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Tuesday, March 01, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, March 1, 2022

The Wood Valley proposed research site to detect Fast Radio Bursts from deep space. Photo by Katie Graham

TEN SATELLITE DISHES, EACH 20 FEET WIDE, COULD BE TEMPORARILY PLACED IN WOOD VALLEY on .5 acres at the corner of Center and North Roads. The site is on a 21.8-acre agriculture zoned parcel owned by Pam and Ray Mizuno. Ray's family has owned and farmed the land for generations; it is listed for sale.
       The applicant is leasing five acres to include a buffer zone around the .5 acre satellite dish site. The ten dishes would be attached to 6-ft. aluminum posts. The plan is to use satellite dishes to record Fast Radio Bursts, which are sudden blasts of radio-frequency radiation from deep space that last a few microseconds. The dishes themselves put out no radiation nor radio signals, says the permit application. According to the planning document, Wood Valley was chosen because, along with all of Kaʻū, it is the most "radio quiet" site on the island.
    The proposal to the County Planning Commission for a Special Permit comes from applicant Academia
An example of the kind of satellite dishes  planned for Wood
Valley by Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Photo from ASIAA
    Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, based in Taiwan. It researches solar systems, star formation, extragalactic astronomy, interstellar and circumstellar medium, and high energy astrophysics. Astronomers discovered the Fast Radio Burst phenomena in 2007 and have since detected thousands of FRBs from deep space.
    On Wednesday, Feb. 23, Land Planning Hawaii LLC sent notice of the special permit request to landowners within 500 feet of the site, as required by County Zoning Code, and Planning Commission Rules.
    The applicant is a research institute of Academia Sinica, the national academy of the Republic of China. ASIAA is based on the National Taiwan University campus, with a field office in Hilo. ASIAA operates two observational facilities on Hawai'i Island - the Submillimeter Array on the summit of Mauna Kea and the Y.T. Lee Array on Mauna Loa.
    The notice states that, if approved, in addition to the satellite dishes, ASIAA plans to temporarily locate two storage containers, one catchment tank, and one port-o-potty on the site. The satellites would face the northeastern sky and are designed for reception only, with no transmission of radio signals.
    The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing, with date to be announced. If needed, a contested case hearing will be conducted on the matter. To provide input, written testimony can be submitted prior to the public hearing or verbally at the public hearing. Written testimony can be sent to Written testimony can be sent to County Planning Commission, 101 Pauahi St., #3, Hilo, HI 96720. Questions and concerns can be sent to Land Planning Hawaii LLC at 194 Wiwoole Street, Hilo, HI 96720.
    Anyone requesting a contested case hearing must file a Petition for Standing in Contested Case Hearing with a $200 fee no later than seven calendar days prior to the Commission's first hearing. The contested case form and filing fee must be submitted via County of Hawaii Electronic Processing and Information Center at https://hawaiicountyhi-energovpub.tylerhost.net/Apps/SelfService#/home.
    Applications for a contested case hearing are available at the County Planning Department, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo and its Kona office in the Kona Civic Center at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI.
    To learn more about this case, call Land Planning Hawaii LLC at (808) 333-3393 or the County Planning Department at (808) 961-8288.

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 and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html. 
 
Land is being subdivided for a wastewater
treatment plant in Pahala. The county will present
 plans at a public meeting March 16 to consider
several options. Photo by Julia Neal
A PUBLIC MEETING ON OPTIONS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN PAHALA will be held on Wednesday, March 16 at 6 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. The county's Department of Environmental Management will host the session and issued a statement today saying:
    "Hawai‘i County entered into an administrative order on consent with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to close the existing Pāhala Large Capacity Cesspools and provide secondary wastewater treatment to Pāhala residents. In January 2021, the (Mayor Mitch) Roth administration determined that the (proposed) Lagoon Wastewater Treatment system was excessively expensive, inefficient, disruptive, and ultimately unfeasible. Hawai‘i County has requested approval from EPA to take a new path, and is gathering community input on its proposal. Representatives from DEM and other departments will be present to
answer questions about ongoing efforts to update the connections to the houses currently connected to the large capacity cesspools."
    In the meantime, the county remains in the process of acquiring land through condemnation in Pāhala for a sewage treatment plant, as required by the EPA, while alternatives are researched and brought before the public and EPA. The Kamehameha School land is 14.9 acres at the corner of Maile Street and Hwy 11 and is being subdivided from a larger piece.

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 and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html. 

