Ka`u News Briefs Monday, April 14, 2014

A total lunar eclipse is visible in Ka`u tonight. This composite by Akira, Fujii, Sky & Telescope shows full moon before, during and after an eclipse.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE’S Corridor Management Plan is on the agenda of Thursday’s state Scenic Byways Advisory Committee meeting. The CMP is available at hawaiiscenicbyways.org. Ka`u’s Chair Rich Morrow said that a preliminary note indicated there should not be too much to change in the plan.

Ka`u Scenic Byway sign informs travelers on Hwy 11 about features in the Ocean View area.

      To date, “our main accomplishments are creating a CMP and installation of two signs at the scenic viewpoint at mile marker 75,” Morrow said at the committee’s April meeting.
      He also said scenic byway markers that would be placed along the highway are being made.
      The committee is also considering locations for the first three-sided informational kiosk and replacing long-gone signs that identified dates of several lava flows on the highway. According to Morrow, USGS has offered to help with the geologic data and thinks the idea is “great.”
      Morrow also suggested having links on the website to articles about Ka`u, such as recent ones in Sunset and National Geographic magazines.
      The public is invited to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee meetings, with the next one scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.

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

Chilean earthquakes can create tsunamis
that reach Hawai`i

TSUNAMI AWARENESS MONTH CONTINUES, with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory discussing in its latest issue of Volcano Watch events of this past April 1 when an earthquake in Chile caused a tsunami advisory in Hawai`i. 

      “In Hawai`i, we need to be concerned about potential tsunamigenic earthquakes occurring anywhere in the Pacific basin,” HVO says. “However, because of past tragic experiences in Hawai`i, large earthquakes along the Aleutian Islands to the north (where the earthquake occurred and produced the 1946 tsunami) or in Chile (where a magnitude-9.6 earthquake caused the 1960 tsunami) might create a little more anxiety here.” The 1960 tsunami that devastated the Shinmachi community of Hilo resulted from an earthquake in Chile that released more than 30 times the energy released by this year’s April 1 earthquake. 

      Historical experience offers important clues to go along with modern observations and data, HVO explains. An earthquake struck Iquique, Chile in 1877 and sent a tsunami that destroyed dozens of homes in Hilo and killed five people. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of people were killed in Japan by this tsunami.
      “It is difficult to compare the two Iquique earthquakes in detail,” according to HVO. “This year’s earthquake occurred in essentially the same source region as the 1877 earthquake, but the 1877 earthquake was somewhat stronger. The fact that the source region of the 2014 earthquake had previously produced a devastating tsunami was also of concern to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center with regard to their advisories and warnings. 

      “Armed with data from deep-ocean water gauges and their model calculations, PTWC became confident that the likelihood of a devastating tsunami hitting Hawai`i on April 1 was low and decided to hold back orders to evacuate. At the same time, because they were still tracking the waves, they stood by their advisory for people to keep out of the ocean for hours after the first tsunami wave arrivals. 

      “We commit our efforts to a better understanding of geologic hazards and to the memory of all who have suffered from natural disasters,” the article concludes.

      See more at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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

KA`U’S U.S. REP. Tulsi Gabbard has voted in favor of a proposed Democratic Alternative Budget developed in response to the Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposed by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.
      “Budgets in Congress demonstrate our top priorities for the country and should be responsive to our tough economic realities,” Gabbard said. “We can only achieve our goals of a stronger nation by executing a balanced, responsible budget that grows our economy, maintains a strong national defense and creates opportunity for our next generation to succeed. Though I support elements of the Ryan budget that seek to eliminate waste, reduce the deficit and provide increased funding for national security, the draconian cuts to key programs like Medicare, Social Security and nutrition assistance found in the Ryan budget, along with a likely increase in taxes for hard-working middle-class Americans in order to lower taxes for the ultra-wealthy, are not acceptable and result in hurting our kupuna and families. We need to pass a budget that makes responsible cuts, eliminates waste and is focused on growing our economy, getting people back to work in good-paying jobs, ensuring a strong national defense and making sure those who are in most need are getting a hand up.”

Rep. Richard Onishi

      The Democratic Alternative Budget preserves the Medicare guarantee, maintains Medicaid services for low-income Americans and creates revenue by closing tax loopholes for oil companies and other special interests, according to Gabbard. 

      The alternative budget would also reduce the deficit to 2.3 percent of GDP by 2024.

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WHILE THE STATE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are holding conferences to come to agreement on proposed bills this week, many bills did not make it to this stage. 

      Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Onishi co-introduced HB2008, which would have funded the Future Farmers of America.
      SB 2347 would have prohibited the sale or transport of plants that are diseased or infested with an invasive species. The bill did not make it past the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee.
      HB 2577 would have banned smoking in and around public housing projects and low-income housing projects. It would have allowed a landord to terminate a lease after three violations.
      SB 3071 sought to give taxpayers refunds when the state had excess revenues.
      HB 2323 would have raised fines on contractors that didn’t pay the prevailing wage from $1,000 to $10,000 per project and from $100 to $1,000 per day.
      The status of these and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

THE FOLLOWING KA`U HIGH SCHOOL students in grades 10 – 12 have earned a place on the third-quarter honor roll:

Students on the third-quarter honor roll at the Ka`u campus have been announced.
Photo from KHPES

Grade 12:
      3.80 - 4.50: Toni Beck, Chazlyn Fuerte-Castaneda, Kamrie Koi, Marileah Lalin, William Mitchell III, Cassidy Neece, Siena Okimoto, Romina Ellaine Sembran, Deven Smithmeyer, Jennifer Tabios, Shaenese Tailon
      3.50 - 3.79: Kamalani Fujikawa, Kyra Malepe, Franklin Orcino, Lehre Vidal, Randall Watson
      3.0 - 3.49: Alexis Alejo, Jernest Breithaupt-Louis, Micah Echalas, Andrew Garcia, Jena Haalilio, Denisha Navarro, William Tailon Kaluna
Grade 11:
      3.80 - 4.00: Anjanette Jara, Jeazelle Sebastian, Kristin Subica
      3.50 - 3.79: Tia Rose Goldsmith, Lanni Ah Yee, Jessica Baruelo, Bon Jhudiel Echalas, Rayncin Salmo-Grace, Carlos Uribe-Buonos
      3.0 - 3.49: Kerrilyn Domondon, Brian Gascon, Aysha Kaupu, Kehaulani Ke, Rodalynn Kuahiwinui, Makela Moses, Davis Phillips, David Pillette, Whitney Spencer-Johansen, Mike Tamayo
Grade 10
      3.80 - 4.00: Khairalyn Denny, Deisha Gascon
      3.50 - 3.79: Jay-R Abalos, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Charlotte Esquida, Rowland Aldwin Flores, Evan Manoha, Shawn Mooney
      3.0 - 3.49: Jami Beck, Gissele Corpuz, Joy Escobar, Sheilla Mae Felipe, Marciana Henry, Keana Kuluwaimaka, Maricar Jane Manantan, Gloria Ornelas, Janet Parlin.
      More honor roll recipients from other grades will be announced in future Ka`u News Briefs.

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

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE A FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE tonight. Astronomer Lew Cook said the earth’s shadow takes a noticeable bite from the moon at 8 p.m., growing darker until it becomes total from 9:06 p.m. to 10:24 p.m., when a thin crescent shows until there is just a dusky moon at 11:30 p.m. The moon brightens until 12:10 a.m., when it is at its brightest.

Friends of Ka`u Libraries' book sale begins tomorrow at Pahala Library.

WANT TO LEARN JAPANESE? Classes take place every Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji. Sign up with Maiki at 989-4259 or hawaiiislandlife@gmail.com. 

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library tommorow from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines can be dropped off at Na`alehu or Pahala libraries during working hours.
      To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

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

See kaualendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, April 13, 2014

Hawai`i County Council Finance Committee asks the Finance director to begin negotiations to purchase Kaunamano for preservation. Photo from Hawai`i Pacific Brokers

NEW BUILDINGS FOR VOLCANO CHARTER SCHOOL are a go. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released $618,000 to Friends of Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. The money will be used for planning, architectural, permitting and engineering fees for construction of 15 new classrooms, a new restroom and a multi-purpose building on the old Keakealani Outdoor Education Center campus on Haunani Road in Volcano Village. The school has a 60-year lease from the Department of Education.

