Ka`u Calendar News Briefs, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016

Eight-Man Football has helped Ka`u High School become more competitive, bringing home league titles.
If the Trojan's win on Saturday, they take the 2016 championship. Photo from Ka`u High School

IF KA`U HIGH WINS, TROJANS TAKE THE ISLAND TITLE in Eight-Man Football this Saturday at home. Ka`u High School, the initiator of Eight-Man Football on Hawai`i Island, fought this season toward a top place BIIF finish. Ka`u plays Kohala, under coaches Kainoa Ke and Greg Rush. Game time is 2 p.m. Entry fee is $6.
        Fed by one of the smallest school populations in the state with about 60 seniors graduating each year, the Ka`u team was so small in numbers that for generations, players took on both offense and defense positions. Year after year, they found it exciting but overwhelming to tackle the big schools, whose well populated teams fielded larger and more specialized players.

Kalei Namohala led the change
to Eight-Man Football

         Ka`u High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala led the change in 2013 when the Trojans faced canceling football season, unable to field the number of players needed for a traditional team. She declared that Eight-man Football is particularly appropriate for Ka`u's agile and fast-running athletes. It shows off passing and interception skills. There are fewer tackles in the game. It is higher scoring with fewer injuries. 

     Namohala banned together small Big Island high schools and challenged small schools on Moloka`i and Maui to help jumpstart Eight-Man Football. With community fundraising, the Trojans flew and sailed to other islands, to Moloka`i and Maui, and launched the new league, taking on teams in small rural towns like those in Ka`u.
    In recent games this season: Ka`u’s Jacob Flores scored three touchdowns on Oct. 12 to win a rematch against Pahoa. With a score of 14-14 at the end of the fourth quarter, the game went into double overtime. Flores’ accomplished his first run into the end zone during the second quarter. Another one in the third quarter brought the score to 12-14, and a 91-yard safety by Ka`u added two more points.

Ka`u played Kohala for homecoming, takes on Pahoa this Saturday
and could clinch the island championship. Photo by David Berry

     Flores ran six yards for a touchdown in double overtime to bring the final score to 20-14.
      During the Oct. 8 game for      Ka`u’s homecoming celebration, Zachary Kai scored the Trojan’s two touchdowns, playing Kohala. The Trojans led 14-10 in the first quarter, following Kai’s runs into the end zone and a good two-point conversion run by Jamal Buyuan. The Trojans’ score remained at 14 through the rest of the game, while Kohala scored in the second and fourth quarters to bring the final score to 24-14.

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WALK-IN VOTING AND LATE REGISTRATION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION BEGAN TODAY, with the only site in Ka`u at Pahala Community Center.  Ocean View Community Association executive director Sandi Alexander said this morning that calls are coming into Ocean View Community Center, with prospective voters looking for the place to go. Ocean View Community Center is not an option this year. 

     Late registration and voting take place at Pahala Community Center Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 4.

     Ka`u and Volcano residents can also register and vote at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Waimea Community Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
     Locations for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., include : Cooper Center in Volcano at 19-4030 Wright Rd; Ka`u High School Cafeteria at 96-3150 Pikake St. - turn into the school grounds; Na`alehu Elementary School Cafeteria at 95-5545 Hwy 11; Ocean View Community Center at 92-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; and Miloli`i Halau.

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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard speaking in Ka`u.
Photo by Ron Johnson

A PETITION AGAINST THE MERGER OF TIME WARNER AND AT&T is being circulated by Ka`u's congresswoman Tulsi
Gabbard. Both companies serve Ka`u, Time Warner with Oceanic Cable television and internet and AT&T with cell phone coverage. In a statement today, Gabbard proclaimed, "It is dangerous for a handful of billionaire-owned companies to consolidate to the point where our media (and content) is owned and controlled by a select few, while discouraging competition and raising rates on consumers. Already, 90 percent of the channels—from HBO to ESPN to MSNBC—are controlled by the same six networks."
     Gabbard said she fears that the AT&T and Time Warner's $85.4 billion merger "will increase costs for consumers, reduce choice and competition, threaten net neutrality, and risk union jobs and wages for thousands of employees. The only people that benefit from this deal are the shareholders and CEOs who always have the most to gain by these kinds of massive mergers. Bigger is not always better. Further consolidation of the media could hurt millions of American consumers."

