Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, July 6, 2022

 Kaʻū cowgirls Lorilee Lorenzo and Kianie Medeiros in the Wahine Mugging during the 2019 Fourth of July Rodeo, sponsored by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association. The rodeo returns after covid this Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10 at Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds. Photo by Chuck McKeand

Rodeo Queen contender
Lily Dacalio

RODEO AT NĀ'ĀLEHU RETURNS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association brings back its annual Fourth of July rodeo July 9 and July 10 after going dark during covid. At the gate, tickets will be $10 each day. The rodeo starts with Slack Roping at 8 a.m. on both days, with the show beginning at noon at Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds.
    Titles will be sought during two days of competition for All Around Cowboy and All Around Cowgirl. Events are designed for keiki to working paniolo to kupuna. They include: Open Dally, Kane-Wahine Dally, Century Team Roping, Ranch Mugging, Double Mugging, Rescue Race, Po'o Wai
U, Tie Down, Wahine Breakaway, Youth Barrels and a number of events for keiki.

Rodeo Queen contender
Zira Wrobleweski

       The family rodeo event started with a competition throughout the Kaʻū 

neighborhoods and ranches for Rodeo Queen, with both candidates Lily Api Dacalio and Zira Wroblewski invited to grace the rodeo venue both days. The winner will be announced during the rodeo.

     Wroblewski, 10, will be in fifth grade at  Pāhala Elementary in the upcoming school year. She is daughter of Kamalani and Eddie Wroblewski, of Pāhala. Dacalio, 12, will attend eighth grade at Pāhala Intermediate. She is the daughter of Sierra and Kimo Dacalio, of Wood Valley.

      For a last-minute sponsorship of the rodeo, call 808-854-7917.

Warming up for this weekend's rodeo was a riding group that  participated in the Volcano July 4 Parade. Called O Kaʻū Paniolo and organized by Merle Becker of Aikane Plantation Coffee, 16 riders participated. Ikaika Derasin carried the banner and escorted Becker. Joining them were: Lorilee

O Kaʻū Paniolo in a pre-rodeo ride at the
July 4 Parade in Volcano. Photo by Lina Kolosov 

Lorenzo, Ikaika Grace-Salmo, Caya Wong, Elaine Togami, Chris Beck, Frank Lorenzo, Mahina Lorenzo, Kirk Derasin, Denicia Derasin, Kircia Derasin, Romero Santiago and Joy Santiago. 

    Pooper Scoopers and buggy riders were Phil Becker, Colton Wong, Tiana Wong, Chaseton Wong, Chayden Caitano, Ethan Biasson and AJ Libunao.

  To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

Firefighters accessed water at a Discovery Harbour hydrant to cool a fire along Wakea Ave. on Wednesday.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

A FIRE RAN THROUGH UNINHABITED LAND on Wednesday afternoon, northeast of the Discovery Harbour Community Center, along Wakea Avenue. It was headed towards Kama'oa Road. Firefighters responded with fire and water trucks and were able to access water from a fire hydrant in Discovery Harbour. Assisting was BJ Excavations.

A fire along Wakea Ave. in Discovery Harbour headed toward Kamaoa Road
 but was stopped by firefighters Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Nalani Parlin

    After containing the fire to protect homes and letting some of the fire burn through dry grass to further protect the area, the firefighters stationed a fire truck over night at Discovery Harbour to be prepared for any flareups.
    Rumors spread like wildfire through Discovery Harbour that the fire was set intentionally, perhaps by someone who painted graffiti on the clubhouse a few months ago. 

A garden hose dampens the land ahead of the
fire that was stopped at Discovery Harbour
 on Wednesday. Photo by Jana Kaniho

PLAN FOR  EXPERIENCE VOLCANO HAWAIʻI FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in Volcano Village. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. 

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

A fire along Wakea Road in Discovery Harbour alarmed residents and drew firefighters and
volunteers who stopped it from its track toward Kama'oa Road. Photo by Jana Kaniho