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| Ranch and large farm lands are up for sale in Moa'ula Kaʻū Coffee country, described in real estate listings as "Magical Ranchland or Ag property," noting opportunity for a "private getaway," and proximity to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, golf, "world class fishing, hiking and more!" Photo from Hawai'i Life |
The description included with each Hawai'i Life real estate company listing is: "Magical Ranchland or Ag property located just outside historic Pāhala, close to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, golf, world class fishing, hiking and more! With nice ocean views, this property offers ultimate privacy and the opportunity for green living! Easily accessed from a paved road, you'll enjoy cool tropical breezes at an elevation that's ideal for most tropical agricultural pursuits. Property could be licensed for ranching or ag while retaining a portion for your private get-away. So, relax and take a look at the rare opportunity that is Mo'ula!"
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| Larger parcels are for sale as Kaʻū Coffee farmers hope to qualify to buy their smaller farms with USDA, state and private loans. Photo from Hawai'i Life |
Regarding the land where local farmers helped to make Kaʻū Coffee famous, RLH subdivided the properties and offered to sell the smaller lots to the coffee growers who farm on them. The farmers have been paying rent for the property since the Kaʻū Coffee farms were launched with the close of Kaʻū Sugar Co. in 1996. The sugar company sold off the land with the coffee farmers' licenses to rent the property attached to the parcels.
Any lots where the farmers are unable to put down earnest money and provide a signed intent to buy will be put on the open market, according to representatives of RLH. In the meantime larger lots unencumbered by coffee farm licenses are going up for sale.
The Realtor representing the farmers wanting to purchase their coffee lands is Julie Enriques of The Land Office in Nāʻālehu. Representing the sellers is Denise Nakanishi of Hawai'i Life. She is based in Hilo.
Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba said she is hopeful that farmers will qualify with low cost USDA, state or private loans and be able to keep their farms.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| Hawai'i Methodist Union in Honolulu has put Pāhala Preschool building, operated by the Andrade family for generations, and the adjacent Methodist church building up for sale for $750,000. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| The Methodist Church building in Pāhala is up for sale, along with the preschool and 1.3 acres. Photo from Royal Palm Properties, Inc. |
THE METHODIST CHURCH AND PRESCHOOL PROPERTY IN PAHALA IS LISTED FOR SALE FOR $750,000. The 1.3 acre property at 96-1225 Hu'apala St. includes the unused church building and the active preschool that has been run by the Andrade family of Kaʻū for two generations.
The brokerage is Royal Palm Properties Inc. The owner is Hawai'i Methodist Union, the Methodist Church organization based in Honolulu with church sites in Kaʻū at Nāʻālehu and Pāhala. The county tax assessment value for the Pāhala property and buildings is $158,400.
Also listed is the church's parsonage at 96-1239 Hinano St. in Pāhala. The four bedroom, two-bath house, valued by the county at $182,500, is listed for $249,000.
Both properties went up for sale in the last week.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| Two areas of earthquake swarms around Pāhala drew a question from columnist Lew Cook about the possibility of lava flows in the future. USGS responded. Map from USGS |
PERSISTENT SWARMS OF EARTHQUAKES AROUND PAHALA drew a question for USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory from The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper columnist Lew Cook. On Monday morning, Cook wrote:
"During the recent eruption at the summit of Kīlauea, I have noticed that there are perhaps two locations where there are swarms centered ~7 km east of Pāhala and another centered 3 km south of Pāhala. The depth of these swarms is in the 33 km range. Are these indications that magma is moving along the SW rift zone from Kīlauea, and/or are there any indications that an eruption could happen at either or both of these places?"
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| A Volcano Watch in 2019 showed another swarm of earthquakes around Pāhala. USGS map |
HVO responded to Cook and The Kaʻū Calendar: "The earthquakes occurring near Pāhala are part of a deep swarm that does not appear to be directly connected to eruptive activity at the surface of Kīlauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. You can read more about those earthquakes and the interpretation of their cause in this Volcano Watch article: https://www.usgs.gov/center-news/volcano-watch-why-do-so-many-deep-earthquakes-happen-around-p-hala."
