Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

Ka`u Coffee growers can spray Beauveria fungus as one tool in the battle against the coffee berry borer. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

SPRAYING BEAUVERIA FUNGUS TO CONTROL COFFEE BERRY BORERS definitely works and helps maintain a much lower level over time, according to Lisa Keith, a plant pathologist with the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center based in Hilo. Keith reported results of her research at Kona Coffee Farmers Association’s annual Kona Coffee Expo and Trade Show. 

      In West Hawai`i Today, Chelsea Jensen reports Keith saying that by spraying three weeks in a row early in the season, growers can reduce the borer population enough to effectively control it during the rest of the season by spraying the fungus only once a month.

Beauveria fungus is effective in controlling CBB, reports a plant pathologist.
photo by Peggy Greb/USDA Ag Research Service

      “The goal is to be economically viable as well,” Keith said. After the initial knock-down applications, farmers likely don’t need to spray twice a month, reducing the cost of battling the coffee berry borer. Depending on the size of the farm, Keith said it costs approximately $50 to $100 per application. 

      Keith’s research also indicated that farms at lower elevations have smaller infestations.

      “We’re starting to see better trends that the product can be used as a general management scheme,” she said. “No matter where you are, it’s effective.”
      Keith also recommended spraying after 3 p.m. because the fungus doesn’t thrive when subjected to high ultraviolet levels, heavy rain and high temperatures.
      Another recommendation is for farmers to increase fungus use near harvest time to keep levels high. “When you start controlling the beetle, the size of the cherry got better,” Keith said. “We know the beetle is affecting the product (cherry), but with the spray and control it’s possible to reduce that.”
      Beauveria alone cannot control the borer, Keith said. “Start with sanitation, then work in a manageable Beauveria management plan, and then we’re definitely seeing good results.”
      See westhawaiitoday.com.

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A NEWLY RELEASED POLL SHOWS SHARP INCREASES in support for overhaul of Hawai`i marijuana laws. Commissioned by Hawai`i’s Drug Policy Action Group, the poll showed voter support for reform of Hawai`i’s policies on marijuana trending upward across the board. Local polling firm QMark Research conducted a statewide, statistically significant poll of 400 Hawai`i voters Jan. 17 – 23.
      The poll found that 77 percent of Hawai`i voters think that jail time is inappropriate for marijuana possession, an increase of eight percent over 2012.
      It also found that 66 percent of voters are in favor of outright legalization for adult use, an increase of nine percent over 2012.
      A large majority, 85 percent of voters, continues to support Hawai`i’s medical marijuana program, up four percent from 2012, while support for a dispensary system so patients do not need to use the black market to find their medication increased sharply to 85 percent, a seven-percent increase over 2012.

A poll shows that 85 percent of Hawai`i voters support
Hawai`i's medical marijuana program.
Graph from mcchi.org

      Pamela Lichty, president of the Drug Policy Action Group, said, “Around the country and here in Hawai`i, voters are fed up with marijuana laws that seem to have been written after watching 1930s propaganda films like Reefer Madness. Voters today want reasonable, modern policies that acknowledge marijuana’s value as a medicine, and which address public health and safety, but do not overstate marijuana’s risks as a recreational drug. In 2014, and with 85 percent of voters in support, we are hopeful Hawai`i will establish sensibly controlled dispensaries to ensure safe access to medicine for our medical marijuana patients unable to grow their own, minimizing government interference between a patient and their doctor, and assuring legal access to the most effective treatments for their condition(s).”
      Vanessa Chong, executive director of ACLU of Hawai`i, said, “Hawai`i is ready to choose incremental, sensible policies like decriminalization over extremely harsh ones that add to the nationwide glut of arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana – further taxing an over-crowded criminal justice system. The signs have never been clearer that Hawai`i’s voters want political leaders to find new ways forward on marijuana policy.”
      Patients, doctors, caregivers and the public can join the confidential support network, The Medical Cannabis Coalition of Hawai`i,” founded by the Drug Policy Action Group and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i.
      The state Legislature is considering several bills relating to medical marijuana. SB2574, introduced by Sens. Josh Green, Russell Ruderman and others, adds “board certified pain physicians” as doctors who can recommend medical marijuana.
      Sen. Ruderman also co-introduced SB2942, which would create one dispensary in each county. Patients would register with a dispensary to designate it as their caregiver.
      See mcchi.org.

