The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: Apr 21, 2022

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, April 21, 2022

Troy and Ala Keolanui reign over the Merrie Monarch Festival this week. See more below and at www.merriemonarch.com.
Photo from Merrie Monarch Festival by Bruce Omori.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO WAS ON HAWAI'I ISLAND on Thursday, explaining efforts to lower costs for working families and plans to invest in Hawaii communities. She said that amid rising costs around the world, she ad colleagues are doing everything in their power to lower costs for families. She said they have taken action to address short-term supply chain issues, increase oil supply, push for lower prescription drug prices and child care costs, and promote competition. In recent weeks, Hirono introduced legislation to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month and combat price gouging on essentials like food, gasoline, and prescription drugs. She also mentioned that she helped to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to invest in America's infrastructure. The law includes more than $2.8 billion in federal funding for Hawai'i to help upgrade and modernize the state’s infrastructure, which will strengthen supply chains, help goods get to market, and lower costs for Hawaii families, said Hirono.

Sen. Mazie Hirono visted KTA in Hilo on Thursday and reiterated her
support for Da BUX program that helps low income families buy
locally grown produce. Photo from Hirono's office

The Senator started her day with a visit to the KTA Super Store in Puainako, where she discussed DA BUX program, which partners with food retailers to make produce grown in Hawaii more affordable for SNAP-EBT cardholders, and efforts to lower food costs. Senator Hirono is a vocal supporter of DA BUX program. Last year she supported a $5 million federal grant to help the program build capacity. “With food costs rising, we need to do everything we can to help provide families with nutritious, affordable food. Today, I saw firsthand how DA BUX program is helping families with low incomes purchase fresh, locally-grown produce. As we work to make sure every family in Hawai'i has food to eat, I will continue to champion this important program and other initiatives that help to lower food costs for families.”
She toured the Kolekole Bridge in Honomu to discuss infrastructure investments in Hawai'i with Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Highways Ed Sniffen. The Kolekole Bridge is one of many bridges in Hawai'i that will be upgraded. “Thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hawaii is set to receive more than $2.8 billion for infrastructure investments including upgrades to bridges and roads. This historic funding will help make sure Hawaii remains a great place to live, work, and explore for decades to come.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono visited Merrie Monarch artists and
craftspersons on Thursday and called the festival an
important economic driver. Photo from Hirono's office

Hirono also visited a public high school AP Environmental Science class taught by Whitney Aragaki, Hawai'i’s 2022 Teacher of the Year and the Senator’s guest for this year’s State of the Union. Last year, Hirono helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which included more than $412 million for Hawai'i’s public schools.

Said Hirono, “As Hawai'i’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Whitney Aragaki has made substantial contributions to her school, students, and community. I was honored to have her as my guest for this year’s State of the Union, and I enjoyed the opportunity to see her in action in the classroom today with her bright young students. The last two years have been incredibly challenging for students, parents, and educators. As we continue our recovery and work to address learning loss, I’m working to make sure every student in Hawai'i can learn safely in the classroom.”
The Senator ended her day with a visit to the Merrie Monarch festival in Hilo, saying, “The Merrie Monarch Festival is a wonderful celebration of Hawaii’s unique history, culture, and talent—it has also developed into an important economic driver for the Big Island. After two years without the Merrie Monarch Festival, it was great to see the festival back in action this year and to meet so many talented local artists and craftspeople from across Hawai'i.”

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/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano

Seth White, 21, who died in a motorcycle accident on
Tuesday morning at the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park. Photo from Jada-Simone S. White

SETH WHITE, THE 21-YEAR OLD WHO DIED when a car hit his motorcycle at the entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday morning, has been identified on social media as an Ocean View community member who was on his way to visit his mother in Puna at the time of the accident.

His photo has been printed in newspapers across the country, from The Sacramento Bee to Kentucky's Lexington Herald Leader, the image provided by Jada Simone S. White.

Numerous facebook posts to The Kaʻū Calendar express condolences to the family of the victim and to the 65 year old woman who was driving the small SUV that hit the motorcycle. There are also posts concerning improving the safety of the intersection and also the need for drivers to become much more aware of motorcycles on the highway.

TROY AND ALA KEOLANUI are the King and Queen of the 2022 Merrie Monarch Royal Court. The Keolanui's are long associated with the Olson Trust and its OK Farms in Hilo, as well as its Ka'u Coffee Mill and macadamia orchards in Kaʻū.

Merrie Monarch Festival described the couple on its facebook: "Mōʻī Kāne Troy David Keolanui and Mōʻī Wahine Alaʻamoe Kahanuola Kuʻikahi Keolanui Kahanu have five children and one grandchild.

