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| County Director of Parks & Recreation Maurice Messina at right in back row with lead skate advocate and Director Travis Aucoin with Ocean View Skatepark advocates in the front row. Photo from OV Skatepark Assn. |
OCEAN VIEW SKATEPARK ASSOCIATION reports that a new contractor has been hired for the Environmental Assessment for the location at Kahuku County Park. County Director of Parks & Recreation Maurice Messina has named Bow Engineering, which is also involved in the Hilo skatepark. A statement from Skatepark Association says the next step is to hold a meeting with Bow Engineering, the community, and potentially skatepark designer and builder Grindline Skateparks, which is also working on the Hilo skatepark, to gather final input.
The Association also came up with a list of ideas to incorporate into the park to encourage community involvement and support.
Since EA funding is secured and its completion accelerated, fundraising for construction is the primary focus with the project closer to groundbreaking. Excavating, labor, and material donations are needed, and a licensed contractor must be present on-site. Other volunteers do not need to be licensed or specifically associated with the contractor, according to Skatepark Association. Those interested in helping can contact Laura Roberts at 406-249-3351.
The organization reports that the current savings balance for the project is $18,801. In addition to donations and funding, money is being raised through the sales of tank tops and t-shirts available at events and at Lisa's Kahuku Gift Shop in Ocean View.
"Advocacy for Ocean View Skatepark has been ongoing for over a decade, and the project is now gaining significant momentum," notes the Association, which also released the following ideas to incorporate into the park:
MAYOR MITCH ROTH ATTENDED THE ANNUAL MEETING FOR KAʻŪ RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION on Friday. He recalled his days as the elected County Prosecuting Attorney and coming to Kaʻū often to work in crime prevention in Ocean View and other communities.
"We have surpassed the midway point of our term, and we are humbled by the tremendous progress we have achieved together in building a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island, where our children can thrive and succeed for generations to come," said the Mayor. "That's why we are eager to visit our communities and share the work we have done while seeking feedback on the issues that matter most to each individual community. We are excited to exchange ideas and foster collaboration towards solutions that will have a lasting impact on our residents' lives."
A statement from his office says, "The town hall series aims to establish a platform where residents can stay informed about local initiatives, express their concerns, and actively contribute to shaping the future of their respective communities."
The first half-hour of the event will feature Roth and cabinet members providing updates on the county's progress and direction with site-specific information relevant to their community. The remaining hour and a half will be dedicated to a Q&A session, enabling attendees to pose questions directly to department representatives and receive responses from subject matter experts.
Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so residents are advised to arrive early to secure their spot and be part of this critical community dialogue.
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.
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| Location of the upcoming Ocean View Skatepark at Kahuku County Park. Image from OV Skatepark Assn. |
The organization reports that the current savings balance for the project is $18,801. In addition to donations and funding, money is being raised through the sales of tank tops and t-shirts available at events and at Lisa's Kahuku Gift Shop in Ocean View.
"Advocacy for Ocean View Skatepark has been ongoing for over a decade, and the project is now gaining significant momentum," notes the Association, which also released the following ideas to incorporate into the park:
Walking/Bike Trail; Community Garden/Food Forest; Picnic Tables; Shade Areas/Shelters; Small Outdoor Gym Fixtures; Platform for Events; Rubbish and Recycling Stations; Small Roller Skating Rink; Point of InterestWall or Plaque Honoring Contributors; Disc Golf Course; Water Features; Ninja Park; Bouldering Resin Rock for Climbing.
To donate and for more info, see www.oceanviewskatepark.org.
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| Jessie Marques, founder of Ka'u Rural Health Community Association, sits with Mayor Mitch Roth and other health advocates. Photo from Mayor Roth |
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.
The Mayor recalled the beginnings of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association. He praised the founder and Chair of the organization Jessie Marques. He posted: "A huge mahalo to Aunty Jessie and the Board of Directors at the Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association for having me at your Annual Membership Meeting & Conference this morning in Pāhala.