A VIRTUAL RESOURCES FAIR FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS be held Wednesday March 2 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Link is bit.ly/EmPrep1The second is Tuesday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with link at bit.ly/EmPrep2The third is Tuesday, March 22 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with link at bit.ly/EmPrep3.
     Hawai'i County Civil Defense staff will teach participants how to prepare 'ohana for emergencies; start community planning group in the community; understand the County's resources and what to expect in a disaster event; preparedness and rescue of animals and plants; and volunteer opportunities and roles. Emergencies include hurricanes, lava flows, eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, wildfires and drought.
     For further information or inquiries, use request form: https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/contact-us.

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 and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html. 

Sen. Mazie Hirono has leant support to Joe Biden from
 his days as a Senator through his Vice Presidency
 and today's first State of the Union by Pres. Biden
TONIGHT'S STATE OF THE UNION FROM PRES. JOE BIDEN DREW RESPONSE FROM SEN. MAZIE HIRONO. She said, "There is no doubt that families are struggling right now—we are still fighting the pandemic, costs are up, and a major geopolitical crisis threatens global peace and our economic recovery. But under President Biden's leadership, we are moving in the right direction. The President has unified the entire world against Russian aggression. His economic relief packages have created historic job growth. And his efforts to address the supply chain crisis and pass cost-saving policies will ease the burden of inflation for families across the country."
     Hirono said that she, Biden and their colleagues "are ready to pass policies that will lower the costs of child care, insulin and prescription drugs, housing, energy bills and so much more."  She also noted that  "Tonight President Biden not only reaffirmed his commitment to lowering costs for families, but also to ensuring that every single Americans' voice is heard at the ballot box."
     The Senator said, "Under President Biden's leadership, Democrats will not stop fighting to improve the lives of every person in this country, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants and undocumented people. President Biden laid out his plan tonight of building a better America—and I look forward to supporting each of these policies in Congress."


SPARX music contest is open to
those in seventh to 12th grade.
A MUSIC TALENT SEARCH  IS LAUNCHED for students in Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Area Schools. It is sponsored by HISessions, a YouTube music channel, and Pacific Literacy Consortium. Applications opened March 1.
     It's called the SPARX Hawai'i Music Contest and its aim is to encourage students to explore areas that spark their interests. "Following that spark could lead to following their passion and creating their own path in life," says a statement from the organizers.
    "This is a fun vocal and instrumental talent search connecting promising singers and musicians in the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa area with an audience. The goal is to uplift the community through the increased discovery of its talented musical artists."
    The SPARX Hawai'i Music Contest is accessible to qualifying student musicians from seventh to 12th grades at Kaʻū High, including the intermediate students, Keaʻau Middle, Keaʻau High, and Pāhoa High & Intermediate, who record a video of themselves performing a song, and submit by April 1.
    The contest is an educational outreach component of the 'Aha Lamakū 'Oia'i'o federal grant administered by the Pacific Literacy Consortium, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Mānoa. ALO targets supplemental educational support to secondary students in four schools in Hawai'i Island's KKP complex area.
    For more information visit SPARXHI.com The plan for the website is to. use it to tell stories of others who have found their own path. "It will provide resources, inspiration and support. They seek to make a difference in student's lives."

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 and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html. 

GIRLS DAY ORIGAMI at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Open to ages K through 6. Register for free from Feb. 24 – Mar. 1. For more information and to register, contact Recreation Director, Nona Makuakane at (808) 928-3102.

THE BUSINESS OF ART WITH IRA ONO at Volcano Art Center, Saturday, Mar. 5, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn basic business principles from internationally-known Volcano artist Ira Ono. Class topics covered include: pricing your artwork for profit, creating presentations that focus on gallery buyers, gift shops, and department stores, and visual merchandising. Cost for the full day workshop is $55/$50 for VAC members. To learn more and register, visit volcanoartcenter.org/events/.

Volcano Artist, Ira Ono, will be offering a full-day workshop on the Business of Art on Saturday, Mar. 5 at
Volcano Art Center.

BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF HAWAI'I, the Right Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick, will lead the service at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View on Sunday, Mar. 6. The service will be on zoom and live at 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive. Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. The zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85987340947?pwd=VmJOUWkvM3lCT0N2cVN2RUFiM1kzQT09 Meeting ID: 859 8734 0947; Passcode: Aloha.

                               See More Upcoming Events and Sponsors

Upcoming Events for Kaʻū and Volcano


THE EVENTS OF MARCH

LIVE MUSIC IS BACK AT KAI LOKI'S RESTAURANT & BAR in Ocean View on Saturday, Mar. 19, 7 - 10 p.m. featuring Big Eye Band, an alternative rock group based on this island. The full menu will be available till 8 p.m. and from 8 - 10 p.m. the kitchen will be open for pupus. Saturday's special is prime rib. To learn more about Kai Loki's upcoming events and specials, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/KaiLokis/.

