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Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, August 29, 2023

A silent auction with original art, music and a feast helps raise $21K to assist with the Maui firestorm recovery. It was sponsored by The Club at Discovery Harbour. Photo from The Club
MORE THAN $21K WAS RAISED FOR MAUI BY THE CLUB AT DISCOVERY HARBOUR last weekend in the wake of the deadly firestorm on Aug. 8 that destroyed Lāhainā and killed hundreds of people. The Club board member Jeff Jones reported, "The devastating fires on Maui quickly generated a desire to help those affected by the horrific event. Our chef, Jason Lofland, of DaBomb BBQ, was trained and worked on Maui. He approached The Club at Discovery Harbour management with the idea of holding a prime rib buffet dinner as a benefit. It was quickly decided to hold the dinner on Sunday, Aug. 27. It was also decided to solicit donations for a Silent Auction from local artisans."
Chef Jason Lofland, Da Bomb, rallies
volunteers to raise $21K for Maui.
Photo from The Club
       Dinner tickets sold out within three days of ticket sales announcement and the chef went to work. He, along with his staff, donated their time cooking and serving a smoked prime rib buffet dinner to the supportive 72-plus members and guests. Local vendors and artists provided an array of beautiful items ranging from various goods and services, vacation lodging, jewelry, quilted bags, clothing, sculptures and original paintings. All net proceeds for the dinner are going to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Kako‘o Maui, which is matching the amount with other funding.
      Jones said, "The Club at Discovery Harbour core staff and volunteers worked feverishly decorating and staging the clubhouse in preparation to receive an overall attendance of 115 people who were anxious to donate to the cause." The doors opened at 3 p.m. and as folks signed in, they were greeted by live music provided by 19 Degrees North, Pat Wake, Keoki Sereno and Tommy Psunami. Dinner was served at 4 p.m. following a Hawaiian Blessing song performed by Sereno. He provided the musical background throughout the dinner hour.
    "Now, it was up to everyone else to open their hearts and checkbooks and boy, did they ever!" said Jones. Silent Auction bidding continued for approximately three hours. 
Sold out dinner and auction to at The Club at Discovery Harbour to support Maui firestorm victims. Photo from The Club

    In addition, some live auction activity was spontaneously incorporated into the festivities when artist, Jeff Barger, decided to sell his original painting, Honu Watching, and his large giclee, Honu Resting, by live auction. Crowd involvement created a party atmosphere which resulted in a feverish bidding war. Artist Megan Collins of Paradise Meadows, donated her original painting, Mamoapus, garnering the highest single donation of the night.

The dinner sold out within three days after The Club's
announcement to fundraiser for Maui. Photo from The Club
 

        Artist Scott Manly, of Historic Stone Art, also got into the action at the last minute, by bringing out one of his larger pieces of etched slate "that was quickly bid up to a nice donation amount," said Jones.
        The Club at Discovery Harbour Pub staff donated their time. They, along with other volunteers served attendees refreshments throughout the evening. A dollar for every drink sold was added to the bottom-line donation.    "Additional volunteers contributed to the overall success; greeting guests at sign-in, managing the Silent Auction, and collecting additional monetary donations for Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Kako‘o Maui and the Maui Humane Society."
    Jones said, "The outpouring of support for our Maui ‘Ohana has been overwhelming throughout this endeavor. Jason and The Club at Discovery Harbour staff are humbled by the Aloha Spirit all have shown. We cannot thank everyone enough who donated to this cause."


ONSITE HELP WITH GRANTS FOR FARMERS MAKING VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION, AND FARM PROGRAMS AND LOANS comes to Ka‘ū. Iokepa-Moses said that all options except for the voucher program would be "a heavy lift." With the voucher program, "We will partner with you but mainly the homeowners will be able to steer that boat from the contractors and what they're doing on the property." 
    This Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the site is the annex conference room next to the Herkes Kaʻū Gym on the school grounds at 96-1219 Kamani Street. 
    On hand will be Denise Salmeron, a USDA Business Programs Director; Malia Kantrowitz, a Hawai‘i Energy, Energy Advisor; Chloe Gallegos and Kevin Burke from Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Jennifer Balderas and Keisan Tamura from USDA Farm Service Agency.


HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK HAS announced flight operations for September:
    September 1 between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000 and 9,000-ft. elevation.
    September 5 between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. for an ungulate survey at Kahuku between 4,000 and 6,000-ft. elevation.
    September 11 and 15 between 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000 ft and 9,000-ft elevation.
    September 14 between 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for Fountain Grass control and monitoring from the park's west boundary to Keauhou and from sea level to 3,500-ft elevation.
 
A cone along the Maunaiki Trail in the Kaʻū Desert where aerial monitoring for invasive tree control will happen on Sept. 19.
Photo by A. LaValle/NPS

  September 18 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. multiple flights are planned by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to retrieve temporary seismic instruments on Kīlauea caldera floor around 4,000-ft. elevation.
    September 18 and 21 between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for Red Hill Cabin repairs and waste removal on Mauna Loa between 8,500 ft and 10,000-ft elevation.
    September 19 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. for an ungulate survey at Kahuku between 4,000 and 6,000-ft. elevation and for invasive tree control and monitoring in the Ka‘ū Desert from 1,000 to 2400-ft. elevation.
    USGS HVO may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation. The park statement says, it "regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather conditions. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and maintain backcountry facilities."






5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the street. See www.kaucalendar.com


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Monday, August 28, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, August 28, 2023

Kaʻū Coffee farmers who recently purchased their lands were praised by Kaʻū Coffee marketer Chris
Manfredi at a mahalo event to thank him for helping to bring the region's coffee into the international market.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie
CHRIS MANFREDI, A LONG TIME KAʻŪ COFFEE MARKETER, was honored by Kaʻū Coffee Growers Coop recently with a dinner and much praise at Pāhala Community Center. 
     The former land manager of thousands of acres of Kaʻū Coffee lands, pastures and property planned for
Gloria Camba, President of Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative,
 presents Chris Manfredi a plaque for his efforts in successfully
marketing the Kaʻū brand. Photo by Julia Neal
community development said he will be spending most of his time in his home state of New York where he has two new grand babies and 88 year-old parents with whom he needs to be. He said he has also returned to the specialty car business and is working with one of the top companies in the country. He sold his own auto enterprise to his employees when he decided to focus on Kaʻū more than 20 years ago.
     Manfredi praised Kaʻū Coffee farmers for recently buying their farms from the land holder who subdivided and sold it. He reviewed plans he made with partners who bought that same land many years ago and planned a coffee mill, labor housing and covenants that would protect the views from Hwy 11 to the mountains above. The 2008 crash of the national economy took down Lehman Brothers, the lender for the project, and Manfredi and partners could not move forward. Manfredi said he had fallen in love with Kaʻū and its people and decided to throw himself into marketing the coffee for the Kaʻū growers.
     He helped the growers to enter the international Specialty Coffee Association of America contests and small farmers from Kaʻū won consistently for years until the competition was stopped. Manfredi became a broker for Kaʻū Coffee and was able to sign contracts with such buyers as Starbucks.
     Manfredi was also a lead organizer of Kaʻū Coffee Festival and reminded the farmers of the Coffee College he produced each year at the end of the festival to help further farmer education.
    He also helped relaunch the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau in Kaʻū, became President of the statewide Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and President and Executive Director of Hawai‘i Coffee Growers Association. With his move to spend most time with family in New York, he stepped down from the Hawai‘i Coffee Association earlier this year.
Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative held an appreciation event for Kaʻū coffee marketer Chris Manfredi
 who is leaving his Kaʻū home to be with family in New York. Photo by Julia Neal
     Kaʻū Coffee farmer Lorie Obra said she remembered the day her late husband Rusty Obra first met Manfredi and came home to tell her that the farmers had found someone who could really market their coffee as its own Kaʻū brand, rather than selling it all to Kona. Gloria Camba, President of Kaʻū Coffee Growers Coop, thanked Manfredi for all the work he did to build the brand. Willie Tabios, also an award-winning Kaʻū Coffee farmer, praised Manfredi for his contributions to the growth of the local industry.
     Manfredi encouraged the coffee farmers to stay strong in refraining from selling to Kona and to protect the quality of Kaʻū Coffee to retain its reputation as a high-quality specialty coffee. He said he is also proud of his support of traceability testing that is now available to determine coffee origin in order to prevent sales of counterfeit Kaʻū Coffee and to maintain its integrity.
     He said he is not completely out of the Kaʻū Coffee industry and invited anyone with questions, ideas, and wanting to talk story to contact him at cmanfredi@kaufarmandranch.com. He said he owns land in Kaʻū and may be seen in the future in a rocking chair on the deck, looking at the ocean.


COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I CIVIL DEFENSE has issued a Coastal Flooding Statement for the entire Island of Hawai‘i for low-lying coastal areas due to higher than normal tides through Thursday. Civil Defense advises:
     Flooding of beaches and minor coastal erosion can occur.
     Secure all property and ocean craft.
     For more information, visit the County of Hawai‘i Hazard Impact Map.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR ALL OF KA‘Ū into Volcano, from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon. National Weather Service predicts trades at 15 to 30 mph, with gusts of 40 to 45 mph. The strongest gusts are expected to be "downward of the terrain."

 
AFTER DARK IN THE PARK at Kīlauea Visitor Center is canceled for Tuesday evening due to a leak in the visitor center auditorium ceiling. The presentation was to be Nani o Kahuku, about a day on historic Kahuku Ranch, adapted by Jackie Pualani-Johnson directly from the diary of Hannah (Nani) Piʻilani Jones. Nani, portrayed by actress Alya-Joy Kanehailua. Jones was the eleventh and second-to-youngest child of George W.C. Jones, who owned Kahuku Ranch from 1871 to 1887. 
    The play is expected to be rescheduled.





5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the street. See www.kaucalendar.com



 
As climate change continues to impact Hawai`i, we should learn how Native Hawaiians lived with the land for so many centuries. We should learn from them to care for the earth and live in harmony with her. Native Hawaiians call this “Malama i ka `Aina.”
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Sunday, August 27, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, August 27, 2023

Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic held its first Community Health Fair on Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

Pāhala Taiko set the beat for the Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic's
 first Community Health Fair on Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal
THE FIRST COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR, sponsored by Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, brought in the community for education and testing on Saturday. It also drew entertainment, including singer Tai Chun, Shesley Martinez and Hālau Hula ‘O Leionalani with Demetrius Oliveira and Gene Beck.
    Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko Drummers launched the event. Food vendors 4 Scoops of Aloha, Good to Go Grindz, Sel's Lunch Wagon and Triple 7 Shave Ice fed the crowd.
    KTA Pharmacy offered routine vaccines, consultation and screening. Project Vision tested eyes and provided info on healthy eating for the eyes and health info about the retina. 
    East Hawai‘i Family Guidance Center explained its children's mental health service and telehealth psychiatry services information. Shine Sisterhood Initiative of Kaʻū Women's Health Collective advocated prenatal care to prevent
Dr. Jen Shrestha and new baby celebrate the Go Malama slogan
with the team from East Hawai'i Health Care system that includes
 Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic. Photo by Julia Neal
problems during delivery and to ensure long-term health for mothers and children. 
    Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association presented its programs.
    Hawai‘i County police officers entertained and provided Keiki ID Cards. Elderly Activities Division of the County of Hawai‘i Parks & Recreation issued Kupuna Cards and shared opportunities to use its island-wide services for seniors 55 years of age and older.
    Hawai‘i Keiki educated children and parents about sugary drinks. 
    The Public Health Nurse Branch of state Department of Health gave a pep talk for entering the field of Public Health Nursing. DOH also shared its Take 10 essential items for Disaster Preparedness, and Hawai‘i Family Guide to Health Emergencies. 
    Alzheimer's Association Aloha Chapter offered opportunities for testing, care and support services and invited participation in the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimers on Saturday, Sept. 23. See https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=16500&pg=entry#:~:text=Saturday%2C%20September%2023%2C%202023
Attendees were able to receive testing and vaccines.
Photo by Julia Neal
    Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center gave out evidence-based information to assist with tobacco cessation, carbon monoxide testing, and important contact information for all of their clinics.
    Kaʻū High &  Elementary shared educational activities on the school campus along with academic programs, health services and extracurricular activities available to students.
    Nā‘ālehu & Pāhala Public Libraries presented health resources available through library books and online, with the libraries now open five days a week. 
    Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i welcomed new members to Girl Scouts.  
    See more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.
Kaʻū Community Health Fair offered eye testing of the retina from Project Vision. Photo by Julia Neal

