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Thursday, July 06, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, July 6, 2023

Limu Kala became the official State Limu with the Governor signing of a bill passed by the 2023 Hawai'i Legislature.
Photo from Ka Wai Ola
LIMU KALA HAS BEEN NAMED OFFICIAL LIMU FOR THE STATE OF HAWAI'I. Gov. Josh Green recently signed the bill passed by the 2023 Hawai'i Legislature into law. Office of Hawaiian Affairs publication Ka Wai Ola describes this most commonly eaten limu, Sargassi, ecjompcarpum, limu kala:
    "Among the first organisms named in the Kumulipo are varieties of limu, including limu kala. Limu
Limu Kala. Photo from Waimanalo Limu Hui
kala was one of the most commonly utilized types of limu in ceremonies. Kala in Hawaiian means to free, untie, unburden or absolve. People are familiar with using kala when saying, 'E kala mai iaʻut' to apologize.
    "Limu kala symbolically unbound or loosened human beings from offenses committed against one another or against the akua. Due to this particular meaning, limu kala played an essential part in rituals.
    During a purification ceremony, a kahuna pule heiau would mix seawater, limu kala, and sometimes ʻōlena (turmeric) in a bowl and sprinkle the congregation. This ceremony was mainly done when people had been exposed to a corpse or something that made them ritually unclean. Before the start of ʻōpelu season, fishermen would gather at a kūʻula (heiau specific to fishermen), and a kahuna would offer a prayer and then purify them before they went out to sea. This same mixture was also used to purify places that had become ritually unclean.
    "Limu kala played a vital part in traditional forgiveness rituals. When there was a dispute or harsh feelings within a family, the family would conduct a hoʻoponopono. When the issue was resolved, limu kala would then be eaten. If a family or community had wronged their ʻaumakua or the akua, an aha ʻāina kala hala (feast for forgiving offenses) would be prepared. Symbolic foods were eaten including puaʻa, āholehole, moa, kalo, and limu kala."

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"GOVERNOR GREEN ENACTS LAWS TO PROTECT BEACHES, SHORELINES, AND PUBLIC LAND," says the announcement on Thursday from his office. "New laws will provide resources for conservation, enact measures to assist with management and enforcement, and preserve the environment for future generations." One of them allows the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to fly drones over public lands to monitor conservation measures and look for infractions.
A new law allows and requires DLNR to report on its use of drones
 to monitor its territory and record infractions. Photo from DLNR

    HB1200 HD1 SD2 CD1, (Act 237) requires the DLNR to establish an unmanned aircraft systems program. It authorizes Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers to use unmanned aircraft systems. It requires DLNR to submit an annual report of the effectiveness of the unmanned aircraft systems program to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
    "Hawaiʻi is known worldwide for its pristine coastline and beaches, clean air, and blue skies," said the Governor. "It's our responsibility to take care of such valuable resources to preserve our natural environment so it will be available for future generations to experience and enjoy.
    "We also have two million acres of land zoned for conservation in Hawaiʻi that we must serve as excellent stewards of, by putting in place measures to help combat erosion, support climate change mitigation, and give our departments the tools they need to do their jobs in protecting the environment,"  Green said. "These bills are a good start in the right direction."

    Other bills concerning public lands that were recently signed by the Governor include:

SB67 SD1 HD2 CD1, (Act 227), relating to Commercial Activities on Beaches, prohibits commercial vendors from presetting commercial beach equipment on certain beaches under the jurisdiction of the Department of Land & Natural Resources, unless the customer is physically present. Requires commercial vendors to expeditiously remove commercial beach equipment after the customer has finished using it. Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to grant exemptions through rules. Establishes administrative fines for violations.
    HB364 SD1, (Act 228), relating to public lands trespass, clarifies that when trespass involves public land, all state and county law enforcement officers may enforce trespass laws, without regard to whether the land is owned by the State or by a county.
Some agriculture, bike paths and other
uses will be allowed under new law
within the Special Management Area.
   
