About The Kaʻū Calendar

Tuesday, February 01, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, Feb.1, 2022

Young dancers from Kaʻū performed at  Merrie Monarch Festival presentations in 2019 and Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder
plans to return this April 16 at 2 p.m. in the Hilo Civic Auditorium Merrie Monarch will resume its live competition
 and related cultural activities and performances. Photo by David Berry

MERRIE MONARCH PLANS TO RETURN, with attendees at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo. Hawai'i County Mayor Mitch Roth told Honolulu Star-Advertiser on its Spotlight Hawai'i livestream on Monday that he is looking forward to the most prominent hula festival on the planet and other large events going live once again on the island. He told the Advertiser, "We’re working with the Merrie Monarch people, and we believe that this year we will have a Merrie Monarch, if things keep on going the way they’re progressing. Right now, with the numbers coming down, we’re hoping that things are looking a lot better by the time we have our Merrie Monarch or by the time we have Ironman or some of these larger events."
    The optimism comes with a drop in the daily count of Covid cases. Merrie Monarch organizers have chosen to go forward, with and audience and without selling tickets. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder said she looks forward to bringing dancers from Kaʻū  to Merrie Monarch events to perform and immerse themselves in hula from around the world. 
     Her Halau Hula O Leionalani will participate on Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m. during the Merrie Monarch opening at the Hilo Civic Auditorium. Ryder said, "It will be a reunion for the hula sisters" from Japan's Kanegawa, Iwate, Saitama and Okinawa, as well as Virginia and O'ahu. "The last time they were together was during the Ho'okupu Hula Festival at Pahala Community Center in 2019."
Mexican, Japanese, Hawaiian and other cultures come together at Hula No Kaʻū Ho'okupu Cultural Festival in Pahala, which Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder plans to bring back live in 2023. Photo by Julia Neal
     Ryder's own Hula No Kaʻū  Ho'okupu Cultural Festival in Pahala was cancelled in 2020 and Ryder said she did not want to go another year without it. "We needed to ho malu - go forward and not let this pandemic take control of our lives."
   The Ho'okupu Festival went virtual on Dec. 11, 2021 from Na'alehu Hongwanji with sister halau performing from around the world. Performances included cultural dances from Mexico, Taiko drumming, traditional Okinawan music, other dances and hula. "Participants shared videos of their historical sites, food and culture of their countries."
     Ryder noted that "While there were some technical difficulties, it turned out to be a wonderful festival and a great learning experience for all of us. I am hopeful that we can continue the annual Ho'okupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival in November of 2023 and can welcome back all of our participants from around the world, our. cultural practitioners, local vendors and community to enjoy with their 'ohana and friends."
    Another large Hawai'i Island event that plans to return with audience is the Ironman World Championship, which moved to Utah last year, but will come back to Kona in October.
    One event that kept running during the pandemic with special Covid protocols last year and returns this year is Kaʻū Coffee Trail Runs, which is scheduled for July 3 and open for registration.

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TREASURE OF OUR ANCESTORS, the Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna Virtual Summit & Workshops are open for registration through March 2. The free events, focused on the sharing and discussing of Hawaiian Culture-Based Practices, will take place via Zoom on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5
    A panel discussion, presentations and workshops, led by a variety of Hawaiian cultural practitioners, are organized with this Summit Guiding Question in mind: “Amidst the uncertainty and dynamic challenges of today’s modern world, how might one engage in Hawaiian Culture-Based Practices to build connections with others, improve total well-being, and perpetuate Hawaiian cultural traditions for future generations?” 
    These events are a follow-up to last year’s Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna Hawaiian Culture-Based Education for ALL conference, which saw over 2,000 people worldwide register to participate. 
    This year, the Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna planning team invites “all to join the 2022 virtual HCBP movement and cultivate a relationship with the practices of our kūpuna to build resiliency, foster a sense of personal balance, and support total well-being.” 
    Presenters include Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole, representing Lonoa Honua. She is well known internationally and in Kaʻū and has held her own hula, music and cultural workshops and retreats here.
     Kealiʻikanakaole is an educator who has trained in the tradition of Hula ʻAihaʻa and Hula Pele, chant and ritual for 39 years under Hālau O Kekuhi, named for her grandmother, Edith Kekuhi Kanakaʻole. 
Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻole is a key presenter at Ka Waiwai
 No Nā Kūpuna Virtual Summit & Workshops
March 4-5.