Daryl Smith, Chair of Friends of
Volcano School of Arts & Sciences

      Daryl Smith, Chair of the Friends of Volcano School of Arts & Sciences board, said this morning, “We are grateful for all the help that we have received from such supporters as Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Gil Kahele and Rep. Richard Onishi along with the enthusiasm of teachers, students and parents who signed and sent petitions and letters to the governor and our legislators.”
      With release of the funding, the school hopes to finalize its use permit, obtain a building permit and begin construction. Smith said that 13 contractors have volunteered to build a classroom, “which goes along way to making this happen. We also have 142 volunteers on the ground who can help with painting, installing windows and doors and other tasks.”
      Smith plans to meet with representatives of the state Public Charter School Commission on Tuesday in Honolulu.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PRESERVATION OF MORE KA`U COASTLINE adjacent to Honu`apo is being considered by Hawai`i County Council this week. On Tuesday, the Finance Committee takes up Resolution 351-14, submitted by Ka`u County Council Member Brenda Ford, authorizing the director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of parcels with tax map keys 9-5-011:001, 9-5-011:004, 9-5-011:005 and 9-5-011:006 in the ahupua`a of Kaunamano and tax map key 9-5-012:001 in the ahupua`a of Poupouwela.
      The more than 1,200-acre Kaunamano properties are listed as a key priority for purchase in the 2012 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Cultural, archaeological and natural resources, along with education, recreation and preserving scenic vistas are reasons given in the nomination papers for Kaunamano.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

SEVERAL ITEMS ON THIS WEEK’S County Council meeting also pertain to Ka`u.
      Two resolutions provide grants for events sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. The community organization would receive $7,000 for the annual Punalu`u fishing tournament and $15,000 for a Coffee Trail Run and Fun Day scheduled for Sept. 20.
      Other resolutions would appropriate $2,000 each for the purchase of refrigerator-freezers for Na`alehu and Pahala Community Centers.
      A bill calls for posting of a yield sign on Ka`alaiki Road makai of Na`alehu Cemetery at the northeast approach adjacent to parcels 9-5-008:001 and 9-5-008:010.
      Ka`u residents can participate in this week’s County Council committee and regular meetings being held at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.
      On Tuesday, the Agricultural, Water & Energy Sustainability meets at 9:15 a.m.; Human Services & Social Services, 9:30 a.m.; Public Works & Parks and Recreation, 10 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 1:30 p.m.
      The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
      Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AGRICULTURAL WATER for the Green Sands community and surrounding makai and mauka farm and ranch lands could be in the long-term future, according to County Council Member Brenda Ford, who attended a meeting yesterday of the Green Sands Community Association. As part of their outreach to Ka`u residents who could benefit from distribution of ag water, representatives of the Ha`ao Agricultural Water Cooperative and County Department of Water Supply were on hand. The county uses Ha`ao Springs for potable water. However, there is a surplus that could be used for agriculture. The districtwide plan is to develop ag water from Ha`ao Springs and seven other sources developed by sugar companies in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Map shows proposed pipe route for delivery of ag water from Ha`ao Springs
to users makai. Map from haaosprings.org

       Surveys of the water systems have been taking place using $750,000 in state funding. The state Legislature has approved some $2 million in funding to restore and develop the ag water delivery systems. From Ha`ao, pipes would bring water to the culvert at the intersection of Hwy 11 and Ka`alu`alu Road.
      Mel Davis, President of Ha`ao Springs Co-op, is organizing as a 501C12 nonprofit organization that could raise money and apply for assistance to continue the pipeline makai of Hwy 11. This portion would require additional funding and an agreement with the state Department of Transportation to allow the pipeline to be placed through the culvert to potential users makai of Hwy 11.
      Ford said that the county Department of Water Supply estimated that running the pipe for ag water under Hwy 11 and makai to potential users could cost from $1.5 to $2 million or higher because the project would need to include one or more reservoirs.
      Potential users of ag water makai of Hwy 11 include residents who live on the agriculturally zoned lots in the Green Sands community, where orchards and gardens growing food for personal use and for sale could be expanded, and could also include nearby ranches that would be able to use the water for livestock.
      According to Ford, the Ha`ao Springs Co-op must be able to prove community interest in having ag water in order to obtain federal and state financial assistance. That proof would be by the number of people who become members of the co-op and support the project, she said. Applications are available online at haaosprings.org.

Ka`u's County Council Member Brenda Ford

      After the meeting, Ford met with co-op board members to discuss possible methods to reduce cost and speed up the process. There may be an opportunity to use the U.S. Department of Defense - Innovative Readiness Training program that can provide free labor to assist with the project. Ford said the first step would be for state officials from Department of Land & Natural Resources, which owns the state land from Ha`ao Springs to the highway, to apply to the Department of Defense for assistance. Taking advantage of the Innovated Readiness Training Program could save millions of dollars, she said. The program puts military engineers and construction teams to work in communities around the country. It supplies labor but not materials.

