Kaʻū News Briefs June 8, 2024

Miranda's Farms whose family member Maria Miranda brought in many sponsorships for Ka'u Coffee Festival, also drew a
 throng of people to taste the brew at Saturday's Kaʻū Coffee Festival. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL DREW SOME 5,000 PEOPLE on Saturday, according to some of its organizers. The first since the pandemic, the festival showcased Kaʻū Coffee, its farmers and community supporters and provided a full day of entertainment and opportunity for people to present arts, crafts and foods at Pāhala Community Center. See more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

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A SESSION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING to be held in Pāhala is announced by County of Hawai'i Office of Housing & Community Development as it starts public meetings to gather community input for the development of the islandwide 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. Pāhala has a high home ownership rate, higher than the state average, driven by the success of Kaʻū Coffee farms and other enterprise by the local community. However, housing prices are soaring and people from afar are buying up homes for cash with no contingencies, making it harder for locals with pre-approved mortgages from financial institutions to buy in the town where they grew up.

    The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. People who cannot come because they work on weekdays can see the Office of Housing website to explore ways to submit their ideas and testimony regarding affordable housing. www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov.
The meeting is designed for input for the entire Kaʻū District and beyond. Other meetings will be held in Hilo, Kona and Pahoa.
    The Consolidated Plan developed by County Housing serves as a blueprint to help ensure that communities receiving federal U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development assistance to address housing and related needs of low- and moderate-income families. It aims to enhance the availability and affordability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing within suitable living environments.

Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee 'ohana, with is successful business shown at Saturday's
Kaʻū Coffee Festival, has one home ownership for family members
 but faces, like other farmers, the affordability crisis for the next generation.
Photo by Ophir Danenberg

    The County of Hawaiʻi's CP will outline the needs, priorities, funding plans, and program certification requirements over the five-year period between 2025 and 2029. Submission of the CP to HUD is required for the County of Hawaiʻi to receive its annual Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant allocations. Similarly, the State relies on the CP to obtain its annual HOME Investment Partnerships, Housing for Persons with AIDS, and National Housing Trust Fund allocations.
   To meet federal requirements and the County of Hawaiʻi's Citizen Participation Plan, a series of public meetings will be conducted at various locations and times on Hawaiʻi Island. These meetings offer an opportunity for engagement with diverse communities to solicit views and comments on goals and priorities related to housing, community development, and homelessness for the upcoming five years.
   "Your voice matters in shaping the future of our community. Join us in these public meetings to ensure that every perspective is heard and every need is addressed," said Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. "Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future for all residents of Hawaiʻi Island.
    For more information about the public meetings and the Consolidated Plan, please contact the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development at (808) 961-8379.
    The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai'i housing programs. Its statement says, "Our Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.
    More information on the Office of Housing and Community Development and its programs can be found online at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov. To receive news alerts and OHCD's quarterly newsletter, click here. Also connect with OHCD on Facebook and Instagram

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.

Kaʻū News Briefs June 7, 2024

In addition to elevated volcanic gas emissions, other significant hazards also remain around the recent eruption site on the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features that formed during the June 3 eruption may continue to widen and offset, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided, warns USGS. Most cracks that formed during the June 3 Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption are several inches (2 to 5 centimeters) wide with some extending to up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide. In this photo, a crack extends towards Pu'ukoa'e in the background. USGS Photo by A.R. Nalesnik

WITH ERUPTION HALTED, MORE AREAS IN HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK reopen, but Maunaiki and Kaʻū Desert trails remain closed.
    Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Hilina Pali Road, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, the Footprints Exhibit and Pepeiao Cabin in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park are now open.

    In addition, the park reopened the coastal campsite at Kaʻaha, Devastation Trail and Keanakākoʻi earlier this week. The areas were closed after the June 3 fissure eruption began near the volcano's remote upper Southwest Rift Zone.
    Maunaiki Trail and Kaʻū Desert Trail past the Footprints Exhibit remain closed due to elevated gases and other volcanic hazards that remain at the eruption site. Visitors should plan ahead and check the park website for updates before entering the park.
    Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS HVO) reported elevated volcanic gas emissions, ground subsidence and severe earth cracks that formed during the short-lived eruption. These cracks have unstable edges and could continue to widen.
    Other hazards include hot, glass-like surfaces on the new lava flows, uneven and rough terrain and hot temperatures.
    The fissure eruption started on Monday, June 3 around 12:30 a.m. in a remote area in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, about about 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Kīlauea caldera near the volcano's upper Southwest Rift Zone. The area is in the Ka'u Desert between Pahala and Volcano.

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KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL WRAPS UP SATURDAY AT PĀHALA COMMUNITY CENTER, followed by an Afterparty at Mauka to Makai Eatery on Manadina Farm, on the mountain road between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu. Indulge in farm-to-table cuisine with ingredients that directly support Kaʻū agriculture, and enjoy some Kaʻū Coffee as the festival comes to an end. Groove to art and live music from talented local bands, all set against the backdrop of panoramic views of Mauna Loa, and the Kaʻū Coast. Suggested Donation: $20 to support local musicians. For more details, visit www.manadina.com/dining. The organizers call the Afterparty a "celebration of Kaʻū's vibrant culture and agriculture."

A hayride on the Coffee & Cattle Day farm and ranch at Aikane Plantation on Friday, during the Kaʻū Coffee Festival.

Photo by Ophir Danenberg

The first Coffee & Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation comes with the first Kaʻū Coffee Festival since 2019. The week wraps up on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ho'olaulea. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

Friday's Coffee & Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation led up to Stargazing Friday night above Kaʻū Coffee Mill and the Saturday Ho'olaulea finale of Kaʻū Coffee Festival 2024 at Pāhala Community Center. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

Horses meet the people at Aikane Plantation Coffee & Cattle Day on Friday as part of Kaʻū Coffee Festival. It wraps up Saturday with the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ho'olaulea with meeting the farmers and tasting their coffee, food, crafts, music and hula at Pāhala Community Center. Meet Merle and Phil Becker, of Aikane Plantation, at the welcome table. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

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KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK WILL HAVE A BOOTH AT KA'U COFFEE FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY. Rangers will share that the 40th Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Hawaiian Cultural Festival will be in Kahuku on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    This free event features musicians, hula performances and Hawaiian arts and craft practitioners. Local conservation groups, Hawaiian games and food for purchase (or bring your own picnic) will also be on hand. Bring water, sun protection, and a rain jacket; a hat, a ground mat or chair are recommended. This is a  family-friendly experience: e komo mai. A complete entertainment line up is coming soon.

    At this Saturday's information/education booth at Kaʻū Coffee Festival at the Pahala Community Center, attendees are invited to play kōnane or wili a ti leaf lei.

    On June 15 at 9:30 Kuhuku offers a Coffee Talk featuring award-winning writer and novelist Leah Newsom. She is the National Parks Arts Foundation's June 2024 artist in residence and will bring her extensive literary background and passion for environmental storytelling to Kahuku.
    On June 29th rangers from Kahuku and Kīlauea will march in the Nāʻālehu 4th of July parade. Parade will start from Nāʻālehu Elementary School and go down Mamalahoa Highway to the Hongwanji temple. There will also be a hoʻolauleʻa afterwards at the OKK farmers market grounds.
    Thursday through Sunday, 8-4, there are eight hiking trails, picnic spots, and panoramic views open to the public.