the community.

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APPROXIMATELY 90 SMALL EARTHQUAKES ON MAUNA LOA VOLCANO'S upper slopes were recorded during the last week. U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory reports that Global Positioning System (GPS) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) show continued summit inflation, with magma coming into the volcano's shallow storage system. Rates of deformation and seismicity persist above long-term background levels, with Mauna Loa's Alert Level at ADVISORY, Aviation Color Code is YELLOW.

     Most of the earthquakes, all smaller than M2.5, occurred at shallow to intermediate depths of less than 10 km (~6 miles) below ground level.
     Readings of fumarole temperature and gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable, but slightly elevated from previous measurements, due to repositioning and servicing of instrument sensors during maintenance this week by HVO field crews.
     A brief data gap from GPS station MOKP was due to a malfunctioning receiver that has now been replaced. Data from other instruments allowed HVO to continue monitoring the volcano until the repair was made.

Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the planet, is still active. Its last eruption was in 1984. USGS HVO photo by M. Patrick

     Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on our planet, rising gradually to 4,170 m (13,681 ft) above sea level. Its long submarine flanks descend an additional 5 km (3 mi) below sea level to the ocean floor. The ocean floor directly beneath Mauna Loa is, in turn, depressed by the volcano's great mass another 8 km (5 mi). This places Mauna Loa's summit about 17 km (56,000 ft) above its base. The enormous volcano covers half of the Island of Hawaiʻi.
     Eruptions typically start at the summit and, within minutes to months of eruption onset, about half of the eruptions migrate into either the Northeast or Southwest Rift Zones. Since 1843, the volcano has erupted 33 times, with intervals between eruptions ranging from months to decades. Mauna Loa last erupted 35 years ago, in 1984.
     Mauna Loa eruptions tend to produce voluminous, fast-moving lava flows that can impact communities on the east and west sides of the Hawaiʻi Island. Since the mid-19th century, Hilo has been threatened by seven Mauna Loa lava flows. Mauna Loa lava flows have reached the south and west coasts of the island, including from Kalae to Miloli`i, eight times: 1859, 1868, 1887, 1926, 1919, and three times in 1950.
     For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Varsity and JV played against Keaʻau last night at Keaʻau High School. Varsity Trojans trounced the Cougars in each set, 25 to 20, 25 to 14, and 25 to 11, taking the game. JV lost both sets and the game to Keaʻau.

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From Kaʻū High Athletics Twitter: "Luke Fasi of Pāhoa High 

School wanted to meet Gilbert Mederios and Isaiah 

Pilanca-Emmsley after the game. Sportsmanship at its best!"

KAʻŪ TROJANS 11-MAN FOOTBALL THRASHED THE COMPETITION last night in a game at Keaʻau High School. The Pāhoa Daggers were almost shut out, scoring 8 points against the Trojans' 52.

     This was the second win in a row for the Kaʻū team, making the Trojans 2-2 in the BIIF Division II. The Trojans switched from 8-man to 11-man this year. The team has just over 40 players, with 20 of them freshmen.

     Izaiah "Bobby" Pilanca-Emmsley, the 2018 BIIF offensive and defensive player of the year, scored five touchdowns during the game. He ran a total of 157 yards during the game, scoring four times in the end zone, and once from a touchdown pass.

     In the first quarter, Kaʻū scored 12. In the second, 20. In the third, Pāhoa scored 8, Kaʻū 13. In the fourth quarter, Kaʻū finished the job, scoring 7, taking the game 52-8.

     Matt Gerhart of Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald reported that coach DuWayne Ke said every one of the Trojans' team members got to play the field. Ke, he reported, said he tried to pull the Trojans back, especially Pilanca-Emmsley, after they were up by 37 points. "I've been on the other end…  I wanted everybody else to score," said Ke, reported Gerhart.

     See the breakdown of each play at twitter.com/kauathletics.

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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 Fall Athletics Schedule

See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates

Football, Division II:

Thu., Oct. 3, 7 p.m. Kamehameha hosts Kaʻū

Sat., Oct. 12, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts HPA

Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m., Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa

Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Kohala hosts Kaʻū

Fri. and Sat., Nov. 1 and 2, Div II BIIF Championship

Fri. and Sat., Nov. 15 and 16, HHSAA Div II Semifinals

Fri., Nov. 29, HHSAA Div II Championship

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:

Tue., Sept. 24, 6 p.m., Makualani hosts Kaʻū

Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts HPA

Wed., Oct. 2, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa

Fri., Oct. 4, 6 p.m., Parker hosts Kaʻū

Tue., Oct. 8, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Ehunui

Thu., Oct. 10, 6 p.m., Konawaena hosts Kaʻū

Mon., Oct. 14, 6 p.m., BIIF Div II First Round at Keaʻau

Tue., Oct. 15, 2:30 p.m., BIIF Div II Semifinals at Keaʻau

Wed., Oct. 16, 4 p.m., BIIF Div II Finals at Keaʻau
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu

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See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation 
at kaucalendar.com.

