Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, April 4, 2023

This bright, shiny, red 1937 Ford pick-up with a Chevy engine under its hood was proudly displayed by Neil Felton of Ocean View.  He has owned it since 1972 and has rebuilt it twice in that time. In 2010 Felton retired from his job as a machinist at Keck Observatory and now owns a machine shop where he can make parts for vintage cars. Photo by Annie Bosted

THE CLASSIC CAR & BIKE SHOW IN OCEAN VIEW on Saturday drew 16 gleaming vintage cars and

The owner of 16 bikes, Gilbert Smith of Kealakekua proudly poses
 beside a chopper that he created for his grandson, Uriah, age 7.
 Smith took four months to build it.  He is the owner of Chopper
Express, which makes and repairs chopper motorcycles.
Photo by Annie Bosted

more than 30 motorcycles, to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd numbering about 380. Organizers Dennis and Evie Custard led the effort with support of Koa Puna Motorcycle Club.    

    Winners of trophies included Mike and Kathy Haber for Peoples' Choice for Bikes for their 1948 Harley Davidson. Peoples' Choice for Cars went to Peter Comandini for his white Cadillac Coup de Ville. Dan Washburn won the Best Modification for a Bike for his yellow 1977 Panhead Harley Davidson.
    Sponsors included L&L Hawaiian Bar B Que, which donated food and the Pepsi Co. which donated 400 drinks including Gatorade, water and soda.
    Prizes for lucky attendees included three vouchers from The Grinz, two seat covers from Ocean View Auto Parts, whiskey from the President of Koa Puna, and a pound of Ka'u Coffee, valued at $50, from the Kahuku Gift & Garden Shop.
   About $1,400 was raised during the event, of which $840 went to the Ocean View Skatepark Project. According to a hand-out, the organizers of the skatepark project are "striving to help unify the growing Ocean View community and advance activity-based options for Ka'u with a free-to-use public skatepark."

This sleek, white, beautifully contoured 1959 Cadillac Coup de Ville – restored to mint condition – won the Peoples' Choice
 award at the Ocean View show. Pete Comandini of Waikaloa has owned the iconic classic for five years. Photo by Annie Bosted

OCEAN VIEW SKATEPARK ASSOCIATION received $840 in donations from the Classic Car & Bike Show at Ocean View Community Center last Saturday. The organization continues its fundraising online and through events around the community. It's website states: 

Ocean View Skatepark enthusiasts raised money at
the Classic Car & Bike Show. Photo by Annie Bosted

    "Our project has grown from a grassroots effort to a community-wide initiative that has been approved to build. With a site location secured, we are working on designing a skatepark that will best serve the needs of our community. Our goal is to create a space that is inclusive, fun, and encourages skateboarding as a positive outlet for youth.
    "We believe that our mission aligns with the values of the Skatepark Foundation (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation), as we aim to provide opportunities for young people to stay active, build confidence, and develop a sense of community through skateboarding."
    Youth involved with the Skatepark project took their plans to the office of Mayor Mitch Roth late last year for a presentation. The effort would build the skatepark at the Kahuku county park lands. See the Ocean View Skatepark Program website with a donation link at https://oceanviewskatepark.org/

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

POLICE ARRESTED 18 FOR DUI during the week of March 27 through April 2. Hawai`i Island police made the arrest of 18 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Four of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. None were under the age of 21.  
    So far this year, there have been 266 DUI arrests compared with 283 during the same period last year, a decrease of 6.0 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 235 major crashes so far this year compared with 187 during the same period last year, an increase of 25.7 percent.
   To date, there have been four fatal crashes, resulting in five fatalities, (Rvsd. 02/07/23: one fatal crash reclassified—manner of death was due to natural causes) and (one fatal crash had multiple deaths); compared with 10 fatal crashes, resulting in 12 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 60 percent for fatal crashes, and 58.3 percent for fatalities.
   Hawai'i Police Department promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

A PUBLIC FINANCING FOR ELECTIONS MEASURE IS ALIVE IN THE HAWAI'I LEGISLATURE

with a hearing coming up on Wednesday. Volcano resident Marsha Hee urges area residents to send in
testimony. She provided her testimony:

Image from www.campaignlegal.org

    "SB1543 SD2 HD1 establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State of Hawaii, to begin with the 2026 general election year. This measure would provide participating candidates with competitive amounts of funding they need to run an effective campaign.
    "It's crucially important that this body does everything in its power to remove the influence money has on our politics. Corruption is far too rampant in Hawai'i and the pay-to-play behavior of our politicians needs to end now. Money in politics holds back progress on all the issues important to local working families: from affordable housing, to cost of living, to protecting our environment, and more.
    "Public financing of elections is one of the most important ways to free our state political system from undue influence from corporations, businesses, and special interest groups, and focus on important concerns from constituents."