"I remember sitting around a table with some of the founders back when I was a community prosecutor. It’s amazing to see how far you folks have taken what was then just an idea. This organization has always been driven by an unwavering love of community. Mahalo, Aunty, for your relentless pursuit of health for the Kaʻū Community. You are a shining example of aloha, and I am honored to be able to support your great work. #RuralHealth #AuntyJessie #KauStrong."
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| Incoming and out-going board members of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association. Photo from KRHCA |
Also giving a presentation was Derek Kurisu, who founded the Mountain Apple Brand of local fresh foods at the KTA stores. Kurisu has been commencement speaker at several Kaʻū High graduations and is known for his cooking show on television and his food demonstrations. Gov. Josh Green provided a virtual message.
New boardmembers are Hannah Canosa, Shona Compoc, Rochel Davis, Akira Edmoundson, Richard Escabilo, Krystalyne Gascon, Billie Hiraishi, Michelle Hiraishi and Maria Lemus. Outgoing boardmembers are Stacyn Sakuma, President; Donna Kekoa, VP; Suzan Shrethsa, Treasurer; Angie Miyashiro, Secretary; and Directors Brynn Alcine, Otis Salmo, Jennifer Shrestha, Brenda Martin and Michelle Hiraishi.
Agencies and nonprofits who presented at the meeting were Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, Hawai'i Island Community Health Center, Hawai'i County Parks & Recreation, Hawai'i Police Department, Brain Health Hawai'i. CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union, Laulima Therapy, Alzheimers Association, Hilo Medical Center, Ka'u Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, Department of Education, and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
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.
TOWNHALL MEETINGS WITH MAYOR MITCH ROTH BEGIN TUESDAY, May 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Yano Hall in South Kona with livestream available at facebook.com/himayormitch and on Nā Leo TV, Channel 55. Sustainable Horizons: Mayor Roth's Community Impact Check-in is the title of his meetings around the island. He is expected to announce his dates for the Kaʻū area during the first meeting at Yano Hall.
A statement from his office says, "The town hall series aims to establish a platform where residents can stay informed about local initiatives, express their concerns, and actively contribute to shaping the future of their respective communities."
The first half-hour of the event will feature Roth and cabinet members providing updates on the county's progress and direction with site-specific information relevant to their community. The remaining hour and a half will be dedicated to a Q&A session, enabling attendees to pose questions directly to department representatives and receive responses from subject matter experts.
Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so residents are advised to arrive early to secure their spot and be part of this critical community dialogue.
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| The Wizard of Oz was the first production of Na'alehu Elementary Drama Club. Photo by Amy Kivuyo |
NĀ'ĀLEHU ELEMENTARY DRAMA CLUB produced its first play in May, before school let out for Summer. The play was The Wizard of Oz, the remix.
The production included students performing the drama, as well as a rap. Soloists who performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow were Tagataoletuiatua Palu-Soares, Chalana Hao and Kenneth Jello.
Hannah Bernard directed the play. Laisani Kivuyo and Cassidy Ellis played Dorothy, Shaire Blanco and Julieann Miller played the Wicked Witch. Rylan Castaneda and Heavenly Jara played Glinda. Ethan Hiebler and Taivyn Hu-Jara played Scarecrow. Tagataoletuiatua Palu-Soares and Leighanna Oliveira-Farias played Tinman. Dalton Brumaghim and Lexa-Marie Mayo played Oz.
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| Na'alehu Elementary Drama Club goes to Oz. Photo by Amy Kivuyo |
Guards were played by Melissa Saldona, Jacee Amaral, Jochelle Koi and Chalana Hao.
Mahealani-Rose Lee played Auntie Em. Lennox Naboa-Duque played Uncle Henry. The Lollipop League players were Lydia Gherity, Arhiana Bivings, Maile Pestana, Azariah Kala-Bosque, Mycah Salmo and Isaac Salmo.
Students read proverbs from the cultures represented at the school. Kenneth Jello read the Marshallese, Chalana Hao the Hawaiian, Tagataoletuiatua Palu-Soares the Samoan, Shaire Blanco the Filipino, and Mia Miranda the Spanish.
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.
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