    She was ritually elevated to the status of Kumu Hula (hula master) of Hālau o Kekuhi by her mother, Kumu Hula Pualani Kanahele, and her aunt, Kumu Hula Nalani Kanakaʻole. Kekuhi has co-produced some of Hālau O Kekuhi’s most significant contributions to oral and ritual arts stage performances, namely, Holo Mai Pele, Kamehameha Paiʻea, Kilohi Nā Akua Wahine, Hānau Ka Moku, Wahinepōʻaimoku, Ka Hana Kapa, and CD resources Uwolani, Puka Kamaʻehu and Hiʻiakaikapoliopele.       The background posted for Ka Waiwai No Nā Kūpuna event says, “One of Kekuhi’s passion’s is strengthening the relationship between Hawaiʻi ecological wisdom and scientific wisdom. Kekuhi served as the Senior Scholar at The Kohala Center for 20 years. She has the honor of working with some of Hawaiʻi’s most passionate committed conservation and restoration organizations, individuals, and initiatives, one of them being Kā Mauli Hou - the statewide Hawaiʻi Conservation and Restoration Initiative. Kekuhi continues to facilitate ways of improving how Hawaiʻi consciousness and science & technology consciousness can work in harmony for the well-being of Hawaiʻi and the world. Kekuhiʻs most important message in this effort is: ‘I ola ʻoe, i ola mākou nei,’ my life is dependent on you and your life is dependent on me."
    The bio also notes that “In an effort to broaden her service to people beyond the hālau, Kekuhi has developed Ulu Ka ʻŌhiʻa - Hula Consciousness Seminar and Hālau ʻŌhiʻa - Hawaiʻi Stewardship Training to teach basic Hawaiʻi practices that can connect anyone, anywhere, to their inner and outer landscapes. Kekuhi and her husband Tangaro also offer an annual Kū E Ke Olioli: Chanting for Wellbeing Series. Additionally, she has created an online chant program, Oli Honua, to support learners worldwide.” 
    See her website at: www.kekuhi.com/.
    To learn more about other presenters, more details and to register, visit the site at bit.ly/HCBE4ALL. As the programing evolves, updates are posted on the event website and Kawaiwainonakupuna on Instagram.

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OHA's  HAWAI'I ISLAND TRUSTEE BENJAMIN KEOLOA LINDSEY STEPPED DOWN FEB. 1. He said he plans to "focus on the well-being of  'ohana." Lindsey, the nephew of former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Robert Lindsey, was elected to his first term in office in November 2020. 
    Keola Lindsey, 45, is a graduate of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy in Waimea, and earned a bachelor’s in
Keola Lindsey stepped down Feb. 1
from the elected Board of OHA
to "focus on the wellbeing of 'ohana.
"
Hawaiian studies and master’s in public administration from University of Hawai'i -  Mānoa. He was the owner of Onipa’a Mahia’i Farm- Owner from 1999-2002 and served as the state Department of Land & Natural Resources Cultural Historian from 2002-2007. He is a former OHA staff member and chief advocate before being elected trustee. He also served as OHA’s inaugural Papahānaumokuākea program manager and was elected to serve as chair by fellow co-trustees of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Management Board.
    During his time in office, according to OHA, Lindsey served as the vice chair of the OHA Board of Trustees’ Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment Committee. He also led the Board’s Permitted Interaction Group which dealt with audit reviews for the agency. Lindsey also brought attention to the need for disaster response for Native Hawaiians affected by the fires in Waimea, and he advocated for the protection of Hawaiʻiʻs natural and cultural resources.
    The statement from OHA says, the Board will take action in February to fill the vacancy as outlined under state law. OHA’s Board of Trustees will have 60 days to appoint a new trustee for Hawaiʻi Island, who will serve in the position until the next Hawaiʻi state general election in November 2022.

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Apply by April 1 for scholarship to
study agriculture. Flyer by Katie Graham
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS are offered by American AgCredit Hilo Branch. Deadline to apply is April 1.        Selected students will each receive a $1,500 scholarship that can be used at the school of the recipient's choice.
One of the key requirements is for applicants to write a short essay on "what future does Tropical Agriculture have for the young." Applicants must also express an interest in furthering education in an agricultural field. According to the 2022 Application, "it is the sincere hope of the boards, management, and staff of American AgCredit that this $1,500 scholarship will be beneficial to our youth in promoting the future of Hawaii's agriculture."
    For more information concerning the application, contact Linus Tavares in Hilo at 961-3781.