    To see more testimony, to submit testimony and for a link to the public hearing which begins at 2 p.m. online on Wednesday, go to https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1543&year=2023

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

THIS IS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK THROUGH APRIL 9. Hawaiʻi County joins Hawaiʻi District Health Offices of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health for the celebration, "which recognizes the community's progress through the global COVID-19 crisis, as the country is set to end its federal Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023. Despite the challenges faced, communities across Hawaiʻi

Island were able to maintain one of the lowest COVID-19-related death rates in the nation. At the same time, existing health disparities in the community were clearly highlighted throughout," says a statement from the County.
    "Throughout the pandemic, we have learned that we are much stronger when we encourage and selflessly support one another," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "As we officially move forward from the Public Health Emergency, our county will continue to focus on communities to protect, prioritize, and influence the future of public health. We invite public health professionals, students, elected leaders, activists, and residents to join us and make our island more sustainable, equitable, safe, and healthy for all."
    Hawaiʻi District Health Officer John Kolman, Ph.D said, "Across the nation, there are more than 200,000 local and state public health professionals with various roles in protecting and improving the health and environment for all Americans. Our Hawaiʻi District Health Offices represent just 100

dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to serve the island's public health with over 200,000 residents. We work in various settings including disease prevention and investigation, laboratory, vector control, food safety, mental health service, maternal health service, and case management for individuals with a developmental disability.

    "Our work is extremely challenging if we don't have the community's support. We are grateful for the partnership with healthcare providers, volunteers, community-based organizations, businesses, and residents."

    A DOH open house where residents are invited and encouraged to engage with various DOH program representatives and other local organizations providing public health services is set for this Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hilo State Office Building, 75 Aupuni St.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, April 3, 2023

Kalia Grace runs Stong at HPA Meet
 Led by Coach Tolu Rasmussen, ninth grader Kalia Grace made the Trojan track team proud on April 1 when she took fourth in an island wide track meet event at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy.  Trojans Track Team, comprised of athletes from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences and Kaʻū High, are Mardani Sugai, Cheska Aurelio, Kalia Grace, Strephen Adler, Cody Rasmussen and Alden Wells. Not shown is Isaiah Louis.
Photo by Coach Tolu Rasmussen

JAIME GUERPO IS NAMED NEW TROJANS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR. He grew up in Honoka'a, a small historic sugar town like Pāhala, and has taken the post as Athletic Director for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. He graduated from Honoka'a in 1988 and attended Hawai'i Pacific University 

Long-time Vulcan Cross Country Coach Jaime Guerpo

is new Trojans Kaʻū High Athletic Director.

Photo from hiloathletics.com

in Honolulu, following up by earning a degree in Kinesiology & Exercise Science from Azusa Pacific University in California, where he also earned a Masters Degree in Education.

    Guerpo himself was an island champ in cross country in high school where he also participated in football, basketball and track and field. In addition, he won a state boxing title. In college, he ran away with the California state cross country championship. He served as head cross country coach at Azusa where he coached a national champion and a runner-up national champion.
    The new Kaʻū Athletic Director coached University of Hawai'i-Hilo's Men's Cross Country for 12 seasons, until the sport was retired, and UH-Hilo's women's Cross Country for 23 seasons, through 2022. He won coach of the year and other honors. In addition, he worked as Recreation Director at Shipman Park for 13 years and has ties to Nona Makuakane and Sam Ah Yee here.
    Regarding working in Kaʻū, Guerpo said, "Growing up in Kaʻū is similar to Honoka'a. Small town people are nice; you know everyone. So far everyone at the school is supportive. I feel welcomed. I haven't met all the coaches yet but the ones in season, I have. They are all good." He said that the scenery is beautiful driving from his home in Mt. View to Pāhala.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

TROJANS ARE TRAVELING ISLANDWIDE, WELCOMING TEAMS IN APRIL for Track, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball and Boys Volleyball with the Trojans representing Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences.

