Kaʻū News Briefs June 4, 2024

Visit Ka'u Coffee farms on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., an event of Kaʻū Coffee Festival Week. See map and list of  farms
at www.kaucoffeefestival.com. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

SEVENTEEN KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMS will be open for visitors tomorrow, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Ka'ū Coffee Festival Week.

    Ka'ū Coffee Farms at Cloud Rest to be open are those belonging to the following growers: Kudo, Norberte, Artizabal, Marques, Koi, and Miranda.
    Ka'ū Coffee Farms at Pear Tree to be open are those belonging to the following growers: A Farm, Ramos, Lazaro, Val Ramos, Hernandez, Ancheta, Tabios, Gascon, Melchor, and R&G Farms.
    The Ka'ū Coffee Farm at Wood Valley to be open is Silver Cloud and Kaʻū Coffee Mill.
   Here is the link to the map showing the lists and locations of all the farms - https://www.kaucoffeefestival.com/.../7c518f...

Meet the farmers, explore the Kaʻū Coffee farms on Wednesday from 10 a.m.  to 5 p.m. at Moa'ula, Pear Tree and Wood Valley above Pahala. See the map for farm locations at www.kaucoffeefestival.com.
Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL RECIPE WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED. The Recipe Contest at Ka'ū Coffee Mill on Saturday was the kickoff event of Kaʻū Coffee Festival Week.
    In the Pupu Category, Patty Fujimoto came in first with her Tita Taquitos with Aikane Coffee, Braised

Kaʻū Coffee Mill hosted Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest on 

Saturday, with entries in Pupu, Entree and Dessert.

Photo by Julia Neal

Kuahiwi Beef. Second was Kristen Davis with her Goat Cheese with Ka'ū Coffee Lehua Honey. Third was Zane Monteleone with his Burrata Salad with Ka'ū Coffee Balsamic Reduction.
    In the Entree Category first was Keone Grace with this Ka'ū Coffee Blackened Opakapaka. Second was Zane Monteleone with his Maui Nui Venison Pastrmi Dip with Ka'ū Coffee Au Jus. Third was Paul Eddy with his Roasted Ka'ū Coffee Chicken.
    In the Dessert Category, Patty Fujimoto won with her Ka'ū Coffee Layer Cake.
    Brittany Zagoria was second with her Ka'ū Coffee Sponge in a Chocolate Bowl. Third was Cosette Paseka with her Ka'ū Coffee Cupcakes with Ka'ū Coffee Cayenne Candied Bacon.
    The judges were Carl Okuyama of 'Ohana Foods, and Ruyanne Manuel and Tyler Hess of Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

KAI KAHELE IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TRUSTEESHIP. Kahele has roots in Miloli'i, his late father Gil Kahele also having served this area in public office. Kai Kahele represented Kaʻū and beyond as a state Senator and also as a Congressman.
    Kaialiʻi Kahele officially announced his candidacy for the OHA Trustee on Saturday in Hilo. He would become the OHA Trustee for this island, Moku ʻO Keawe.
    Kahele described his vision for a more equitable and just Hawaiʻi, reaffirming his commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian community. His candidacy comes with a formal endorsement from current Hawaiʻi Island OHA Trustee Mililani Trask.
    Kahele said, "It has been just over two years since I last stood before you here in Hilo, sharing a

heartfelt vision for a different Hawaiʻi, a Hawaiʻi that does not yet exist. A Hawaiʻi not owned and controlled by the few wealthy enough to afford it, but rather stewarded by the many who choose to mālama it."
    Kahele reflected on his journey over the past two years, which included service in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, his professional career as a pilot with Hawaiian Airlines, and his role as a faculty member at UH Hilo. Beyond his focus on personal and professional endeavors, Kahele said he retains a deep-seated desire to return to public service.
    "Recently, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Mililani Trask informed me that she was not seeking reelection to OHA. After several conversations, Trustee Trask asked me to run for her seat, pledging her support for my candidacy," Kahele stated. "After much thought and discussion with my wife Maria, my ʻohana, and those closest to me, it became clear that when our kūpuna and community leaders ask us to serve, we don't hesitate – we just do it."
    Kahele said that Trask has served as an OHA Trustee with dedication and commitment. She formally endorsed Kahele, highlighting his qualifications and vision for the future of OHA.
    "I am proud to endorse Kai Kahele for the position of OHA Trustee representing Moku ʻO Keawe," said Trask. "Kai brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of our community's needs, and a proven

Social Justice advocate and attorney Mliliani Trask endorses Kai Kahele
for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee. Photo from Kahele for Hawai'i

track record of advocating for Native Hawaiians. His leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to our people make him the ideal candidate to continue the important work of OHA. I have full confidence that Kai will serve our community with integrity, transparency, and a steadfast dedication to improving the lives of Native Hawaiians."
    Kahele emphasized his belief in OHA's potential to significantly improve the lives of Native Hawaiians. He acknowledged the organization's past challenges but expressed confidence in its future under strong leadership.
    "To me and many other Native Hawaiians, OHA has never fully realized its potential as a Hawaiian institution with the constitutional autonomy to truly serve our people," Kahele noted. "But despite its shortcomings, I truly believe OHA is the institution with the greatest potential to make a difference in the lives of Native Hawaiians."
    Kahele highlighted experience and relationships at both state and federal levels, saying they uniquely qualify him to serve as an OHA Trustee. He also contiued his commitment to not ask for campaign donations, instead urging supporters to donate to families affected by the Lahaina fires through ʻĀina Momona.
    "This campaign will not dial for dollars, flood your emails asking for money, fill your mailbox with flyers, solicit, or host a single fundraiser. Instead, if you feel compelled to give, rather than giving to this campaign, please consider donating to a family from Lahaina," said Kahele.
Kahele called for unity and collective action to build a better future for Hawaiʻi. "Together, we can build a Hawaiʻi where our people thrive - one that is more equitable and just, where our culture flourishes, where all Native Hawaiians can succeed, and where our future is secured for generations to come."
For more information on Kahele's candidacy and his vision for OHA, visit kaikahele.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

Vog rolled across Ka'u on Tuesday, with smoke still rising from cracks in the area of Monday's eruption. USGS image

A WEBCAM AT SOUTH POINT SHOWS VOG coming in from the southwest rift zone of Kīlauea volcano. While the eruption has paused, smoke continued to rise today from the cracks in the area of Monday's outpouring of lava, makai of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and Volcano. The air quality deteriorated from good to moderate for much of the island but recovered by evening. See the air quality map at https://air.doh.hawaii.gov/home/map