Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, January 2, 2020

Kāwala ahupuaʻa in Kaʻū Moku (district) is preserved for agricultural and cultural uses. Photo from Trust for Public Land

CONSERVING SCENIC AGRICULTURAL LAND ABOVE THE KAʻŪ COAST has been achieved at Kāwala. The 772 acres of pasture, extending from Nāʻālehu toward the shoreline, is preserved in perpetuity for agriculture and cultural preservation through a Conservation Easement. 

     The announcement was made today by Ala Kahakai Trail Association, Kuahiwi Ranch, The Freeman Foundation, and The Trust Public Land. The Freeman Foundation provided financial support for the purchase, facilitated by The Trust for Public Land. The Conservation Easement is held by Ala Kahakai Trail Association and Ho‘omalu Ka‘ū.

     Keoni Fox, Director of Ala Kahakai Trail Association, said, "This conservation easement will preserve sections of an ancient trail system that connect the fertile fields of Nāʻālehu with abundant marine resources along the coastline including a culturally significant landscape with ancient Hawaiian sites and iwi kupuna (burials). My own kūpuna (ancestors) are buried here, so protecting Kāwala and its burial sites is especially meaningful to my ‘ohana."

     Wendy Scott-Vance, President of Ho‘omalu Ka‘ū, said "We are committed to working with Kuahiwi Ranch, the Ka‘ū community, and Kāwala descendants to steward this wahi pana and perpetuate Ka‘ū's culture for generations to come."

     Kuahiwi Ranch recently purchased the 772 acre Kāwala property for pasture for its grass-fed beef. "While the family was excited about the purchase," stated the announcement, "it was a stretch financially. Kuahiwi Ranch asked The Trust for Public Land for assistance to restrict future land use to agriculture with a Conservation Easement."

     Michelle Galimba of Kuahiwi Ranch said, "We are extremely grateful to The Freeman Foundation for generously supporting our Ranch's vision. Proceeds from the Conservation Easement will reduce our family's debt incurred to buy the land and allow us to reinvest in our ranch. Our family is passionate about growing free-range, grass fed beef and contributing to Hawai‘i's food security. We are committed to partnering with the Ala Kahakai Trail Association and the broader community to enable our ranching operations to co-exist and compliment the preservation of the cultural and natural resources on this property."

The 772 acres of Kāwala are used by Kuahiwi Ranch for free-range, 

grass-fed beef and contain ancient Hawaiian cultural and burial sites. 

Photo from Trust for Public Land

     Lea Hong, Hawai‘i State Director, The Trust for Public Land, said, "We are humbled to support the Ka‘ū community, which has been working for decades to protect their beloved 80 mile coast to honor their kūpuna, paniolo traditions, and rural lifestyle. This would not have been possible without the generous philanthropic support of the Freeman Foundation."

     The Kāwala Conservation Easement is the second among five conservation projects along the Ka‘ū coast to close. Waikapuna, with 2,317, closed Dec. 16, 2019. The other locations, which are pending, are Manaka‘a Fishing Village, Kiolaka‘a, and Kaunamano. All five projects would conserve over 6,000 acres of coastline, cultural sites, and pasture land, and connect over 10 miles of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. 

      The Ala Kahakai Trail Association helps to connect the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail to the community and ensures that Hawaiian values and principles are acknowledged and practiced. "We foster partnerships with the Trail and help guide the management and sustainment of the Trail. Our vision is that the Trail is a viable, appropriately-used and managed trail that follows the path of our ancestors – creating a bridge of understanding, respect and balance for all to use, protect, learn from and appreciate." alakahakaitrail.org 

Kāwala ahupuaʻa is the second of five Kaʻū Moku lands that are
set for conservation. Photo from Trust for Public Land

     Ho‘omalu Ka‘ū is a community nonprofit based in Nāʻālehu. "Our mission is to perpetuate, protect and conserve the land, culture, knowledge, and history of Ka‘ū and its people. We are committed to protecting the archeological, cultural, and historical treasures of Ka‘ū." The group was recently awarded stewardship of the Kahua Olohu, the ancient Makahiki grounds in Nā‘ālehu, acquired by the County of Hawai‘i's Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund.

     Kuahiwi Ranch is a family owned and operated cattle ranch run by three generations of the Galimba family. Operating on 9,000 acres, Kuahiwi Ranch specializes in local, free-range, grass-fed beef which contributes to Hawai‘i's local food security and self-sufficiency. The Ranch markets about 450,000 pounds of meat annually to Whole Foods, Foodland, and Foodland Farms, as well as restaurants such as Town, Volcano House, and Kīlauea Lodge. kuahiwiranch.com

     The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, "ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live near a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit tpl.org/hawaii."

Brian Shiro, Seismologist, USGS 

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

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TALKS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES AND HAWAIIAN VOLCANOES OBSERVATORY will be given by U.S. Geological Survey HVO scientists next week in Kona and Hilo. Both programs are free and open to the public, no reservations required. . These talks are two of many programs offered during Hawaiʻi's 11th annual Volcano Awareness Month in January 2020:

     Living with Earthquakes in Hawaiʻi on Wed., Jan. 8, 6 p.m., West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Kona. USGS HVO seismologist Brian Shiro talks about how Hawaiian earthquakes are monitored, the history of damaging earthquakes in Hawaiʻi, and how residents can prepare for the next "big one."