Troy and Ala Keolanui who work with Edmund C. Olson Trust and OK Farms are
king and queen for Merrie Monarch. Photo from Merrie Monarch by Cody Yamaguchi
See livestream, results and more at www.merriemonarch.com

They farm macadamia nuts, coffee, citrus, tropical fruits, spices, cacao and hearts of palm on their Olson Keolanui Farms (OK Farms) in Amaʻulu, Hilo.
"Troy, born in September 1963, is the son of Norbet Kahalehili Keolanui and Rachel Keolanui Epperson. A Hilo High School graduate, he attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, then embarked on a career in construction and management, and in 1989 began working for the Edmund C. Olson Trust. In 2002, in partnership with Edmund Olson, Troy founded the

OK Farms on former cane land at Amauʻulu. He has also served as a soccer coach, referee and youth administrator.
"Ala'amoe was born in Hilo in October 1978 to Gary and Barbara Kuʻikahi. Raised in Keaukaha and Waiākea Uka, she graduated from Waiākea High School, then earned a certificate in Human Services from Hawaiʻi Community College. After a career in admissions at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi for many years, ʻAlaʻamoe began to work full-time on the OK Farms in 2013."

Kehau Ke will represent Ka'u in the Merrie Monarch Parade

on Saturday. Photo by Kamalani Kualahine-Salmo

As king and queen of the festival, the two participate in processions and grace their thrones to oversee the competitions and performances. Other participants with Kaʻū connections include those in the Merrie Monarch parade this Saturday, including a riding group led by Kehau Ke, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with its endangered species troop, Jovena Moses and Hui Malama, and county Department of Environmental Management with Brenda Iokepa Moses. Area artists and craftspersons have been showing and selling their creations at Merrie Monarch venues in Hilo and Debbie Ryder's Hālau Hula ‘O Leionālani opened the week of events at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

See live streaming of Merrie Monarch hula events and more at www.merriemonarch.com

CONCERT AT THE CRATER ON SATURDAY, MAY 21 has been announced as a free community live music event at Kilauea Theater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with music to begin at 6 p.m. . The event will feature two local music groups.

Hawaiian-fusion singer/songwriter Patrice Ka'ohi will perform with Jefferey O'Casey. Chris Carr, organizer of Concert at the Crater said Kaohi is renowned for her soulful vocals and unique jazz and motown influences. Hailing from O'ahu, she has lived on Big Island for the past several years. Headlining the event will be Carr's band, The Kilt Lifters, a four-piece ensemble performing their eclectic folk-rock with celtic and historic influences. The Kilt Lifters have performed throughout Hawaii the Mainland and beyond, at festivals and special events, from as far as Alaska to small town pubs of rural Ireland.

Carr said Kilauea Theater, built in 1924, "is an asset in our community. Seating over 300 people, the theater has the potential to bring the community together as a community cultural and entertainment resource. It is our hope to bring events to the theater regularly for the benefit of our residents and visitors to the area."
The event is free to the public, with the community and visitors "being warmly welcomed," said Carr. Park entrance fees apply.

Kilauea Theater in Kilauea Military Camp is located at 99-252 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785. To find the theater, enter Hawaii Volcanoes National Park through the main entrance gate, go straight for 1.3 miles and make a right turn onto the service road before the main KMC driveway. KMC is open to the public and offers meals at Crater Rim Cafe and cocktails at Lava Lounge.

Any questions, call Carr at 808-298-7254.

The Pet Nail Trim in Ocean View is a fundraiser

for Big Island Farm Sanctuary on South

Point Road. See www.bigislandsanctuary.com and

https://www.instagram.com/bigislandfarmsanctuary/?hl=en

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at

www.kaucalendar.com, on newsstands and in the mail.

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Brian Neilson, of the Dept. of Aquatic Resources atstate Dept. of Land & Natural Resources, led the public hearings on
Wednesday concerning Miloli'i. Kaimi Kaupiko was one of many who supported rules that set regulations for fishing.
Image from Zoom public hearing. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

A GREAT MAJORITY OF TESTIFIERS SUPPORTED PROPOSED MILOI'I COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA rules, which could soon be established with final approval of the state Board of Natural Resources, the Attorney General and Gov. David Ige. Two public hearings were held on Wednesday, one by zoom, and the other in person at the Miloli'i Pavilion. Much testimony was given about the importance of scientific data and local knowledge of fishermen and other community members who have taken care of the reef and the fish population for many generations.
The hearing was led by Brian Neilson, of the state Department of Aquatic Resources. Ka'imi Kaupiko, who heads up the community organization Kamalani, which worked with agencies, other non-profits and the community to come up with proposed regulations, said, "This is our time and our promise to the

Leivallyn Ka`upu pointed to the increase in development
and tourists who impact natural resources.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

kupuna," referring to the rules being created from knowledge of stewarding the nearshore waters, handed down in the community of Miloli'i for generations. He described Miloli'i as not only the last Hawaiian fishing village, but also "one of the last of its kind," with "little in the way of material wealth and modern amenities." He said people live simple and noted that much of the demographics remain - native Hawaiian with fishing a main occupation.
U'ilani Naipo, like Kaupiko, described herself as a lineal descendent of the place, where many generations of stewards continued to feed and maintain the fish population, with their traditional and customary protection standards. "Miloli'i is our home, our piko; we malama this place and feed our people," she said. She and others asked for more protection in the proposed 86 mile long Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area, to include a ban on fishing for certain species until they can recover their populations.

