Thursday, March 02, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, March 2, 2023

Sara Kamibayahi, who manages Pāhala and Nā'ālehu libraries, leads the celebration for the library's 60 years of service. 
Photo by Julia Neal

THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF PĀHALA PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY was celebrated Thursday on site with keiki hula from Halau Hula O Leionalani and its Kumu Debbie Ryder. Librarian for Pāhala and Nā'ālehu Libraries, Sara Kamibayahi, who has been honored as statewide Librarian of the Year, led the festivities. 
    They included naming the winners of the Tiny Art Contest entered by dozens and showing a display of historic photos of the library and its managers over the years. Kamibayahi said she would be happy to add more photos if friends and family members of librarians would bring them in.
Pāhala Library managers over the years. Community members
can contribute additional photos. Photo by Julia Neal
    Pāhala Public & School Library on the campus of Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary was constructed in 1963 and renovated for handicapped accessibility in1994. It is 4,000 square feet with six public parking stalls and public restroom. It is air conditioned.
     Pāhala Library features a wide selection of books, films, magazines and newspapers, with new books on display and the ability to order books at no cost from the statewide library system of 50 public libraries.
     Pāhala Library offers the Kaʻū History Collection by appointment. It also provides reading and study tables and chairs, internet, computers to use and a printer and copier.  There are free computer classes.
    With a library card, members have access to download eBooks and audiobooks, take online classes, borrow books, dvds, cds, and more and take them home, read eMagazines, use the library system's vast online databases, download the library mobile app and sign up for email reminders.
    The library participates in 'Ohana Readers program focusing on reading with family as an affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. It offers high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children under the age of five to children living in the Pāhala and Nā'ālehu zip codes. 
County Council member Michelle Galimba and
Mary Lester, of Kaʻū Library, show off winners
 in the Tiny Art Contest. Photo by Julia Neal
     Pāhala Library is seeking a permanent full time librarian so that Kamibayashi can return to her fulltime duties at Nā'ālehu Library.  In the meantime, Pāhala is open on Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
      Library staff invites the public to Game Night on Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to play checkers, chess, scrabble, battleship an more. No sign-up is needed. The program is for ages five and up. Young children must be accompanied by parent or adult caregiver.
    In addition, the library hosts special educational and entertainment events that are free.
    Library cards are free to Hawai'i residents and available for $10 for three months or $25 for five years to non-residents.  All replacement cards are $5.
    To apply at the library in person, bring valid photo ID, including an envelope showing mail coming to an address in Hawai'i, if address is not listed on the ID. 
    Minors under 18 must have an application co-signed by a parent or guardian who must be present a current ID and proof of mailing address.
     To apply online, fill out the Get a Library Card form at https://hawaii.ent.sirsi.net/custom/web/registration/index.html

Halau Hula O Leionalani share songs and dances of Kaʻū at for the Sixtieth Anniversary of Pāhala Library. Photo by Julia Neal
A FIRE BURNED DOWN A HOUSE WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN OCEAN VIEW. Fire Captain Jason Robello and firefighter Chad Toyomura reported they received the alarm at 11:17 p.m., reached the site at 92-8862 Reef Parkway by 11:36 p.m. and that the fire was out by 12:41 a.m. Noone was injured, trapped, rescued or died. The unoccupied 1,000 sq. ft, single family residence, 450 ft. down a steep driveway from the street, was "fully involved," according to the the report, with "total loss of structure and personal belongings." The cause is listed as "undetermined."


Farley Sangels leads the Kaʻū Community Concert Band and invites new musicians to practice on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
at St. Jude's in Ocean View. Photo from Lamma Studios
KAʻŪ COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND practices weekly under the direction of Farley Sangels, of Ocean View. The musicians are looking for more participants to "round out our ensemble," said member Laurie Boyle. "This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in playing music with a growing concert band under the direction of the fabulously-talented Farley."
    Lamma Studios' website says, "Farley Sangels is a multi-talented, multi-instrumental, multi-genre musical missionary with a wealth of experience in and love for the whole musical universe." He "lives in beautiful Ocean View on the magical island of Hawai'i and performs regularly as trumpeter and pianist of the Jazz Gardeners, electronics and trumpet with electro-shamanic duo Spark of Spirit and is the sound engineer and music producer of Lamma."
    It also says, "Farley performed with many of the world’s greatest artists in the best venues during his 21 year career as a “full time” orchestral musician, culminating in a six year tenure as Principal Trumpet of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. With that ensemble he toured the world, performing in the world’s great concert halls and excelling in the high-pressure environment of the top level of the orchestral performance standard."
    Kaʻū Community Concert Band invites musicians to practice Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. at St. Jude's Church in Ocean View. For more on Farley Sangels, contact farley@lammastudios.com.
 See https://lammastudios.com/our-artists/farley-sangels/.

 
KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMERS ARE INVITED TO BE INTERVIEWED by Sanya Cowal, a Ph.D. student at University of California Santa Cruz. She studies  study the ecological and social dynamics of coffee production and is looking for coffee producers who might be willing to chat with her for about an hour regarding farming practices for a study about coffee farming knowledge systems. She plans to conduct interviews in person in June and July. She said, "I would like to share the results in an article made available to all who are interested as well as publish a paper in an academic journal." Those interested in participating, can reach out to her at scowal@ucsc.edu or 503-867-9901.

P.A.R.E.N.T.S, INC. OFFERS MORNING YOGA CLASSES on the first and third Fridays of the month from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Nā'ālehu Shopping Center, 95-5657 Mamalahoa Hwy, Unit 5. Donations are appreciated. Instructor is Laurie Boyle. RSVP and for more information, call 808-430-5407 or email jcarter@hawaiiparents.org.]

Traditional weaving is one of the cultural learning experiences
at the public grand opening of Ke Ola Pu'uhonua this Saturday.
Photo by Julia Neal
PUBLIC GRAND OPENING OF KE OLA PU'UHONUA adjacent to Punalu'u Bakeshop in Nā'ālehu is this Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public and 'ohana are invited for a cultural experience featuring a hula performance by Halau Hula O Leionalani at noon, music, hands on teachings by such living treasures as Uncle Chucky Leslie with his fisheries; Kupuna Linda Saffery with her lauhala and makaloa weaving; Kupuna Bully Davies with coconut weaving; and Uncle Waltah Wong with his traditional hale and more. 
    Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai'i, Inc. will serve free hot dogs and juice from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all guests. The organization is headed by Kawehi Ryder and Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder. 

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

https://www.okaukakou.org/scholarships
-for-local-students
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 Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.


          




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