Cheska Aurelio runs for the Trojans.
Photo by Coach Tolu Rasmussen

    Track & Field sees events every weekend, under Coach Tolu Rasmussen. The Trojans headed to Kealakehe for islandwide competition on April 1 and to Waiākea on April 8. They go to Kealakehe on April 15. The Freshman-Sophomore Invitational is on Saturday, April 22 at Kea'au and BIIF Finals are Saturday, April 29 from at Kea'au.
    In Boys Varsity Volleyball, under Coach Josh Ortega, Kaʻū hosted Mauna Lani on April 1. Trojans travel to St. Joseph's on April 4. Trojans travel to Christian Liberty on April 7. Trojans host Ka Umeke on April 11. Trojans host Laupahoehoe on April 15. April 21 through April 26 are playoffs and championship games.
   In Girls Softball, under Coach Donovan Emmsley, Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a on April 4. On April 8, Kamehameha comes to a Kaʻū. On April 13, Kaʻū travels to Pāhoa. On April 15, Kaʻū hosts Kohala. BIIF playoffs for Girls Softball start April 17 with finals ending on April 29.
    In Boys Baseball, under coach Rolland Alcoran, on April 4, Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a. On April 8, Kamehameha comes to Kaʻū. On April 15, Kaʻū hosts Kohala. BIIF playoffs for Boys Baseball start April 17 with finals ending on April 28.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

REGISTRATION FOR THE KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUN will open on April 10. Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run is set for its ninth year on Saturday, Sept. 23. Races include the moderate to highly-challenging 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and 50K races through macadamia nut and coffee fields. The races start and end at Kaʻū. Coffee Mill. Organizers note that "While crossing the beautiful slopes of rural Kaʻū, you will be treated to breathtaking, 180-degree views of the ocean."
   Registration fees are $90 for the 50K, $80 for the Half Marathon. $50 for the 10K and $45 for the 5K, going up on June 1 and again on Sept. 1. Proceeds benefit the non-profit O Kaʻū Kakou community group.

Registration opens April 10 for the Ninth Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run events. See www.kaucoffetrailrun.com.
Photo from Ka'u Coffee Trail Run.

FRIENDS OF THE KAʻŪ LIBRARIES IS BACK and the libraries are flourishing.  The organization supports Nā'ālehu and Pāhala libraries with funds for programming, activities and items the lack otherwise. The group will be at the OKK Farmers Market in Nā'ālehu this Wednesday with books, bags and T-Shirts. Donations and volunteering are welcome. Contact Friend of the Kaʻū Libraries through librarians, at the market and their events.

    Director of Memberships Chair Kirsi Klein said that memberships are available for $5 a year, $100 for lifetime, $10 for family, $2 for seniors. $20 for senior lifetime and $2 for youth. Membership fees and donations can be mailed to Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries, P.O. Box 400, Pāhala, HI 96777 or drop them by either Kaʻū library.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

    

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, April 2, 2023

Seyani Charley and Leilani William proudly show the face paintings they received during the Celebrate Micronesia Health Fair from Nona Makuakane, who heads up Parks & Recreation in Pāhala. Photo by Annie Bosted 

CELEBRATE MICRONESIA HEALTH FAIR on Saturday in Ocean View drew some 350 people circulating among 14 health and lifestyle booths, and enjoying entertaining events, such as traditional dance, music, face painting and volleyball.
    Rachel Rodrigues-Cuba, who coordinated the outreach, called the event a "huge success," stressing

Ocean View family, Dennis M. James, Unique L. Keebler and son

 Zion David James, discuss selection of free books at Celebrate

 Micronesia Health Fair. Stacy Brown of Family Support Hawai'i

 shares that she provides home visit services to families with keiki 

under three to monitor children's health and development. Also 

organized are two play groups per month as well as transportation

 to doctor visits. Photo by Annie Bosted

the importance of health resources to rural areas without transportation.

    Attendees were able to rummage through a large offering of free items, including books, and blankets donated by staff from Hawai'i Island Community Health Center.  

    Some attendees were screened for blood pressure. Most received free Covid test kits, hand sanitizer and some tobacco cessation tools. Many received immunization against Covid, 'flu, shingles and pneumonia.

    Help with COFA passport applications and health insurance options was also offered.

    A match between two volleyball teams, Likata in Ailuk, and Ocean View drew cries of encouragement.