RANGER GUIDED HIKE ON ʻŌHIʻA LEHUA, Sunday, Mar. 20, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Meet at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. Learn about the vital role ʻōhiʻa lehua in native Hawaiian forests and the threat of a new fungal disease, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. This easy hike will be a one-mile walk. 

SPRING FLOWER COLLAGE at Kahuku Park in Ocean View, Tuesday, Mar. 22 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. Open to ages 6 through 12 years old. Register for free from Mar. 8 – 16. For more information, contact Recreation Technician, Teresa Anderson at (808) 929-9113.

SPRING FLOWER CRAFT at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Wednesday, Mar. 23, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Open to ages K through 6. Register for free from Mar. 16 – 22. For more information and to register, contact Recreation Director, Nona Makuakane at (808) 928-3102.

RANGER GUIDED HIKE ON BIRTH OF KAHUKU, Saturday, Mar. 26, 9:30 a.m. Meet at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. Explore the rich geological history of Kahuku while traversing the vast 1868 lava flow. Learn about the Kānāwai o Pele, the natural laws of land building that govern Pele's realm.

RANGER GUIDED HIKE ON THE PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU, Sunday, Mar. 27 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Meet at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. This moderate hike will be a two-mile, three-hour hike that loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. 

Ranger Wendy leads the Pele & Hi'iaka hike in Kahuku.
NPS Photo/Janice Wei

STORYBOOK – STEM PROJECT at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Wednesday, Mar. 30, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Open to ages K through 6. Register for free from Mar. 3 – 8. For more information and to register, contact Recreation Director, Nona Makuakane at (808) 928-3102.

CLASS OF 2022 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED BY CU HAWAI'I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. Applications are being accepted from graduating high school seniors on Hawai'i Island. CU Hawaii is looking to award eight seniors with $2,000 scholarships each to further their education in a vocational-technical school, two-year college or four-year university. Deadline to apply is Mar. 31. To learn more and fill out an application, visit cuhawaii.com/about-cu/community-involvement.html.

CULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (CIA) QUESTIONNAIRES related to Maunakea will be accepted through Thursday, Mar. 31. Experts on cultural resources, practices, and beliefs connected to Maunakea are sought by the University of Hawaiʻi. Responses to the questionnaire will help inform "the preparation of a Cultural Impact Assessment for an Environmental Impact Statement that will address proposed future UH land authorization for Maunakea." Go to https://www.pcsihawaii.com/mkcia to learn more about the CIA and participate in the cultural practices questionnaire.


FREE FOOD

Hot meals available at St. Jude's on Saturdays
at 9 a.m.
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, Mar. 22, 9:30 a.m. - Pau. Located at St. Jude's Episcopalian Church above Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.

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

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

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

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

OUTDOOR MARKETS

VOLCANO EVENING MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com/Volcano-Evening-Market-105888795330870.

Debbie Ward, farmer at Laiku Farm and Special Ti Nursery,
at Volcano Evening Market.

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.

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.

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

SPARX Hawaiʻi Music Contest launched on March 1st.
SPARX HAWAIʻI MUSIC CONTEST LAUNCHED on Tuesday, Mar. 1 for students at any of the 4 Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area Schools (Kaʻū High, Keaʻau Middle, Keaʻau High, Pāhoa High & Intermediate). Students must record a video of themselves performing a song and submit it by the April 1, 2022 deadline. For more information, visit SPARXHI.com.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WEEKLY COMMUNITY COVID-19 TESTING is available for free at Nāʻālehu Community Center every Thursday from 3 – 5 p.m. For more information on free COVID-19 testing, visit health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/testing-locations/.

SEE THE COLLECTION OF CALABASH EXHIBIT OF MIXED MEDIA by multiple artists at the Volcano Art Center Galley in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park through Apr. 3, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Participating artists include Wesley Buscher, Jelena Clay, Stewart Geller, Tim Freeman, Aaron Hammer, Frank McClure, Heather Mettler, Daniel Moe, Michael & Misato Mortara, John Mydock, Les Pedersen, and Jeff Roth. While admission is free, park entrance fees apply.

MAKE YOUR OWN GLASS MOSAIC with Michael Reeder is a 3 session workshop held on Sundays Mar. 13, 20, and 27 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus. The class fee is $45/$40 for VAC members plus a $25 materials fee. Please bring your own glasses or goggles. To register online, visit volcanoartcenter.org/events/.

KEIKI DRAWING CLASSES WITH KEN CHARON, Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Mar. 15 – Apr. 19. A series of 6 drawing classes for children ages 8 to 14 at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus. Fee: $120/$110 VAC Members plus a $17 supply fee. To register online, visit volcanoartcenter.org/events/.