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| Waikapuna on the Kaʻū Coast is the subject of a community meeting for planning its management, through a county conservation easement and stewardship led by Ala Kahakahakai Trail Association. Photo by Shalan Crysdale |
A COMMUNITY MEETING ON WAIKAPUNA RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN has been set for Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on zoom. Waikapuna is 2,317 acres with miles of Kaʻū Coast, under a county conservation easement and held for stewardship by Ala Kahakai Trail Association.The purpose of the meeting is to provide background on the process and schedule for the Management Plan for the land; to gather input on cultural and natural resources to preserve and protect; to understand areas of concern relating to the resources; and to identify opportunities for stewardship.
The property was purchased in 2019 with public funds to protect it from subdivision.
Log on at www.zoom.com. Meeting ID is 83744678872. passcode is Kau. For audio only, call 346-248-7700. Meeting ID is 837 4467 9971. Passcode is 816026. The meeting will be recorded. For a link to the recording, contact Gabrielle Sham, Townscape, Inc. at gabrielle@townscape.com.
According to the website of Ala Kahakai Trail Association, "Waikapuna encompasses the entirety of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipaliiki Ahupua'a of Kaʻū Moku on Hawai'i Island. This purchase covers over 2.3 miles of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail - including what is traditionally known as the Ala Loa. An ancient fishing village of Waikapuna exists here and the acquisition of this wahi pana protects hundreds of intact pre-contact Native Hawaiian burial and non-burial cultural sites.
"Rich in Native Hawaiian and paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) cultural heritage, the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna includes house sites, heiau, lava tube caves, and ancient trails. It is surrounded by large stands of native coastal vegetation, tidepool complex, and sea caves."
Waikapuna features "a segment of the Alaloa footpath, large strands of native coastal plant species, and sea cliffs that provide habitat to endangered birds; and provides access to important nearshore resources that many local families still rely on for subsistence. The property also supports ranching, perpetuating Kaʻū’s paniolo heritage and contributing to the region’s agricultural economy."
The stated purpose of the County of Hawai'i's conservation easement over Wiakapuna is to:
“conserve, preserve, and protect in perpetuity the historic, cultural, agricultural, natural, marine, scenic, open space, fresh water, and native and endemic plant and animal habitat values of the Easement Property.”
Ala Kahakai Trail Association is required to establish a Land Management Plan, consistent with the conservation easement and also the state Legacy Land Conservation Program grant that helped to purchase the Waikapuna land. The County of Hawai'i hired Townscape Inc., an environmental community planning company, to work with the Kaʻū community to develop the Waikapuna Resource Management Plan to serve as a guide for future management and stewardship efforts.
See more at www.alakahakaitrail.org/waikapuna.
Log on at www.zoom.com. Meeting ID is 83744678872. passcode is Kau. For audio only, call 346-248-7700. Meeting ID is 837 4467 9971. Passcode is 816026. The meeting will be recorded. For a link to the recording, contact Gabrielle Sham, Townscape, Inc. at gabrielle@townscape.com.
According to the website of Ala Kahakai Trail Association, "Waikapuna encompasses the entirety of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipaliiki Ahupua'a of Kaʻū Moku on Hawai'i Island. This purchase covers over 2.3 miles of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail - including what is traditionally known as the Ala Loa. An ancient fishing village of Waikapuna exists here and the acquisition of this wahi pana protects hundreds of intact pre-contact Native Hawaiian burial and non-burial cultural sites.
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| The endangered bird Naio, Anous minutus melanogenys, nests in lava tubes and ledges along the cliffside of Waikapuna. Photo from Ala Kahakai Trail Association |
Waikapuna features "a segment of the Alaloa footpath, large strands of native coastal plant species, and sea cliffs that provide habitat to endangered birds; and provides access to important nearshore resources that many local families still rely on for subsistence. The property also supports ranching, perpetuating Kaʻū’s paniolo heritage and contributing to the region’s agricultural economy."
