Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, February 25, 2020

On Wednesdays, Millie Akau sets up her produce stand at the new OKK Nāʻālehu Market on the grounds of
 the future senior housing planned by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. The market is open between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. every
Wednesday. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374. Photo by Rocky D'Amore of Blazing Shades

A $5.4 MILLION GRANT IS AWARDED TO BAY CLINIC, INC., which operates Kaʻū Family Health and Dental Center in Nāʻālehu, and six other Health Centers on island. The grant, issued by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, supports primary care services over the next three years.
     Bay Clinic CEO C. Kimo Alameda said, "Our team worked hard in applying for this grant and we are humbled to know that these grant dollars will enable Bay Clinic to continue providing comprehensive preventive and primary health care services to the residents of East Hawaiʻi, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. We especially look forward to working with our community partners in providing the best services possible for our patients and their families."

     To receive the multi-year grant, Bay Clinic demonstrated compliance in clinical staffing, quality assurance, required and additional health services, key management staff, board authority, board composition, and fiscal management.
     The grant comes from HRSA's Service Area Competition program, and was received through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "The SAC funding ensures continued access to affordable, quality primary health care services for communities and vulnerable populations currently served by the Health Center Program," Alameda stated.
     As the sole Federally Qualified Health Center in East Hawaiʻi, Bay Clinic first opened its doors in March 1983. Over their 38 year history, the administration started at their humble beginnings in the Kukuau Plaza, followed by moving to the Hilo Lagoon, Keaukaha, and Haili Street. Now, the Bay Clinic Administration Building sits at its current site, in the heart of Hilo at 450 Kīlauea Street. Bay Clinic has since expanded to seven Health Centers and acquired a Mobile Health Unit which provides services in various locations.
     See bayclinic.org.

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KAʻŪ RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION'S BOARD AND JESSIE MARQUES WERE NAMED 2019 COMMUNITY STARS by the Hawaiʻi state Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Board member Stacyn Sakuma said the organization was recognized for "achievements that have led to improved access to health, education, technology, and workforce development opportunities for the people of Kaʻū." Sakuma represented the Board of Directors to receive the award.

East Kaʻū's state Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Lorraine Jitchaku-Inouye, Stacyn Sakuma, Jessie Marques, west Kaʻū's 

state Sen. Dru Kanuha, and Hilo Sen. Kaialiʻi Kahele. Photo from Stacyn Sakuma

     Sakuma said Kaʻū community members are "very privileged" to have access to the programs offered by Kaʻū Rural Health. As as a young woman, Sakuma took took part in the programs. "I gained many hands-on experiences. Having the opportunities I had while in high school opened many doors to me, which helped to shape me into the person I am today."

     Sakuma participated in:

     Nana I Ke Kumu O Kaʻū, with Kaʻū Community Health Worker Interns connecting patients with health care providers using the HMSA Telehealth Kiosk; Kaʻū Emergency Response Academy, where students receive training and certificates in CPR, First Responder, Water Safety, and Firefighting; M.A.S.H Camp, where students learn about health careers;  Huiʻana Internship Program, which provides students with .5 high school credits for 60 hours of work; and ALU LIKE Summer Internship Program and Co-pilot Community Health Workers Program, where students learn how to work in healthcare.

     "I would like to acknowledge and thank Aunty Jessie Marques, the driving force behind the programs," said Sakuma. The programs were instrumental in "shaping and making me into the person I am today as a Recreation Director."

     Sakuma was offered the role of Recreation Director at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo in 2014, after spending almost three years as an Activity Assistant. The home is Hawaiʻi's first state home for those who served in the armed forces.

     "Today, I am one of the youngest Recreation Directors employed by Avalon Health Care." She credited Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association with developing "many of the skills I enjoy today. Being a participant of the Kaʻū Emergency Response Academy opened my eyes to the health care field, especially the field of geriatrics. The knowledge I gained, during my time spent in an ALU LIKE internship during the summer months in high school, allowed me the opportunity to volunteer at Kaʻū Hospital."
     Sakuma said she enjoys working with volunteers "to put on day-to-day activities for our Veterans, to maintain their quality of life." Her advice for future generations? "Take part in any opportunity that is offered to you, and put your heart in everything that you do, and you'll see the success in the end."

     Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association will hold its 21st annual Health Conference and General Membership Meeting on Friday, Feb. 28 at Pāhala Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
     This year's theme is A Kaʻū High School Student Perspective on Resiliency. The keynote speaker will be Derick Kurisu, Vice President of KTA Stores Hawaiʻi. Kaʻū High School Youth will speak. Invited guests include Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim, Lt. Gov. Josh Green, and Kaʻū's County Council Member Maile David.
     At the event, there will be student art exhibits, an auction, free health screenings, informational booths, and door prizes.
     Register in advance at Kaʻū Resource Center, 808-928-0101.

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ATTEND A CONCERT BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED GUITARIST TOBY WALKER on Sunday, March 8 at the ʻŌhiʻa Room at Kīlauea Military Camp's KMC Theater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. No Park entry fee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 general admission, $35 Gold Circle. Online info, tickets, and Gold Circle, see bluesbearhawaii.com or call 808-896-4845. KMC, 808-967-8335.

