Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 2, 2024

Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

Emcee Kurt Dela Cruz and Kumu Debbie Ryder.
Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

THE FIRST OF TWO DAYS OF HO'OKUPU HULA NO KAʻŪ CULTURAL FEST AND KŪLIA I KA NU'U HEALTH FAIR this weekend brought singers, musicians and cultural practitioners to Ke Ola Pu‘uhonua grounds in Nā‘ālehu on Saturday with emcees Kurt Dela Cruz and
organizer Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder.
   Kūlia I Ka Nu'u Health Fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3 and is organized by Ryder and the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society, including its cofounder Ku'uipo Kumukahi, who came to Kaʻū to perform this weekend. Also on hand will be Kalani Meinecke, an historian with roots in Wai‘ōhinu.
    The health fair will include Lā‘au lapa‘au, health screening, food demonstrations, resource provider demonstrations, mele and hula. Among cultural practices this weekend are poi pounding and demonstrating with Bobbie Pahia from Maui and Kawehi Ryder of Pāhala and Medicinal Awa (Kava) with Todd Reilly. There will also be food and vendor booths.
    Kumukahi said the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society is "an organization committed to promoting, preserving, and perpetuating mele Hawai'i. Our mission is to celebrate and honor the rich musical traditions of Hawaii by providing educational programs, supporting local artists, and organizing cultural events. We are dedicated to sharing the beauty and significance of mele Hawai'i with the world."

Health Fair is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday on the Ke Ola Pu‘uhonua grounds in Nā‘ālehu.

Photo by Julia Neal

Photo by Julia Neal

Photo by Julia Neal

Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses 

Photo by Julia Neal

Photo by Julia Neal

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Team Nakanishi Gives Back to Kaʻū Coffee Farmers

Team Nakanishi Realtors in Hilo, Daniel Krause, Kealohanui Browning and Denise Naknishi, with Kaʻū Coffee Cooperative President Gloria Camba, presented a check this week for $6K to Moa'ula Property Owners Association of farmers who purchased their coffee lands from Kaʻū Mahi. The Association will maintain shared infrastructure in the common areas of the farms, including roads and water distribution. The farms started on leased land after Kaʻū Sugar shut down in 1996. Farmers recently bought the land, some with cash and others with low interest federal, state and private farm bank loans.

 Photo by Alla Kostenko