      Bills in the state Legislature are also available at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES Division of State Parks in partnership, with PBR HAWAI`I, invites Ka`u residents to informational meetings about the 2014 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Hawai`i updates the SCORP every five years to remain eligible to receive funds for outdoor recreation projects through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal grants program administered by the National Park Service. 

      LWCF grants provide a match for state and county funds to acquire new land for outdoor recreation and develop or renovate recreational facilities. Since 1967, the state of Hawai`i and the four counties have received more than $38 million in LWCF grants for acquisition and development of outdoor recreation lands and facilities. In recent years, LWCF grants have been awarded to the County of Hawai`i to install new playground equipment at Panaewa Zoo in Hilo and comfort stations at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area.
      Public participation in the meetings will help State Parks and National Park Service select projects to receive Land and Water Conservation funding that best meets Hawai`i’s recreational needs and helps resolve any recreational conflicts.
      Meetings will be for two hours and will include a brief presentation near the beginning, but information will be available throughout the evening. The public can drop by for as much or as little time as they wish. Keiki are welcome, and there will be a special activity for them.
      Anyone who is unable to attend any of the meetings is invited to take the SCORP survey, which is available online at surveymonkey.com/s/HISCORP2014 and will be open through Feb. 28.
      Meetings take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18  
in 
Hilo at State Office Building 
Conference Rooms A, B and C
 and in Kailua-Kona 
Thursday, Feb. 27 
at West Hawai`i Civic Center’s Community Meeting Hale. 

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in this week’s Hawai`i County Council meetings via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. Committee meetings on Tuesday are Environmental Management at 9 a.m., Government Relations & Economic Development at 10:45 a.m., Human Services & Social Services at 1 p.m., Planning at 1:45 p.m. and Finance at 3:45 p.m.
      The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m., and all meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
      Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Mike Poland discusses what we don't
know about Hawaiian volcanoes at this week's After Dark in the Park program.
Photo from USGS HVO

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT HAWAIIAN VOLCANOES is the topic at After Dark in the Park Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 

      For all that scientists have learned about Hawaiian volcanoes during the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s first 100 years, there are still questions to be answered. James Dwight Dana, one of the first geologists to study Hawaiian volcanoes, called these unknowns “points requiring elucidation” in his book, Characteristics of Volcanoes, in 1890. In the years since, many of Dana’s points have been addressed, but some have not. A number of new questions have also arisen, thanks to years of continuous observation and study of Kilauea, Mauna Loa and other Hawaiian volcanoes.
      USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Mike Poland discusses the big issues faced by volcanologists studying Hawai`i’s volcanoes today, from the source of magma deep within the Earth to predicting eruptions – or determining when an ongoing eruption will end.
      The program is free; $2 donations support park programs. Park entrance fees apply.

See the February Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014

Before the mid-morning clouding over, snow on Mauna Loa hung over the Nishimura and Panglao cottages in Pahala today.
Photo by Julia Neal

STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION officials testified before the Senate Education Committee on bills related to education. SB 2139 would require all public secondary schools to implement a school year that includes 990 hours beginning with the 2014-15 school year and repeal the requirement that by the 2016-2018 school years, all public schools implement a school year of 180 days and 1,080 student instructional hours for both elementary and secondary school grade.

Kathryn Matayoshi

      The DOE supported this measure. “It’s about systems of support, contact time with students and how we collaborate when we’re not with the students that really matter,” said Mililani High School principal Fred Murphy. “To think about them in isolation is dangerous. It’s about the quality of instructional time.”

