Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023

Kaʻū Coffee growers can submit their info on selling green beans for the Taiwan Coffee & Tea Expo
coming up in November. Photo from Hawai‘i Coffee Association

KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMERS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR INFO on selling green beans for the 2023 Taiwan Coffee & Tea Expo in November. Through a Synergistic Hawai‘i Agriculture Council marketing grant, the Hawai‘i coffee industry will have a booth at the 2023 Taiwan Coffee & Tea Expo.       

   The Hawai‘i contingent, led by Ralph Gaston, a coffee farmer and marketer from Pāhala, will promote Hawai‘i coffees from several growing regions, award-winning lots, and dynamic and new processing methods. "Our goal is to raise awareness and knowledge of Hawai‘i's coffee industry, and also to promote export sales of Hawaiian coffees to Taiwan," said Gaston, of Hawai‘i Coffee Association and Coordinator of 2023 Taiwan Coffee & Tea Expo.
     "If you produce green 100% Hawai‘i coffee that you're looking to sell, please fill out the survey on the Hawai‘i Coffee Association website at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCA_2023Taiwan. We will share your contact info with interested buyers at the Taiwan Coffee & Tea Expo," said Gaston. The survey is due no later than Oct. 20.

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.

Hokulele of Kaʻū won second in the 6 & Under
division at Hokulele Super Saturday last 
weekend. Photo by Jan Kaeza Penera
LAST WEEKEND'S HOKULELE SUPER SATURDAY RESULTS ARE OUT. Hokulele Basketball Club, based in Kaʻū, drew some 22 teams from around the island to the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Funds raised help to send sixth-grade players to O'ahu for the Hawaiian AAU.
    Last Saturday, for the 10 & Under group, first place went to the Stingrays, of Kona and second to Alaka'i of Kona.
    For the 8 & Under, first went to Paliki of Kohala and second went the Kahaka Kohala Kings of Kohala. For the 6 & Under, first went to Hawai‘i Select from Hilo. Second went to Kokulele of Kaʻū.
   The next tournament will be over Veterans Day Weekend, Nov. 11 and 12 at the same gym for
youth basketball players from around the island who are 12 & Under and 14 & Under and will raise money to help eighth and ninth-grade basketball players travel to O‘ahu and the Mainland in 2024.
    Hokulele is a Kaʻū-based basketball training organization for youth. It is led by Hokulele Club & Organization President & Head Coach Ravel Kaupu Jr., Vice President Jan Kaeza Penera and Coaches Chrysa 
Hokulele uniforms celebrate youth
basketball. Photo by Julia Neal
Dacalio and Jaron Garcia.
    To join the club, register for a tournament, volunteer, and sponsor, contact Jan Kaeza Penera by email at kaeza.hokulele@gmail.com. 


REACHING OUT TO TALK STORY, COLLECT SURVEYS ON SEWAGE OPTIONS FOR PĀHALA, BRENDA IOKEPA MOSES will be available in the post office area of Pāhala Center on Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The survey is for owners of property on the old plantation gang cesspool sewer system. It will be replaced by either new sewer lines and sewage plant or individual waste water systems in each yard. The County issued a statement saying it encourages residents to make a choice "so your voice will be heard." Surveys were mailed to all affected property owners and will also be available from Iokepa-Moses, who is Deputy Director of the county Department of Environmental Services.

Hokulele Basketball Keiki play and raise money to travel.  They took second in last weekend's tournament in Pāhala.
 Photo by Julia Neal





HPD ARRESTED 27 FOR DUI during the week of Oct. 2.through Oct. 8. Hawai‘i Island police made the arrests for motorists driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Six of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. Two of the drivers were under the age of 21. So far this year, there have been 752 DUI arrests compared with 760 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.1 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 645 major collisions so far this year compared with 636 during the same period last year, an increase of 1.4 percent.
    To date, there have been 13 fatal crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities, (one with multiple deaths); compared with 25 fatal crashes, resulting in 27 fatalities (one with multiple deaths, and one reclassified to a medical condition) for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 48 percent for fatal crashes, and 48.1 percent for fatalities.
    To date, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) so far this year is one compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
    Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island-wide.


ENFORCEMENT OF STREET VENDING AND OTHER COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY RULES ON state and county roads will be enforced beginning Dec.1. Hawai‘i Police Department, in collaboration with state Department of Transportation and County of Hawai‘i Planning Department made the announcement
this week to inform the public of an upcoming island-wide enforcement initiative focused on the illegal use of state highways and county roadways for commercial activities, including street vending.
    "This enforcement initiative aims to ensure that our roadways and highways are utilized for their designated purposes. While we recognize the value and appeal of local vendors in enhancing the vibrant culture of our island, it is essential to maintain order and consistency in the use of public spaces," says the HPD statement.
    Beginning Friday, Dec. 1, authorities will monitor, address, and enforce regulations prohibiting unauthorized commercial activities on state highways and county roadways across Hawai‘i Island. Those found in violation could face criminal prosecution and fines up to $1,000.
    "The Hawai‘i Police Department appreciates the community's understanding and cooperation in this matter," says the HPD statement. For questions or further information regarding this initiative, please contact Kona Community Policing Sergeant Brandon Mansur, at (808) 326-4646, extension 256, or via email at brandon.mansur@hawaiicounty.gov.


at