The stated purpose of the County of Hawai'i's conservation easement over Wiakapuna is to:
“conserve, preserve, and protect in perpetuity the historic, cultural, agricultural, natural, marine, scenic, open space, fresh water, and native and endemic plant and animal habitat values of the Easement Property.”
Ala Kahakai Trail Association is required to establish a Land Management Plan, consistent with the conservation easement and also the state Legacy Land Conservation Program grant that helped to purchase the Waikapuna land. The County of Hawai'i hired Townscape Inc., an environmental community planning company, to work with the Kaʻū community to develop the Waikapuna Resource Management Plan to serve as a guide for future management and stewardship efforts.
See more at www.alakahakaitrail.org/waikapuna.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
MAYOR MITCH ROTH TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 over the Christmas weekend. He was asymptomatic when he was tested and is currently experiencing mild symptoms related to the virus, according to the statement from his office
"The reason for testing was due to a close contact in his immediate household. Mayor Roth is fully vaccinated and received his booster earlier this month. His household is also fully vaccinated. Mayor Roth was set to be out on vacation this week and will remain home to quarantine for ten days, per County, State,
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| Mitch Roth and wife Noriko when he was running for mayor. Monday, he announced he tested positive for Covid-19. Photo by Tim Wright |
“Getting vaccinated and, most importantly, getting boosted can minimize the chance of severe illness and keep us out of the hospitals. I’m only experiencing minor symptoms because of the vaccines, and I would like to encourage all of you who haven’t gotten yours yet to please go ahead and do so. The virus is spreading at a rampant rate and will take a toll on our medical resources if we don’t all do our part. The power is really in our hands, and we have to take this seriously.” said Roth.
The County of Hawaiʻi statement said it "would like to remind residents to stay home if they’re feeling ill, mask up, distance when possible, and gather outdoors this New Year. All residents who feel sick or are
in close contact with a known positive should get tested."
County-approved testing vendors can be found on the Civil Defense webpage at www.hawaiicounty.gov/testing.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
A REMINDER ON THE RULES ON FIREWORKS came from Hawai'i County Police Department on Monday, in a statement encouraging following of the law to "enjoy a safe New Year’s holiday." The message from Hawai'i Police Department says, " Hawaiʻi state law dictates that anyone purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid pyrotechnic permit may face Class C felony charges resulting in a five-year term of imprisonment if convicted." The statement also says, "Police officers will be enforcing the fireworks law and looking for violators. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500."The police release asks folks to "remember that anyone igniting aerial pyrotechnic displays risk not only their life but also the lives of loved ones nearby and potentially neighbors as well."
When/what fireworks are allowed: The use of fireworks is permitted from 9 p.m. Friday, New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. Saturday, New Year’s Day, January 1.
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Many types of fireworks are popular in villages throughout Kaʻū on New Years Eve. Photo by Julia Neal |
Common fireworks allowed without a permit include: cylindrical fountains; cone fountains; wheels;
illuminating torches and colored fire; dipped sticks; sparklers and salutes.
When/what fireworks are NOT allowed: It’s illegal to set off fireworks at any time outside the specified time period on New Year’s Eve; in any school building or on any school grounds without authorization from school officials; within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, church where services are held, zoo, animal hospital or shelter.
Prohibited fireworks include: jumping jacks; flying pigs; rockets; helicopters; satellites; roman candles;
mines; shells; and aerial luminary devices, also known as sky lanterns.
Hawai‘i Police Department reminds residents that it’s also illegal to: Extract the explosive or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks; throw ignited fireworks at, into, or from a moving vehicle; and
have anyone under the age of 18 purchase, possess or ignite any fireworks unless they are under the immediate supervision and control of their parents or an authorized adult
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Hawai'i Police Department gives tips on protecting pets from the stress of fireworks on New Years Eve. Image from Believe in Magic Dog Training |
FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS have been released by the Hawai'i Police Department, which manages the county's Animal Control Services:
Keep pets secured inside. Pets tied up outside can panic due to the loud noise and may break their tie-out or jump over a fence to escape the noise.
