Monday, February 24, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, February 24, 2020

Hunnay Demello (center) with Auntie Genny, making brownies for OKK's keiki fishing tournament last weekend. An 
ambassador of ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's planned senior housing in Nāʻālehu Hunnay was a star at last year's Kaʻū Coffee Festival 
and was chosen to compete in the NBC TV show Little Big Shots, which premiers March 1. Photo from Mike Tom
KAʻŪ HULA GIRL GOES HOLLYWOOD in the newest season of the NBC television show Little Big Shots. Hunnay Rhyan Faith Anoʻi Demello, who is on a mission to help raise funds for the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou senior housing project in Nāʻāheu, will appear in Little Big Shots' fourth season, which previewed tonight and will premier Sunday, March 1.
     Hunnay, of Ocean View, was winner of the solo title at E Mālama Mau I Ka Hula Festival, competed in a world dance competition on the mainland, and performed at last year's Kaʻū Coffee Festival with the hālau of Bula Akamu, from the legendary Akamu music family that mentored many musicians in Pāhala.
Hunnay Demello, who wowed the crowds at last year's Kaʻū Coffee
Festival, is chosen for Little Big Shots, the NBC show that features
some of the most talented keiki in the world. Photo by Julia Neal
     In the new Little Big Shots series, host Melissa McCarthy replaces host Steve Harvey. The show's description reads: "The next generation of remarkable young people from the United States and all corners of the globe, show off the impressive talents that set them apart and share their inspiring and hilarious stories -- from future heroes, explorers-in-training and amazing artists to kids who have had to overcome incredible obstacles to pursue their dreams -- in a celebration of the optimism, humor and resilience of the world's most interesting kids. Their wisdom and charm go beyond their years, and their unpredictable reactions make for laughs and fun for all."

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REGISTER TO VOTE BY Thursday, July 9 for the Primary, Monday, Oct. 5 for the General Election. The Primary vote is Saturday, Aug. 8. The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
     Elections for Mayor, County Council, county Prosecutor, east Kaʻū state Senate and both of Kaʻū's members in the state House of Representatives, and Hawaiʻi's Congressional Delegation, are coming up quickly. Here are the names of those who signed up to run by late February and would represent Kaʻū:
     Mayor of Hawaiʻi: Current County Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth, of Hilo; Bob Fitzgerald, of Kealakekua; Kelly Greenwell, of Kona; Grayden Haʻi-Kelly, of Kona; Wendell Kaʻehuʻaeʻa, of Hilo; Mike Ruggles, of Mountain View; Abolghassem Sadegh, of Hilo; Tante Urban, of Kona; and Jiro Yuda, of Hilo. Mayor Harry Kim had not responded as of deadline to whether or not he will run to keep his seat.
     County Council District 6: Incumbent Maile David of Capt. Cook, and Marie Burns, of Ocean View.
     Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney: Jared Auna, of Hilo; Christopher Bridges, of Hilo; Stephen Fry, of Kona; and Kaden Waltjen, of Hilo.
     State Representative for east Kaʻū, District 3: Frederick Fogel, Democrat, of Volcano; and Incumbent Richard Onishi, Democrat, of Hilo.
     State Representative for west Kaʻū, District 5: Incumbent Richard Creagan, Democrat, of Nāʻālehu; and Michael Last, Libertarian, of Nāʻālehu.
     State Senator for east Kaʻū, District 2: Incumbent Russell Ruderman, Democrat, of Keaʻau.
     State Senator for west Kaʻū, District 3: Incumbent Dru Kanuha, Democrat, of Kona, continues; his seat is not up for election this year.
     U.S. House of Representatives, District 2, Incumbent Tulsi Gabbard is not running, as she is seeking the office of U.S. President. Running for her seat are: State Sen. Kai Kehele, Democrat, of Hilo; Bart Gottschalk, Republican, of Ocean View; Ran Meza, Democrat, of Kona; Robert Rousseau, Republican, of Kona; David Cornejo, Democrat, of rural Oʻahu; Brian Evans, Democrat, of rural Oʻahu; Raymond Quel, Republican, of rural Oʻahu; Taylor Smith, Republican, of rural Oʻahu; and Michelle Tippens, Libertarian, of rural Oʻahu.
       Both of Hawaiʻi's U.S. Senators are in the middle of their terms and will not need to run this year.

