Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, Oct.15 , 2023

Both teams say a prayer on the Pāhala field before Saturday's game in which the Trojans dealt Kamehameha Warriors the most points scored against them all their winning season. Photo by Mark Peters

KAʻŪ DEALT KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL THE MOST POINTS SCORED BY AN OPPONENT all season during Saturday's Trojans home football game. Kamehameha Warriors from Kea‘au beat the Trojans 50-8 to remain undefeated and in first place in the division. With ten wins and no losses, Kamehameha could wrap up the Big Island Interscholastic Federation D2 championship in a game against Hawai'i Preparatory Academy next Saturday in Waimea.

Adahdiyal Ellis-Reyues evades the Warrior defendants while looking
to pass downfield. Photo by Mark Peters

  During Saturday's game in Pāhala, the eight points scored by the Trojans are the most given up all year by Kamehameha. 

    Adahdiya Ellis-Reyes led the Trojan offense with 15 carries for 131 yards. He added six completed passes for 101 yards.
    Seniors Keaka McDonnell caught two passes for 57 yards; TJ Kauhula-Faafia hauled in three for 35 yards; and Ocean Nihipali-Sesson caught one pass for ten yards and the touchdown.
    Vladimir Fedoruk led the Trojans defense with five tackles. Also notable on defense was Triton Blanco with a quarterback sack.           La‘a Kajiwara-Ke made an interception.
   Adhadiyal Ellis-Reyes had three passes knocked down. 
   Next Friday night, Ka‘ū Trojans close out the season at Honoka‘a.

Jo Buyuan and family.

THE SENIOR GAME FOR TROJAN FOOTBALL on Saturday brought recognition to senior players Jaestin Karasuda, Keaka McDonnell, Kinalu Wanzer, Stephen Adler, TJ Kauhuia-Faafia, La'a Kajiwara-Ke, Joe Buyuan, Ocean Nihipali Sesson, Dakota Seaver and Dominic Nurial-Dacalio.
    The seniors received public recognition with lei and photos with friends and families.

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & FOOD RESILIENCE IN HAWAI‘I is a presentation and discussion this Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. The subtitle is Best Practices and Learned Lessons from the Summer of Extreme Weather. Registration provides a link to the recording. The live event takes place at University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu.  

Dominic Nurial-Dacalio celebrates 
with La'a Kajiwara-Ke at Senior Game.

    A statement from the organizers says, "The Maui fires exposed Hawai‘i's vulnerability to extreme climate change-induced weather events, once again raising questions over how disaster-ready the state is. This panel discussion will highlight the needs and strategies for building greater food system resilience and disaster preparedness for Hawai‘i."

Dakota Seaver and his parents.

    The session is presented by The Hawai‘i Institute for Sustainable Community Food Systems at University of Hawaiʻi - West Oʻahu, Honolulu Civil Beat, UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, and Waiwai Collective. "The event series generates opportunities for community dialogue among a diverse audience, aiming to achieve a healthy, equitable, resilient and sustainable food system for Hawai‘i."

    Panelists are Chad Buck, Founder and Owner of Hawai‘i Foodservice Alliance Logistics and Disaster Support Services and Jennifer Walter, Deputy Director of Department of Emergency Management for the City & County of Honolulu. Discussion will be moderated by Civil Beat reporter Thomas Heaton. Speakers will start at 6 p.m, followed by an optional post-discussion community forum from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Register for this event at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disaster-preparedness-and-food-system-resilience-in-hawaii-tickets-728664313577?aff=eblast

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Jaestin Katsuda with his father.

Keaka McDonnell and fans.

BEEFED UP CROP INSURANCE OPTIONS have been announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for specialty crop and organic producers, including rolling out new and expanded options based on feedback from agricultural producers.
    USDA's Risk Management Agency recently accelerated its outreach efforts to hear directly from producers across the country by hosting in-person and virtual roadshows and making investments in risk management education.
    According to USDA, "These improvements are part of a comprehensive effort to improve risk management tools and other programs for a wide variety of producers as well as expand access to organic markets.

TJ Kauhuia-Faafia and fan.
Photos by Mark Peters

    "We're committed to working with specialty crop and organic producers to develop crop insurance options that fit their needs," said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. "We've listened, and we're proud of our efforts to deliver crop insurance options that meet the needs of producers as well as to share information on available crop insurance options. This is part of USDA's commitment to reach underserved and underreached producers and to help producers access new and better markets."
    From 1990 to 2022, liabilities for insured specialty crops in the U.S. rose from $1 billion to more than $23 billion. Over the past 20 years, the number of individual specialty crops insured under crop insurance programs increased by 27%. Currently, there are over 70 individual specialty crops insured under crop insurance programs.  See more at https://rma.usda.gov/en/News-Room/Press/Press-Releases/2023-News/Crop-Insurance-for-Specialty-and-Organic-Crops-Grow-as-Options-Improve-and-Expand?utm_campaign=specialtycrop&utm_content=expansion&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

IN WASHINGTON, D.C., CHAYENEE BROOKS, AN ENGLISH EDUCATOR AT KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY was on a National Education Association Fellowship last week. A group of 36 teachers from across the country are preparing to go to Costa Rica next summer as Global Learning Fellows. "We will experience culture and education abroad and bring what we learned back to our schools to expand global awareness," said Brooks. 

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