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.

Lani Cran Petrie's Kapāpala Ranch, leased
 from the state, will be managed under the
Department of Agriculture. A member
 of the Paniolo Hall of Fame, she is
shown here with a certificate from 
the County Council.
SOME 24,800 ACRES OF KAPĀPALA RANCH LANDS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. It has been the goal of lessees Lani Cran Petrie and Bill Petrie for decades.
    The Kapāpala ranchers, who run cattle, goats and horses, have been operating under the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and feared that the agency could halt the ranching operation. Kapāpala is one of the oldest continuously operating ranches with perhaps the oldest working ranch house in the state, built in the mid-1800s. It is located mauka of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and Volcano. 
    On Friday, the Board of Land & Resources voted unanimously to allow the transfer, under the leadership of BLNR Chair Dawn Chang. Lani Cran Petrie said, "Chair Chang and the Board of Land & Natural Resources started taking down the wall between conservation and agriculture. There is a place for cooperation in achieving landscape goals that will benefit all of society. What most advocates of the DLNR donʻt realize is that itʻs the Administrative Rules governing the agency that cripples lessees from doing long-term meaningful practices.
    "Generating highest lease rents with short-termed land tenure is not an environment that lends itself to important things like invasive weed management and reforestation. The Department of Ag has different rules which have long term tenure. Also, the DLNRʻs mandate for public auction removes any long-term investment potential that the land
Nearly 25,000 acres of Kapāpala Ranch land will be transferred to
 the state Department of Agriculture. Photo from Kapāpala Ranch
can support. Who is going to plant a koa forest with a 35-year term on a piece of land? At the expiration of a lease all assets belong to the State and you aren't going to grow a marketable tree in that window of time."
    Cran Petrie said she was "pretty confident going into the meeting that it would pass. What I wasn't expecting was the landslide of support. The Nature Conservancy and Office of Hawaiian Affairs raised their concerns but had to concur that it was a good decision." 
    State Department of Forestry & Wildlife Administrator Dave Smith said, "We at DOFAW will get more done quicker and better with Bill and Lani Petrie than we could ever do on our own".
    The BLNR Chair said, "Our decision today is pono. It is right for the land."
Kapāpala Ranch is famed for raising goats and cattle. Photo from Kapāpala Ranch
    Chang said she expects the growth of "a collaborative relationship to support what you guys are doing in the ranching industry and how you can work with us to ensure that our interests as DLNR are met. I’m very optimistic.” 
     Board of Agriculture Chair Sharon Hurd told the BLNR that conservation would remain important for the land transferred to the Department of Agriculture. "Please don’t worry about conservation being ignored. It’s not a zero-sum game. It’s very much a complementary game.”
    As part of the transfer, Kapāpala Ranch is releasing 7,000 acres of its leased land that have “high natural resource value” to Department of Land & Natural Resources. It may be annexed to Kapāpala Forest Reserve. It is also ensuring that native Hawaiian hunting and gathering rights as well as access to trails will not be impeded on lands transferred to Department of Agriculture.




5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the street. See www.kaucalendar.com


 
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