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ATTEND THE SCREENING OF YOKOSUKA 1953: A Story of a Mother and a Daughter at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji on Monday, March 2, 5 p.m. The documentary tells the story of the girl child born in 1947 in Yokosuka, Japan, of a Japanese woman and a foreign soldier. In 1953, Yoko, due to her mother being single and the circumstances being "very severe," was adopted out to the U.S. The documentary follows Yoko, now in her 70s, traveling to Japan to "retrace her mother's steps."
     The documentary, with help from ʻO Kaʻū Kākou and Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, is shown in Kaʻū "to honor and pay respect to kūpuna in the Kaʻū region." Director, Assocaite Professor at Wakayama University, Japan, will present his film.
     The screening with be followed by light pūpū. Donations are welcome. There is no admission fee.
     The film will also be held at University of Hawaiʻi in Hilo on March 3. See poster above.

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KAʻŪ HIGH SENIORS CAN APPLY FOR ONE OF THREE $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS through Keaukaha General Store in partnership with Hawaiʻi Rise Foundation.
     The first scholarship created by Keaukaha General Store is the "Holomua Scholarship," which encourages students to holomua – improve – progress and move forward. This will be the fifth year Keaukaha General Store offers the Holomua Scholarship to high school seniors.
     The Gangwes family will sponsor, for the third year in a row, the second scholarship offered this year, "in memory of their beloved daughter and sister, Rachel." Rachel was born with Trisomy 18 syndrome (Edwards syndrome), a disorder of human chromosomes which occurs in approximately 1 in 7,000 live born infants. Despite having a life expectancy of 1 year of age, Rachel thrived and lived until she was 19 years old. The "Rachel Leilani Gangwes Scholarship" honors Rachel, her life, and her heart. Preference for this scholarship winner will be given to students who attended Kaʻū High School and/or Nāʻālehu Elementary, and/or to those who plan to pursue a career in special education.
     Offered for the first time this year is the "Hoʻopuakea Scholarship" created by Kealani and Napua Canda. "Hoʻopuakea" means "full of light, to shine," and this scholarship hopes to encourage students to discover what makes them shine and how they can use the light that is inside of them to help others and make a positive change in the world.
     Students will be asked to answer essay questions as part of their application process. "As graduating high school seniors, it is important for them to look at issues in their communities and consider ways of helping to one day give back and improve where they come from."
     Requirements to apply for the scholarships are: be a resident of Hawaiʻi Island and a high school senior, and be enrolled in an undergraduate program or be enrolling for the upcoming fall semester. No minimum GPA is required. Applications can be picked up at Keaukaha General Store, online at hawaiirisefoundation.com or keaukahageneralstore.com, or be requested by emailing contact@hawaiiriseclasses.com.
     Applications must be turned in no later than June 1; late applications will not be accepted. Applications will be read and rated on a scale of 1 to 5, judged on style, structure, and content. Three winners will be announced and the scholarships will be disbursed to the enrolled university.
     For more information, call Breeani Sumera-Lee at 808 969 1169 ext. 3 or email to contact@hawaiiriseclasses.com.

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KAUAHAʻAO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FUNDRAISING BAZAAR will be held Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located on the corner of Māmalahoa Hwy, Kamaoa Road, and Pinao Street, just above the Wong Yuen Store in Waiʻōhinu.
     Individuals, schools, clubs, and sports/athletic groups are invited to be vendors at the "flea market" that will be located on the church lawn. The charge for a 10' X 10' space is $10. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tent, table and chairs, and if power is needed, generator. Vendors can sell anything except hot foods or plate lunches.  
     Vendors must fill out and submit a Vendor Application with the $10 fee by Wednesday, March 18. Call Debbie Wong Yuen at 928-8039 for the application.
     The Church members will sell kalua pig and cabbage bowls, and smoked meat bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts.
     For more information, call 928-8039.