      “Bringing agricultural water to various areas of Ka`u would increase the residents’ ability to raise food and livestock and improve the economy of district,” Ford said.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES has set Thursday, May 15 as their annual Middle School Theatre night. Classes present four one-act productions beginning at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theatre in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      The fifth grade presents a Russian folk story, The Frog Princess, by Cathy Howard. This tale is a lesson in acceptance.
      The sixth-grade presentation is a western melodrama, Mine, All Mine or From Ghost Town to Kaboom Town, by Denise K. Burr. As with all melodramas, audience members will want to cheer the hero and boo the villain.
      The seventh grade is showcased in The Brothers Grimm: Out of Order. This comedy contains many favorite fairy tale characters, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, and the lesser-known Grimm characters, Jorinda and Joringel, in a funny take on a community group putting on a show.
      The eighth grade presents Doc, Doc…Goose! by Patrick Rainville Dorn, a fun romp with many favorite nursery rhyme characters.

Jen Johansen, of the Alohahas

Rich Mears, of the Alohahas

ADVANCE-PURCHASE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE for the Alohahas Improv-Comedy-Sketch Company’s spring show at Ocean View Community Center Saturday, April 19. The show line-up consists of members performing a series of improvisational games with audience suggestions and participation. Part of the show features original comedy sketches written and performed by group members.

      Advance $10 tickets may be purchased at thealohahas@gmail.com or 938-2091. Doors open for $15 ticket sales at 7 p.m. for adults 18 years or older, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

      More information on the live show, company members and show tickets is available at thealohahas.com or facebook.com/TheAlohahas.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE A FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE Monday night. Lew Cook, who writes the monthly Stars Over Ka`u column in The Ka`u Calendar, said it will be total from 9:06 p.m. to 10:24 p.m. “Will the moon be almost invisible, not so dark, yellowish-orange or maybe red?” Cook asks. The earth’s shadow takes a noticeable bite from the moon at 8 p.m., growing darker until it becomes total, and at 10:24 p.m. a thin crescent shows until there is just a dusky moon at 11:30 p.m. The moon brightens until 12:10 a.m., when “ol’ whiteface is high in the sky at its brightest,” Cook said.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines are welcome. Drop off at Na`alehu of Pahala libraries during working hours.
      To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. 

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, April 12, 2014

Big Brothers Big Sisters, which is opening a Ka`u division, presented information at Ka`u Rural Health Community Association's annual Rural Health Conference yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

U.S. SENS. BRIAN SCHATZ AND MAZIE HIRONO are cosponsors of the Travel Promotion, Enhancement and Modernization Act, legislation which would reauthorize Brand USA, a successful travel promotion program aimed at boosting international tourism to the United States. Twenty-three other senators joined Schatz and Hirono in introducing the legislation that promotes Hawai`i and other states and U.S. territories as premier destinations for international visitors.

Image from Hawai`i Tourism Authority

      “Travelers to Hawai`i spend billions of dollars that create jobs within the visitor industry, as well as jobs and small businesses that support our entire local economy,” Schatz said. “Brand USA has proven to be a successful program, bringing in 1.1 million more international trips to the United States last year. Our legislation will make sure this program continues and helps promote Hawai`i as a world-class visitor destination.”
      According to Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the state’s tourism industry generated $14.5 billion in total annual visitor spending in 2013 and supported 168,000 jobs.
      Brand USA is a nonprofit, private-public partnership dedicated to increasing inbound international travel to the United States. The program, authorized by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, is funded by fees paid by international visitors and matching contributions by the private sector, not taxpayer dollars.
      Last year, Brand USA increased inbound travel by 2.3 percent, resulting in 1.1 million additional trips and supported more than 53,000 U.S. jobs.
      Last month, Schatz was named Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation and pledged his commitment to reauthorizing Brand USA.

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

Hui Malama Ola N `Oiwi was one of several organizations offering information
about their services. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. held its 17th annual Rural Health Conference at Pahala Community Center yesterday. Several community organizations had booths where they offered information about their services. For information about the organization, see krhcai.com.

      Big Brothers Big Sisters, which is opening its first Ka`u division, held one of its first community outreaches at the event. See bbbs.org.
      Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi, the Native Hawaiian health care systems with an office in Na`alehu, offered educational information on diabetes, hypertension, nutrition and cancer. See huimalamaolanaoiwi.org.
      Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool, a division of Partners in Development Foundation, signed keiki and caregivers up for their early childhood programs held at Na`alehu and Pahala Community Centers. See pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/about.

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

Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool signed up keiki and caregivers for programs
at Pahala and Na`alehu Community Centers. Photo by Julia Neal

SCIENTISTS YESTERDAY RETURNED FROM A 36-DAY mapping expedition to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The monument is the largest protected area in the United States, encompassing an area greater than all its national parks combined, yet over half its seafloor has never been mapped in detail due to the limited availability of advanced sonar systems required. 