     HB365 HD1 SD2, (Act 229), relating to Special Management Areas, redefines "development" under SMA permits to exclude low impact activities like some agricultural use, invasive species protection and fencing, bikeways, etc.). It expands exclusions from the definition of "development" as it applies to special management areas to reduce the need for special management area permits for certain activities.
    HB1091 HD2 SD2 CD1, (Act 231), relating to Real Property Disclosures Within Shoreline Areas
Seller disclosures for shoreline homes and erosion, requires disclosure of all existing permitted and unpermited erosion control structures on the parcel in real estate transactions when residential real property lies adjacent to the shoreline. Effective 11/1/2023.
    HB1079 HD2 SD2 CD1, (Act 233) Relating to Water Pollution Control, water pollution and water quality, it revises chapter 342D, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, to add definitions that are consistent with federal Clean Water Act regulations. Clarifies the Director of Health's role as a certifying agency, including enforcement of water quality certifications, and increases certain statutory civil penalties.


Kaʻū Roping & Riding hosts a two day rodeo this Saturday and Sunday at Nā'ālehu Rodeo Grounds.
Photo from Kaʻū Roping & Riding

Rodeo Queen ShaniaLee Silva graduated
and heads to the Air Force.
KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING NAMES SHANIALEE SILVA RODEO QUEEN, SHEALIA FUERTES PRINCESS. Silva and Freitas will reign over this weekend's Independence Day Rodeo July 8 and 9 at Nā'ālehu Rodeo Grounds. Both will ride in the
opening ceremonies both days.
    Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association's mission is"to preserve and perpetuate the paniolo culture for this generation and future generations; to instill in our youth the Hawaiian Culture; to teach them horsemanship and responsibility so they can become caring and productive citizens.”
    Its saying, by George Jung, is, "Life’s a rodeo and all you have to do is stay in the saddle."
    ShaniaLeeSilva graduated from Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary this year  at 17 years of age and plans to join the Air Force when she turns 18. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, serving as Senior Class Secretary and Senior Class Athlete. She completed CTE and was a member of the Health Occupation Student Association.
    Silva, of Hawaiian and Portuguese heritage, is the youngest daughter and second of eight children in the family of Mike and Wendy Silva in Pāhala. She grew up riding horses, competing in rodeo and taking care of the family cattle, goats and hunting dogs. She became a member of Future Farmers of America. Throughout school, she excelled in sports, including basketball and softball.
    Shealia Freitas lives on a coffee and food farm above Pāhala and is eight years of age. Of Hawaiian, Japanese and European heritage, including Portuguese, she is the daughter of Rodney and Marlene Freitas. Shaelia will be in third grade at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences this coming school year.
     She is the youngest of five children, with three older sisters Jessica, Michaela and Sheri and one brother Ikaika.

Rodeo Princess Shaelia Freitas will 
attend Volcano School of the Arts &
Sciences. Photo by Michaela Morales 

    Shaelia is a born country girl, raised on her 'ohana's Ka'ili Ma'ile Farms. A statement from her family says that Shaelia loves anything outdoors, especially animals. "Her love of animals started at a very young age and has grown as she's gotten older." She has an ardent interest in horses and rodeo. Her wish is to one day have a horse to call her own.
    Rodeo tickets are available from the Queen and Princess and at the gate. They are $8 in advance and $10 at the Rodeo Grounds.
    Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association is a non-profit 501C3 and accepts donations to be used for its mission, including purchasing additional land for parking at the rodeo grounds.

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CALLING ON ALL KAʻŪ HIGH & VOLCANO SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & SCIENCES FOOTBALL PLAYERS. The coaching staff reports that practice begins on Monday, July 24 at Kaʻū High in Pāhala. The coaches will present a preseason potluck at Punalu'u Beach Park on Sunday, July 23 from 1 p.m to 4 p.m. With questions and to RSVP, call or text Mark Peters at 510-387-5669.