    Sponsors included Kalanihale, Kumukahi Health & Welness, Hawai'i Community Health Center, Kaʻū Hospital, Family Support Hawai'i, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, WIC,

Ruthine Boaz (left) helps Leona Lopez, community
 health worker from Hawaii Island Community
 Health Center, during the Rummage Give-away.
 At the start of Celebrate Micronesia Health Fair,
  piles of donated clothes and blankets were
 four times higher.  Photo by Annie Bosted

KTA, Goodwill Hawai'i, Hawai'i Literacy, Kokua Services Partnership, YMC, Hawai'i Community Foundation and Med Quest Hawai'i.

AN ADDITIONAL FREE SHOWER DAY IS ADDED to the St. Jude's program in Ocean View, Beginning April 5, St. Jude's is expanding its free hot shower program to include Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m. The last opportunity to sign in is at 11:30 a.m.
    St. Jude's provides towels, shampoo and body wash. No other services will be offered at this time. Showers are limited to 15 minutes per person. There are two private stalls in use.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church is located mauka at Paradise Circle and Ke'aka.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

NATIONAL PARK WEEK  begins Saturday, April 22 at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with a fee-free day for everyone and an adventurous family fun event. This yearʻs theme, Your Park Story, invites an even deeper connection to reflect on special moments in national parks and the opportunity to make new memories. It also involves Bark Ranger Day to bring the family dog and meet up with a canine ranger, an After Dark in the Park presentation on 'Io, the native Hawiaian hawk, and numerous hikes at Kahuku and Volcano.

Bark Ranger Sting and his human, Park Ranger Dean Gallagher

NPS Photo by Janice Wei

    On opening day, families are invited to Journey at the Summit between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a role-playing quest and to receive an adventure pack with directions to activity stations located in the park. Roll the dice at each adventure station to learn what the quest will entail. Stations are located within a half mile of Kīlauea Visitor Center and at Kahuku. Once the quests are complete, return to the welcome tent to claim a prize. The start and finish locations are at Kīlauea Visitor Center and Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.

    The Kaʻū Field System Farming the Rock is a National Park Week event on Saturday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m. Walk along an old ranch road to the remnants of the field system in Kahuku. Learn how pre-western contact Hawaiians intensively farmed this area and fed the large population of Kahuku. This is an easy 1/2 mile, one-hour hike to Kipuka Kāʻopapa and back. Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station
    Pu'u o Lokuana Cinder Cone is a National Park Week event on Sunday, April 23 at 9:30 p.m. It is an easy 45-minute, 1-hour hike. Walk the 0.4 mile loop and learn about how a cinder cone is formed and the various uses of this hill over time. Enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka'ū from its peak. Why is (and was) it considered a kumu waiwai (a source of wealth) by the many different inhabitants of Kahuku? Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station  
 

'Io, Hawaiian Hawk. USFWS Photo

  Movement Patterns of the Endemic ʻIo is a National Park Week event on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. ʻIo, the only hawk endemic to Hawaiʻi, is considered a symbol of royalty in Hawaiian culture and remains protected today. ʻIo are found only on the Island of Hawaiʻi, living in many habitats, from urban to agricultural and forested landscapes. Biologist Dr. Kristina Paxton discusses exciting new research that reveals how ʻio move across their island home. The talk is part of Hawai'i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply. Venue is Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium
    Hi'iaka & Pele is a National Park Week event on Saturday, April 29. Discover two Hawaiian goddesses, sisters Pele-honua-mea (Pele) and Hi'iaka-i-ka-poli-o-pele, and the natural phenomena they represent. Experience the sisters through the epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this moderate two-mile, 90-minute hike Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.

Hi'iaka & Pele hike to discover the story of the
two Hawaiian goddesses and natural phenomena
they represent. NPS photo

    

    Bark Ranger Day is a National Park Week event on Sunday, April 30 from dawn to dusk. A statement form the park says, "Don't let sleeping dogs lie, treat your furry friend to a long walk on Bark Ranger Day! The park will close Mauna Loa Road to vehicles on Sunday, April 30 just so you can strut your mutt up and down this scenic shady road. Make sure to bag and remove your pup's poo, keep your pet leashed and respect wildlife. Want to really get that tail wagging? Make your dog a Bark Ranger!" Visit the Hawaiʻi     Pacific Parks Assocation store at Kīlauea Visitor Center or at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, take the pledge, get the certificate and celebrate with some Bark Ranger bling! See https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/pets.htm. Venue is Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu.
    Realms and Divisions of Kahuku is a National Park Week event on Sunday, April 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Discover the classification system, the realms and the vertical and horizontal land divisions that have been used in Hawaiʻi for centuries. This is a moderately easy one-mile, 90-minute hike on Kamakapaʻa Trail. Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.