UPCOMING

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Race Day, Saturday, Sept. 21, 7.a.m, Ka‘ū coffee Mill. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through macnut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Online registration open through midnight, Sept. 19: webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. Race day (not online) registration closes at 6:30a.m. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com

Fall Family Funday 2019 Rodeo, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9a.m., Nā‘ālehu Arena, behind Nā‘ālehu Community Park. Applications to compete open to keiki, youth and adults. Entry forms and cash-only fees accepted at event.

Exhibit - 45th Tiny Treasures Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 21, daily, 9a.m.-5p.m.,Volcano Arts Center Gallery. Features small works created at the Volcano Collaboration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Free Haircut, Shower, Clothes, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Kady and Drew Foster, 12 haircut slots available. Free hot showers. Big Island Giving Tree will hand out clothes and personal care items like razors and toothbrushes. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Hi‘iaka & Pele, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

Zen Pen - Writing as Spiritual Practice with Tom Peek, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9:30a.m.-4p.m., Volcano Art Center. $65/VAC member, $75/non-member. Bring personal object, handheld mirror, and lunch. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

1st Annual Church Bazaar, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10a.m.-2p.m., Pāhala Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Auction, thrift shop, baked goods, craft goods, plants, and more. $10/steak plate; priority to pre-sale ticket holders. See church member or call Parish Office at 928-8208 for tickets.

Mixed Media Encaustic - Beginner and Intermediate with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10a.m.-2p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $25 supply fee. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Sept. 21, 10a.m.-1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Paul Neves with Hālau Ha‘a Kea o Kinohi, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10:30-11:30a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula with Kumu Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Hālauolaokalani, Saturday, Sept. 21, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com,
volcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-3p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Dances of Universal Peace, Saturday, Sept. 21, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Hall, across from Nā‘ālehu Post Office. 939-9461, hualaniom2@yahoo.com

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Ka‘ū Community Coastal Cleanup and Debris Survey, Saturday, Sept. 22. Free; donations appreciated. Limited space available; B.Y.O.-4WD okay. R.S.V.P. required, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. 769-7629, wildhawaii.org

Palm Trail, Sunday, Sept. 22, 9:30-12:30p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult hike - 2.6 mile loop. nps.gov/havo

Picnic in the Park, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Sunday, Sept. 22, 9a.m. to 3p.m. Taiko drumming and other live music from noon. Food, shave ice for purchase. ʻOhana Day Hike & Craft Activity for 18 and under runs from 9:30 a.m.; registration required, leileni_rodrigues@nps.gov.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 24

H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

Operatic Theater with Artist-in-Residence, Alan Olejniczak, Saturday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Olenjniczak, playwright and librettist, presents excerpts from the first draft of an audio drama about the natural history and future of Hawai‘i Island. Free; park entrance fees apply. 965-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25

Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, Sept. 25 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626, for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Guided Hike On A 60 Year Old Lava Lake, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10a.m.-2p.m., Kīlauea Iki Overlook, HVNP. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate to challenging 2.4 mile (one way) hike. $80/person. Register online. Park entrance fees may apply. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org

Pū‘ohe Demonstration, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Make a Hawaiian bamboo trumpet. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, SEPT. 26

Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday, Sept. 26, 11a.m.-noon, multipurpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala.

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Sept. 26, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues to benefit students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Sept. 26, 4-6p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27

Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, Sept. 27, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

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. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com

Tutoring for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary is Available to All Students of the school, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Grades Kindergarten-2nd will be in room 3; grades 3-6 will be in room 6 on Mondays, room 11 on Tuesdays through Thursdays; middle school students, will be in building Q; and high school students will be in room M-101 in the science building. Contact khpes.org or 808-313-4100 for more.

Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.

Vendor Booth Space is Available for the Kamahalo Craft Fair. The 12th annual event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Booths are open for crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Food vendors must prepare all food items in a certified kitchen and must have a Department of Health permit displayed prominently at their booth. Application online at thecoopercenter.org. Direct questions to 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.

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