          The congresswoman sent a link, asking, 

"Can you sign our petition to the FCC and the Justice Department calling on them to take immediate action to block the disastrous merger of AT&T and Time Warner?"
     Gabbard stated that "AT&T is already first in the nation as a provider of pay TV—thanks to their 2015 acquisition of DirecTV—and it is the second-largest wireless company and third-largest broadband provider in the country, per The Los Angeles Times. That means this merger will put their competitors at an unfair disadvantage in the market because they can favor content they own. That is anti-competitive—and will hurt consumers, as well as start-up content providers, who have historically been the ones hurt by such monopolies.

      "Both Republicans and Democrats—Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump—have expressed concerns about this merger," Gabbard noted.  She said, "This is not a partisan issue. It never should be when it comes to protecting consumers. But we know that special interest groups and lobbyists will be descending upon Washington to ensure this merger succeeds, which is why it is important we start mobilizing and putting the pressure on the FCC and Justice Department now—before it’s too late."

       "We should always look to support innovation in business, but another consolidation of media conglomerates where big business wins and the American people lose is the last thing we need in a system that is increasingly stacked against consumers," Gabbard concluded.

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ISLAND OF HAWAI`I VISITORS BUREAU is the new name for the Big Island Visitors Bureau. The organization is encouraging the change to apply to the island’s name as well, urging the marketing community to drop the Big Island name. The Island of Hawai`i Visitors Bureau also plans to shut down the Big Island Visitors Bureau office in Hilo, keeping an office on Kona side.     

     Regarding the new logo, the organization's executive director Ross Birch stated:

  "Depicted in IHVB's new logo, the design retains its overall elements and feel of the previous look, while aligning itself with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Hawai`i Visitors and Convention Bureau branding of the Hawaiian Islands."

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Health eating is proclaimed by the new Hawai`i
Island Food Alliance

NATIONAL FOOD DAY: KTA, BLUE ZONES PROJECT AND MAYOR BILLY KENOI celebrated yesterday at the KTA food store in Puainako with a gardening demonstration with free plant giveaways, grocery tours, health information, and Blue Zones inspired food samples. They also announced the formation fo the Hawai`i Island Food Alliance. The new organization's facilitator and convenor, Carol Ignacio, said, "There is a greater chance for impact with the local food sytem when a diverse group of community leaders who share a deep sense of community responsibility and accountability work together." The stated mission of the Hawai`i Island Food Alliance is "to create an economically just, ecologically sound, and healthy and culturally appropriate food system for all who live on Hawai`i Island." For more information about HIFA, contact Ignacio at carol.ignacio@healthways.com or call 808-202-4958.

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KTA RAISES FUNDS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS through October. Ka`u supporters can donate at any KTA checkout stand throughout the Big Island. One hundred percent of donations taken at KTA food stores supports Boys & Girls Clubs. Many Ka`u children spend the afternoons after school at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING is the presentation tonight at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The illustrated talk features archaeologist Dusten Robbins discussing ways that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park uses Light Detection and Ranging to manage cultural resources. $2 donation supports park programs; park entrance fees apply.

ULANI NUI, COCONUT LEAF plaiting is the demonstration tomorrow, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon and Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai1i Volcanoes National Park. Rangers teach the craft and participants can take home their work. Free; park entrance fees apply.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION takes place at Pahala Community Center tomorrow, Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for children in grades K - 8. Call 928-3102.

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

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Ka`u Calendar News Briefs, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016

June Domondon is a frequent election worker at Pahala polling sites, including the early voting location opening tomorrow at Pahala Community Center, offering late registration and an opportunity to vote, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. until election week. Photo by Julia Neal

EARLY VOTING, EVEN FOR THOSE STILL NOT REGISTERED, begins tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 25. The Ka`u location is Pahala Community Center. Hours will be Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ka`u and Volcano residents can also register and vote at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Waimea Community Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
     Local precinct locations for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., are: Cooper Center in Volcano at 19-4030 Wright Rd; Ka`u High School Cafeteria at 96-3150 Pikake St. - turn into the school grounds; Na`alehu Elementary School Cafeteria at 95-5545 Hwy 11; Ocean View Community Center at 92-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; and Miloli`i Halau.