Make sure pets are microchipped, to help increase the chances of reunification. Go to Found.org to register pet’s microchip.
Thunder shirts, favorite treats, and crating, are all ways to help keep pets calm. Check with veterinarian about anxiety medications for dogs.
Check yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets to explore the area.
"The Hawai‘i Police Department asks the public to please kokua this holiday season by following the rules regarding fireworks to reduce the risk of injuries to people and pets alike. Police officers will be enforcing the fireworks law and looking for violators. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
See the December and past issues of The Ka`u Calendar
KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL & VISITOR CENTER. Buy online at kaucoffeemill.com and in person at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PUNALUʻU BAKESHOP online at bakeshophawaii.com and in-person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week in x.
ALIʻI HAWAIʻI HULA HANDS COFFEE. Order by calling 928-0608 or emailing alihhhcoffee@yahoo.com.
AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE COMPANY. Order online at aikaneplantation.com. Call 808-927-2252
MIRANDA'S FARMS KAʻŪ COFFEE. Order online at mirandafarms.com or, in person at 73-7136 Mamalahoa Hwy. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com..
KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.
DEPRESSED, ANXIOUS, NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? Call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.
LEARN SELF-CARE THROUGH Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group at facebook.com/bhhsurg
WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE OFFERS HEALTH PROGRAMS. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.
YOGA WITH EMILY Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222.
CHOOSE ALOHA FOR HOME is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home.
EDUCATION
Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs at rb.gy/o1o2hy. For keiki grades 1-6. Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org or info@bgcbi.org.
ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads at rb.gy/8er9wm. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Invite Park Rangers to Virtually Visit Classes, through connecting with teachers and home-schoolers with distance learning programs and virtual huakaʻi (field trips). Contact havo_education@nps.gov.
Public Libraries are open for WiFi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. WiFi available to anyone with a library card, from each library parking lot. See librarieshawaii.org.
Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.
Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report at rb.gy/awu65k.
Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, papakilodatabase.com.
Virtual Workshops on Hawaiʻi's Legislative Processes through Public Access Room. Sign up by contacting (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Ask questions and discuss all things legislative in a non-partisan environment. Attend Coffee Hour with PAR: Fridays at 3 p.m. on Zoom, meeting ID 990 4865 9652 or click zoom.us/j/99048659652. PAR staff will be available to answer questions and to discuss the legislative process. Anyone wanting to listen in without taking part in discussions is welcome. Learn more at lrb.hawaii.gov/public-access-room.
Online Directory at shopbigisland.com, co-sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, has a signup sheet for local businesses to fill in the blanks. The only requirement is a physical address on this island.
COMMUNITY
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net
ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It started Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.
WALK THROUGH A GUIDED NATURE TRAIL & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. www.volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222.
KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz.
GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramiocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com. See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.
ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of The Old Shirakawa Estate in Waiʻohinu. It features: Made in Hawai'i Products, Organic Produce, Creative Crafts, ARt, Flower and Plants, Food, Ka`u Coffee, Gluen Free Low Carb Goodies, Wellness Services and Products, Clothing, Hand Crafted Treats, Music and more. Vendor and customer inquiries: AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.
VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Hawai‘i Coffee. Cooper Center's EBT Machine, used at the Farmer's Market, is out of service until further notice. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY MARKET, open Saturdays and Thursdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Council. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.
O KAʻŪ KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Limit of 50 customers per hour, 20 vendor booths, with 20 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET is open at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.
BUY LOCAL GIFTS ONLINE, IN-PERSON
VOLCANO ART CENTER ONLINE, in person. Shop at Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. See volcanoartcenter.org/events, call 967-8222.