      The DOE also offered comments to SB 2922, which proposes to extend the school year by 10 days from the current 180 to 190 days beginning with the 2015-16 school year. The measure also seeks to repeal the minimal instructional-hour requirements beginning with the 2014-15 school year.
      In response to the question of cost that SB 2922 would create, superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said, “Our best estimate is that these additional days would cost the department close to $6 million. That figure includes salary, utility, maintenance and other operational costs.”
      Since the 2011-12 school year, the school calendar has been 180 days. In previous years, it has been between 178 and 180 days, except during state-enacted furloughs in 2009-10, when the school year dipped to 163 days.
      Any change, as the bill proposes, would require a change to the current collective bargaining agreement with the HSTA, which runs through 2017.
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SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED by Hawai`i Community Foundation. With the changing economic landscape, HCF has seen an increase in the number of those in Hawai`i seeking scholarships, including nontraditional students who are juggling families and jobs as they pursue their educational goals.
      Seventy-five percent of today’s college students are balancing school with work and parenting responsibilities, while financial aid for college students is decreasing as the cost of education is mounting.

      HCF recognizes the growing challenge of supporting students who are motivated to attain their degrees and achieve their career goals. HCF’s scholarship program consists of more than 190 different scholarship funds established by generous individuals, businesses, organizations, and private foundations. All of them are dedicated to making sure that educational opportunities are available to Hawai`i students who need and deserve them.

      In 2013, the Foundation distributed $4 million to deserving students, making it the third largest private provider of post-secondary scholarships in the state. Many of the recipients are hoping to attend college or university, while some are pursuing career and technical education at a community college.
      Students can apply to the scholarship program through a single, online application and, if eligible, be awarded from one or more of the funds housed at the Hawai`i Community Foundation.
      See hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/scholarships.

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New state American Federation of Farm Bureau presidents were recently selected,
including Chris Manfredi, top right, who presides over Hawai`i Farm Bureau
Federation. Photo from Grassroots News on fbnews.fb.org

CHRIS MANFREDI IS ONE OF FOUR new state American Farm Bureau Federation presidents announced by the national Farm Bureau Federation on its website. The American Farm Bureau describes the backgrounds of the new presidents: Oklahoma Farm Bureau president Tom Buchanan “raises beef cattle and winter wheat on his farm near Altus, Okla. He also grows irrigated cotton when water is available.” Illinois Farm Bureau president Richard Guebert, Jr. “and his son operate a farm in Ellis Grove, Ill., where they grow corn, soybeans and wheat.” Maryland Farm Bureau president Chuck Fry “is a dairy farmer in Fredrerick County, Md.” Chris Manfredi “is a coffee grower in Ka`u County, Hawai`i,” the Farm Bureau news reports. 

      See fbnews.fb.org/FBNews/Grass-roots/New_state_Farm_Bureau_presidents.aspx.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u state Rep. Richard Creagan

HAWAI`I’S HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE has approved a bill that would limit the state’s liability in the case of accidents or injuries on public lands or on voluntary trails created by hikers and climbers.

      Many outdoors enthusiasts support the bill at its hearing on Thursday, according to a story in Civil Beat. “This is a good start toward preventing our natural resources from unnecessary closures,” said hiker Michael Bishop.
      Gene Park reported that another woman said she would move away from Hawai`i if she had to limit her weekend rock-climbing getaways.
      Mike Solis, an owner of a mountain bike company who hosts several races throughout the state, said Hawai`i’s outdoors community largely understands the risks they take. “There’s always a little bit of liability as we put these races on,” Solis testified. “We understand that our actions are our own. I don’t expect the state to be liable for my actions. I am happy to share in that liability or responsibility.”
      State attorney general David Louie testified at the hearing, “We’re not asking for complete immunity. We’re asking for a reasonable protection.”
      Daniel Quinn, state parks administrator, also testified in favor of the bill. “There are trails that are shut down,” he said. “Without it, we won’t have a clear definition of what is our duty to warn. ... Otherwise, we could just have signs all over the place.”
      All committee members present voted in favor of the bill, including Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan.
      See civilbeat.com.