ONE HAWAI`I COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENT MADE THE BALLOT for the General Election, Tuesday, Nov. 8 and for early voting that starts tomorrow. The Charter Amendment title is Expanding Scope of the County of Hawai`i General Plan and here is the wording:
     “Shall the County Charter be amended to change the scope of the County of Hawai`i General Plan, which currently sets forth policy for 'the long-range comprehensive physical development of the county,' to include long-range policy for matters related to the economic, environmental and socio-cultural wellbeing of the County; and, additionally, expand those matters which the General Plan promotes to include the health of the people of the County?” Those agreeing with the proposal, vote Yes. Those disagreeing, vote No.
     Existing language in the County Charter says the General Plan “shall contain a statement of development objectives standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites; the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county; a system of principle thoroughfares, highways, streets, public access to shorelines and other open spaces; the general locations, relocations and improvement of public buildings; the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for water, sewers, light, power, transit, and other purposes; the extent and location of public housing projects; adequate drainage facilities and control; air pollution; and such matters as may, in the (county) council’s judgment, promote the general welfare, health and prosperity of its people.”
    The County Charter directs the County Council to “enact zoning, subdivision, and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to carry out the purpose of the general plan.
   “No public improvement or project, or subdivision or zoning ordinance, shall be initiated or adopted unless the same conforms to and implements the general plan.”
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THE GENERAL ELECTION SAMPLE BALLOT is out with national and local candidates and other measures.  The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 with early walk-in starting tomorrow. In the local elections, former Mayor Harry Kim and County Council member Maile David both earned enough votes in the primary to win their seats and will not be seen on the ballots.

       Ka`u residents can vote for U.S. Senator. Candidates are Constitution Party member Joy Allison; Republican John Carroll, American Shopping Party member John M. Giuffre, Libertarian Michael A. Kokoski and incumbent Democrat Brian Schatz.

      Ka`u's member in congress is also up for reelection. Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is challenged by Republican Angela Kaaihue.

      On the East Ka`u ballots, Sen. Russell Ruderman is challenged by Libertarian Fredrick Fogel. East Ka`u state Rep. Richard Onishi is challenged by Libertarian Gregory Arianoff and Green Party Candidate Kealoha Pisciotta. On the West Ka`u ballots, West Ka`u state Rep. Richard Creagan, a Democrat, is challenged by Libertarian Michael Last. West Ka`u state Sen. Josh Green is not up for reelection this year.

       Office of Hawaiian Affairs voting is open to people of all races and cultural backgrounds. On the ballot, incumbent Robert Lindsey is challenged by Millilani Trask. The At-Large Trustee contest is between Keli`i Akina and Haunani Apoliona. 

      Listed in alphabetical order, for United States Presidency, are the following candidates: Constitution Party member Daniel L. Castle (who withdrew but still on ballot) with vice presidential running mate Scott Bradley; Democrat Hillary Clinton with Tim Kaine; Libertarian Gary Johnson with Bill Weld; Green Party candidate Jill Stein with Ajamu Baraka and Republican Donald Trump, with Michael Pence.
      A proposed County Charter Amendment would add health into the language of the General Plan.(See story above) A state Constitution Amendment would hike up the minimum value of an expected outcome to $10,000 for allowing civil cases to be heard by a jury. The current value is $5,000. Another proposed state Constitutional Amendment would allow the state to distribute excess funds in its coffers - when they reach more than 5 percent of revenues for two consecutive year s- to be used for debt service for state bonds or pensions and other post-employemnt benefit liabilities for state employees.
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KA`U FOOD PANTRY, INC. OFFERS FREE FOOD IN OCEAN VIEW is available through the Ka`u Food Pantry, tomorrow Tuesday, October 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the food runs out. The pick-up will be at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle. Participants are encouraged to be there at least one hour before doors open in order to register and sign in. Those new to the program, bring picture ID's.

Light Detection and Ranging will be discussed at After Dark in the Park
tomorrow at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium features archaeologist Dusten Robbins discussing ways that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park uses Light Detection and Ranging to manage cultural resources. $2 donation supports park program; park entrance fees apply.

KTA RAISES FUNDS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS through October. Ka`u supporters can donate at any KTA checkout stand throughout the Big Island. One hundred percent of donations taken at KTA food stores supports Boys & Girls Clubs. Many Ka`u children spend the afternoons after school at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting is Tuesday at 10 a.m., St. Jude's Church in Ocean View.

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

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016

Keiki from Ka`u participated in the creation of a Marine Debris Prevention program for elementary students, developed by the
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND LAUNCHES A MARINE DEBRIS PREVENTION PROGRAM this week for elementary school students in Hawai`i.  Over the past two school years, Hawai`i Wildlife mentors piloted this curriculum in 20 public schools working with more than 52 teachers and 1,140 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Ka`u classrooms were among those pilot testing the program, according to Megan Lamson, Nohea Ka`awa and Stacey Breining who worked on developing the Marine Debris Keiki Education & Outreach program.