     Transitions: What's Next for HVO and the Volcanoes it Monitors? on Thurs., Jan. 9, 7 p.m., University Classroom Building (UCB), Room 100, on the main UH-Hilo campus, 200 W. Kawili St. USGS HVO Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal recaps HVO's situation since having to vacate its building at Kīlauea's summit in 2018, shares info on the exciting next steps for the volcano observatory in 2020 and beyond, and describes the current status of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge, 

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

     More details are posted on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website – in the HVO News corner – at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo. For more information, email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 808-967-8844.

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COLLEGE STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR MOSAICS IN SCIENCE by Monday, February 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington, D.C. to meet with NPS managers.

     The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed. 

     The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

     For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.

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MAUNA LOA VOLCANO IS NOT ERUPTING. The largest volcano on Earth's Alert Level is ADVISORY, Aviation Color Code is YELLOW. Rates of deformation and seismicity have not changed significantly over the past week and remain above long-term background levels.
     During the past week, HVO seismometers recorded 82 small magnitude earthquakes beneath the upper elevations of the volcano. Seven additional earthquakes slightly larger than M.20 were detected, which is normal for the volcano at this time. Most earthquakes occurred at shallow depths of less than 5 km (~3 miles) below sea level.
     Global Positioning System (GPS) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) measurements show continued slow summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system.
     Gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable. Fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit have not changed significantly.
     For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

Mauna Loa, Earth's largest volcano. USGS photo/J.D. Griggs, 1985

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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.

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

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Tue., Jan. 7 @Kohala

Fri., Jan. 10 host Honokaʻa

Tue., Jan. 14 host Konawaena

Boys Basketball

Fri., Jan. 3 host HPA

Sat., Jan. 4 host Pāhoa

Thu., Jan. 9 @Waiakea

Sat., Jan. 11, @Konawaena

Mon., Jan. 13 host Hilo

Soccer

Sat., Jan. 4 Girls host Honokaʻa, 3pm

Mon., Jan. 6 @HPA

Wed., Jan. 8 host Kealakehe, 2pm

Sat., Jan. 11 @Honokaʻa

Wrestling

Sat., Jan. 4 @Waiakea

Sat., Jan. 11 @Kealakehe

Swimming

Sat., Jan. 4 @Kamehameha

Sat., Jan. 11 @Kona Community Aquatic Center

UPCOMING

FRIDAY, JAN. 3

Fit & Firm Volcano Medium Intensity Strength Adult Exercise Class - 4 weeks, Fridays, starting Jan. 3, 8-9a.m.,Volcano Art Center. Payment in full of $36 due at first class session, check or exact change. No make-ups, roll-overs or prorating for missed classes. Limited to 15 people. Must call to reserve spot in advance. No drop-ins. Puakea, 315-9130, volcanoartcenter.org, soulfitnesshawaiipksm.com

Stewardship at the Summit, Friday, Jan. 3 and 17, and Saturday, Jan. 11 and 25, 8:45a.m.-noon, meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center, HVNP. Volunteers remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in the park. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, sunscreen, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental/Guardian accompaniment or written consent required for under 18. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

Strong Seniors Chair Exercise Class - 4 weeks, Fridays, starting Jan. 3, 10-11a.m.,Volcano Art Center. Payment in full of $45 due at first class session, check or exact change. No make-ups, roll-overs or prorating for missed classes. No drop ins. Limited to 15 people. Reserve spot in advance. Puakea, 315-9130, volcanoartcenter.org, soulfitnesshawaiipksm.com

Movie Matinee, Friday, Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 – every Friday, monthly – 2-4p.m., Pāhala Public Library. Free entry and popcorn. Keiki must be accompanied by parent or adult caregiver. 928-2015, librarieshawaii.org/events

SATURDAY, JAN. 4

Free Hot Shower and Hot Lunch Day, Saturday, Jan. 4, 11, 18, and 25, 9a.m.-2p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Last Saturday of the month, Kady and Drew Foster give haircuts – 12 slots available – and Big Island Giving Tree hands out clothes and items like razors and toothbrushes. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Saturday, Jan. 4, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, two-mile, hike. Bring snack and water. nps.gov/havo

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, Jan. 7 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m.-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

Grand Slam Band, Saturday, Jan. 4, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge, free to in-house guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, JAN. 5

Farmers Market, Sunday, Jan. 5, 12, 19, and 26 – every Sunday, monthly – 6-10a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. thecoopercenter.org

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua, Sunday, Jan. 5, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free. nps.gov/havo

Clay – High Fire!, Sunday, Jan. 5 through Feb. 23, 11:30a.m.-2:30p.m. or 2:45-5:45p.m. 8-week morning or afternoon pottery series with Erik Wold. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, Jan. 5 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/viewith southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, JAN. 6