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Hawai`i Wildlife Fund continues its Ka`u Coast cleanups with its first one in 2014 next Saturday. Photo from HWF

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND INVITES KA`U RESIDENTS to join a community coastal cleanup event at Kamilo Point next Saturday, Feb. 8. Volunteers should RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com by Feb. 4 and bring sturdy footwear, sun/wind protection, a refillable water bottle, bag lunch, snacks and anything else needed for the day, including swimsuits (optional and weather/swell dependent). HWF provides trash bags, gloves, water refills, some five-gallon buckets and a toilet. 

      Volunteers meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. for caravan/carpooling to cleanup site. “We are limited in the number of passengers we can carry, so please RSVP early if you’d like a ride in one of our vehicles, or start arranging your own four-wheel-drive transportation,” said coordinator Megan Lamson.
      The groups usually finishes by 2 p.m. and returns to the park by 3:30 p.m.
      HWF and Recycle Hawai`i are teaming up again to sort collected debris for future recycling. The first 50 volunteers receive a one-of-a-kind 32- ounce HWF/Recycle HI water bottle made by Liberty Bottles. In addition, Hawai`i Kombucha will provide some of their kombucha tea for participants. Local artist Don Elwing will be showing examples of his debris art and will give away one of his pieces to a lucky volunteer. Plus, black oyster spacers and other fun debris objects will be saved for Pam Longobardi’s Drifter Project. Local jeweler and debris magician Kathleen Crabill of Nurdle in the Rough and longtime debris artist from Hilo, Beth with Seashore Collections, may also participate.

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Cast members prepare for Friday's opening of Once Upon a Mattress.
Photo from KDEN 

FOR THE PAST TWO SUMMERS, Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network has brought fairy tales to life with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. On Feb. 7, KDEN brings another fairy tale to life with Once Upon A Mattress, the musical comedy version of The Princess and the Pea, with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. This show marked the Broadway debut of later stage and TV personality Carol Burnett, who originated the role of Princess Winnifred.
      The show will be performed Feb. 7 – 24 at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15 general, $12 for seniors and students and $10 for children 12 and under and are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea`au Natural Foods, the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door.
      For ticket information, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

See the February Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Jan. 31, 2014

Kung Hee Fat Choy. Today marks the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Horse. Photo entitled Paniolo Pride by Lorilee Lorenzo

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK RANGERS rescued a lone hiker stranded on Mauna Loa yesterday after a winter snowstorm pummeled the summit and lower elevations with heavy snow and high winds. Jessica Ferracane, Public Affairs Specialist for the park tells the story:

Rescued hiker Alex Sverdlov (middle) stands with his rescuers, park rangers John
Broward (right) and Tyler Paul (left) outside the Visitor Emergency Operations
 Center yesterday. NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

           On Sunday, Jan. 26, New York resident Alex Sverdlov, 36, began the grueling 18-mile trek from the top of Mauna Loa Road at 6,662 feet toward the summit of Mauna Loa. He reached the 13,677-foot summit on Tuesday after dropping off his heavy gear at a lower elevation. The snowstorm struck on his late-afternoon descent, creating a blinding white-out. Night fell, and after a few futile attempts to locate his pack, Sverdlov decided to hunker down in the snow until daylight. His only protection was the clothes he had on and a bottle of frozen water.