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Ka`u High School Girls Basketball players are back row 5 Riley-Ann Brown;
21 Kawai Smith; 33 Grace Smith; 22 Tyra Wong Yuen. Front row 20 Jacelyn Jara;
40 Chloe Velez; 30 Heidi Vidal; 12 Nalani Blanco-Louis and 25 Laci Ah Yee.

KA‘Ū TROJANS HOSTED CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY IN GIRLS BASKETBALL on Tuesday, with CLA coming out on top with a final score of 37 - 34. The first quarter was a 9-9 tie, followed by CLA taking the second with 14- 8, Kaʻū taking the third with 7-4, and a tie of 10-10 in the fourth. Top scorers for the Trojans were: Heidi Vidal - 14; Tyra Wong Yuen - 10; Grace Smith - 6; Riley-Ann Brown - 2 and Nalani Blanco-Louis - 2. Head Coach is Jacob Davenport and Assistant Coach Chrysa Dacalio.

UPCOMING TROJAN SPORTS are scheduled with high school players representing Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences:     
    The Trojans travel to Honoka'a to play the Dragons on Friday, Feb. 4 at 4:30 pm. Big Island Interscholastic Semi's happen on Monday, Feb. 7 with Finals Wednesday, Feb. 9. State Finals are set for Wednesday, Feb. 16-19.
    Trojans Boys Basketball comes home to host Ka Makani on from Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Monday, Jan. 31 at 6 pm., followed by another home game on Thursday, Feb 3 at 5:30 p.m., taking on the Hilo Vikings. The Trojans head to Honoka'a in Friday, Feb 4 to take on the Dragons, with a 6:30 p.m. JV game and a 7:30 p.m. varsity game. 
    Back home on Saturday, Feb. 5, the Trojans host Kohala Cowboys at 11 a.m. The next game remains at home taking on Kea'au Cougars on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. The Trojans travel to play the Pahoa Daggers on Friday, Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. and Waiakea Warriors on Monday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.
    BIIF Division II Semi Finals are Monday, Feb. 21. Finals are Wednesday, Feb. 23. The state Finals are March 3-5.
    Swimming takes the Trojan team on Saturday, Feb. 5 for islandwide competition to be hosted at Kamehameha School in Kea'au. Swimmers travel again to Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, Feb. 12. The        BIIF finals are a two-day event on Friday Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19. State finals are March 4 and 5.

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Upcoming Events for Kaʻū & Volcano

Community members planting in Miloliʻi. Image from Kalanihale
VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING on Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's Disaster Recovery Project. Thursday, Feb. 24, 12 - 1 p.m. and 6 - 7 p.m. To join the 12 p.m. meeting: https://swca.zoom.us/j/91430664015. Those without internet access can join by phone: (888) 475-4499 US Toll-free; Meeting ID: 914 3066 4015. To join the 6 p.m. meeting: https://swca.zoom.us/j/97252271515. Those without internet access can join by phone: (888) 475-4499 US Toll-free; Meeting ID: 972 5227 1515.

COVID-19 PFIZER VACCINE/BOOSTER CLINIC at Ocean View Community Center. Saturday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Open to ages 5 and up. Home test kits will be available while supplies last. Walk-ins and uninsured are welcome. Please bring ID. Contact (808) 932-4205 for any questions. 

MILOLIʻI ʻOHANA FUNDRAISER at Park Halau in Miloliʻi. Saturday, Feb. 26 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food, crafts, music, silent auction, and more. For more information, contact (808) 937-1310 or visit Kalanihale.com.


YOUNG WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARD offered by Zonta Club of Hilo. Deadline to apply is March 1. Open to women ages 16-19 interested in careers in public policy making, government, and volunteer organizations. For more details, visit zontahilo.org/scholarships-grants/.

FREE FOOD 

ST JUDE'S HOT MEALS are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until they run out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.

KAʻŪ FOOD PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m. - Pau. Located at St. Judeʻs Episcopalian Church above Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.

ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. - Pau. Located at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket. 

COOPER CENTER COMMUNITY PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 9:30 - 11 a.m. Located at 19- 4030 Wright Road in Volcano. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket. 

SACRED HEART: LOAVES AND FISHES  FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Thursday, Feb. 24, 9 - 11 a.m. Located at 95-5558 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket. 

KUPUNA FOOD BASKET, Thursday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.

OUTDOOR MARKETS

VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Kaʻū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800. 



‘O KA’Ū KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Masks, temperature checks and hand sanitizing required. Social distancing enforced. No vaccination proof required. 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 COMMUNITY MARKET, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. 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. 

OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET 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. 

ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE is hosted by Nā’ālehu Main Street on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Old Shirakawa Estate in Wai’ōhinu. It features Made in Hawai’i products, organic produce, creative crafts, art, flowers & plants, food, music, and more. Email AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com. 

THE BOOK SHACK is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauahaʻao Congregational Church grounds, located at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Waiʻōhinu.
                                                   

DAILY/WEEKLY/MONTHLY 

ST. JUDE'S SHOWER MINISTRY has reopened to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. noon, with hot water, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and clean towels. Masks and social distancing are required before and after showering. The long standing public shower service, put on pause by Covid, is supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi's Commission on Mission Beyond Church and St. Jude's own outreach fund. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Members of the congregation built the facility.

FREE HELP WITH FAMILY HISTORY in Kaʻū is available 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday. All are welcome to the Family History Center. The aim is to "Come Discover Your Past," says the statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which hosts the weekly sessions at 95-5682 Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Nāʻālehu. The drop-in assistance includes free Ancestry.com, Familysearch.org, and other online resources.

SWIM AT PĀHALA POOL at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School. Weekday lap swims. Call for hours. (808) 928-8177

PĀHALA DOJO Sensei Francisco Villa invite individuals to join in-person classes held at Pāhala Community Center. “All students of Pāhala Dojo are dedicated to participating in class during the pandemic,” said Villa. Those interested can contact him at (808) 345 3036.

SEED COLLECTION WORKDAYS. On various weekdays, join Hawai’i Wildlife Fun team and core volunteers to collect coastal strand and dry forest plant seeds for saving (with the Hawai’i Island Seed Bank) and future restoration efforts. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, these events are limited to small groups of current HWF volunteers. Please contact jodie.HWF@gmail.com for more info and www.wildhawaii.org/ for more opportunities. 

HIKE AT HAWAI’I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. Description of trails, including Maunaula, Pu‘uloa Petroglyphs, Keanakākoʻi Crater, Ka‘ū Desert Footprints Trail and more at www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hikes_day.htm

KAHUKU RANGER GUIDED HIKES, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Join a Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park park ranger to learn about the history, geology, and ecology of Kahuku while hiking through varied landscapes. Meet at the Visitor Contact Station. See www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku.htm. PICKLEBALL AT KAHUKU PARK in Ocean View, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. For more information, please contact Jaquie Woodmansee at (808) 929-7022. 

YOGA AT KAHUKU PARK in Ocean View, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 - 10 a.m. For more information, contact Trisha Meyer at +1 (208) 353-3594.

KEEP ON WALKING III at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Mondays to Thursdays from 5 - 6:30 p.m. now until Mar. 31. Registration is ongoing. Open to adults. For more information and to register, contact Recreation Director, Nona Makuakane at (808) 928-3102. 

4-WAY FITNESS STATION at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Mondays to Thursdays from 5 - 7:45 p.m. now until Mar. 31. Registration is ongoing. Open to ages 15 yrs. and older. For more information and to register, contact Recreation Director, Nona Makuakane at (808) 928-3102. 


NET RECOVERY PATROL on Mondays with Hawai’i Wildlife Fund. The team and core volunteers conduct marine debris recovery efforts targeting large debris items, including derelict fishing net and line bundles, that are especially hazardous to marine wildlife. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, these events are limited to current HWF volunteers. Please contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for more info. Check https://www.wildhawaii.org/ with its HWF calendar for more opportunities to get involved with its bi-weekly net recovery patrols. 

WALK FOR FITNESS AT KAHUKU PARK in Ocean View. Tuesdays from 9 - 10:30 a.m. now until Mar. 24. Registration is ongoing. Open to all ages. Close-toed shoes required. For more information, contact Recreation Technician, Teresa Anderson at (808) 929-9113. 




HULA CLASSES WITH HALAU HULA O LEIONALANI at Pahala Hongwanji taught by Kumu Debbie Ryder. Class times based on experience and age groups. Contact leionalani47@hotmail.com

KUNDALINI KRIYA AND BREATHWORK, Thursdays, 8:30 - 10 a.m. Weekly Kundalini yoga and breathwork class at Earthsong Foundation on South Point Road. Classes are by donation $11-$22. RSVP by emailing Earthsong.Hawaii@gmail.com

PICKLEBALL BASICS at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Registration through Feb.  25. Program will consist of two sessions, one on Feb. 28 and another on Mar. 7 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. For more information and to register, contact Recreation Director, Nona Makuakane at (808) 928-3102. 

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