     They said this morning that this new Hawai`i Wildlife Fund program teaches the understanding of aquatic life and ecosystems - basic marine biology concepts. It shows the children marine debris and explains how land-based litter sources find their way into the sea. It explores what a “discard” really is and how daily choices affect the amount of trash that humans produce. It helps keiki understand the  vulnerability of island ecosystems and communities and the responsibility (kuleana) of each community member to protect them.

Marine debris made its way into elementary classrooms as Hawai`i
Wildlife Fund developed an elementary school curriculum.
Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

       The curriculum is designed as a three -visit program that challenges students to put forward innovative solutions to this global marine-debris problem. The lessons are aligned with all Common Core and Next Generation Science and other benchmarks relevant to the elementary school level.
       “It was a great pleasure guest teaching in the many different classrooms around the island. We look forward to deepening our relationships with Hawaiʻi Island students and teachers in the coming years,” said Hawai`i Wildlife Fund mentor and Education Coordinator, Stacey Breining.

         Nine cleanup events were conducted as an optional follow-up component of this program for the students. There were six beach cleanups, two stream cleanups, and one campus cleanup.   During cleanup events, 286 students participated in removing over 1,500 lbs. of marine and land-based debris items from the coastline, stream banks, or their campus.

       All lessons and activities are available for free download from the HWF website or at the following link: http://wildhawaii.org/MDKEO/SummaryTeacherEdition.pdf

     Contact Hawa`i Wildlife Fund at marine.debris.KEO@gmail.com or 808-769-7629 for more information or visit the HWF website (www.wildhawaii.org).
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A COFFEE PICKER SHORTAGE WAS THE WORD among farmers at yesterday’s Ka`u Coffee Workshop held in Pahala. Ka`u Coffee production is almost overwhelming following much rainfall this year.  So much coffee cherry is ripening that farmers face a tough time keeping up with the picking. Short of local pickers and with this year's unusual overlap of the Kona and Ka`u harvests, which are usually sequential, many Ka`u farmers are waiting for pickers who remain in Kona to finish up that harvest, before making their way down here.
     This leaves the burden on Ka`u Coffee family members and others helping out in the community, as failing to pick Ka`u Coffee at the perfect moment can lead to lower quality and losing a crop as the coffee cherries turn to raisins when left on the trees. Some farmers have cooperated to bring in pickers from afar, many from western states where migrant workers are finishing up the harvest before a winter they would like to spend in Hawai`i.

Ka`u Coffee farmers are hoping for more pickers to come south after the Kona
 harvest tohelp with a big crop this year in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

     Housing the pickers at an affordable rate is also a challenge. The Old Pahala Clubhouse has been renovated to house some of them. Part of the Olson Trust Building will also become picker housing and several farmers and labor managers have purchased or rented homes to house imported farm laborers in Ka`u.
     Local labor is challenging, particularly among resident Marshallese community members who offer their coffee picking services. Many of them need childcare to avoid illegally having children perceived as helping at the workplace. Many prefer to be paid by the amount of coffee they pick rather than by time, so they can take their time, take breaks to attend to family and go at their own pace. However, labor laws call for a minimum wage base, which can be discouraging to farmers who would like to provide work opportunity to the Marshallese community who reside here, but are attracted to experienced migrant farm workers. They  can make many times minimum wage through picking by the pound during a long day of work.
     During the workshop farmers asked one another for leads on more pickers to hire in Ka`u.
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KA`U COFFEE FARMERS EDUCATION focused a full day at Pahala Community Center on Saturday with state, county, NGO, private industry and university representatives advising growers on this fast growing sector of the economy. Despite the heavy harvest season, the education day was attended by many representatives of Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, Palehua Coffee Cooperative and independent farmers, all looking to improve production, control pests and learn more about the soils of Ka`u.