           Earlier Tuesday, park management closed the mountain to visitors because of the dangerous weather. Sverdlov was the only registered hiker, and park rangers tried unsuccessfully to call his cell phone. They drove up Mauna Loa Road and confirmed his car was there. When Sverdlov’s car was still there Wednesday afternoon, park ranger John Broward decided to search for him by helicopter Thursday morning. Sverdlov was located by 9 a.m.
           “I’ve done many crazy hikes, but this one pretty much tops the bill,” said Sverdlov, an experienced hiker who successfully walked up Mauna Loa last winter. After locating his pack Wednesday morning, the deep snow made it impossible to gain much ground, and he spent a second frozen night on the mountain. Sverdlov worried that he’d die on Mauna Loa and was astonished when he heard the helicopter

Snow-covered Mauna Loa with the cindercone Pohaku o Hanalei in foreground is near
where Sverdlov was spotted. Snow-covered Mauna Kea is in the distance.
Photo by search-and-rescue pilot David Okita

            “Even the most experienced and prepared hikers can get into trouble in the park,” said Broward, who serves as the park’s search-and-rescue coordinator. “What saved Alex is that he had a backcountry permit so we knew he was up there, he is extremely fit, and he stayed calm. We’re all fortunate this had a happy ending.” On Thursday afternoon, his face sunburnt and wind-whipped, Sverdlov applied for another backcountry permit for the park’s remote coastal area. “This time I’m going to the sunny part of the park,” he said.

            To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NINETY PERCENT OF LOBBYISTS may not be reporting expenditures to influence the state Legislature, according to those who want to close the regulations gap. Lobbyists can spend up to $25 a day per person. Regular breakfasts, lunches and small gifts are allowed – up to $150 per person per reporting period under current law, notes state Sen. Les Ihara, who recently introduced new legislation. 

    The Associated Press reports in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser this morning that Ihara, the state Senate’s majority policy leader, also noted that “lobbyists in Hawai`i operate under a longtime interpretation of the law by the state Ethics Commission that if the money they spend comes from an organization such as a business or advocacy group, they don’t have to report it in the disclosure system. The ethics panel’s position, Ihara said, holds that requiring that level of reporting would be duplicative. But ‘the Ethics Commission has misinterpreted the law,’” he said.

    “The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization, gave Hawai`i a D-minus for its lobbying disclosure practices on a 2012 report. The state’s system has not changed since that review,” reports AP. “The public should ‘know what gifts or entertainment that lobbyist provided to individual legislators,’ said Gordon Witkin, the center’s managing editor.”
     Lobbyists report expenditures in January, March and May. “Critics say this reporting schedule creates another problem, one that doesn’t give taxpayers and government watchdogs timely information about the influence exerted on lawmakers,” the AP reports, quoting Ihara: “When it’s months later people are going to forget.”

      See staradvertiser.com.

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Hawai`i state Senate, seen here on opening day Jan. 15, has introduced 1,127 bills.
Photo from Hawai`i state Senate

THE STATE SENATE HAS INTRODUCED 1,127 bills in this second year of the 27th Legislature. The deadline for bill introductions was Thursday, Jan. 23. 

      The measures are now being sent to their respective committees for consideration.
      The Hawai`i Senate and House Majorities recently announced a joint majority package of priorities for the 2014 legislative session. The last time a joint majority package was unveiled was during the 2008 legislative session. Lawmakers are focusing their combined efforts on supporting seniors and protecting the environment.

      Lawmakers have five weeks before First Decking deadline on Friday, Feb. 28. The wide array of bills under consideration includes everything from combating invasive species to looking at changes in minimum wage.
      For more information on bills and on the Legislature, see capitol.hawaii.gov.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.   

A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A TASK FORCE to study whether the state should regulate the use of genetic engineering in farming is making its way through the state Legislature, with the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Higher Education approving it yesterday.
      Supporters of the proposal include the Department of Agriculture, the Hawai`i Crop Improvement Association and the Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce.
      Ka`u resident Chris Manfredi, president of Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation, submitted testimony saying the task force would create “an environment in which emotion and politics can be removed from the debate and a careful and comprehensive examination of the facts, issues and law surrounding biotechnology in our world may be examined, and sensible recommendations made.”

