Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Ola Sangels on violin, Julia Parke on flute and Charlie O'Kelly on Euphonium at the debut of the South Hawai‘i Symphony on Sunday, directed by Farley Sangels. Photo by Annie Bosted

Sangels played a Bach solo on trumpet.
Photo by Annie Bosted

A STANDING OVATION WAS GIVEN TO THE DEBUT PERFORMANCE OF THE SOUTH HAWAI‘I SYMPHONY on Sunday afternoon.  An audience of about 100 music lovers gathered at Ocean View Community Center. The ground-breaking show of local talent was the brainchild of the Symphony’s music director and conductor, Farley Sangels. For the past year, he has been recruiting musical talent in Kaʻū, and in many cases training beginning musicians and giving them loaner instruments.
    The year of dedicated practicing and rehearsals by his small orchestra of a dozen musicians was loudly appreciated by the cheering audience as each piece ended.
    Among the performers were Ola Sangels, Steve Smith and Lee McIntosh on violins, Julia Parke and Noa Caisermann on flutes, Laurie Boyle on the clarinet, Nicole Fournier and Nina Lloyd on French Horns, Arlene Araki on a cornet, Charlie Kelly on a trombone and a euphonium, and Brenda Trowbridge on percussion.
    Sangels took a break from conducting to play a Bach solo entitled Prelude from Suite #2 for Cello on his trumpet. It was an awesome display of the exceptional talent that earned him a place in the prestigious Hong Kong Philharmonic.
    A former radio announcer, Charlie Kelly, introduced each piece with a short description consisting of interesting factoids, often laced with his brand of humor. The 11 pieces included waltzes, chorales, marches, a canzona and a memorable rendering of the famous Danny Boy by Julia Parke and Ola Sangels on flutes.

The South Hawai‘i Symphony received a standing ovation.
Photo by Annie Bosted

 Sangels appealed for more musicians to step forward and join the symphony. He later told The Kaʻū Calendar that at least three people had shown an interest in joining the orchestra by promising to attend the next rehearsal, which will be on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Ocean View Community Center. Musicians of all levels are encouraged to attend.
    Sangels, a dedicated advocate of live music, has already selected the pieces for the Symphony’s next performance.

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A MAUI DONATION DROP-OFF CENTER IS ESTABLISHED IN KA‘Ū. The Maui Recovery Assistance Task Force has set up a drop-off center for physical goods for Maui victims of the recent fires. The location is 95-1625 Kama‘oa Road in Wai‘ōhinu.
    It is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Operated by the Department of Public Works, the aim is to aid local organizations in coordinating the storage and shipping of physical goods for Maui residents impacted by recent fires. "This initiative addresses concerns raised by various groups and individuals who have organized resource drives in recent days and encountered shipping backlogs, leading to storage challenges," says the statement from the County. "The Task Force's goal in this endeavor is to help optimize the collection, storage, and distribution of physical goods to assist affected Maui residents.
    The County advises that "Maui's recovery will be a marathon, not a sprint. Continued inundation of physical goods to Maui will prolong their ability to intake and disseminate goods effectively."
An online form has been created to enable organizations to provide a detailed inventory of items for shipment or storage. "These inventories will help assess Task Force capacity and enhance coordination among stakeholders, reducing duplication and enhancing efficiency."
    The Task Force identified suitable temporary storage locations and is coordinating item collection in East, West, and North Hawaiʻi.
    Organizations encountering shipping or storage issues are requested to complete the form available here: https://forms.gle/ohDFxoQXsTKTZC8d6. See the Task Force's Guidance at : https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3442/720#!/.

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KA‘Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym, 96-3150 Pikake St. The public is invited to ask questions and discuss issues. On the agenda are reports from the Action Committee's Punalu‘u Coastline Access & Resource Investigatory Subcommittee; Mahana Bay (Green Sand Beach) Coastline Access & Resources Investigatory Subcommittee; Pohue Bay Coastline Access Resources & Investigatory Subcommittee; Kupuna Housing Investigatory Subcommittee; and Development in Kaʻū Investigatory Subcommittee.
    Action Committee members are Jesse Ke, Ka‘ohinan Mokuhali‘i, Leina‘ala Enos, Babette Morrow, Jason Masters, Pernell Hanoa, Catherine Williams and Kaweni Ibarra. There is one vacancy on the committee.

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POLICE ARRESTED 20 FOR DUI during the week of Aug. 7 - Aug. 13. Hawai‘i Police Department made the arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Seven of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. None were under the age of 21.
    So far this year, there have been 600 DUI arrests compared with 628 during the same period last year. This is a decrease of 4.5 percent.

    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 525 major collisions so far this year compared with 500 during the same period last year, an increase of 5 percent.
    To date, there have been nine fatal crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities, (one of which had multiple deaths); compared with 23 fatal crashes, resulting in 25 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 60.9 percent for fatal crashes, and 60 percent for fatalities.
    To date, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) so far this year is 1 compared to 0 non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
    HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island-wide.

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Kiliona Young performs on Wednesday,
Aug. 16 at After Dark in the Park.

KILIONA YOUNG PERFORMS Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Young is a multi-genre musician and songwriter from ʻŌlaʻa on Hawaiʻi Island. His music tells stories of love, hope, struggle, and truth by employing a diversity of rhythms and melodies found in traditional Hawaiian music, reggae, blues, hip hop and soul. Kiliona has collaborated with artists like Pō & the 4fathers, Moemoeā and many others. Part of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's ongoing Nā Leo Manu Hawaiian cultural programs, and co-sponsored by Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Free, but park entrance fees apply.

ALL FRIENDS OF KA‘Ū HIGH SCHOOL ARE INVITED to the Kaʻū High School Alumni & Friends annual Potluck Reunion on Sunday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Live music will be provided by Calvin Ponce. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and her Hālau Hula ‘O Leionalani will perform from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Bring a favorite dish to share.

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5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the street.

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