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Thursday, January 19, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday Jan. 19, 2023


The work of famed artist Rick San Nicolas, who creates replicas of historic Hawaiian helmets, capes and other featherwork, was stolen last Friday at Volcano House. Thieves took a replica of a traditional feather helmet. Law enforcement asks for help. 
THIEVES OF HAWAIIAN CULTURAL ARTWORK at Volcano House are sought by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Helmet stolen

National Park law enforcement officers. They are asking for the public's help in identifying two individuals suspected of stealing a contemporary replica of a traditional feather helmet, called a mahiole, worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs. 
    The mahiole was on display in Volcano House hotel lobby. Newly released images from the hotel's video surveillance system show a man carrying a large item in a reddish cloth, and woman near the hotel's front desk around the same time of the theft on Friday, Jan. 13 around 11:45 p.m.
    The striking crimson and yellow mahiole was crafted by renowned local artist Rick San Nicolas. 
    San Nicolas has been an artist in residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and also shows his creations each year at the Merrie Monarch Festival. His works are widely displayed at cultural centers, resorts and museums.
         Anyone with information is asked to contact the National Park Service by calling or texting 888-653-0009. Tips can also be submitted online at https://go.nps.gov/SubmitATip or via email at nps_isb@nps.gov.
    
One of the many Hawaiian capes created by Rick San Nicolas. Photo from Rick San Nicolas

Woman by front desk of Volcano House hotel when feather helmet was stolen. Photo from NPS

Shayla Pascubillo is reported
as a runaway. Call 808-935-3311.


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SHAYLA PASCUBILLO IS MISSING. Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the 14-year-old from Pāhala, who was reported as a runaway. Pascubillo was last seen at her residence in Pāhala on Tuesday, Jan 17.
    She is described as Polynesian with a tan complexion and a medium build, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
    Police ask anyone with information on Pascubillo’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Officer Douglas Phillips at douglas.phillips@hawaiicounty.gov.
                                                                                                                  To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
Brenda Iokepa Moses, of Pāhala, takes a look at public comments and county recommendations. Photos by Julia Neal

PROPOSED CHANGES TO BUILDING AND ZONING CODES are the subject of continuing public input to the County Planning Department. On Wednesday evening, Ka'u residents came from around the district to Pāhala Community Center to walk among displays of ideas, proposed changes and public comment already gathered and to give their own comments.
     The greeting on the lanai as people walked into the main room was a large screen with video of Planning Director Zendo Kern explaining the process. The entire display and film, along with ways to comment, can be can be accessed at http://COHcodeupdate.com. with a Virtual Open House  presentation at https://cohzoningupdate.konveio.com/.
The public is invited to give specific comments and
also to vote on ideas.
 
   Comments will be accepted through the website through Sunday, Feb. 12. Ways to participate and provide input through the Virtual Open House are:
   View and listen to the introductory video; fill out surveys and add comments directly to the open house boards - those commenting will be asked for an email address; and submit comments and questions to the Project Team using the comment form.
  Adding  'Ohana dwellings on properties to help with affordable housing for family members and perhaps other residents is one of the issues  The Virtual Open House presents a variety of viewpoints, including, "'Ohana dwellings are difficult to permit. Allow more than open principal residence. 'Ohana's should be permitted in most districts." The recommendation is to "Change 'ohana dwellings from a special permit to a conditional use. Explore other options for 'ohana dwellings."
The entire presentation is also online at
http://COHcodeupdate.com
     Another suggestion is to allow more density in urban areas to create more dwelling units. The county recommendation is to "Increase density in single-family residential, double family's residential and multi-family residential districts in urbanized areas to promote walkability and multiple modes of transportation."
Demetrius Oliveira, of Pāhala, discusses
proposed code changes. 
      Concerning use of ag land,
one issue is: "Agriculture needs to be protected and now allow other types of uses within the district." The recommendation is to "Adjust base agriculture districts to allow more protection and flexibility of productive agriculture land. Rethink the concept of the "agriculture district." Another ag issue is "Permitted uses within agricultural districts do not promote the protection of rural and agricultural lands." The suggestion is "Protect productive agriculture land and allow more flexibility where appropriate."

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RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM is open to provide grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grant and guaranteed loans funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and/or to make energy efficiency improvements. Applications for financial assistance are due by 4:30 p.m. local time on March 31 to a USDA Rural Development State Office or via grants.gov.

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Kaʻū's County Council member Michelle Galimba drops into the public
gathering on proposed changes to building and zoning codes.
THE AG-CONNECT PROGRAM TO MATCH INTERNS WITH AG PRODUCERS IN HAWAI'I is open. The University of Hawaiʻi AgConnect program matches current Hawaiʻi ag producers with Interns to determine if and how they may want to partner to grow their ag business together. Interested AgPro/AgXcel alumni and those meeting the experience requirement can sign up now. Sign up by visiting the AgConnect website at https://hawaii.hawaii.                                                                                        To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

KA'U HIGH'S BOYS BASKETBALL VARSITY TROJANS went through double overtime on home court to fend off Division I Waiakea on Wednesday, but succumbed to the final score of Warriors 61 and Trojans 56. JV also lost. This Saturday is the last home game and senior night for the Trojans who will play Hawai'i Preparatory Academy. Coach Troy Gacayan said Kaʻū has already qualified for Division II semi-finals, after beating the Kohala Cowboys in a big upset. If the Trojan wins in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation semifinals on Jan. 30, they will play in the finals at the Civic Center.

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FREE FOOD

St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

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 Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 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 the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Ocean View Swap Meet 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 Kauaha'ao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Wai'ōhinu.