Gary Hooser

      SB2454 calls for the president of Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation, or the president’s designee, to be one of the members of the task force. Other members would be dean of University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, chair of state Department of Agriculture, director of state Department of Health and president of Hawai`i Farmers Union United or their designees. The governor would also select “four experts with scientific knowledge in the use of” GMOs in agriculture.
      Critics of the measure see the composition of the task force as biased and suggest that the proposal is an attempt to bypass recently approved county regulations on Kaua`i and Hawai`i Island.
      In his testimony, Jim Albertini said, “As a Big island farmer of 34 years and part of an organization that grows food to share with people in need, I oppose this bill as part of the pre-emption efforts to offset Bill 2491 passed by Kaua`i on pesticide regulation and our island Bill 113 (banning GMOs, with some exemptions).”  

      Kaua`i Council member Gary Hooser testified, “I support this measure in principle if representation on the task force includes members from each county and from small farmers that utilize conventional and organic methods, not just GMO technology. I believe including all affected parties is imperative and will constitute a more accurate and impartial outcome.
      “In addition, any statewide regulatory scheme must represent “a floor not a ceiling,” and not pre-empt counties from enacting greater protection if circumstances specific to that county warrant such action.”

      See this and other bills at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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THE HAWAI`I BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL has announced its strong endorsement of Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for re-election in 2014 for Hawai`i’s Second Congressional District.

Tulsi Gabbard

      “In these divisive times, it is more important than ever for Hawai`i to have a strong leader in Washington,” said Reginald Castanares, Jr., president of the council. “Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has shown she has what it takes to bring people together to deliver real results for Hawai`i’s working families. Her deep commitment to service and proven leadership make us proud to endorse her re-election.”
      Gabbard said, “I am honored and so grateful to have the support of the Hawai`i Building and Construction Trades Council because they understand that to move Hawai`i forward we must focus on creating good jobs and strengthening our local economy to build a stronger future for all of Hawai`i.”

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TWO SUSPECTS IN A ROBBERY ON SOUTH POINT ROAD have been arrested. Trinety Crapser, of Ocean View, was arrested Monday after she allegedly threatened a Discovery Harbour resident with a hatchet on Sunday.
      Yesterday, police arrested the male suspect, also of Ocean View, but have yet to release his name.
      Police reported that a 47-year-old Discovery Harbor woman walking near her parked car on South Point Road had been threatened with a hatchet by another woman who got out of a white Toyota sedan. After a scuffle, the victim was able to take the hatchet away and throw it into brush on the side of the road. During the scuffle, the victim suffered a bite on her right forearm. A man then exited the Toyota, reached into the victim’s car and removed a bag containing a laptop, a cellular telephone and a wallet.
      The male suspect fled in the Toyota after a passerby stopped to intervene. The female suspect entered the victim’s car and unsuccessfully attempted to start it. She then ran into the bushes.
      Detectives have charged Crapser with first-degree robbery, third-degree assault and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar. 

KA`U HIGH BOYS JUNIOR VARSITY basketball team won its last home game of the season yesterday. Final score was Ka`u 70, Kealakehe 41. Titan Ault was high scorer with 19 points. 

      Kealakehe overcame Ka`u’s varsity team, 63 – 83. Larry-Dan Al-Navarro scored 16 points.

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HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS is scheduled at Na`alehu Community Center tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Limit is 40 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Birth certificate or photo ID required both days. Participants must be at least ten years of age. No-shows may be replaced with stand-bys. Responsible adult must attend with those under 16 years of age.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT TAKES PLACE tomorrow, when volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. The Stewardship at the Summit program is ongoing, with more scheduled each Friday in February. Park entrance fees apply.

PARTICIPANTS EXPLORE THE FIVE RHYTHMS – Flowing-Staccato-Chaos-Lyrical-Stillness – during Ecstatic Dance tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The two-hour practice is guided by music that ignites creativity, connection, personal awareness and healing. Fees are $25 or $10 VAC members.
      For more, call Jo Caron at 443-6993.

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline is today.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.