Miranda Steed, of Lana'i, was one of many supporters from
other fishing communities who supported the Miloli'i effort.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

Leivallyn Ka'upu said she has seen a huge increase in development and tourists who "impact our natural resources." She noted that the possibility of designation of protections for the Fishing Area came up in 2005 and asked that no more time to go by before the rules are finalized. She and others talked about not just saving marine species but striving for "recovery of their abundance."
Another speaker noted that Miloli'i was known for weaving sennet rope and that its waters are where marine life thrives in the meeting of swirling currents from Kona and from the south.
Charles Young, a fisherman from Kealia, said he and his three children all learned from Miloli'i fishermen who taught them to "take for your family's table and leave plenty for the rest of us." He said it will take more rules for the fish to recover at Miloli'i. Another speaker, Kawika Winter, gave his entire testimony in Hawaiian. A number of speakers gave parts of their testimony in Hawaiian.

Charles Young, of Kealia, thanked the fishermen
of Miloli'i for teaching him and his family.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

Speakers from other islands, from Lana'i, Moloka'i, Maui and Ha'ena on Kaua'i threw their support behind the Miloli'i proposal. Testimony contended that Ha'ena has shown through scientific data that protection of the fishing area with seasonal off-limits, bag limits
and other no-take rules, increased the fish population.
A number of speakers said Miloli'i residents and their knowledge have helped to establish Subsistence Fishing Areas elsewhere. Mahina Poepoe, of Moloka'i said she supports Miloli'i's "incredible efforts put into the development, outreach and advocacy," in developing its plan. "We are beginning to restore a future of abundance for the next generation," She described the efforts across the state as "more together than separate," and said creating the Subsistance Fishing Areas is "like making a patchwork quilt.

U'ilani Naipo was one of the lineal descendants
in Miloli'i supporting the fishing rules.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0J7snVFjM

She also said, "Progress can be regress," including going back to the ocean and traditional practices of of the past - "that's progress." She said that with climate change and the geopolitical situation, including war, restoration of resources needs to move quickly. "We don't have time to pander and placate to commercial self interests."
Billy Kinney, an urban planning student from Hanalei, talked about the return of "inspired, empowered and equipped community members." He also welcomed settler allies, partners, co-conspirators and new maka'iana'a who have joined in the movement to restore marine resources.
See more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. Go to the following links to view or download:

Jeanette Akiu Howard celebrating her
90th birthday in 2013 with Kumu
Hula Lorie Shirakawa at Pāhala
Managers House. Before her 99th
birthday, Howard will fly to Las
Vegas for a Kaʻū High Class reunion.
Photo by Julia Neal

Revised draft rule, Management plan, and Administrative record. Also see www.Kalanihale.com.

KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY ALUMNI HAVE TWO DAYS to sign up to receive a discounted rate to attend the Oct. 28-30 school reunion to be held in Las Vegas. Forty-eight have signed up so far, according to organizer Glenn Kawachi.
The earliest graduating class representative will be Jeanette Akiu Howard, Class of 1942. She is 98 years old and is headed from her Punalu'u Home across from Black Sand Beach to the airport for the trip to Las Vegas with school mates whose graduation dates are all much later than hers. Akiu Howard graduated in 1942 and has been a teacher of Hawaiian language and culture in the schools and the community for much of her life. Her home is affectionately known as Tutu's House at Punalu'u.
Alumni will fly into Vegas from as far flung places as North Carolina, Washington and California, as well as the Hawaiian Islands. To sign up, contact Glenn Kawachi at mrgyk50@outlook.com.

THE MAN WHO DIED TUESDAY AT ENTRANCE TO HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, after his motorcycle collided with a small SUV at the intersection of Highway 11, has been identified as 21-year-old Hawaiʻi Island resident Seth White.

Police have determined that speed and inattention are major factors in this incident. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2329 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo.

The fatal collision occurred around 7:52 a.m. when the 2006 Suzuki motorcycle operated by White crashed into a small SUV that was making a left turn into the park. White was heading towards Hilo on Highway 11. He was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased at 9:03 a.m. The 65-year-old female driver of the SUV was the sole occupant of the vehicle and reported no injuries.
The collision closed both lanes of Highway 11 near the park entrance for several hours. Hawaiʻi Police Department and park law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation.

UPCOMING HAWAI'I WILDLIFE FUND EVENTS to celebrate Earth Day include Saturday, May 14 with a Ka'u Community Cleanup at at Kamilo coast. BYO-4wd vehicles as limited space is available in other vehicles. Contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for more info.

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at
www.kaucalendar.com,
on newsstands and in the mail.

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, April 21, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 20, 2022