Volcano Watch stated that "This persistent source of seismicity was first identified on seismic records by HVO staff at least as far back as the 1960s. They characterized episodes of harmonic tremor, ascribing it to upwelling of magma within fluid-filled cracks deep beneath the island. Given the region’s location about 40 km (25 mi) from Kīlauea's summit and about 50 km (31 mi) from Mauna Loa's summit, it was unclear how magma in this deep region might relate to surface volcanism, if at all."
Read the entire Volcano Watch entitled Why do so many deep earthquakes happen around Pāhala? at
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FLAGS THROUGHOUT HAWAI'I WILL FLY HALF STAFF through Friday to honor the life of statesman and retired four-star U.S. Army General Colin Powell who died from complications from Covid-19. this morning. Known as the "reluctant warrior," he was the son of immigrant parents, who made his way to become the first black U.S. Secretary of State, first Black Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and first Black National Security Advisor. He advised four U.S. Presidents.
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| Gen. Colin Powell visited with the Kahuku Unit ROTC at Punahou School in 2012. His own military career began in ROTC. Photo from U.S. Army |
In addition to being a statesman, author, educator and serving for 34 years as a career military leader, Powell was a defender of newspapers and the press. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell sent a letter to a Hawai'i journalist and editor who is now publisher of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper and Kaʻū News Briefs. Powell wrote:
"I've always tried to think of all the media in the same light that Thomas Jefferson thought of newspapers when he said: 'The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right, and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter.'
"At the same time, however, one does hope that a journalist, any journalist, has the human decency, and the love of country to be like you and to weigh heavily the possible consequences of his or her actions if the situation so warrants, and then to act appropriately."
After the announcement of Powell's death, Congressman Kai Kahele wrote: "Colin Powell was a man of integrity, a role model and a public servant of the highest order. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing this morning. Mahalo nui loa, Mr. Secretary. Your dedication to the American people inspires us."
Sen. Mazie Hirono wrote: "Born the son of Jamaican immigrants, Secretary Colin Powell was a trailblazer who devoted his life to serving his country. I send my deepest condolences to his wife Alma and the rest of his family. May his life of service inspire future generations of Americans."
Pres. Joe Biden announced that U.S. flags will fly half-staff through Friday. Gov. Davide Ige added on the flag of Hawai'i to fly half-staff to commemorate the life of Powell.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
EARLY COLLEGE AT HIGH SCHOOLS IS INCREASING THROUGHOUT THE STATE, along with university enrollment, reports the University of Hawai'i system. A U.H. statement today says, "Local high school students participating in the free Early College program increased by 3.4% over fall 2020. Across the state, 2,959 students are taking UH courses and earning college credits that also count toward their high school degree. The partnership between UH and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education is supported by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. Research shows that students who participate in dual credit programs such as Early College are more likely to do better in high school and then attend and finish college."
Kaʻū High School encourages students to sign up for the Spring 2022 Early College by Oct. 21.
University of Hawai'i also reported that its enrollment increase in Fall of 2021 bucks a national trend of declining numbers of students going to college. “This is no small feat. Turning against a national trend that has been exacerbated by the pandemic is a testament to our faculty, staff and administrators who have been working tirelessly to improve the educational experience for our students in extremely trying times,” said UH President David Lassner. “We are also proud of our students who have shown resilience and perseverance to continue their higher education pathways in the face of so many obstacles created by COVID-19.”
UH Hilo is experiencing its first enrollment uptick since 2012, with a 2.5% increase. There are 3,243 students enrolled at UH Hilo including 459 first time freshmen, the second highest since 2013 and only three students shy of last year’s record freshman class.
Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at
www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the mail from Volcano
through Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Ocean View to Miloli'i.
Pick it up from newsstands.
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.Vendor applications are being accepted for its Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale on Saturday, Nov. 13. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory 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 Kaʻū 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.