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Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule
Girls Softball
Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m., @Waiakea
Wednesday, March 11, 3 p.m., @Konawaena
Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m., host Kealakehe
Boys Baseball
Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m., host HPA
Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.. @Waiakea
Tuesday, March 10, 1 p.m., @Konawaena
Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m., host Kealakehe
Boys Volleyball
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., host Christian Liberty
Wednesday, March, 6 p.m., @Hilo
Tuesday, March 10, 6 p.m., host Makualani
Friday, March 13, 6 p.m., host Konawaena
Judo
Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., @Kealakehe
Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.. @Kealakehe
Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m., @Hilo
Track
Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m., @Waiakea
UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26
Hū (Kukui Nut Top) Demonstration, Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center lanai. Early Hawaiians devoted much of their time to games, amusements and relaxing. Top spinning was an absorbing activity for children and making hū (kukui-nut top) was equally engaging. Join rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association as they share their knowledge and love of one of the most popular traditional arts of Hawai‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops.
Visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm for additional planning details. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Ash Wednesday Service at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 28
TRAILBLAZERS: BUFFALO SOLDIERS IN HAWAIʻI will be the subject discussed at this month's Coffee Talk at the Visitor Center of Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Friday, Feb. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association Annual Health Conference, Friday, Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register in advance: 808-928-0101.

Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser for St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Friday, Feb. 28 at the church, 92-8660 Paradise Circle, Ocean View. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person, $15 per couple, and $20 per family, for jambalaya, red beans and rice, cornbread, drink, and dessert. Pre-purchase from Thom White, Beverly Nelson, or Cordelia Burt. Questions? Call 808-939-7555 and leave a message.

SATURDAY, FEB. 29
Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, Feb. 29 and March 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included. Register at oceancount.org. Locations in Kaʻū are: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.

Mixed Media Photo Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m. The class is slated for beginner to intermediate students. volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING
Register for Free PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Purchase Tickets for Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, which will be held on Sunday, March 8, 6:30 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. The concert will feature music that will celebrate native plants of the Kaʻū Dryland Forest and will raise funds for Hoʻomalu Kaʻū. Tickets are $30, available at kauconcert.bpt.me. See himusicfestival.com for more.
     Performers are Maya Hoover, Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Jonathan Korth, Hawaiʻi based Pianist and Professor at UH-Mānoa; and Joshua Nakazawa, Cellist from Hawaiʻi Symphony. They will be joined by the three HIMF co-founders: Amy Shoremount-Obra, Internationally Acclaimed Metropolitan Opera Soprano; Eric Silberger, Internationally Acclaimed Prize-Winning Virutuoso Violinist; and Carlin Ma, Multi-Media Artist and Pianist.

Sign Up Keiki for the Second Annual Kaʻū Children's Business Fair, to be held Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Open to young entrepreneurs ages seven and 18 to share their talents by selling handmade items and services. One application may be submitted for each business. Children can sign up for booth space at no charge. Children working as a group submit one application that includes each child's information; no more than three children per business.
     Kaʻū Children's Business Fair guidelines are designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents of younger children (under eight years old) may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales. Parents may aid a child, but the child runs the business.
    Learn more about participating at childrensbusinessfair.org/pahala. Visit Kaʻū Children's Business Fair's Facebook event page facebook.com/KAUCBF/. RSVP to the event at facebook.com/events/925342784527676/. Text KAUKIDSFAIR to 31996 for updates and information (message and data fees may apply).

Register for Ocean View Classic Car & Bike Show, Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited.
     This second annual event, a fundraiser for Ocean View Community Association, will also feature food and live music, and prizes for the most impressive cars and bikes. Contact organizers Dennis Custard at 831-234-7143 or Ron Gall at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

Sign Up to Vend at the New ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the site of the old Fruit Stand, mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu. Vending focuses on Kaʻū products, including mushrooms from the new farm in Nāʻālehu, fresh breads, vegetables, fruits, and other products. The market may offer music in the future, and there are plans to acquire picnic tables for market goers. Call Manager Sue Barnett at 345-9374 to sign up.

Register for Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash by Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to University of Hawaiʻi for furthering research of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. See webscorer.com to register.
     Half Marathon registration is $70 through May 24, $80 May 25 through July 22, and $90 for late registration. Registration for the 10K is $50 through May 24, $55 May 25 through Jul 22, and $60 for late registration. Registration for the 5K is $35 through May 24, $40 May 25 through July 22, and $45 for late registration. Keiki Dash registration is $10. All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.  Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
     Packet pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 in Hilo; Friday, July 26 in Volcano; and Saturday, July 27, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the race start.
     Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Other distances follow shortly after. Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on VSAS grounds. Race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at VSAS.

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment, features classes on block printing, lauhala weaving, ti leaf lei making, and more. A free guided Cultural Forest Tour, and a Mele and Hula ‘Auana performance are also slated. Visit the website events calendar for the full lineup. volcanoartcenter.org

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.

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