Guided Hike of Kīlauea Iki Crater, Monday, Jan. 6, 13, 20, and 27, 10a.m.-1p.m. Meet Ranger Mike at Kīlauea Iki Overlook Parking Lot. Iconic four mile, moderately difficult hike, with an elevation gain of 400 feet. Crosses steaming crater floor through the intersection of eruption and native rainforest. Free; Park entrance fees apply except Jan. 20. nps.gov/havo

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Dietrich Varez Block Printing with Desiree Moana Cruz, Monday, Jan. 6 – first Monday, monthly – 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. No registration required. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, Jan. 6 – first Monday, monthly – 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JAN. 7

Hawai‘i County Council Committee Mtgs., Tuesday, Jan. 7 (Hilo) and 21 (Kona) – second and fourth Tuesday, monthly. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Bookstore and Thrift Shop, Tuesday-Saturday, 8-11:30a.m., and Sunday, 6:30-10a.m., weekly, Cooper Center in Volcano. Shop, donate, or both. thecoopercenter.org

Blended Learning Computer Class, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28, and Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29 – every Tuesday and Wednesday, monthly – 8a.m.-3p.m., St. Jude's computer lab. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Family Yoga Class, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28 – every Tuesday, monthly – 9:30-10:30a.m., PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 0-12 years old and caregivers. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring mat, if can - supplies limited. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28 10a.m., noon, and 2p.m. One hour performance includes climbing stairs and entering a confined space. Meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist and founder of Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory, Dr. Jaggar, to life. Space limited; pick up free tickets at Visitor Center's front desk day of program. Supported by Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network. Free; Park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Hawaiian Language Classes Level 1, Tuesdays, Jan. 7-Feb. 4, 4-5p.m., Volcano Art Center. $85/VAC member, $95/non-member. Basics class focuses on vocabulary, counting, simple conversation, grammar, and sentence structures. No textbook or previous knowledge required. No class Jan. 24 or 31. Instruction by Kumu Kaliko Beamer-Trapp. volcanoartcenter.org

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Hawaiian Language Classes Level 2, Tuesdays, Jan. 7-Feb. 4, 4-5p.m., Volcano Art Center. $85/VAC member, $95/non-member. Class focuses on expanding vocabulary, using longer snippets of conversation, and understanding how repeating Hawaiian word and phrase patterns can be used to communicate using many types of sentences. Class taught using Hawaiian as language of instruction about 10% of the time to help with listening comprehension. No textbook required. No class Jan. 24 or 31. Instruction by Kumu Kaliko Beamer-Trapp. volcanoartcenter.org

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Hawaiian Language Classes Level 3, Tuesdays, Jan. 7-Feb. 4, 6:30-8p.m., Volcano Art Center. $85/VAC member, $95/non-member. Class taught over 50% in the Hawaiian language to increase comprehension and to "immerse" the student. Class is ideal for teachers, cultural practitioners, and those with the goal of using Hawaiian language on a daily basis. No textbook required. No class Jan. 24 or 31. Instruction by Kumu Kaliko Beamer-Trapp. volcanoartcenter.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Jan. 7– 1st Tuesday, monthly – 6-8p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park - Transitions: What's Next for HVO and the Volcanoes it Monitors?, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 7-8p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge of HVO, describes the current status of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa and what might be coming next, and gives update on HVO's new volcano observatory. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8

Hawai‘i County Council Mtg., Wednesday, Jan. 8 (Hilo) and 22 (Kona) – second and fourth Wednesday, monthly. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

ʻAi Pono: Healthy Hawaiian Foods, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. ‘Anake (Aunty) Edna Baldado discusses eating and living healthier with native Hawaiian foods like kalo (the staple food of Hawaiians), ‘uala (sweet potato), and ‘ulu (breadfruit). Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

Restoring Hope Group, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29 – every Wednesday, monthly – 4-6p.m., PARENTS Inc. Office, Nā‘ālehu. For families with keiki ages ages 3-17. Free, dinner included. Registration required. For more info, 333-3460

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

A Walk Through Kīlauea Volcano's Summit History, Thursday, Jan. 9, Friday, Jan. 17, Wednesday, Jan. 22, Saturday, Jan. 25, 8-10a.m., Devastation Trail Parking Lot. Join USGS HVO scientist emeritus Don Swanson on a two-hour walk. Learn about the past 500 years of Kīlauea Volcano's history. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, Jan. 9 through Feb. 13, 1-3p.m. Learn to live more in the moment, think on your feet, let go of self-judgment, bring more joy in your life, and recapture your playful spirit in the 6-week workshop series with improv legend Keli Semelsberger. Attendance to all 6 classes is not required – classes may be attended individually. No prior experience is necessary. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, Jan. 9 – second Thursday, monthly – 6:30p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkeley Yoshida, 747-0197

ONGOING

Deadline to Sign Up for Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū is Friday, Jan. 10. Classes run Thursday afternoons, 1-3:30p.m., Jan. 16 through Feb 20, at Kaʻū Resource Center, 96-3126 Puahala St. in Pāhala. The free class series on Chronic Kidney Disease is lead by retired kidney doctor Ramona Wong. Bring a pen and whomever cares/cooks/shops for the person(s) with CKD. Enroll online at alohakidney.com or call (808) 585-8404.

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, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.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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