Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 9, 2024

Seventy-four year old Wisdom and her mate take care of their egg at Kuaihelani, Midway Atoll.
Photo by Dan Rapp/Friends of Midway Atoll

ONE OF THE OLDEST MOMS STILL GIVING BIRTH IN THE WORLD IS NAMED WISDOM. She spends time in the northern Hawaiian Islands on Kuaihelani, Midway Atoll, where she recently laid her latest egg and takes care of it with her mate. Wisdom is a 74-years-old Mōlī, a Laysan albatross, and was seen at Kuaihelani within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

     Friends of Midway Atoll reports that "It was very apparent she had found a mate on the atoll and then laid her egg later that day. He is currently taking his first incubation shift while Wisdom is out at sea feeding and recuperating, as she very well deserves time off as one of the most remarkable grandest of great grandmas in the bird kingdom." She could be gone from her mate and egg for a couple of weeks.
    The report says, "Wisdom has once again mystified biologists. Being able to reproduce and develop an egg, much less survive at sea and rear at least 30 chicks during her 74+ years defies logic and is truly remarkable. She is more than a symbol of hope and resilience, she also helps scientists better understand how to fully support such long lived and majestic seabirds."

    Seabird biologist and photographer Dan Rapp is documenting the life of Wisdom and the other birds on Kuaihelani. See more at https://friendsofmidway.org/

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Frank Lorenzo, Sr. and Ikaika Grace cut and
 set up the Norfolk Pine for the Pāhala Town
 Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday and the
Christmas Parade on Saturday evening, 
Photo by Julia Neal

KAʻŪ FARMS MANAGEMENT, led by Frank Lorenzo, Sr., cut and and placed a Norfolk Pine for Pāhala Town Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade, with the help of Ikaika Grace. The Tree Lighting is this Friday evening.

    Parade Committee President Shai Lopez-Castaneda reminds the community that this Friday Dec, 13 the tree lighting starts at 6 p.m. at the lawn of Pāhala Plantation Cottages above the gas station. He recommends bringing chairs and mats to watch the event and to check in at the information booth.

     There will be hula performances, food trucks and vendors on site during the tree lighting. On Saturday, Dec. 14 the Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. Food trucks and vendors will be on site.

    Public parking for both days will be at the Pāhala Community Center. Friday night, a portion of Kamani street will be closed from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday night Pikake and Kamani Streets will be closed 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
    At Pāhala Community Center after the parade on Saturday, the parade committee will serve free chili bowls, hotdogs and refreshments to the community. Children are invited to visit Santa and take photos. 

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THE NEW GIRLS TROJANS SOCCER TEAM IS GETTING ITS FOOTING by playing big high schools. On Monday, Waiākea visited and took home the win 9-0. On Saturday, Trojans traveled to Konawaena and lost 19-0 to the Wildcats.

    The next home soccer game is this Saturday, Dec. 14 against Hawai'i Preparatory Academy. Hilo visits on Jan. 4. Honoka'a comes to Kaʻū on Jan. 6. Kaʻū travels to Kamehameha Jan. 7. Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a on Jan. 11. The soccer season continues into February. 

    Head Coach is Jason Masters and Assistant Coach is Jamie Kaluau.

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