      The team mapped over 15,445 square miles – an area four times the size of the Big Island – of previously unmapped or poorly mapped areas inside the monument. This represents approximately 11 percent of the total area of the monument and includes 18 seamounts and extensive banks off Pearl and Hermes, Midway and Kure atolls.
      “The goal of the expedition was to fill large gaps in seafloor data in order to facilitate future research and discoveries in the region,” said Christopher Kelley, program biologist with the University of Hawai`i’s Hawai`i Undersea Research Laboratory and chief scientist of the expedition.

      Carried out aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s 272-foot R/V Falkor, the expedition found that approximately 98 percent of the monument’s area is deeper than 328 feet, where features including seamounts, ridges and submerged banks are home to rare and likely undiscovered species of corals, fish and other animals.

Seamounts, guyots and banks are biological hot spots that support abundant
plant and animal communities. Photo by Amy Baco-Taylor

      “We literally have better maps of the moon than of the ocean floor,” says Randy Kosaki, NOAA’s deputy superintendent for research at the monument. “These bathymetric data will go a long way towards improving our understanding of Papahanaumokuakea’s features. As natural resource managers, we can’t manage what we don’t understand.”

      Another objective of this mapping effort is to identify likely sites of deep-sea coral and sponge beds. In 2003, scientists discovered the existence of these beds within the monument in more than approximately 3,280 feet of water.
       “On this trip, we discovered more sites in the monument with the right type of topography to support these amazing deep sea coral gardens,” Kelley said. “We’ll have to wait until someone gets an opportunity to dive on the sites with a submersible or remotely operated vehicle to confirm they exist.”

       Previous exploration of the few known beds led to the discovery of more than 50 new species of sponges and corals, according to Kelley. It is expected that more discoveries will be made as a result of the information gleaned from this trip.        The region’s geology was another key focus of the expedition. Ancient coral reefs that drowned as the earliest Hawaiian Islands subsided now hold a detailed record of that process spanning millions of years. Mapping can offer a big picture view of how various features are organized, which will help researchers better understand Hawai`i’s geological history.

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

One way to support Hawai`i Wildlife Fund's Ka`u Coast cleanups is buying T-shirts.

SINCE 2003, HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND has been working hand in hand with hundreds of volunteers and dozens of other agencies, non-governmental organizations and community groups for the collective mission of reducing the amount of marine debris along Hawai`i Island’s coastline, including the Ka`u Coast. In total, they have removed almost 169 tons (337,648 pounds) of debris from Hawai`i Island. 

      An integral part of HWF’s marine debris removal project is prevention through education and outreach campaigns. The organization encourages people to limit their reliance on single-usage products like plastic water bottles, styrofoam clam shells, plate lunch utensils, etc., and to instead re-think daily choices (you vote with every purchase you make), re-duce (our impact on the environment), re-fuse (things with excess packaging and that will be discarded after one use), re-cycle (all mixed recycling and HI-5s – for more information, see the Recycle HI website), re-use (the resources around us) and re-design (what can you do with marine debris?)
      Residents can support HWF by making a donation at wildhawaii.org, buying a long-sleeved T-shirt at booster.com/hwf_debris_tshirts and joining in beach cleanups. The next Ka`u Coast Cleanup is Saturday, May 24. Contact organizer Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

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

Auditions for KDEN's presentation of Ruddigore take place next month.

AUDITIONS FOR KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK’S fifth Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, Ruddigore, will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 19 & 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KDEN is looking for people of all ages to participate. Come prepared to sing, dance and possibly read scenes from the script. Show dates are July 11 – 27.

      As with other Gilbert and Sullivan plays, the story revolves around duty and doing what is expected. This cast of characters consists of mortals and ghosts, officers, ancestors, villagers and professional bridesmaids. There are lead roles for five men and four women.

Wok master Ron Serrao
Photo by Julia Neal

      The show will be directed by Suzi Bond, with vocal direction by Chris Tomich.
      For more information, call 982-7344, email kden73@aol.com or check out KDEN’s Facebook page.

HA`AO SPRINGS AND MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ag Water Co-op invites the public to a presentation at 2 p.m. today at Green Sand Community Park. Bill Savage, member and director in the co-op, will be guest presenter. Councilwoman Brenda Ford will be in attendance. Light pupus and drinks will be provided. 

MONGOLIAN BBQ TAKES PLACE this evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village, when chefs wok up your choice of ingredients over an open flame. Cost of 75 cents per ounce includes beverage and dessert. Call 985-9908 for more information.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines are welcome. Drop off at Na`alehu of Pahala libraries during working hours.
     To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.