Taking a deep soil sample is important since coffee is a tree crop and the
roots can reach far into the ground for nutrients, said experts at
yesterday's Ka`u Coffee Workshop. Photo by Julia Neal

     Soils are special throughout Ka`u, on the side of Mauna Loa Volcano. Some solls feature heavy layers of ash from multiple volcanic eruptions. Some soils have many stone fragments, some are much deeper than Kona soils, some are shallow. Another consideration is the past use of the soil, particularly where sugar cane was grown for more than 100 years.
     Experts recommended that soils be tested three feet deep rather than testing only a few inches. Coffee grows on trees with roots that can reach deep into the ground to retrieve micronutrients. Ka`u has some of the older soils on the island, some very deep soils, much different than younger volcanic soils on lava flows in Kona. In Ka`u the rooting is deeper, the experts noted. More nutrients may be available.
     Advisors suggested farmers take core samples to study the history and qualities of the soil in each orchard. They recommended using the services of University of Hawai`i rather than mainland testers, since U.H. calibrates its analysis specifically to tropical Hawaiian acidic soils. The cost is only $12. General knowledge about soil can also be retrieved from the field with a cell phone, app and GPS, they explained.
    Advisors also warned about over treating soils with any one of the nutrients, which can reduce productivity. Ka`u soils tend to be low in zinc and potash is the most important nutrient for Ka`u Coffee cupping quality. But too much or too little can ruin a crop, making testing very important, said the experts.
     Here are the Ka`u Coffee Workshop presenters, their expertise and contact information: Laura Diaz, LDO Market, laura@ldomarket.com Suzanne Schriner, Synergistic Hawai`i Agriculture Council, Suzanne@deadcbb.com,; Nicholas Manoukis, Research Biologist, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Nicholas.maoukis@ars.usda; Tracie Matsumoto, Research Leader U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Tracie.Matsumoto@ars.usda.gov; Lisa Keith, Research Plant Pathologist, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Lisa.Keith@ars.usda.gov; Luis Aristiabal, Synergistic Hawai`i Agriculture Council, laristizabal721@gmail.com; Ray Carrutthers, Extension Specialist, U.H. College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources, carruthersray@gmail.com; Jarret Enriquez, Sales, Brewer Environmental Industries, jenriques@beihawaii.com; Robbie Hollingsworth, Research Entomologist Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Robert.Hollingsworth@ars.usda.gov; Peter Follet, Research Entomologist, Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Robert.Hollingsworth@ars.usda.gov; Rob Curtiss, Entomologist Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture, Robert.t.curtiss@hawaii.gov; Gwen Hicks Hawai`i Dept. Agriculture, Coffee Berry Borer Subisdy Program Coordinator, Gwendolyn.m.hicks@hawaii.gov; Teresa Young, Rural & Cooperative Business Development Specialist, The Kohala Center, tyoung@kohalacenter.org; Lynne Constantinides, Consultant, The Kohala Center, ichi@hawaiiantel.net; Amy Koch, Assistant Director for Soil Science, U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Hawai`i, amy.koch@hi.usda.gov; Lance Santo, Consultant, lancesanto@hotmail.com; and Emily Emmons, Hawai`I Island Representative for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Emily.Emmons@mail.house.gov.
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HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORP. is reaching out to rural entrepreneurs and will meet with prospective applicants for funding this Tuesday. Hosted by the county Department of Research & Development, the meeting will be Oct. 25 at Aging and Disability Resource Center’s Training Room on Kino`ole Street in Hilo from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

     Beth Dykstra, Economic Development Specialist with the County of Hawai‘i, said the following programs will be available to qualifying Hawai‘i businesses:

     Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program: Up to 50 percent  to a maximum of $500,000 matching funds for SBIR Awards;
     NI3 Neighbor Island Innovation Initiative: Providing business and technical assistance to Hawaii companies outside O`ahu;

      MAP Manufacturing Assistance Program: Up to 20% reimbursement (not to exceed $100,000) on qualified manufacturing expenses.  

   There is no cost to attend. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is requested. To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/htdc-presents-new-money-for-your-business-tickets-28268857915.

Click here to learn more about the HTDC.
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KA`U FOOD PANTRY, INC. OFFERS A FREE FOOD program is this Tuesday, October 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the food runs out. The offerings will be at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle in Ocean View. Participants are encouraged to be there at least one hour before doors open in order to register and sign in. Those new to the program, bring picture ID's.

EARLY VOTING AND LATE REGISTRATION for the general election begins this Tuesday. Deadline to register to vote on Nov. 8  passed but residents can still register and vote at several locations prior to Election Day. Pahala Community Center will be open to vote and register Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Other Hawai`i Island sites are Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room and Waimea Community Center.

KTA IS RAISING FUNDS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS through October. Ka`u supporters can donate at any KTA checkout stand throughout the Big Island. One hundred percent of donations taken at KTA food stores go to support the Boys & Girls Clubs. Many Ka`u children spend the afternoons after school at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

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