     Walker's Hawaiʻi Island Tour begins at Gertrude's Jazz Bar in Kona on Wednesday, March 4; in Kawaihae at Blue Dragon Tavern & Cosmic Musiquarium on Thursday, March 5; and at Hilo Ukulele & Guitar on Saturday, March 7. Guitar Workshop (1.5 hrs.) with Toby Walker will also hold a 1.5 hour guitar workshop on the 7th from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center. The cost is $45 and must be booked in advance at bluesbearhawaii.com. He will also play on Maui on March 6.

     Produced by Lazar Bear of Blues Bear Hawaiʻi, Walker's tour will showcase "one of the most extraordinary fingerstyle guitarists performing before the public today." Walker is an award winning, roots music fingerstyle guitar virtuoso and songwriter who has toured the US, United Kingdom, and Europe. Blending the styles of blues, ragtime, country, bluegrass, old-time jazz and rock, Walker has his own style. He has received numerous awards, including first place recipient of the International Blues Challenge Award in Memphis and the NY Music Award for best instrumental CD. Walker has also been inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame.

     Walker is also a nationally recognized guitar instructor, having taught at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch, Woody Mann's Guitar Seminars, The Swanannoa Gathering, and the National Guitar Workshop. Walker also has eight instructional DVDs on Happy Traum's Homespun Music Instruction, and has produced hundreds of instructional videos on his own.

     "Toby's passion for blues, rags, folk, and other traditional American music drove him to leave an apartment crammed full of recordings, books and instruments for the Mississippi Delta, Virginia and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure - but immensely talented - music makers of an earlier era. He learned directly from Eugene Powell, James "Son" Thomas, Etta Baker and R.L. Burnside, among others," states Bear.

     Learn more about Walker at littletobywalker.com.

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Learn how to deal with invasive pest invasions, like Coffee Berry Borer, Black Twig Borer, and Banana Moths.
UH-CTAHR photo

A CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS MANAGING COFFEE BERRY BORER will be held Saturday, April 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel in Kona. This is a free, informational event where farmers, researchers, Cooperative Extension, and other agricultural professionals can gather and share their knowledge on managing this coffee pest. The event is organized by USDA-Agricultural Research Service and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/coffee-berry-borer-conference-2020-tickets-94547262407.

     Andrea Kawabata,
Associate Extension Agent for Coffee and Orchard Crops at UH-CTAHR, sent out this reminder to ag producers:

     Coffee Berry Borer

     Start low, maintain, and end low with CBB Integrated Pest Management. This may be repetitive but is very important for CBB control. If you have coffee berries on the trees, keep on top of your CBB monitoring and spray to protect these young berries. Don't wait until CBB are in the C/D position to start spraying. Kill CBB in the A/B position and keep your infestation low at the beginning of the season. 

How to recognize and trim BTB-affected plants.
Photos from UH-CTAHR

     Use IPM recommendations to maintain this low level and have a better opportunity to harvest cherry with low damage rates. Continue walking your farm and remove any missed berries and raisins from the past season. Continue harvesting and spraying for CBB if you have year-round coffee.

     Monitoring, 30 trees sampling, and dissection information are found at https://bit.ly/2SCClrS. Spraying details can be read at https://bit.ly/3bIC7Hr

     Black Twig Borer

     Don't forget to scout for black twig borer and trim off branches to help manage populations and damages caused by BTB. Do not snap or break off branches with BTB holes. 1) Find the BTB hole, which is usually on the underside of the lateral and about 1.2 mm wide, 2) Use pruning shears to trim/cut the branch about 1-2 inches behind the hole, and 3) Destroy the branch with hole (still intact) by bagging and dumping or burning with a valid ag burn permit.

     Trimming versus breaking-off branches helps contain BTB, remove infested material, and may minimize the escape and dispersal of new adults.  See photos and additional information about BTB and its management at https://bit.ly/2SEAQK4.

     Apply for and learn about an ag burn permit by visiting https://bit.ly/3bR3Y86.

Banana Moth

     Banana Moth
     With the emergence of new verticals and shoots, banana moth may present a challenge to maintaining healthy and strong verticals. These moths, which are nocturnal, lay eggs on succulent, new growth. The caterpillars weaken verticals by chewing at the base or by entering the vertical from the base.
     Learn more about banana moth and how to manage this pest, visit https://bit.ly/32aIOOa.
     Pesticide Use

     Questions about pesticide product use or calculating how much product to add per gallon of water? Contact Kawabata at andreak@hawaii.edu or 808-322-4892.

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See Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events. 

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

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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

OKK Market at the future Nāʻālehu senior housing site, mauka of Highway 11. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.

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, 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 to Be a Vendor at the Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar by Wednesday, March 18. The annual event will be held Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located on the corner of Mamalahoa 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.

Sign Up Keiki for the Second Annual Kaʻū Children's Business Fair, to be held Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to noon 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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