Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, Sept. 29, 2023

A visiting school from New Zealand brought Maori dancing to students at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym on Friday. A public performance is planned for Sunday at 'O Kaʻū Kakou Marketplace in Nāʻālehu at 3 p.m. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

A STEWARDSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PUNALU'U and other sites in Kaʻū is being launched by Hawai'i Tourism Authority and Ka 'Ohana O Honu'apo in partnershp with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. The funding for this Kaʻū Hoa Pili ʻĀina Training Program is from Hawai'i Tourism Authority, which recently named Punalu'u as one of the hotspots on the island that needs more stewardship.

    Ka 'Ohana O Honu'apo, which has been helping to steward the Kaʻū Coast for many years, received the contract for the training from Hawai'i Tourism Authority. Ka 'Ohana announced Friday that it is recruiting a part-time Mālama ʻĀina Coordinator for training efforts for ten young-adult stewards for a four-month pilot program that may be extended if funding and capacity allows. The statement from the organizations says, "This work is being offered as a part-time seasonal position by HWF (with KOOH) that is being funded by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority as part of its destination management and community efforts."
    Kaʻū Hoa Pili ʻĀina Training Program's Mālama ʻĀina Coordinator will work approximately 19 hours per week for this 18-week program beginning Oct. 15, and will work closely with team members of Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo and Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, says the job summary. This position includes working with HWF staff and KOOH volunteers approximately two days per week in the field and additional hours remotely to support the establishment and operations of the Kaʻū Hoa Pili ʻĀina Training Program for young-adult trainees.    

Logo for Ka 'Ohana 'O Honu'apo

    The job summary also notes that "Communication and coordination will be required for the 16 training sessions (with Guest Kumu), plus logistics for transport, makana, meeting supplies for any huakaʻi or workday planned for the program. Coordinator may request to work additional time, as needed, and permission will be granted on a case-by-case basis and as HWF resources allow. After primary tasks outcomes are achieved, in consultation with supervisor, staff member may spend time on secondary or 'subtasks' and support other HWF conservation activities as possible."
    The announcement states that the position will be open until filled, closing on Oct. 6 unless no qualified applicants apply. Work is expected to begin on Oct. 15. This work is being offered as a part-time seasonal position by HWF in partnership with KOOH.

    Ka 'Ohana O Honu'apo holds Hawai'i Tourism Authority's Hawai'i Island Community-Based Action Stewardship Program contract for Punaluʻu and the project is supported by HTA's Hawaiʻi Island Destination Management Action Plan, Island of Hawai'i Visitors Bureau, and Hawai'i Visitors & Conventions Bureau.
    More info about Hawai'i Wildlife Fund and Ka 'Ohana O Honu'apo is available on their websites at www.wildhawaii.org/ and www.honuapopark.org/.

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High School students from Aotearoa, New Zealand share their traditions with students of Kaʻū at the Herkes District Gym on Friday. A free public performance is at 3 p.m. Sunday at the OKK Market Grounds in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Julia Neal

AOTEAROA, NEW ZEALAND DANCE AND SONG come to the O Kaʻū Kakou Market Grounds in Nāʻālehu this Sunday at 3 p.m. Called Te Maurea Whiritoi Community Performance, the free event features students from Hamilton Boy's High School and Hamilton Girl's High School. They shared their program with local students on Friday at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School.

    The program provides a full Kapa Haka rapu. The free Nāʻālehu public event is sponsored by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School, Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū, O Kaʻū Kakou, Ka 'Ohana O Honu'apo, Kamehameha Schools & Kahuku Ranch, Kaʻū  Global Learning Lab and Hawai'i Health Harm Reduction Center.